"Stop complaining." David stuffed the recorder into his pocket. "That young guy who was making the text adventure game just now had a very solid script. I'm planning to write him a separate feature and put it in next week's supplement."
David opened his notebook and pointed at the densely packed notes on it. "Besides that text adventure game, I also found a team making a business simulation. They made the economic system extremely complex, even factoring in the inflation rate. Their lead programmer is a math department dropout."
Paul leaned over and took a look. "A math department dropout making games? That's a pretty good hook. Readers love stories about fallen geniuses or rising eccentrics."
"Not fallen. A dimensionality-reduction strike." David corrected him. "The logic of that economic model is extremely rigorous. I'd bet that as long as they can make the UI a little more user-friendly, those executives at Electronic Arts will absolutely line up with checkbooks begging to acquire them."
As the two were talking, a commotion came from the end of the corridor.
Several people in work uniforms printed with the Sega logo pushed a small cart loaded with boxed meals and stopped in front of a booth.
"What's going on?" Paul craned his neck to look. "Why is Sega's logistics department running over to the South Wing hall?"
David went over and asked a few questions. When he came back, his expression was a little odd.
"They're delivering meals to an independent studio called Clover." David lowered his voice. "Apparently this studio is developing a 2D side-scrolling platformer, and the head of Sega's Investment Department just signed an exclusive publishing agreement with them this morning. These boxed meals were specially arranged by Sega, kind of a benefit for their new little brother."
Paul's eyes widened.