Getting kicked out.

Although Shen Miaomiao was somewhat surprised by this outcome, she didn't show much anger.

After all, for this project so far, Old Gu had just been a mercenary, going out to make some money and bringing back 300,000 dollars.

Golden Wind definitely wasn't losing out.

The only thing that worried her was whether Old Gu would be very upset.

From his previous state, it was clear he had high hopes for this IP.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have eagerly taken on this assignment and gone to Neon personally to lead the work.

Now, Komera had unilaterally canceled the project.

This undoubtedly severed all of Gu Sheng's visions for this IP.

Shen Miaomiao's first reaction was to ask Gu Sheng how he viewed this sudden situation.

How could Gu Sheng view it?

Fuck Komera, of course!

Just as expected!

Silent Hill PT brings misfortune!

Recalling his past life, Hideo Kojima had fallen out with Konami's upper management during the production of this very work and left the company.

Now, he had retraced Kojima's path. Though the process was slightly different, the result was the same.

In fact, his situation was even more absurd than Kojima's!

Due to Komera's last-minute change of heart!

The Silent Hill IP was almost certainly completely dead.

After all, this guy had repeatedly failed and suffered complete losses in the horror game genre.

Komera couldn't do Silent Hill justice.

Yet the copyright was firmly in Komera's hands.

This IP was finished.

It seemed in this world, Silent Hill was never destined to become a classic.

Gu Sheng felt regretful.

But only regretful.

Because!

He had been careful from the start, never mentioning his concepts and designs for the main Silent Hill game to anyone at Komera!

So!

For Komera, all he left behind was a thirty-minute demo worth two million dollars!

Averaging over sixty thousand dollars per minute!

Truly a humanoid money-printing machine!

Of course, PT's massive success had temporarily revived the Silent Hill IP's popularity, letting Komera enjoy the fruits.

Back and forth, it seemed both sides broke even.

Neither profited, neither lost.

But!

Was that really the case?

Don't forget!

First!

While Silent Hill PT revived the long-dormant IP in Komera's hands, it also made Gu Sheng famous!

With the pinnacle psychological horror crafting in this demo, Gu Sheng successfully earned titles like "Savior of Horror Games" and "Father of Psychological Horror"!

Even being directly called "King of Horror Games" by many domestic and international media and players!

This recognition carried more weight than many gaming industry awards!

Because it was market recognition!

Second!

Yuki's flash of inspiration proposing the "protagonist identity supplement" suggestion!

Building on Yuki's idea, Gu Sheng slightly modified PT's ending, providing a definitive answer to the ambiguous protagonist identity from his past life!

Thus emerged Miles Upshur - a fearless reporter daring to uncover the truth!

And Miles would become the key to Gu Sheng's horror game universe!

This key had nothing to do with the Silent Hill IP!

It was a super setup Gu Sheng specifically planted for himself and Golden Wind!

As for the finale—

Just listen to Gu Sheng chuckle over the phone to Yuki:

"So Yuki, this call today is to tell us Komera will develop Silent Hill alone?"

At this moment!

Yuki was utterly shocked by Gu Sheng's foresight and strategic planning!

This man was too cunning!

Despite usually being amiable and warm to everyone in Neon, appearing completely open and sincere.

In reality, he had been guarded all along, with incredibly sharp instincts!

Absurd.

Yuki was stunned internally.

Director Gu was the same age as her, yet his craftiness far exceeded his years, even carrying a hint of veteran shrewdness.

"Ah... I..."

Yuki felt like she'd provided fake intelligence, dazed:

"I... don't have anything else."

"Really nothing?"

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow:

"Think again? Like after leaking this news to me... where you should go work?"

"Ah... ah! Right right!"

Only after Gu Sheng's reminder did Yuki realize, slapping her forehead:

"There's one more thing, which is..."

Yuki suddenly found it hard to speak.

The current situation made her feel like she was negotiating terms with Golden Wind, appearing impure in motive.

But in truth, if she really wanted to negotiate terms, she wouldn't have rushed to leak the news.

Yuki was still young and thin-skinned after all.

Unlike Sato, who immediately picked up the thread:

"And regarding salary, how much can Director Gu offer us?"

As the saying goes, if someone is merely smart, they likely won't be particularly happy, as their acute perceptions bring many concerns.

If someone is merely shameless, they likely won't be particularly comfortable either, as boundary-less behavior makes them miss many opportunities.

But Sato Muneki.

A man both smart and shameless.

Whether invincible is debatable.

But at least he could live comfortably and happily.

Sato's voice gave Gu Sheng an extra surprise!

"So..."

Gu Sheng said cheerfully:

"This call doesn't have a third listener, does it?"

Sato knew Director Gu meant Okura Kazu.

Unfortunately.

Sato said regretfully: "Okura's father has always been in poor health, and as the only son..."

"No problem, no problem, completely understandable, there'll be chances later,"

Gu Sheng wasn't too disappointed, showing deep understanding:

"Now then—let our President Shen personally discuss salary with you two!"

Saying this, Gu Sheng looked at Shen Miaomiao, a sly glint in his eyes.

Perfect!

First, ascending the throne! Fire fanned by wind, creating prestige in one move!

Second, leaving setups! Borrowing hens to lay eggs, forging a personal label key!

Third, poaching core talent! Wagner mode activated, the enemy at Honnoji Temple!

Lose? Impossible to lose!

Not only not losing, Gu Sheng was practically swimming in profits!

With that!

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow at Little Nezha: Your turn, money matters are your call.

Shen Miaomiao gave an inquiring look: How much do you think is appropriate?

Gu Sheng gestured four with his left hand, three with his right.

Male left, female right.

Lead designer Sato 400k, lead artist Yuki 300k.

These were their salaries he'd learned about in Neon.

In the gaming industry, domestic Chinese salaries were about 10%-15% lower than Neon's.

So compared to domestic peers at their level, their salaries were higher.

But not by much.

After all, Sato was just a lead designer at one of Komera's studios, and Yuki hadn't been employed long.

After hinting, Gu Sheng smiled slightly, lifting a paper cup in a Leo-toasting motion, signaling his poaching job was done, now her turn.

Getting Old Gu's signal, Shen Miaomiao gave an OK gesture showing she understood.

She said: "Let's simply double it then. Mr. Sato 800k, Yuki 600k."

Pfft—!!!

The water Gu Sheng just drank!

Nearly choked him to death!

Wide-eyed, he looked at Little Nezha, his gaze full of confusion and shock!

How much?!

What did you just offer them?!

800k and 600k?!

My annual salary is only 500k, damn it!

Meanwhile, Sato on the phone also trembled!

"Ah... uh... I... huh?"

Sato was stunned, even wondering if he misheard!

Originally thinking Golden Wind, as a developing studio, couldn't match Komera's salaries as an established giant.

He'd prepared for a pay cut.

After all, he mainly valued the company's future potential with Gu Sheng at the helm.

Yet!

Not only no pay cut, but a full doubling?!

Unfathomable! Truly unfathomable!

"This... this... I..."

Sato was momentarily speechless.

Yuki laughingly took the phone: "Then we'll come find you in a few days, dear."

"Mm, okay," Shen Miaomiao giggled: "I'll pick you up then."

Click.

Call ended.

Yuki waved her hand before the dazed Sato's eyes: "Senior Sato? What are you thinking?"

"Ah? Ah!"

Only then did Sato snap out of it, blinking confusedly:

"I was thinking... did President Shen reject us? Using this tactful way to hint?"

Yuki burst out laughing:

"Of course not, didn't she say it clearly on the phone?"

"But this makes no sense?"

Sato couldn't comprehend!

"And... aren't you shocked?"

"Me? Nah, I'm fine,"

Yuki just shrugged with a smile:

"Because this really seems like something Miaomiao would do."

Sato didn't understand: "You mean this is Golden Wind's way?"

"No," Yuki shook her head: "I mean her dad is one of China's biggest tycoons."

Sato: ...

...

"What?!"

Simultaneously!

In the CEO's office!

While wiping his mouth, Gu Sheng looked at Shen Miaomiao in shock:

"You just threw out numbers like that? 800k and 600k? I only get 500k!"

Seeing Gu Sheng like this, Shen Miaomiao couldn't help laughing: "What? You're the one who poached them, jealous?"

"It's not about jealousy,"

Gu Sheng raised his hand, explaining patiently:

"Your salary offers far exceed our company's current standards. I don't mind, but what will others think?"

Gu Sheng wanted to say this would harm company unity.

But Shen Miaomiao shrugged: "Who said they exceed our standards? They only exceed yours. I was planning to raise everyone's salaries starting tomorrow."

Gu Sheng: ?

"Not me?" Gu Sheng tilted his head questioningly.

Shen Miaomiao spread her hands innocently: "You don't mind, right?"

"OK! OK! OK!"

Gu Sheng laughed heartily, gesturing understanding, standing to leave:

"Well, coincidentally I heard XunTeng hasn't been doing well lately. They'd probably need someone like me. At my current value, not to brag, but over a million should be no problem? Off I go! Defecting to the enemy!"

"Wait wait! No! Just joking bro!"

Seeing this, Shen Miaomiao jumped up from her seat, grabbing Gu Sheng's arm:

"Don't be rash, let's talk this through..."

"Hmph!"

Gu Sheng waved grandly:

"A real man born between heaven and earth cannot long remain under another's roof!"

"1.5 million!"

Unable to stop him, Shen Miaomiao played her trump card!

Gu Sheng paused, coughing lightly: "Your words clear the clouds and enlighten me, but...!"

Suppressing laughter, Shen Miaomiao interrupted:

"Plus a VP position!"

Gasp!

Gu Sheng inhaled sharply, immediately turning to bow deeply to Shen Miaomiao!

"This humble Gu has wandered half a life, regretting never meeting a wise lord! If you'll have me, I'll serve faithfully!"

Shen Miaomiao giggled uncontrollably!

Excellent!

Now Golden Wind was officially on track. With APEX and PUBG as major online projects and various indie game sales, profits were stable and assets growing.

Shen Miaomiao felt it was time to raise salaries.

After all, higher salaries meant higher costs.

And higher costs were absolutely beneficial for her long-term plans!

If back when they started with 2 million budget for Phasmophobia, she could invest 10 million, wouldn't that guarantee losses?

If during their Asian debut with 50 million for PUBG, she could invest 500 million, wouldn't that guarantee losses?

Or when they first became a launch title developer with 170 million for Titanfall, if she could invest 1.7 billion, wouldn't that guarantee losses?

Remember, market growth speed and breadth are limited.

So theoretically, if her investment was large enough, profits could never catch up to losses.

An extreme example:

Suppose I now invest 5 billion in a game, priced at $50, exclusive to Yiyou X2, with system's longest one-month return period.

Try selling it.

Even god himself couldn't break even!

Because Yiyou X2's global sales are only a few million units!

To break even would require selling 100 million copies!

Therefore!

Raising salaries to increase costs is a royal road to losses!

If you can't lose money!

It just means you're not investing enough!

Salary raises are imperative!

Originally, Shen Miaomiao was thinking how to broach this.

Now!

Perfect timing with Komera's betrayal and Old Gu's counter-poaching of two talents!

This adjustment!

First, raises future project budgets, paving the way for losses!

Second, wins loyalty from the two 'defectors' from Neon!

Third, consolidates internal unity, preparing to charge into the [Billion Club]!

Three birds with one stone!

Miaomiao delighted! Gu Sheng profited massively! Yuki and Sato overjoyed! Golden Wind charging ahead! Everyone satisfied! Peaceful minds!

So the question is—

Who's panicking now?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com