Your Term Will Surely Last a Long, Long Time!

Evan turned to look at his friend beside him. Carter immediately shifted his gaze away, not daring to meet his eyes.

But that single movement was enough for Evan to understand that Carter knew about what Black Star had proposed.

"Mr. Black Star, I understand how you feel." Evan shook his head. He knew the other man's game studio wanted to grow bigger and stronger, and releasing a major launch title would undoubtedly make them famous.

"I can't gamble my career on fooling around with you. Though I don't have much of a career left to gamble anyway." Evan shot his friend a fierce glare. He really did not know what Carter had promised this game designer.

"You should know that our game store adds new games every month." Evan's tone was calm, and he was not angry because of what Ethan Vale had just said.

"Besides games from our partner developers, some are titles we make ourselves."

"We have our own studios responsible for game publishing and development, including thirteen creative teams." After saying that, Evan looked up at Ethan Vale. He wanted to make it clear that Microsoft was not without games.

What he wanted was not an ordinary game.

Some of the games made by Microsoft's creative teams were fun as well. Xbox had ended up in its current situation entirely because it had lost the commercial competition.

For games, players were the root.

But for consoles, the console was the framework, and games were the foundation used to build a towering skyscraper.

In the previous competition, Sony had poached some of Microsoft's flagship titles, causing its number of buyers to plummet.

And fewer users would also affect the popularity of online play on the console.

Those factors were linked together, indirectly creating the current situation.

"I know." Ethan Vale nodded. Of course he knew the other side's situation. In this world, Xbox had even fewer users than it had in his previous life.

Because games were scarce here, an outstanding title had an even greater impact on console sales.

Under those circumstances, developers looking to release games later would also choose the larger platform, because it had more players and higher sales.

No one wanted the new game they had worked so hard to make to end in dismal failure the moment it launched.

"Since you know, then you should know that we aren't lacking games." He looked at Ethan Vale. They truly were not lacking ordinary games.

"You can judge me by the games I release later." Ethan Vale looked at Evan, unhurried and composed.

"It's just that I believe that by then, they'll offer me a higher price."

Everyone understood who Ethan Vale meant by "they."

Evan froze. Looking into Ethan Vale's eyes, he could not understand.

Why could the other man say such things with such certainty when he had not yet released a single major title?

He turned to Carter, hoping for some guidance, but Carter could only shake his head helplessly before nodding at him with certainty.

"Like you said, business is business. You won't ruin your future because of a friend, and I won't sacrifice my profits because of my friendship with Carter.

"If they come looking for me in the future,

"I have employees. I need to lead them in making money, and I need to be responsible for everyone."

"Ye! You really are confident." Evan suddenly felt as if he were riding a tiger and unable to get off. The initiative was clearly in his hands, yet he still felt a crushing pressure.

Why was he being manipulated by some tiny game developer?

"Evan, I think we can give it a try." Carter spoke quietly from the side.

"Carter, are you crazy? Have you been brainwashed?" Evan stared at his friend as though he had lost his mind.

"Whose friend are you, anyway? Whose side are you on?"

"Of course I'm on your side. We've known each other for twenty years." Carter grew anxious. "He's told me a lot about his game plans. Trust me."

"I've had heart-to-heart talks with him for so long, and he's revealed so much to me!" Carter was getting anxious. He felt that his friend was giving up a great opportunity.

Everyone outside was questioning Ethan Vale's abilities right now, but Carter knew that Ethan Vale was overflowing with talent!

Ethan Vale smiled, but he did not stop Carter from speaking.

He truly wanted this slot. He could guarantee the quality of his games.

Even if he went to Sony, he was certain that he would eventually get the chance to make a launch title.

But Sony was not lacking in them. Or rather, once all their competitors were dead, their standards for launch titles would no longer be so high.

Besides, Ethan Vale also wanted to try raising a console from the ground up. Wouldn't it be nice to personally cultivate a console?

When the time came, that console would be packed full of his games. That would surely be a great achievement.

Though he would not be the one manufacturing it, it would still take his shape.

"How about this? Around New Year's Day next year, I'll release my next game, Hollow Knight." Ethan Vale looked at Evan and spoke seriously.

"In the middle of next year, I'll release Bloodborne."

"There may also be some other titles released in between."

"What I mean is, the later it is, the higher I hope the sales share I receive after joining Xbox will be." Ethan Vale had not given up on Microsoft. If they still did not act in the end, he might still go to Sony.

Because game consoles were all about pure, simple, shared, minimalist entertainment!

Carter fell silent, feeling helpless.

Both sides were his friends, so naturally he hoped to see them work together.

Evan lowered his head. No one knew what he was thinking.

Only after a long while did he raise his head again.

"What if I work with you now? Do you need a greater share of the profits?"

Ethan Vale froze, then shook his head. "If it's now, then treat me like everyone else. I don't need any extra benefits." Ethan Vale shook his head.

"Carter, this time, I'm truly placing all my trust in you." Evan looked at his friend.

"This time, I'm taking the gamble."

"I'll give you ten percent more than the other game developers." Evan looked seriously at Ethan Vale.

"As you know, if I make the wrong decision, it'll only speed up my downfall."

"And our contract can only remain valid during my term." Evan picked up his phone and called his secretary in from outside.

"This trust is for you, and for Carter as well."

In that instant, he remembered something Carter had muttered during their phone call.

He had not heard it clearly before, but now it suddenly came back to him.

Treat a dead horse like a living horse. Carter had said, "It's already a dead horse anyway."

Remembering those words, Evan did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"Then I guarantee that your term will surely last a long, long time." Ethan Vale stood and extended his right hand.