Bang!!!

"Bakayarou!"

The next day!

Komera!

In the chief director's office of the Silent Hill project!

Yamamoto Tsunashiro slammed two resignation letters and one sick leave application on the desk, roaring with rage and frustration!

Two resignation letters!

One from Kamikawa Yuki and another from Sato Muneki!

One sick leave application!

Thus!

All core members of the original Silent Hill PT development team had withdrawn from the Silent Hill development team!

Yamamoto was practically going insane with anger!

As an experienced senior designer, Yamamoto clearly understood that a game's creation didn't solely rely on the game director.

The core leads from planning, art, and programming departments played equally crucial roles during development!

This was precisely why he previously claimed "many projects could maintain quality despite mid-development director changes"!

Because the director was like a conductor in an orchestra!

Often, after the score was finalized, even if the conductor left midway, as long as the principal musicians were experienced, they could still perform the piece steadily.

But now!

Woodwinds, strings, percussion!

The principal musicians from all three major sections of the symphony orchestra had fucking quit!

Most crucially!

If Gu Sheng were the head of another Komera studio, taking his people with him when leaving would be somewhat understandable.

But he was just an externally hired director!

He'd only been at Komera for less than two months, leading development of a thirty-minute demo!

Yet he'd managed to poach two key developers and leave the remaining one taking sick leave?

"Damn it... damn it!!!"

Yamamoto couldn't swallow this grievance.

He was clearly one of Komera's three peak chief designers!

These traitors!

They'd rather follow some greenhorn kid and defect to some small company from a gaming backwater!

Than work under a top-tier chief like him, in a gaming behemoth like Komera!

He wanted to vent his anger on social media, curse these traitors, and declare that as director, he'd make Silent Hill even better!

But now wasn't the time.

Following his mentor's instructions, Komera was adopting a "cold treatment" approach regarding this matter.

They needed to stall for time as much as possible, avoiding announcing the producer change while players' enthusiasm was at its peak.

Otherwise, the damage to the IP's reputation would be too severe.

Therefore!

Despite his current fury, Yamamoto could only channel all his energy into game development, striving to create a Silent Hill mainline title no worse than Gu Sheng's, making those traitors regret their decision!

After a long while!

Yamamoto finally snorted in frustration!

Seeing this, his assistant who had been standing nearby cautiously asked:

"Director Yamamoto, what should we do now...?"

"Obviously we're holding a project initiation meeting!"

Yamamoto snorted angrily:

"Do you think I, Yamamoto Tsunashiro, am helpless without that brat and those shameless traitors?!"

"Am I inferior to that kid? Or do I lack capable people in my team?!"

"No no no..."

The assistant hastily waved his hands, repeatedly bowing in apology:

"I'll go organize the project initiation meeting immediately."

"Now!"

Yamamoto slammed the table:

"Immediately!!!"

...

[Ding! Detected project interruption due to force majeure!]

[System will conduct settlement based on current project status!]

[Settling—]

[Settlement complete!]

[Main Project: Silent Hill]

[Project Investment: 0 yuan]

[Project Settlement Period: 21 days (+90 days)]

[Project Return Multiplier: 10x (+90x)]

[Current Revenue: 2.1 million yuan]

[Expected Returns: 0 yuan]

[Remaining Settlement Time: 0 days 0 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds]

Meanwhile!

Golden Wind was holding an executive meeting!

Today's agenda had just four words—

Promotions and raises!!!

First!

Gu Sheng, as the overall leader simultaneously managing both the project and operations departments, involved in company strategy formulation, development planning, partner selection—essentially serving as both father and mother—the "supreme power wielder of Golden Wind"!

Finally received a position matching his contributions—

Vice President of Golden Wind, and Chief Game Director!

Though the VP title didn't seem to bring much immediate benefit, given he already held overwhelming authority.

But according to parent company Shen Capital's policies, the VP position granted higher profit-sharing rights.

Meaning.

As Golden Wind grew, Gu Sheng's profit share would increase accordingly!

This was a long-term benefit consideration.

Of course!

Immediate benefits were substantial too!

Gu Sheng's annual salary jumped from 500,000 to 1.5 million!

Shen Miaomiao still harbored resentment about XunTeng's 1.2 million offer to poach Old Gu back then!

Think you're rich? So am I!

Naturally!

Golden Wind's three pillars, the triumvirate.

Besides Gu Sheng!

The White Jade Pillar Lu Bian!

Promoted to Golden Wind's Deputy Game Director, concurrently serving as Lead Programming Group Head in the Project Department!

Annual salary soared from 300,000 to 1.2 million!

The Purple Gold Beam Xu Dajiang!

Promoted to Golden Wind's Deputy Game Director, concurrently serving as Lead Art Group Head in the Project Department!

Annual salary surged from 260,000 to 1.2 million!

Additionally, with Gu Sheng no longer serving as Lead Designer, the diligent but "expired" alumnus Jiang Yun also received promotion!

Appointed as Planning Group Head in the Project Department with a 900,000 annual salary!

As for other deputy heads, team members, and operations staff, their salaries basically more than doubled!

The newcomers Sato and Yuki were assigned to planning and art departments respectively as deputy group heads based on their expertise.

Thus!

Golden Wind completed its first major organizational upgrade since founding!

The announcement sparked universal jubilation!

After all, everyone had seen raises before, but never raises like this!

With CEO Shen's wave of her hand, salaries literally doubled!

The conference room erupted with thunderous applause and cheers!

And at this very moment!!!

Shen Miaomiao heard the system notification in her mind!

[Ding! Detected project profitability!]

[Ding! Derivative sub-project investment unlocked!]

What?!

Shen Miaomiao almost screamed aloud!

This...

This actually worked?

Originally!

She thought Komera's backtracking would invalidate the Silent Hill deal entirely!

Yet unexpectedly, the system suddenly declared it [force majeure]!

And even settled it!

Most crucially!

The return multiplier was preserved!!!

10x base return multiplier.

Plus 90x additional return multiplier.

Hundredfold returns!

Shen Miaomiao's eyes widened!

Holy shit I'm rich!!!

According to the official system rules, if she chose to initiate a derivative sub-project now!

The return multiplier would carry over from the main project, and could even increase beyond 100x!

Sss—!!!

Shen Miaomiao couldn't help but inhale sharply!

A bold idea emerged in her mind!

Suppressing her excitement.

Shen Miaomiao took a deep breath, assumed a calm expression, clapped her hands and smiled:

"Alright everyone,"

"This round of promotions and raises is just a small step for Golden Wind,"

"Now, the Billion Club is within reach—becoming a mid-sized game developer is imperative,"

"Moving forward, I hope everyone will work harder as we advance together, striving to make Golden Wind a pillar of China's gaming industry and a shining star in the global gaming sphere!"

Whoosh—!!!

Thunderous applause!

Shen Miaomiao waved her hand: "That concludes today's meeting,"

"Director Gu, please stay behind."

...

As attendees dispersed!

Only Gu Sheng and Shen Miaomiao remained in the conference room.

Shen Miaomiao's big eyes darted around.

She needed to find a pretext to initiate the Silent Hill sub-project.

A hundredfold return!

Losing 10,000 means 1 million, losing 1 million means 100 million!

With salaries doubled and development costs soaring!

She couldn't possibly waste this hundredfold return opportunity—it'd break her heart otherwise.

After some thought, Shen Miaomiao spoke:

"Old Gu, what's our next move?"

"What next move?" Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow, accepting a lollipop from Little Nezha and popping it in his mouth: "Which aspect?"

"Subsequent project development, obviously,"

Shen Miaomiao said:

"Originally per our plan, after formal Silent Hill collaboration was secured, Golden Wind would mobilize fully for development in Neon,"

"But now, Komera reneged, terminating our Silent Hill development partnership, disrupting the original plan,"

"So we need to start fresh elsewhere."

Here.

Shen Miaomiao paused, propping her chin with a worried expression:

"What new direction should we take then?"

"Oh that,"

Gu Sheng chuckled lightly, as if this required little consideration:

"Currently, riding Higashitsu Gaming Festival's hype, the two hottest games are Yakuza Frenzy and Silent Hill,"

"I led development of Silent Hill's preview demo,"

"With its current momentum, we should capitalize on that."

"But... doesn't Komera hold Silent Hill's copyright?" Shen Miaomiao pouted: "How can we leverage it?"

This was her primary concern.

Sub-projects needed connection to the main project.

With Silent Hill's copyright at Komera, forcibly associating might cause unnecessary legal issues.

"Are you planning to develop your prepared design document under a different name?"

Shen Miaomiao knew Gu Sheng had Silent Hill's sequel planned, assuming he'd rename it.

However, Gu Sheng shook his head.

"Let the original sequel remain—that's Silent Hill's story, it should bear that name, not be renamed."

Sometimes Gu Sheng could be stubborn, especially about games.

As Little Nezha suggested, he could rename Silent Hill's protagonist—Ergou, Dazhu, Xiaoshuai—and rebrand the game as Mute Village or such.

And market it as "from the original team."

It would still succeed.

But.

Gu Sheng disagreed.

To him, Silent Hill was Silent Hill—James and Mary's story belonged under that IP.

Renaming would ruin it.

Hearing this.

Shen Miaomiao relaxed.

She feared Gu Sheng would ride the hype by releasing his original design.

After all, Silent Hill PT was wildly popular now!

If Gu Sheng unveiled his original design as "the authentic psychological horror experience,"

Her hundredfold loss sub-project would go down the drain.

"Without the original plan, how do we leverage Silent Hill PT then?"

Shen Miaomiao leaned on the conference table, tilting her head at Gu Sheng.

"Easter egg,"

Gu Sheng had already decided when he sensed Komera's betrayal, having even exchanged for the work, so he answered readily:

"I left an easter egg in PT's ending."

"Easter egg?"

Shen Miaomiao struggled to recall.

Gu Sheng could mention it instantly since he'd been contemplating it.

But for Shen Miaomiao, the easter egg wasn't particularly memorable.

Among PT's discussions, the easter egg wasn't highly prominent.

Players focused more on psychological horror's framework and main story speculation!

"Oh! I remember now!"

After effortful recollection, Shen Miaomiao sat upright:

"You mean the text message the protagonist received at the end?"

"Mhm,"

Gu Sheng nodded:

"We'll build on that message, but craft an entirely independent story."

Oh!!!

Shen Miaomiao's eyes lit up.

This was perfect.

Gu Sheng's arrangement ideally suited her needs.

It connected sufficiently to Silent Hill for sub-project qualification.

Yet was essentially a fresh start for a new horror game!

Although!

Gu Sheng could still benefit from his "King of Horror" reputation.

But far better than developing a pure Silent Hill clone.

With 100x returns, even minor losses would yield substantial gains under such multipliers.

This was the most favorable scenario possible!

Thinking thus!

Shen Miaomiao nodded: "Great! This project will succeed! Let's initiate it!"

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow: "Now?"

Shen Miaomiao blinked: "Yes now, any problem?"

Gu Sheng smiled:

"Initiating now means we'll likely clash with Silent Hill's release,"

"Sure you don't want to insert some small game as buffer, letting Silent Hill pass first?"

"We're just a small company—Komera's a giant. Same-genre collision risks losses, you know?"

Originally!

Gu Sheng was just teasing!

He wasn't afraid of collision.

He knew Komera couldn't develop Silent Hill well, and was confident in his own work.

Unexpectedly, his words perfectly aligned with Shen Miaomiao's thoughts!

Exactly!

Her "bold idea" was precisely to collide head-on with Komera!

Of course we can't compete with Komera!

That's exactly what I want!

Now, hearing Gu Sheng's tease strengthened her resolve!

"Hmph!"

Shen Miaomiao pouted, feigning nonchalance as she stood hands-on-hips:

"Afraid of clashing with Komera?"

"I'll crush them!!!"

-----------------

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com