"Good, everyone's here so let's begin the meeting."

With Da Jiang and Lu Bian present, Gu Sheng clapped his hands to start the session.

The meeting today wasn't large in scale. Present were Shen Miaomiao and Gu Sheng - the two executives; Lu Bian and Da Jiang - two deputy directors; plus Jiang Yun and Sato, the studio heads of Golden Experience and Steel Chain Fingers respectively; along with chief secretary Chu Qingzhou. All core senior management of Golden Wind.

"Today's meeting is mainly about the company's upgrade," Gu Sheng began.

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, looking puzzled. "Upgrade?" Jiang Yun asked, "Are we expanding again?"

"No," Gu Sheng waved his hand with a smile, "Our dual-studio operation has just begun and needs stabilization first. Even if we expand again, we'd need to wait until both studios are firmly established."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, realizing they'd overthought things. Indeed, with both studios newly established and Steel Chain Fingers only having one small game as foundation, recklessly expanding to open a third studio now would be too risky. Such rash action wasn't something Director Gu would consider.

"Then what does this upgrade refer to...?" Jiang Yun asked.

"The Billion Club," Gu Sheng raised a fist, "Based on our current financial situation, by next quarter our company's disposable net assets should reach about 980 million."

Last net asset calculation was after APEX, when they had about 650 million. Now, after four projects - To the Moon, Escape, Plants vs. Zombies, and Escape from Hell - their disposable net assets had surged by over 300 million, nearly entering the Billion Club! Notably, To the Moon was purely philanthropic, bringing prestige but no actual revenue. Plus, the two "Escape" games had high production costs, and absorbing Steel Chain Fingers studio. Despite these heavy expenditures, their net assets kept skyrocketing, proving Gu Sheng's capabilities and Golden Wind's flourishing development.

"Calculating this way, by next quarter's end we'll upgrade to a mid-sized gaming company!" Lu Bian nodded repeatedly with joy, "Starting from 500,000, established for three years, reaching 1 billion in disposable net assets - and all without any external support! Impressive!"

Hearing this, Gu Sheng glanced at Little Nezha with a smile: 'Thanks to Little Nezha for giving my cheat ample room to perform.'

Little Nezha raised an eyebrow back at Gu Sheng: 'If not for this guy limiting my cheat, we'd have become a mid-sized company long ago.'

"Yes," Gu Sheng nodded, "The good news is around mid-next quarter, we'll successfully upgrade to a mid-sized gaming company."

Such upgrades typically lack official certification. Reaching 1 billion in disposable net assets is the threshold. Cross it, and you're a mid-sized gaming company - an industry convention. But after circulating for so many years, this convention has become a rigid industry standard.

Domestically and globally, various gaming expos, industry summits and award settings all have requirements regarding company size - different from Gu Sheng's previous life. So regarding gaming scale, they must continuously progress and expand to obtain more important world gaming front-row tickets.

"Good news?" Sato caught the key point, "Then - Mr. Gu, what's the bad news?"

Sato proved himself the clever Sato again. His language learning ability was exceptional - having mastered daily conversation and even some Chinese nuances in such short time in China. Though his accent remained noticeable, basic communication was no problem.

*Snap* Gu Sheng clicked his fingers: "The bad news is... by the end of this quarter's final month, registration for this year's Higashitsu Gaming Festival closes. Then, organizers will arrange venue layouts based on each company's submitted games."

*Gasp*!!!

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Though all knew Golden Wind's grudge with Komera was far from over, planning to challenge Komera again just half a year after last Higashitsu Expo still felt nerve-wracking.

But! Thinking carefully! Director Gu dared make such plans because he had confidence. Escape had devastated Komera, Plants vs. Zombies triggered global sales frenzy, Escape from Hell won GDC awards - their achievements since last Higashitsu Expo.

Qualified? Saying "qualified" would be conservative. This was fucking awesome! A small gaming company! Three games, each successful, sparking heated discussions across the industry, with PVZ even breaking into mainstream! Asking if they're qualified? "Qualified" wouldn't dare speak! Whether reputation or influence, they already possessed capital to compete with Komera again!

But! "As Neon's - even the Eastern Hemisphere's - most powerful gaming enterprise, Komera has some influence over Higashitsu Expo," Gu Sheng said, "If we exhibit as a small company, our treatment wouldn't be much better than at CDEA's Game Development Design Media Conference."

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances and nodded, especially Da Jiang and Lu Bian who felt more deeply. That shabby corner booth with pitiful few motion pods - back then their iron trio had squatted before the booth, enduring chilly drafts like beggars, stubbornly waiting until their game was discovered and sparked wild attention. Though Jiang Yun and Sato as later arrivals missed that tough experience, they'd heard stories.

Now, Golden Wind was completely transformed. They weren't returning to Higashitsu as small fry.

"We must steadily enter the Billion Club and become a mid-sized developer before registration," Gu Sheng said, looking at Sato, "From what I understand, at Higashitsu Expo, a developer's scale correlates with booth placement, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Gu," Sato nodded, "Not just Higashitsu - the other three world-class expos also allocate exhibition resources based on scale. Oh, except China - if we attend China's CJ Expo, CDEA would exceptionally arrange larger space for us. But other countries..." Sato shook his head.

Regional preference - completely normal. Sato was right - in China, Golden Wind wouldn't face such pressure or need consider company size. Just like in Neon, at each Higashitsu Expo, Komera always had the largest, best-positioned booth - the undisputed T0 developer, even Cloud Horizon and Vivendi got shoved aside. In a league of their own.

"Hmm... truly difficult," After discussion, Lu Bian crossed arms and frowned, "Already having regional preference plus huge influence, plus our feud with Komera... If we exhibit as small company again... Komera might stick our booth in fucking Okinawa."

*Pfft*-

Everyone stifled laughter.

"That'd be great," Gu Sheng joked, "We could hold our own exhibition in Okinawa then."

After laughter, Gu Sheng waved seriously: "So before then, we must join mid-sized developers and announce it publicly." Only then, with dual support of mid-sized scale and international gaming reputation, could Komera be deterred.

"Even if not giving us best booth," Gu Sheng said, "They'd have to give us standard placement."

"Otherwise they'd ruin their own reputation," Sato added, "Even if Komera wanted, organizers wouldn't agree." Being one of four global gaming expos, organizers wouldn't dismantle their reputation just for one Golden Wind vs Komera showdown.

They had to find a way into the Billion Club before next quarter.

"Just need 20 million more profit," Lu Bian thought, "Promotions? Game sales?" The simplest way to quickly boost income was sales. Slap on a -xx% off tag and sales revenue would flow continuously.

"No," Chu Qingzhou shook head, "This quarter is China's New Game Release Protection Month by default. To ensure new games' sales and promotion, all platforms and developers refrain from sales."

"Oh... right," Lu Bian patted forehead, "Forgot about that."

"Then... new events for APEX or PUBG?" Da Jiang suggested.

"Also no," Gu Sheng shook head, "These two are our stable income projects - event releases and version updates follow annual schedules. Can't disrupt randomly."

The meeting room fell silent briefly.

Jiang Yun spoke: "Then... only option is a new game." He looked at Gu Sheng: "Now that Escape from Hell and Plants vs. Zombies projects are basically complete, it's perfect timing for follow-up works. Following your plan, since we're wrestling Komera, a main project is essential. Fortunately, with two studios now - one can focus on main project development for steady victory, the other can rush slightly to produce a smaller-scale game, aiming for 20 million profit before next quarter."

One quarter - development plus profit, net gain reaching 20 million. Fortunately, game development in this world had many conveniences, plus his cheat! Gu Sheng sighed inwardly. Otherwise forget 20 million - 2 million, even 200k would be impossible to recover, because in his previous life three months wasn't enough to develop a game. Even in this world, this target wasn't easy!

"So..." Gu Sheng scanned the room, "Any good ideas?"

Everyone looked at each other, falling into thought.

Meanwhile! At the head, Shen Miaomiao furrowed her delicate brows, brainstorming hard. Opportunity had come! Another new project set! Well, for Golden Wind it was a new project set. But for her... it could be a new project set... or a sub-project set!!!

Now she held two main projects - Plants vs. Zombies and Escape from Hell! Though Escape from Hell's settlement hadn't processed yet due to short time, seeing players' passionate complaints while buying everywhere made clear this game basically couldn't lose money.

Two main project successes meant two sub-project opportunities! The chance to lose money had arrived!

Thinking this, Shen Miaomiao cleared throat and said: "I think we should start from recently popular projects."

Oh-? Hearing CEO Ou speak, everyone looked over. In Golden Wind's history, though CEO Ou spoke little during meetings, easily seen as a mascot, legends about her circulated constantly within Golden Wind, passed down by word of mouth! Truly pearls of wisdom! Whether their founding Vampire Survivors or later internationally-reaching Titanfall - all bore CEO Ou's visionary insights!

CEO Ou suggested pixel style and random item drops, birthing 'vampire-like'. CEO Ou said mech games could lead the market, creating 'mech FPS'. In company, some might call CEO Ou lazy! But none ever called her weak!

Now CEO Ou spoke again, sparking everyone's interest as they looked at Shen Miaomiao eagerly.

Seeing this, Gu Sheng signaled Little Nezha to continue: "Recently popular projects? Such as...?"

"Such as... Escape from Hell?" Shen Miaomiao said.

This stunned everyone! What? Our game just released three days ago! Already planning sequel? Too rash!

But after brief pause! Someone immediately "understood" CEO Ou's meaning: "Director Shen means... making a spin-off?" Jiang Yun said.

Hearing this, everyone nodded. Oh- that's what she meant! Not a bad idea! Riding the heat to release spin-off might really succeed.

However. Gu Sheng shook head. No. He had ideas for spin-offs from this game, but now wasn't the time. Too short. One quarter barely enough to produce that work. Without completing game, forget profits.

"Not ideal," Gu Sheng shook head, casually finding excuse, "Escape from Hell's ending is set. Players need emotional recovery. Short-term, this theme isn't optimal for us."

*Pfft pfft pfft*- Shen Miaomiao mentally sprayed saliva at Gu Sheng. Damn old thief, ruining my money-losing plans. That was 100x return slip! If sequel or spin-off flopped as he said, who knows how much I could lose! Maybe directly achieve financial freedom then - forget Billion Club, even Hundred Billion Club might be within reach!

But seeing all senior managers nod, Shen Miaomiao could only internally complain. She dared not act too outrageously or directly oppose Gu Sheng. If her money-losing goal became too obvious, Gu Sheng might suspect she had tricks. Once he knew about her loss system, it would auto-destruct. Can't overplay.

No matter! Let Escape from Hell wait for later! Still have another project!

"Then... Plants vs. Zombies?" Shen Miaomiao asked again. As main project, PVZ's retained return rate was 15x. Lower, but better than main project's base 10x. Main issue... Shen Miaomiao wasn't sure with PVZ's breakout popularity whether she could lose money. Too many players. Audience too broad, so...

"Plants vs. Zombies could work," Before Shen Miaomiao finished muttering, Gu Sheng said, "We could try a PVZ spin-off."

Huh?! Shen Miaomiao startled. So agreeable, Old Gu! Just as she was about to grin happily, something felt off! Wait! Him agreeing so readily - did he have some mature trick?

Gu Sheng had no tricks. Just a system. And Little Nezha's "PVZ spin-off" proposal just inspired him.

"Shooters are our specialty," Gu Sheng said, "Given our tight schedule and heavy task, why not use our most familiar game type, fused with Director Shen's suggested current popular game, to make a spin-off."

Huh? Gu Sheng's words baffled everyone! Plants vs. Zombies... and... shooting? What connection? One tower defense! One FPS! How to combine? What method?

"I... don't quite understand, Director Gu." Jiang Yun frowned after much thought, unable to imagine combining these genres, "You mean having players enter motion pods to plant flowers, vegetables and peas, cooperating with plants to resist zombie attacks?"

Defensive shooters existed before - like Super Cop, Beach Head - but those were early PC era games, almost nonexistent in motion pods.

What Gu Sheng planned wasn't that. "No," He shook head, "I want to turn players into Peashooters and Sunflowers. Or zombie dancers."

What-the-fuck?! Everyone stared at Gu Sheng dumbfounded. Oh no! Our Director Gu has truly become psychologically abnormal! Now not just content with clipping fingers in Escape or gender-swapping! He fucking wants to turn players into plants! Or zombies! Holy shit!

Jiang Yun imagined himself as a Sunflower happily wobbling around streets in-game and felt scalp tingle! What kind of messed-up game would that be?! Looking left - Sato becomes Peashooter. Looking right - Deputy Director Xu becomes Torchwood. Me laboriously producing sunlight, feeding Sato who spits peas flying past Deputy Xu's flaming head... Together fighting zombie opponents in gardens? What demonic chaos?!

"This uh..." Jiang Yun stammered, "Would players... resist becoming Peashooters...?"

Not that they hadn't seen fantasy games before, but at most those gave players tails, extra horns, or wings. At least humanoid! But this! Literally turning into plants upon entering game! Actual plant-people!

"Not fun?" Gu Sheng found the idea amusing, "Head becomes pea pod, mouth spits peas, hands as two leaves, running with vine stems - each plant has unique skills, zombies too. Using special abilities for garden battles - funny and silly, no?"

Wow- Hearing this, Chu Qingzhou beside Shen Miaomiao felt a long-lost sensation! Once upon seeing Cat Mario and Who's the Daddy - Gu Sheng's classic abstract masterpieces - same feeling! Indescribable bewilderment! Urge to start crowdfunding for Gu Sheng! Suspicion he wasn't making games but money laundering!

It's back! All back! Chu Qingzhou just wanted to sincerely praise: If this SB game sells I'll wash hair standing upside down! What decent person turns players into plants! And mobile plants at that! How creepy! Psychological pollution! Imagine suddenly seeing streets full of Sunflowers and Peashooters darting about - not scary?

One preliminary proposal! Silenced the entire meeting room! Only Shen Miaomiao looked spirited! Good! Good! What abstractly silly game! Old Gu truly enlightened! This spin-off not only abandons vast PC+mobile markets for motion pods, but keeps making wrong moves to turn players into plants! This project... my heavens... how much could I lose?!

Facing everyone's stunned expressions, Gu Sheng felt puzzled. What? Not fun? Becoming plants to fight zombies sounds great!

Of course! Fun was just one aspect. More importantly, this casual shooter would first attempt bringing skill+shooting gameplay to small battlefield maps. Also! For modes, he'd weaken traditional mainstream "team score", "team elimination", "bomb defusal", focusing instead on [Point Capture] and [Payload Escort]!

Push cart! Capture point! Admittedly, this game was just a transitional tool project for Billion Club - key step against Komera. But simultaneously! It was Gu Sheng's market test. He wanted to see if players would accept, be interested in abandoning that damn bomb, forgetting annoying scores, focusing on intense point captures or team-focused payload pushes.

APEX and PUBG brought Golden Wind considerable stable profits! So future large-scale online competitive games would remain important! Their next phenomenon-level masterpiece in this area needed a pathfinder.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare would be that great pathfinder! Gu Sheng's expectations weren't high - just 20 million net profit. Mainly observing whether players preferred these faster-paced new modes!

"Director Gu's proposal - thoughts?" Seeing everyone hesitant, Shen Miaomiao asked, then raised hand, "I vote yes first."

Awesome. Seeing Little Nezha raise hand, Gu Sheng nearly laughed. Truly Shen Wanlin's offspring - sometimes Little Nezha could be quite firm.

Who was Little Nezha? Company owner! Chief Executive! Real president! When this lady raised hand, what could other executives think? What could they think?

Lu Bian and Da Jiang exchanged looks - both quite cheerful. Used to it. Who's the Daddy's absurdity came from them - nothing to worry about, both raised hands.

Chu Qingzhou, though thinking this brain-dead game hopeless - forget 20 million, selling half relying on PVZ's heat would be miraculous - but with Miaomiao raising hand, naturally didn't oppose, raising hand too.

Remaining were outdated scholar Jiang Yun and Komera defector Sato. Both gaming veterans. Honestly, turning players into plant-people idea couldn't be called bad - just brain-diarrhea. But with all above agreeing, as employees they could only exchange glances, sigh internally and raise hands.

Fucking ridiculous. Originally great IP, even breakout-level. Now wasted on this spin-off. Jiang Yun felt both angry and amused, internally complaining. But whatever - Steel Chain Fingers' project anyway, since PVZ was theirs, unrelated to us Golden Exper...

"Brother Yun, your Golden Experience handles this project."

???

Jiang Yun's brain nearly twisted into knots.

"Huh?!" Jiang Yun looked dumbfounded at smiling Gu Sheng, "You... what?"

"I said, Golden Experience handles this project," Gu Sheng repeated, "Tentatively titled Garden Warfare, developed by Golden Experience. Though derived from PVZ, considering its FPS nature, Golden Experience has more experience."

After all, the team grew from PUBG, handling more works, more comfortable.

I... this... he... Jiang Yun stuttered, finding no rebuttal. Because Gu Sheng was right! This was shooter! Their Golden Experience old crew definitely more familiar!

Seeing Jiang Yun's reddening face, Gu Sheng knew his thoughts, waving hand smiling: "No pressure, Garden Warfare's overall investment won't be huge - our target just Billion Club threshold."

"Right, right," Shen Miaomiao added, "No pressure Director Jiang, normal performance enough, no need for huge explosion." Just lose money on schedule. Shen Miaomiao internally added. Even complete loss fine - plenty money to cover that 20 million later.

"Then... alright." Jiang Yun couldn't refuse, accepting reluctantly.

However. Just as sighing internally! Gu Sheng spoke again: "Also need to borrow some people from you, transferring to Steel Chain Fingers."

*Pfft*- Jiang Yun's sigh stuck as Gu Sheng's words nearly made him spit blood! Dad! We address each other as brothers, I call you bro, you call me dad! Now dismantling my team?!

"Dir... Director Gu," This time Jiang Yun had to speak up, "Our... our two studios each have their own loads... why suddenly transfer my people?"

Seeing this, Gu Sheng pressed hand down, signaling Jiang Yun not to panic: "Temporarily. And not just Golden Experience people - including Old Lu, Da Jiang, and me will temporarily join Steel Chain Fingers."

*Gasp*!!! Jiang Yun and Sato both inhaled sharply! Big move!

"Sumimasen Mr. Gu," Sato couldn't sit still, internally exclaiming my swan I can't handle such big Buddha, "Forgive my stupidity, we're...?"

Gu Sheng turned serious: "Preparing for Higashitsu Expo."

*Whoosh*! Meeting room instantly turned solemn. Major event. Golden Wind's current biggest matter, also this year's biggest! First time attending one of four global gaming expos! And starting directly against Eastern Hemisphere overlord Komera!

Previously, executives had discussed this. Their battle against Komera wasn't over. But facing such behemoth on opponent's home turf, no one could conceive a game powerful enough to win.

Escape 2? No. Not qualified. To defeat Komera, they needed at least Titanfall-level masterpiece, even higher-investment 3S-level work! Only then possible to truly compete against Komera! After all, last time they defeated Yamamoto Studio by leveraging strengths against weaknesses - frankly, a clever trick! But this time! Both sides on same stage! And this stage even under Komera's influence!

Such adversity, how to break through? Refusing to be small fry, how to breakthrough? None could imagine. This time, truly only trusting Director Gu.

"Brother Yun, remember the 'motion assist' system we specially developed and upgraded for APEX?" Gu Sheng asked.

Jiang Yun recalled, then nodded: "Yes, Director Lu led us making it, upgrading more precise and complex motion assist to better experience heirlooms."

Jiang Yun needed recollection - had nearly forgotten. After all, its original purpose was quite bizarre - just adding more heirloom motions.

"Not just for selling heirlooms," Gu Sheng smiled slightly, "All this time, haven't we been maintaining and collecting data to further enrich this tech?"

"Yes," Lu Bian nodded, "The team's been doing this continuously."

See, this was the iron trio. Honestly, Lu Bian didn't know why Old Gu valued this seemingly insignificant, icing-on-cake technology. But he'd followed Gu Sheng's requests without asking why. Because he believed when Old Gu truly deployed it, he'd explain himself. Not explaining meant timing not right.

Now! Timing had arrived.

"It'll be our game's core technology," Gu Sheng's eyes flashed, "This time, we break through with action RPG!"

*Gasp*!!! Everyone shocked! Action games! Actually, this genre wasn't niche in current market - even one of PC platform's hottest. But note - PC platform. In motion pod market dominated by shooters, racers and sports! Action RPG was terrible choice!

Yet this time! Gu Sheng defied conventions! Not just abandoning his signature second-gen FPS, even ignoring horror genre that defeated Komera before! Instead venturing into completely new territory for Golden Wind!

Though! To some extent, this idea seemed even riskier than turning players into plants! But this time! Surprisingly, no one objected or doubted! Because current situation far exceeded their capabilities! Not exaggerating! Even if Gu Sheng now proposed making card game to counter Komera, they'd unconditionally agree as "desperate measure" breakthrough!

After Gu Sheng finished! Everyone exchanged glances, nodding resolutely with firm gazes!

"Good!" Lu Bian looked up, "Old Gu you arrange, deploy troops, we follow."

Then. Feeling something off. Glanced at CEO Ou.

Shen Miaomiao understood Lu Bian's meaning, smilingly shaking head indicating no need to mind her: "Director Gu has full authority."

She'd already obtained desired money-losing sub-project. Wouldn't interfere with main project or give opinions. Now her role was being mascot, using system to firmly back Old Gu.

Old Gu just go wild! With me here, go all out! What others dare do we do, what others don't dare we do too, cheat-enabled, system-backed - this! Is Golden Wind!!!

Seeing everyone's blazing determination! Gu Sheng felt surging emotions! Originally thought Garden Warfare as small transitional project wouldn't matter. Choosing action games - motion pod's cold genre as Komera-countering project would draw doubts. But unexpectedly! Everyone expressed confusion over plant-people's absurdity! But towards this true major project, united cohesively!

True torment approaches! Ultimate breakdown coming! Mobile altar slowly nearing!

"As long as Old Gu doesn't hesitate, everyone dares unite wholeheartedly."

Seeing Gu Sheng take deep breath seeming nervous, Shen Miaomiao disregarded others' gazes, openly extending small hand to grasp Gu Sheng's. Feeling Little Nezha's palm warmth, Gu Sheng also clasped her hand firmly.

"I won't hesitate," Gu Sheng smiled, same confident - even arrogant - as ever: "Because hesitation means defeat!!!"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com