章 19: C19 Business Plans

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As of this chapter, the patreòn is 11 chapters ahead at chapter 30. I took a day off yesterday, but I'll be writing 2 more chapters today.

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"You're evil..." MJ states as she sees the many micro-transactions built into the game.

"???" May and Grace were confused as they didn't know what MJ was talking about.

"We've joined the dark side." Ned says in a slightly deeper voice than usual.

"Can someone explain what's going on?" May asks as Grace nods alongside her.

"Ned and I made a pay-to-win mobile game. It's pretty much a game that you can play for free but requires payments if you want to speed up your progress or unlock certain perks that the free players don't get access to. If you open the shop by tapping the bank icon, you'll see the in-game currency that can be purchased. From 10 gold for $0.99 to 1000 gold for $74.99. I've started you all out with 1000 gold for free." Peter explains as MJ starts playing the tutorial.

As Peter walks everyone through how the game works, they all begin playing. What truly surprised him was MJ's focus on the game. She seemed to like this 'mainstream garbage' more than she originally let on. MJ, May, and Grace immediately became glued to their screens as the room went quiet. All that could be heard was the sound effects and music of the game from multiple perspectives.

Peter didn't get a chance to explain that they were testing the game for him, but he didn't want to interrupt so he and Ned started playing the game as well.

As time flew by, Peter ordered pizza for everyone as payment for testing the game. Throughout the day, any bugs or glitches were brought to Peter and Ned's attention and listed down to be fixed later on.

Since Candy Crush isn't a game that needs too much focus, Peter played some movies to watch in the background as they played.

Soon enough, the sun set and MJ put her phone down before looking at Peter, impressed by his work.

"Did you just trick us into testing your game for you?" MJ asks as realization dawns on her.

"Yeah, pretty much." Peter nods as he sets his phone down as well.

"How long did it take you and Ned to make this?" May joins the conversation.

"Well, Peter did most of the work." Ned says, knowing he only had a hand in about 10% of the game.

"Don't sell yourself short. You helped a lot, Ned." Peter says reassuringly as he turns back to May. "It took a little over a month to make everything. It's a fairly simple game to develope after you get the visuals and sound out of the way."

"Wow, I heard you were smart, Peter, but this is really impressive." Grace was beyond impressed.

"Thanks, what do you guys think of the game overall? Any complaints or ideas to throw in?" Peter asks.

Everyone had only praise to say for the game, but MJ, who was stood silent as everyone looked at her for her input.

"Okay, I'm sorry for calling it a sh*tty mobile game. It's actually kind of fun." MJ admits as she takes out her phone. "Can you download it onto my phone as well? I want to play it during lunch at school..."

Peter doesn't respond and just smiles at her, which makes MJ feel embarrassed.

"Stop looking at me like that." MJ says as her mother laughs.

"Pfft, it's okay MJ. I'm happy that you like it. It took a good amount of work." Peter smiled as he sat beside MJ and put his arm around her.

MJ looked awkwardly at her mother, who simply smiled at Peter's show of affection.

"Not in front of my Mom." MJ hissed as she pushed Peter away.

"Oh, don't mind me..." Grace says as she and May enjoy the show.

"Sure." Peter pecks MJ on the cheek and scoots away before she could react. "I could give you the game now, but it would probably be better to wait until it's finished. I just need you guys to keep the phones I gave you and play when you have spare time. If you run into any glitches or bugs, text me the details and I'll fix it before submitting it to the different mobile app stores."

After taking their new outdated phones, Ned, MJ, and Grace took their leave. As she was leaving and no one was looking, MJ gave Peter a quick goodbye kiss. MJ's not very comfortable with public shows of affection, which is understandable. Especially in front of her mother. Though that doesn't mean she isn't an affectionate person. In fact, when they're alone MJ becomes a lot bolder.

When it was finally just May and Peter left, May turned to Peter with a worried look on her face.

"Are you sure this is okay, Peter? You said you made the game for money, not to mention that construction job you took before school started. I know we aren't the most well-off family, but we get by just fine. I just don't want you to worry about money and focus on school and enjoying your life." She voices her doubts and worries.

Taking a seat next to his Aunt May on the sofa, Peter sighs as he thought this may happen.

"May, this isn't about us not having enough money or anything like that. I thought game development was interesting, so I started studying up on it and thought making a game would be fun. The reason I started with a mobile game is that it's an easy starting point. As for the pay-to-win aspect, I just thought it would be an easy way to make money. Maybe pay for college and start a savings account for the future." Peter tries to placate May's worries.

"I see..." May sighs in relief.

"Besides, school is easy. I don't even study anymore and I'm at the top of my class. Working on this game hasn't impacted my grades or enjoyment at all, and once it's released, I won't have to do much anymore. I'll only have to add some updates on rare occasions. Also, if the game takes off, you could work fewer shifts at the hospital. I know you'd never quit, but shorter shifts would be nice right?" Peter says, knowing she likes her career too much to give it up.

"That would be nice..." May was certainly tempted.

"Good, just know that I'm fine. I plan to enjoy every second of my life." Peter says as he hugs May tightly.

"Alright, you've convinced me. Do I need to do anything to help since you're a minor?" May asks as they separate.

"Well, we need to do a few things." Peter sighs knowing the paperwork is going to be annoying. "We need to register a business under the Parker Games name and copyright Candy Crush. Then file Parker Games as an LLC and open a business account for the money we make."

"What's an LLC?" May asks.

"It basically makes Parker Games a company that's a separate legal entity from its owners. An LLC or Limited Liability Company has looser filing requirements, regulations, and fewer taxes to worry about. If we didn't file under an LLC, the taxes from all of the money we make would be counted as personal revenue and taxed at a much larger percentage." Peter explains.

Although Peter originally didn't want to start a company, as it would be too time consuming, the LLC will only make Parker Games a company in name. He has no plans to make this complicated. Parker Games would merely make digital games, which would be released in online stores. No random employees, towers with his name on them, or factories pumping out goods.

Peter's too busy for all of that and wants to enjoy his new life.

"Wow, you really did your research..." May mutters, impressed by Peter's commitment to this.

"Yeah, I spent some time looking into it. Though, there is a downside to this. We would have to mark ourselves as employees of the company and get paid that way. The money Parker Games makes would belong to the company, which will be paid out to us as employees in a monthly or weekly paycheck. I can't just pay myself some crazy number either, as that would not make the IRS very happy." Peter explains the few downsides.

Though that doesn't mean Peter can't use company funds for anything business-related. A company car, jet, properties, and supplies for future projects. Pretty much anything worded as a company expense can be paid for by Parker Games, which Peter would be the majority owner of.

Peter planned to give Ned and May a small piece of the company. Ned, because he helped with the first game and May, for always being there and taking care of him. Who knows where Peter Parker would be without his Aunt May. Spider-Man may not exist in that parallel universe.

Though everyone that tested the game would be put on payroll. MJ and her mother Grace would be receiving paychecks as Parker Games official game testers, so they won't be left out. Peter just has to wait until Candy Crush launches and starts picking up traction. Once the money rolls in, Peter would share the profits with the few friends and family he has.

"You impress me every day, you know that?" May says genuinely.

"I do my best to impress."

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-1 Week Later-

After a week of game testing and bug fixes, Peter has officially finished the development of Candy Crush.

May hired a business Lawyer, who was a friend of hers from college, to help with all of the paperwork. The lawyer gave them a good discount for her services too. She got all the paperwork together for them and walked Peter and May through filling it all out. Once they were finished, the Lawyer filed all of the papers for them.

Parker Games was on its way to being a real company while Candy Crush would be copyrighted soon enough.

A/N: 1677 words

[DONT FORGET MY STONES! Or I'll do nothing because I'm lazy... 😓]