American History 1988
Chapter 331 - 321: Make a Small Profit

Chapter 331: Chapter 321: Make a Small Profit

"Does Byte Company have a business plan to venture into video game development?"

"No, not at the moment. This is just a personal attempt of mine, I enjoy video games."

"During your collaboration with Director Spielberg, did you spark any creative ideas, or were there differences of opinion?"

"Steve is a genius, no doubt about that. He is the absolute authority on game narratives and production.

I’m better at handling the production behind the scenes, you know, Silicon Valley nerds with keyboards, like directors with their megaphones."

Dean’s humorous analogy elicited a burst of laughter from the crowd around.

"In fact, Dean had a lot of valuable input on this game."

Spielberg, with an arm around his shoulder, introduced to the reporters with a smile.

"Many of the fun features were completed under his guidance.

I guarantee that players are going to love it."

"That’s an endorsement from Spielberg himself!" Dean repeated to the crowd, half in jest.

The laughter came again; the name of the video game included the word "Spielberg," and Dean had made a little pun.

"Recently, Byte, AOL, Cisco... all these stocks you invested in have soared..."

"Alright, friends, today is the press conference for ’Forrest Gump,’ we should talk more about it."

Gray from Bristane Entertainment, taking the opportunity, interrupted the reporter’s interview.

As Dean’s agent for today, he needed to ensure everything Dean did in Hollywood.

This was not Silicon Valley, the rules there did not apply to the entertainment industry.

As Dean’s old friend, Gray would handle the relationship between the two for him.

Once the crowd that had gathered for the excitement had dispersed, Dean finally relaxed and got ready to go find a corner to have a drink with Spielberg and the others.

"If it weren’t for Jenny by your side, I’d think you had lost interest in Hollywood."

Spielberg passed him a glass of red wine he had taken from a waiter.

Dean gave Jennifer Aniston a smile and then explained.

"Steve, I did attend the last movie premiere. It’s just that I’ve been so busy recently that I really couldn’t make the time."

Their Knowledge Adventure Company had just completed the movie-game project.

It was released last week, and Spielberg has been promoting it everywhere recently.

He didn’t miss today’s ’Forrest Gump’ media session either—whenever facing interviews, he would give it a mention.

That’s why Dean had arrived at Hollywood, after much urging from him.

In fact, as early as last year, Spielberg had promoted it at his own movie premiere.

It’s clear that for his first investment, Spielberg cared a lot about this movie-game project.

"Dean, do you think it’ll be popular?" Under Spielberg’s lead, a few of them found a corner to talk in earnest.

"All game rated it four stars, Computer Gaming World gave it three and a half stars.

Although not outstanding, this score is very good within the industry.

I’ve read some player feedback, they all find the game both fun and educational.

And let me tell you something new, according to channel data from Byte Company, it has already sold around four hundred thousand copies.

So don’t worry, Steve, we are definitely going to make money on this deal," Dean said optimistically.

The launch of "Spielberg’s Director Throne" not only utilized conventional channels but certainly made full use of Byte’s resources as well.

Priced at less than thirty US dollars, it’s considered cheap for a computer game.

After all, even that piece of crap ’E.T.’ video game cartridge sold for several tens of dollars.

This time, a thoroughly crafted product was cheaper, hence many people were willing to try it.

Of course, the fame of Spielberg, as well as the boost from Jennifer Aniston who skyrocketed to fame due to ’Friends’, played significant roles.

Yes, the timing of this game’s release was just right.

With the glamor of Hollywood celebrities, it frequently appeared in media segments.

Moreover, "Director Throne" went through a serious overhaul in terms of gameplay by Dean.

Setting aside Spielberg’s original filmed narrative, he focused on gameplay.

Players begin with only a modest budget and a personal assistant to provide guidance on filming movies.

They need to use this budget to produce blockbuster movies. Then, with the previous earnings, they repeat the investment for the next film.

Until they eventually defeat Spielberg and ascend to that glittering director throne.

Throughout the game, Hollywood celebrities will give commentary and offer film scripts or filming advice to the players.

Film production also simulates real-life scenarios, which might include various accidents, and players have to overcome these challenges.

The actual actress Jennifer Aniston, among others, are NPCs within the game under the players’ control.

Simply put, Dean had infused the game with ample management strategy gameplay, rather than just short educational clips.

In an era when game mechanics were not very diverse, such business-oriented gameplay was very welcomed by the players.

Surprisingly, it scored well in game reviews and sold extremely well.

Based on just one week’s sales data, Dean could assure Spielberg that they would definitely profit from this endeavor.

"Four hundred thousand units sold? That’s really unexpected~" Spielberg roughly calculated; that was already a sales total of tens of millions of dollars.

"Steve, with your fame, you really don’t need to worry about these..."

Beep beep beep... Before Dean could finish, he received an incoming call.

He signaled for the others to wait and stepped aside to speak for a moment.

"The word outside is that his net worth is going to surpass 7 billion this year, almost double compared to last year!"

Spielberg, watching Dean take the call, couldn’t help but enviously sigh.

"It might just be a number to him," Gray shrugged, having lost any sense of what such immense wealth meant.

It was hard to imagine that a student, who, just a few years ago, needed pointers on talk shows, had now become one of the richest people in the world.

"That’s exactly why I like working with him," Spielberg smiled, convinced that with Dean’s fortune, he would scorn any notion of tampering with the Knowledge Exploration company.

As the two were talking, Dean had already hung up the phone and walked back.

"Steve, good news, someone is willing to pay to buy our Knowledge Exploration company."

"What?" Spielberg looked over in astonishment.

Dean shook his Nokia, "It was Vivendi on the line, they’re willing to put up 90 million US dollars to buy the entire Knowledge Exploration company.

This includes the current ’Director’s Chair’ and those few games we’re preparing to develop."

"God!" Spielberg quickly handed his glass of red wine to his companion.

"Dean, what did you tell them?"

"I agreed~" Dean spread his hands, "It’s a good deal, isn’t it?"

"Absolutely!" Had it not been for the press conference scene, Spielberg would have loved to throw a punch in celebration.

He had only invested a few hundred thousand US dollars in the company, but now the return...

Oh~, he needed to do some calculations. Soon after, Spielberg rolled his throat.

Shit! He was going to see a return of nearly thirty million US dollars!

Even making a blockbuster film, he wouldn’t necessarily see that much money.

"I always knew it, Dean, you’re a business genius!" Spielberg gave Dean an excited hug.

"I told you it was popular," Dean said proudly, patting his back.

Well, Vivendi’s surprise offer was unexpected even for Dean.

He did not give it much thought before agreeing to their acquisition offer, as the Knowledge Exploration company was one of his gaming ventures.

Now that someone else was taking over, why not be happy about it? As for Vivendi’s sudden interest,

Dean guessed they were probably attracted by Spielberg’s fame and the currently hot game.

Additionally, in several previous promotions, Spielberg had more than once claimed he was making more educational games.

It was true; Dean had been involved in planning them, although they were far from finished.

Vivendi wanted to secure their rights and then distribute them globally.

’Director’s Chair’ sold well because it bore Spielberg’s name, so those games in production might turn out to be cash cows, too.

Whether the deal would bring profits for them was not Dean’s concern; all he knew was he had made another tidy sum.

And upon hearing that the Knowledge Exploration company was to be sold for the high price of 90 million US dollars, Jennifer Aniston was struck dumb.

"God! 90 million US dollars! ...I own 10% of the shares! Dean!"

"Yes, that’s right! That’s what you deserve," Dean wrapped his arm around her slim waist, softly comforting her.

Nine million US dollars was a mere trifle for Dean, but for Jennifer Aniston, it was already a huge sum.

Just last year, her appearance fee per episode of ’Friends’ was only a few thousand US dollars, back when she was not famous at all.

Gray, who was eating lemons on the sidelines, had an envious look that almost distorted his face.

What did he just hear, a nearly one hundred million US dollar deal? Tens of millions of US dollars in returns?

Come On, is Benjamin that commonplace?

"Dean, next time you have such an investment opportunity, don’t forget about me. I swear, I love video games; they keep me up at night..."

"Hey, buddy," Dean cut off Gray, who was dancing with excitement, "there’ll be a share for you in the future."

"Really?" Gray clutched his arm tightly.

"Of course, I promise, but you need to let go of my arm first."

Gray instantaneously released his grip, "Dean, I always knew..."

"Gentlemen, what are we talking about?" Suddenly, a thin shadow interjected.

"Mr. Price, it’s an honor to meet you... Steve, I hear you’ve been collaborating recently? And Jennifer, Gray..."

The newcomer greeted everyone present in a familiar manner, as if he knew each person there.

"David~" Spielberg hugged him, showing they were well-acquainted.

"David Geffen," Jennifer Aniston whispered to Dean.

"I understand," Dean nodded, recognizing the Hollywood mogul; after all,

the mogul had also been one of Clinton’s supporters, contributing to his campaign fund.

At a networking event, Dean had met him.

"Mr. Price, congratulations, all of your investments have been hugely successful," David Geffen said enthusiastically to Dean.

"Thank you," Dean subtly withdrew his hand, suddenly recalling a piece of news he had once read.

The man before him had apparently made his sexual orientation public.

David Geffen, utterly unconcerned, gleaned the news of their recent windfall from Spielberg in just a few words.

This made him envious and jealous; he hadn’t seen substantial income like that since selling Geffen Records.

"Hey, Steve, maybe Mr. Price might be interested in investing in Hollywood,"

All of a sudden, he winked at Spielberg, who quickly caught on.

"That’s right; this deal would be perfect for you, Dean."

"What?" Dean asked curiously.

"Before we discuss business, I think we should enjoy a party first."

David Geffen took over the conversation, ready to organize a grand Hollywood party in just half an hour.

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