hollywood system: art

What can thousands of players from different fields do to break the established parameters? First of all, Microsoft wanted to integrate and create its computers, so it holds rights over Intel's chips—but the GPU comes from NVIDIA, and Billy owns 40% of that company. Meanwhile, they're using components from HP, but under an exclusive-use contract that also involves Apple and Microsoft Games.

Finally, there's a commission to Silicon Graphics to integrate a processor powerful enough to produce films at Pixar's level, combined with special effects and the Unreal Engine. The deal is to keep acquiring companies and release at least thirty premium-grade, top-tier games.

–That means the processing speed is on par with the best computers running specialized games. So the aesthetics in the game Halo must be top-notch– said Alexa.

Anne nodded. This was only Team One and the heads of Team Three. But the newly created Team Seven was in charge of remakes—reworking old games and improving them. That's why it was crucial to purchase games or create emulators, something she had already asked Billy for, along with the Mario 64 license for Xbox. At the same time, they were identifying the Wi-Fi connection to open a window for improving game patches. Now, with discs in use, piracy was something they couldn't combat in some countries, but all they needed was to position themselves as top competitors and unleash a storm of games across every console to attract audiences through specialized sectors.

–The coming years are going to be absolute madness for any era– Anne whispered. The shouts in the room filled her with a premonition of success, as if it were building into a tidal wave. Billy's signals were unmistakable—so many talks at work, at home, over the phone, in bed…

Anne stepped out of the room and walked, trying to find a place where she could speak calmly with Billy.

Billy was having lunch with Lucas, who was telling him an embarrassing story about Francis Coppola. Both were trying hard not to burst out laughing.

Billy's phone rang, and he frowned, but as Lucas had said—he was his partner—he was ready to play the trust card, at least with information that didn't risk market positioning or breach explicit confidentiality.

–Hold on a second, George. This is important– Billy said as he picked up the phone, Anne's voice loud and clear.

–Anne.

–Billy, I'm in Texas. ID Software might be the company with the most potential right now. They've got a plan that seems to go against the grain. They beat us to it, and they're already planning the console. They backed out of acquisitions and decided to invest everything into expanding existing companies, using what they have, and building momentum for next year, said Anne, sharply.

–Wow, so what do you expect from me? Give Richard Boll a raise? He seems to take his admin job very seriously– Billy replied.

–I want you to make a plan. If we're going to invest that much money, I want you to do what you did with the animation competition and the comics competition. Create tons of games, handle dozens of them, and launch as many innovative versions as possible for the Atlanta, Chicago, and Blizzard teams, so that in the next ten years, we become the biggest powerhouse in gaming– said Anne.

Billy raised his eyebrows in surprise. Was Anne asking him to go all in? Without hesitation, he took a deep breath—the kind you need to take things to the next level, to make everything fall into your hands. He needed to be disruptively aggressive.

–Then I think we have an understanding… I think it's time we went public. There's not a single intelligent person who wouldn't want a piece of the company we're about to launch on the stock market– said Billy with a smile.

–Are you sure?

–Yes, but only when the time is right. I think I'm going to make a lot of money this year. I've got a plan– said Billy.

–I'm planning a few moves that will make a ton of money, and when that money's in place– Billy continued, already holding an idea for raising funds—something he kept to himself, but that would surely help cover the expansion of some smaller companies in the gaming sector, slowly and steadily.

–I see an opportunity, just like you always say. When your workers are motivated by something other than money, it's just like Pixar in the old days. And look at it now—just one of their movies brings in so much money, it feels unreal– said Anne, who still occasionally wondered if the LucasArts purchase had been rushed. But Billy hadn't just acquired another studio—he had secured a games company, special effects, sound, and a visionary by his side.

–I'll do it. Don't worry– said Billy, now holding his second plan for breaking the traditional money model, something that was now close to becoming reality.

After hanging up, there were only two miserable options left: get a fast loan, find a partner, or, of course, generate the money himself—a proper fortune. With Titanic set to release in six months, and Raimon playing the stock market, he might earn enough to hire a few extras. But the upcoming films were coming out of his pocket, and each of them was part of the Lux Films fund for the year.

"I didn't want to take Autodesk public… but if I have to, I will…"

–Ohhh, now that's interesting– George weighed his words. –It must be quite something to leave you speechless. Business opportunity, maybe?

–You're not wrong. I've got a chance that'll explode in two years, and if I invest now, I might do what I did with Pixar—become the king– said Billy.

Looking Lucas in the eyes.

Deciding through his system.

With [49,000 points.]

–Ratchet & Clank. 20 points.

–Prince of Persia. 20 points.

–Devil May Cry. 25 points.

–Monster Hunter. 30 points.

–Animal Crossing. 30 points.

–Minecraft. 30 points.

–Bioshock. 20 points.

–Mass Effect. 20 points.

–God of War. 25 points.

–Portal. 20 points.

–Okami. 20 points.

–Mafia. 25 points.

–Hitman. 20 points.

With [49,000 points – 18,500]

It was a hard hit to his points-based finances, but this was his chance to rack up as many merits as possible. Each of these games would be his way of breaking the simplicity of video gaming.

Twenty points now equaled 2,000 points, ever since the categories became more demanding and the system tightened.

–Looks like you know what you're doing now– said Lucas.

–I do. The gaming industry is about to flip, and I hope that in five years, you'll say Billy Carson knew all along this was going to happen– Billy smiled.

Blizzard would handle this particular game while they kept producing hits.

League of Legends. 40 points.

–I can kind of see it, but what makes you think it'll be that big? On Pixar's level? It might only get there after a long time– said Lucas, who knew that video game sales never exceeded 500,000 copies.

–That's true. For now, the players aren't fully established. But the number jumps to a million once I put all my power into promoting the console I have in mind—it'll surpass 100 million units sold worldwide.

But what Billy didn't know was that ID Software was already on the rise. They were planning to expand their headquarters and had just signed a deal with MIT. Resident Evil, their flagship game, had sold 2 million copies. At $45 each, that's $60 million in revenue after covering costs—something Anne hadn't mentioned in the call, but thirty minutes later, Raimon and Alexa had taken note. And that's not all—ID Software's total annual revenue had hit $200 million.

If Billy knew, he'd say only one thing: Invest in software.

...