Chapter 40: Noir Trending Meeting
In the spacious meeting room inside Noir Trending, everyone set together along side their team. David had just arrived a two minutes before the meeting started, seating right next to Michael and the same went for Mark with his father.
This left Alex situated in the middle between four of them which he didn't have a problem with. As everyone took their seats in the meeting room. Daniel was the one acting as the chairman of this meeting today, which he began with a warm greeting to everyone.
" I would like to welcome everyone here today for making the time to attend this meeting. But, I would also like to say something to my young nephew Alexander." Turning to look at Alex, Daniel gave a him a warm smile as he addressed Alex.
" Alex can you please stand up. " Asked Daniel with a happy smile still on his handsome face, everyone here was well aware of what this was all about.
Alex stood up with a smile, he was a little embarrassed to be called out like this. Especially in front of everyone here in this room.
" After listening to your suggestion and investing in the company you had suggested. Our company now owns about 16 million US dollars in assets in the stock market. And about about 7.5 million dollars in liquid cash as of today." Said Daniel after which he began clapping his hands, than everyone else followed him.
Oliver on the other hand was proud and happy at the fact that his younger brother trusted his son more than he had. When Alex first, came to him and Martha about potentially investing in the stock market.
They rejected his proposal right away not giving it a second thought, as it was really a gamble with how the stock market fluctuates.
To be honestly the two of them still trying hard to grapple with the fact, that their youngest son had basically taken their entire family out of poverty. That included David's and Damiens families as well, money was no longer an issue for the three families any more.
At such a young age, Oliver is very proud of what Alex has accomplished right now. But, he still couldn't shake the feeling of inferiority in his heart.
He was only thirty-five years old but, his son had already accomplished more than him in just a couple of months. However, Oliver wouldn't let this complicated feelings affect his attitude towards his own son.
Instead he now had a burning desire to, also do more. He still had a long life ahead of him, it would be a shame for him to just sit around not striving to better himself.
Duke who set beside Oliver, had similar thoughts and feelings to his father. However, his feelings were more a of intense passion for competition, not to be out done by his little brother.
Having these thoughts a smirk slowly form on his handsome face, that would have made many women stunned in admiration. Seeing his older brother expression, Alex quickly set back down in his seat, while feeling a cold chill go down his back.
Finally everyone stopped clapping and the meeting officially begun. " Now, than let's begin our meeting. Alex, you said that you and your team would like to go first." Spoke Daniel gesturing for Alex and his team to begin.
" Yes, well there only a couple of things that we are able to report here today. Firstly being that we are in the midst of setting up our own tech division under our games studio. Which will be lead by Mr. Hunter sitting here."
Alex went on to give details on how certain game projects needed the creation of new technologies. "For instance we've created a Utility software for our latest game project, as well as other new hardware for computer software tools. But, the biggest thing is that these new division once fully established will begin work on our very first console."
" Console? Do you mean those boxes that are solely meant for playing video games? " Asked a middle-aged age man named Jared Wilson.
He is the vice president of Noir Trending with decades worth of experience in his field. Able to handle the day-to-day running of the business, while Daniel isn't around to oversee things.
"Yes, that exactly what we're discussing about." Answered Alex nodding his head.
"Alright, than I just have one question than. " Asked Jared looking across the table that had several youngsters, no older than his own son, who is currently still doing his final year of high school education.
To say he was surprised to see Alex, and the other's attending this meeting would be an understatement. It's only because of the fact, that what these youngsters had been working on is completely out of his field, leaning heavily into dealing with new emerging technology.
That his able to accept the fact that they we'er included in this meeting. As well as the fact that what they've been doing was very successful, from what his heard from his boss, which he has yet to see for himself.
" Well, feel free to ask away then, I'm more than happy to go into further detail. If there something you don't understand. " Alex said very confidently, in a respectful tone as well, speaking to someone who old enough to father.
A smile couldn't help but, form on the faces of almost everyone in the meeting room. Alex, well spoken words that were both polite and respectful. Mark and Michael had on expression of disbelief and awe at Alex demeanor right now.
With a smile Jared asked his questions respectful as well, no longer having an overbearing tone. " I guess my main concern is that just right after releasing your very first game. Instead of just solely focusing on your new upcoming games, as you mentioned before. Your also now working on a game console as you call it. It all seems a little rashed"
As Jared began expressing his thoughts, very in the meeting room also began to understand and see things from Jared's perspective. As they also began to think things at Blue Star Interactive were becoming a little rash.
Hearing Jared concerns on this issue, Alex remind calm and also realized his actions were a little rushed. And that he needed to maybe ask his two partners and employees if they flet a little too overwhelmed at the moment. As currently the studio was working on three new game title for the game studio.
Not including Castle Wolfenstein 3D many ports to different consoles hardware. With a fourth to be discussed with Michael and Mark before implemention begin.
" Well, that a valid point, I have to say. However, I believe we can handle it, as each of our games have a development period of five to even six months. But, we make it a point to give our team at least a full year to really take there time with each title. "
This wass really the case game development in this time was really simple for those who knew what they were doing. As the current software and hardware wasn't powerful, or advanced enough to need a long development cycle.
" Hence, we aren't in a rush to release new titles at a rapid pace. However, there is a need to release at least one title every yearly. And in the future developing these games may begin to take longer hence, there's a need for each division to able to at least release one new titles. That helps offset some of the cost going into making this games. "
Alex, explained reassured his uncle and the others in the room that they could handle it. Alex, understood that in later years games, especially triple A games in the future would take nearly decades to complete and release. And expensive to make with a the details and new technologies that would go into making them.
" And as for the gaming console we'll soon be working on. The their reason for that is quite simple, we'll basically own our, own right of distribution. " Hearing this everyone eyes in the room widen with realization.
What did it mean to own their own distribution, simply put it they did have to go to third party companies. To help distribute their products, they could simply use their own outlets without any further cost to themselves.
" I believe everyone now understands why, we want a try at the console market. " Spoke Alex meaningful as everyone nodded their heads in understanding.
Alex knew that after the launch of the own personal console most of the current competition wouldn't be left standing. In the previous timeline only three giants stood at the top in three positions first, second and third.
And Alex is eager to take the first or second position, Nintendo wasn't an easy opponent, basically the Disney of the gaming market before they ever went woke. Outselling both Xbox and Playstation console however, this was mainly in handle market which Nintendo dominated. While Sony Playstation dominant the console market.
Alex along with his team continued explaining, how Blue Star Interactive was doing and how they planned to expand into the hardware industry. After discussing with Mark's father Damien the day before.
Blue Star Interactive would officially setup a new tech division under the game studio, which would later expand in the future into other industries. Right, now this would provide needed hardware and software tools for their games.
They would also begin working on their gaming console the following year, once they fully established their game studio as well as their technical division.
Mark and Michael also had their moments to speak, reporting on their progress on the games they were working on. David and Damien who were in the room had big smiles on their faces at how, their sons were handling themselves in this meeting. Especially after witnessing how Alex, the youngest one here handle himself under Jared questioning.
As Michael and Mark went on to explain what new games they were working on and their current progress. Earning a few worried glances from others in the room who were unaware especially on DOOM, all except for Oliver and Duke.
Nathan also reported on current operating costs of the game studio and estimated, sales figures for their next upcoming games based on Wolfenstein current success. Along with the sales related data of their first game Castle Wolfenstein 3D.
" These games your game studio seems to be overly violent." Said Daniel as he frowned at the Blue Star Interactive team.
" Most of our video are mostly aimed at teenagers and adults. However, we will certainly work on other less violent and family friendly titles later on. The main reason why most of our current games are more violent, is for us to stand out from the competition." Explained Alex calmly
" Is that so?" Questioned Daniel as he had heard about, the raising complaints from adults and parents from his own staff.
Noir Trending currently has shares in both Blue Star Interactive and Star Horizon respectively. And the same went for the two companies, currently Noir Trending was entirely Daniel's baby.
Well it could be basically considered to be the Williams family company now. As he had legally changed his, his wife and daughter last name to William. However, this wouldn't be the case for long as they would start, receiving other investors as the company grew.
And that would be all before they officially go public in the future, they only needed to make sure that there shares weren't diluted to much. As well as maintaining majority control over the entirety of the companies operations.
Daniel wasn't a video game expert but, in his opinion those things were mainly for kids and teens who had yet to grow up. He had actually never met anyone his age, who said they played video games often.
Oliver, David and Damien also had similar thoughts to Daniel own, as they also wanted Blue Star Interactive to work on less violent content.
Hence, their concern on Blue Star Interactive future direction. Daniel was more interested in the new tech department that was being setup.
There was also the software that Blue Star Interactive and Star Horizon had or were currently developing, such as their online payment service system. The meeting went on to discuss this topic on hardware and software being created.
Damien also discussed his first project under this division, a new S.P sound chip. This would be made by them for console systems like NES as well as for arcades systems.
" So when do you plan to start working on developing a game console. As I recall it is one of Blue Star Interactive future goals." Asked Daniel with a thoughtful expression.
" We will begin with the development of this once we fully setup the team. Once we do the development of the first generation console for our game studio will begin early or late next year." Explained Alex.
After which Oliver went next being with the current sales figures for Star Horizon. It was honestly amazing how fast it had grown in a short time gaining new customers on a week to week basis.
From their sales data they currently received about forty to sixty new customers weekly. After doing some research they quickly realized that due too the relative nuance of the internet in the public. Along with its unreliability in many areas across the many states.
Showed that only around three million individuals had access to reliable internet at this time. Hence, Star Horizon was currently limited to this number for its growth and they expected to reach its peak by the year end. But, suspect to see further growth as the number of internet users increase with better internet services.
Star Horizon growth was now only limited to this number of internet users. As they were mainly currently only selling books at the moment they planned to begin branching out. On what customer's were able to purchase on their website.
Which would be renting movies which would be delivered to the customer address. The other thing was offering internet services for other companies. This would begin implemention the year.
Daniel was very pleased on how both his nephew and older brother companies were growing at the moment. Duke was the one to explain the type of internet service they were planning on providing to other companies.
Alex was extremely impressed by his older brother Duke vision for Blue Space ( a.k.a Google ) which were insightful. Alex had told Duke how the search engine would be marketed, allowing him to learn and figure it out the rest on his own.
The next person to go was Harry with his team, basically it was a more detail plan of what he had discussed with Alex the other day.
Along with explaining the progress of Saw which would begin filming next week Tuesday. Alex would be working with Harry on his other project such as Friends, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, X Files, Law and Order and finally The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
This series would be going into preproduction beginning of August and would be all shoot simultaneously. The only problem Alex had with this, was that he had no control on those who would be behind the scenes.
However, things would inevitably be different from the original series like Friends. Even with him getting the same people behind the scenes for this series.
" Very good, I am very pleased with how you been handling Fire Foxx production Harry very good. However I do have to say I'm a little worried about Fire Foxx UK channel as beside Alex, show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. You haven't said much about what you're plans are."
Said Daniel with a frown as they spent 1.7 million euros on requiring the Fire Foxx UK channel.
However, Harry hadn't given much details on what he was going to do with it in this meeting.
That however wasn't enough of a reason to spend that much money. Harry became nervous at this point as he had released after the fact. That he didn't think this deal throughly.
Yes, they needed content for the US channel however, he had forgotten about the fact that Americans and Brits had different tastes. When it came to certain entertainment, he needed more dedicated programs for this.
" Well, I have realized this and I am currently thinking of what exactly to do with the channel. Both Americans and Brits have different tastes and we would need to take this into account. " Spoke Harry a little nervousness leaking out in his voice.
Daniel frowned at this point, he had been too busy at that time when Harry brought the matter up. And hadn't really paid much attention to requiring the UK channel stations of Fire Foxx.
Seeing the current situation Alex than slowly raised his hand which drew in everyone's attention.
'Here we go a again.'Thought everyone in the room who knew Alex personality.
"..."
Alex flet the atmosphere in the meeting room change, making him hesitant to give his own solution to this matter. The room want quiet for a few seconds until Daniel finally spoke up.
" Alright then Alex go ahead and share with us your ideas." Said Daniel with a small sigh, at the end of his sentence.
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