Komera was feeling nervous.

To be more precise, it was Uekoe Kagemasa and Koizumi Kazuo who were nervous.

After all, Komera was such a large corporation that you couldn't expect everyone to share the same sense of urgency.

Looking at the other two major players among the Big Three, Takasugi and Nishikawa, they weren't nervous at all.

Their studio's games had been announced long before Sekiro.

They had already secured their promotional resources and gained the expected attention.

One game was about racing, the other about sports - both occupying their own niches.

Moreover, while the investments for both games were substantial, they weren't astronomical, far from reaching 3S-level standards.

In terms of game scale, they weren't competing against Sekiro.

This arduous and glorious task should be left to Director Koizumi Kazuo, who was full of confidence and ambition, seemingly poised to lead the Big Three.

And indeed, that was the case.

Among Komera's numerous exhibition games, the only one that could truly compete with Sekiro was Torii: Phantom Shadow, another 3S-level title.

Komera quickly sprang into action.

Chiyoda, Shibuya, Shinjuku...

Higashitsu, Osaka, Nagoya...

Giant posters of Torii: Phantom Shadow were prominently displayed in major commercial districts and CBD buildings.

People could look up and see Torii's massive promotional posters everywhere they went.

Some featured exquisite talismans, others the mysterious protagonist - various designs.

Higashitsu Gaming, Neon Game News, Pan-Asia Gaming Forum...

Nearly half of Neon's gaming media and related forum websites were dominated by Komera.

"Torii's total investment reaches $210 million, committed to creating a new FPS experience"

"Lead Director Koizumi Kazuo of Peak Studio interviewed, stating Torii will make history"

"Chairman Uekoe Kagemasa personally endorses Torii, calling it Komera's most successful FPS project to date"

Various reports, interviews, and analyses emerged continuously, constantly refreshing news about the game and maintaining Torii's popularity.

Beyond what was visible, Komera was also sparing no effort to influence public perception of Sekiro, steadily diminishing players' expectations.

The three-pronged promotional strategy.

Clear logic, distinct layers, methodical execution.

"...Clearly coming with ill intentions."

In the vice president's office at Golden Wind.

Gu Sheng was reviewing analyses of Sekiro's reception, his expression grave.

Seeing this.

Lu Bian across from him chuckled and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray: "Hey...they always come with ill intentions, but they've never tasted success before."

"Mmm—"

Gu Sheng hummed noncommittally and handed over his tablet:

"But this time is different."

Hearing this.

Lu Bian froze, took the tablet from Old Gu, and looked down.

Displayed were several simultaneously opened windows - clearly representative examples of the emerging narrative that Gu Sheng had selected—

["Motion-sensing + action - this attempt feels somewhat uncertain, the completion might be questionable..."]

["While the trailer was exciting, without gameplay demonstration, I'll reserve judgment"]

["Not sure if the lack of gameplay is intentional or for other reasons, but this Sekiro trailer doesn't feel as anticipated"]

["Compared to another 3S title, Torii's atmosphere seems superior, the mystery factor is maxed out..."]

Below were various player comments:

'This is truly an unprecedented attempt - the world's first 3S-level motion-sensing pod action game. Honestly, I'm more nervous than Golden Wind'

'Golden Wind has been unusually tight-lipped about gameplay, feels like it's not fully polished yet'

'This Torii trailer is amazing, I'm really looking forward to it'

'Definitely gives off a mysterious vibe'

'Tone, atmosphere, gameplay - Torii covers all these elements'

'True, in comparison, Sekiro's trailer feels too cinematic, can't see actual gameplay content'

'+1, Sekiro seems too focused on narrative...'

As he read.

Lu Bian's brows gradually furrowed.

Across from him, Gu Sheng knew he'd noticed the pattern and asked: "Well?"

"Very strange,"

Lu Bian clicked his tongue:

"Doesn't feel like Komera's usual style."

Counting back, their feud with Komera had lasted nearly a year.

During this time, they'd clashed multiple times.

In Lu Bian's memory, Komera's attack methods always followed a "big spender" style.

Either overwhelming opponents with massive promotions, or buying off media to outright call their games "trash."

Even personal attacks, doom-mongering, and rumor-spreading like during Garden Warfare.

The approach was always straightforward - swift, blunt attacks that came and went quickly.

But this time, Komera's promotional and targeting strategies were clearly different.

For promotion, they had physical displays externally and insider reports internally.

For targeting, they abandoned their usual aggressive rhetoric, instead adopting "rational" analyses to subtly lower expectations for Sekiro while highlighting Torii's polish.

The entire promotional strategy was watertight, clearly structured.

Both big-picture strategic planning and meticulous execution down to the wording level.

This multi-layered, three-dimensional promotional approach.

Was remarkably effective.

In just three days.

Discussion enthusiasm and topic heat for Torii had rebounded, refocusing players' attention and making it once again the most anticipated 3S title at this year's Higashitsu Gaming Festival, on par with Sekiro.

"There's a mastermind behind this,"

Lu Bian summarized accurately, then pondered slightly before asking:

"Koizumi?"

This second-generation Yamamoto seemed quite capable.

Lu Bian thought.

However.

Gu Sheng shook his head.

It couldn't be Koizumi Kazuo.

Because if it were him, that previous "fall from grace" attack against Golden Wind wouldn't have been so abstract, so self-indulgent.

"Moriya Tetsuya."

Gu Sheng almost without hesitation named the mastermind behind this targeted attack.

"Huh?"

Lu Bian was shocked:

"Moriya...but aren't you on good personal terms with him?"

Lu Bian found it hard to believe.

Such swift three-pronged attacks, such precisely targeted promotional plans - every move aimed to kill them, completely intent on crushing them!

If this was Moriya Tetsuya's plan, Lu Bian couldn't help suspecting the man had multiple personalities.

After all, if Moriya really wanted to destroy them, he could have reported Sekiro to Komera immediately when Gu Sheng revealed it to him, preemptively blocking their exhibition plans, possibly even barring them entirely.

But Moriya hadn't.

Didn't say a word.

Ultimately allowing them to successfully launch their blitzkrieg and smoothly secure their spot at the gaming festival.

And now!

Why was he picking up swords to fight against them?

Wasn't this...contradictory?

...

"Not contradictory at all. Expected."

As dusk fell, Shen Miaomiao calmly spoke while clearing the table, her expression showing no surprise.

Earlier, Old Gu had told her about his conversation with Lu Bian that morning.

Regarding Moriya Tetsuya's actions, Shen Miaomiao said it was completely normal.

"Keeping secrets is his 'righteousness' toward you; fully targeting us is his 'loyalty' to the company,"

Shen Miaomiao placed dishes into the dishwasher, stood up to wash her hands:

"For others, this might be hard to understand,"

"But considering he's someone bound by moral principles...it makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"

As she spoke, Shen Miaomiao dried her hands, took two cans of cola from the fridge, walked to the sofa and handed one to Gu Sheng.

Pop.

The canned cola opened with a crisp sound.

Gu Sheng gulped down several mouthfuls, exhaling lightly:

"So according to Director Shen's wise opinion, how should we respond to this tidal wave of attacks?"

Hearing this.

Shen Miaomiao froze, instinctively wanting to shake her head.

Respond? Respond my ass! I hope they attack us even harder!

But as the words reached her lips, she suddenly realized—

Wait!

Sekiro isn't Garden Warfare.

This is their main project - she didn't actually need it to lose money.

On the contrary, this one needed to make money!

Because only then could it smoothly launch sub-projects while also securing high odds.

Thinking this, Shen Miaomiao opened the project file in her mind—

[Main Project: Sekiro (Unlocked)]

[Project Investment: $151 million]

[Project Settlement Time: 28 days (+0 days)]

[Project Return Multiplier: 10x (+0x)]

[Current Revenue: $0]

[Expected Returns: $1.51 billion]

[Remaining Settlement Time: Pending Start]

[PS: Unlocked files cannot generate investment amounts or settlement times, will auto-generate after locking]

She almost forgot about this.

Shen Miaomiao adjusted the [Project Settlement Time] to [28 days (+90 days)].

Naturally, the [Project Return Multiplier] also changed, reaching [10x + (90x)].

This project definitely wouldn't lose money.

With a 28-day return calculation period, based on current investment, after taxes they'd need to make $188 million to break even.

Currently, they'd preliminarily priced Sekiro at $65 per copy.

Meaning $188 million divided by $65 - Sekiro would need to sell 3 million copies in four weeks to break even.

In the past.

Shen Miaomiao would have done precise calculations, then with a wise look declared the project doomed to fail.

But now.

First, she had deeper understanding of the gaming market.

Second, she'd learned from past mistakes - over and over...so many mistakes that she'd gained at least some wisdom.

So after brief calculations, she concluded—

Averaging 750,000 weekly sales wouldn't be a problem for Sekiro.

After all, even Garden Warfare in its difficult situation had managed 700,000 weekly sales.

'So this project can only serve as odds booster, forget about losing money.'

Shen Miaomiao mentally pouted, considering the matter closed.

After quickly making adjustments.

Shen Miaomiao rolled her eyes.

Since we're making money!

Then we need to take this project seriously!

The more we earn, the bigger my bonus!

Although that bonus is peanuts compared to system returns...

But every little helps!

Might as well earn some pocket money!

Tsk.

Shen Miaomiao felt a bit arrogant.

After all, she'd just received nearly ten million in returns - it made her slightly cocky, feeling so awesome she wanted to put her hands on her hips.

"Ahem,"

Clearing her throat, Shen Miaomiao crossed her legs, her small feet swinging:

"As they say, counter soldiers with arms, water with earth - Moriya-san is just doing his job, trying to kill us, which is understandable,"

"So naturally, we should launch promotions and fight back - that makes sense too!"

Her changed attitude toward the Sekiro project allowed Shen Miaomiao to easily propose her countermeasures.

But Gu Sheng sucked in a sharp breath!

Hiss—!!!

Promotions?

Holy shit!!

Pro? Motions?

Instantly, Gu Sheng's eyes widened as if hearing about room-temperature superconductivity, staring dumbfounded at Shen Miaomiao.

His eyes full of 'How the hell could such words come out of your mouth?!'

Three years! A full three years!

Gu Sheng was nearly moved to tears.

Outsiders might not believe it - three whole years, and all of Golden Wind's games—

Had never had a proper promotional campaign.

Either through word-of-mouth from players!

Or help from partners!

Or official endorsements!

In short.

They'd never done a single proper promotion.

Once upon a time!

Gu Sheng thought his works would never see promotions in this lifetime.

But never could he have imagined!

Today! Now! The first 3S-level masterpiece he's ever directed! Golden Wind's debut as a mid-sized developer!

Would receive this unexpected blessing!

Director Shen...she's finally doing promotions!!!

Gu Sheng shot up like a spring, eyes shining brightly:

"Real promotions? You're saying?"

Heh heh!

Seeing Gu Sheng like this, Shen Miaomiao smiled smugly!

Then she also sat up, performing a "ferocious cat pounce," pinning Gu Sheng against the sofa back, putting on a domineering CEO expression:

"Well? Do you like it, man?"

Originally!

Shen Miaomiao was just acting on impulse, wanting to play around with Old Gu.

But when the action froze and silence fell, she realized how outrageous her "playful" move was—

Currently, she was straddling Gu Sheng's legs, her slender, fair thighs faintly visible beneath his loose white shirt.

Her collar slightly askew, delicate collarbones exposed, shoulders peeking out.

Her petite face flushed pink like wind-caressed lilies, rosy lips slightly parted like rain-kissed roses.

Instantly.

The room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Only nervous, rippling yet blazing hot breaths softly sounded...

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

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com