章節 12: Visiting new Headquarters

"Leo! I'm open"

Shouted a tall black boy with curly hair that looked like an afro. Seeing the opening Duke dribble pass two opposing players he than passed the ball to the boy with curly hair. Who immediately shout it into the basket wining the two on two game.

"Hey!..One match to decide the game." Said a tall muscular black man with a thick beard on his face. Unwilling bear losing to two teenagers in a two on two game of basketball.

"Sorry, it's getting late now and we have school tomorrow so next time." Said the boy with the curly hair as he and Duke both picked up their bags.

"Alright, next time we won't lose to the two of you." Said a tall white man with short blonde hair wearing a blue tank top.

"Sure" Said the curly hair boy as he and Duke both left the basketball court.

"So?.. what do you think about my dribble skills huh.." Asked the curly hair boy with a large smile on his face.

"I think you should go a little easy on your leg there. I know it's still giving you some trouble John." Said Duke as he looked at his friend right leg that had a large scar on his thi.

"It's fine don't worry so much over it, it's been what three years since that incident. You should stop thinking about that." Said John jokingly however, Duke's face darkened upon being reminded of that.

Realizing that his joking words made his friends feel bad about what happened all those years ago decided to change the subject.

"So Alex started his own gaming studio recently and wrote a book that likely going to be published in the future how does it feel. Having your little brother show you up like that huh?" Asked John teasingly. However, instead of showing a frustrated expression Duke just smiled bitterly.

"Well, I don't know how to feel about all of this. At the time I thought he was doing all this as a hobby to pass the time. However, his actually trying to start his own gaming company. While his still only thirteen this year he even found time to write a really good book." Said Duke while still having a bitter smile on his face

Duke wasn't angry or jealous about what his little brother was up to. He has always been the one who has shown the greatest potential between the two of them. And if Alex never got over his autism that trapped him in the mindset of a four year old. Making it difficult for him to do or learn really difficulty.

Duke and his two older sisters were all planning to take care of Alex for the rest of his life. After their parents got to old to do it themselves anymore.

However, ever since the accident that nearly killed Alex happened and terrified Duke upon finding Alex. His little brother in a dark alley way in the dead of night nearly made Duke die of a heart attack at the age of sixteen.

Duke was so shocked to see Alex laying on the hard floor like that. He wasn't able to move from his place at that time. It was only thanks to John who was out with him that night looking for Alex with everyone else.

That incident is also the main reason why he and his older sister Ashley are so distant with Jennifer. She was the one who was supposed to look after Alex that night. As the rest of the family want out to run some errands while he was having a sleep over at John's house.

It was only after his father came to John's house with an anxious expression. Asking him if he knew were Alex's might have gone to in the middle of the night.

After that night Duke and Ashley have both become more distant with Jennifer. Even before that he and Ashley were already displeased by the way people treated them differently. Compared to Jennifer because of their different skin colors.

Specially for Ashley as her appearance wasn't too different from her older twin sister. Developing a inferiority complex about herself because of it. Both of them have been trying their best not to developed a deep hatred for Jennifer.

Jennifer was also in the same situation as they were. Duke understood it well as all her siblings had a different skin color from her and as well as their mother.

Jennifer once had concerns about if Martha was her own biological mother which had deeply hurt their mother. Hence Duke and Ashley both understood that Jennifer situation wasn't ideal or as prefect as they thought it was.

Thankfully Jennifer had the same eye color as their mother otherwise she might have truly believed that Martha wasn't her real biological mother.

"Hahaha.. don't beat yourself over it and be happy for Alex I mean he clearly can take care of himself now right? Said John smuggling.

"Not, really he still has some trauma over his incident and now is unable to go unfamiliar places by himself alone. Now someone close to him has to take him there several times before he is comfortable enough to go by himself." Replied Duke shaking his head rely

"Dude, you should really change that mentality of your jezz.." Retorted John. As every time he tries to cheer his friend up with a new topic his mind would always go to the negative aspect of things.

"Sorry, I can't seem to help it." Said Duke with a bitter smile on his face as he knew that. His attitude toward certain things wasn't a good thing, well that what his father always tells him.

David who had been looking for a big publisher for Alex's book Jurassic Park for the past two weeks. Has now finally found someone who was willing to take the publishing right of the book.

David already met with three different publisher however, they all wanted to change some aspects the contract David wrote down. As they all wanted to gain some more benefit.

David had already made contact with major movie studios in Hollywood a few days ago. And one of the agents at Universal studio contact him and told him that Steven Spielberg was interested. In turning the book into a live action movie as his next project.

David was really surprised to hear that Steven Spielberg was interested in turning the book into a movie. Even though they hadn't even published the book yet.

David had only thought that after the book was published and gain some popularity with readers would movie studios start paying attention to the book.

It seemed that Steven Spielberg was very interested in the book and wanted to get the rights to the book before it was published. Said the agent he talked to a few days ago and had already made plans to meet with each other one weeks time in L.A.

The only thing that upset David was that Alex showed no excitement to the news. When he went over tell Alex and his family about it. David, Alex and Martha would all go together for the meeting with Spielberg and discuss about the movie rights of Jurassic Park.

Martha would come along with them to take care of Alex while they were there and would also be there to sign the contract as well as Alex was still a minor.

Alex would need one of his parents to be there to look over the procedures of the negotiations. With Spielberg and an executive of Universal studios.

"Mr. Henry it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." Said a middle-aged man looking to be in his late forties with many strains of gray hairs in his hair and thick beard.

"Likewise Mr. Erik's I hope our meeting today will be a fruitful one." Said David with a big grind on his face

"So I read the manuscript of the book that you sent to our agency and I am very optimistic about the success it could have with our help. However, I'm a little reluctant to accept some of the terms. We would have a part to play in the attraction of the big movie studios. Wouldn't it be unfair on your part to not give as some of the percentage from other deals." Said Frank with a smile on his face

David just smiled broadly as he said slowly, "That would have been the case if I hadn't already received an offer from Universal Picture. About the movie rights adaptations a few days ago."

Taking a sep from his coffee cup with a relaxed expression on his face. Frank on the other hand frown upon hearing David words, not to sure about the validity of David's statement.

Thirty minutes later David left the Liberty publishing building with a big smile on his face as he whistle to himself a catche tune. Entering his old BMW he opened up his glove compartment and retrieved his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Alex it's your uncle David I just called to tell you that I finally got a publishing deal with Liberty Publishing House. They agreed to publish your book and will begin with the printing of the copies of the book as soon as possible. Will meet up for the signing tomorrow so tell either your mom or dad to make time to come with you. Alright I'll see you then bye."

(Click)

"Hey, so who was it?" Asked Martha as Alex placed the phone back on the table. "It was Uncle David he called to inform me that he finally found a book publisher willing to sign a contract with me." Said Alex unconcernedly.

He went back to his set and continued doing his homework for the day Martha on the other hand. Was excited for Alex book getting published.

And decided to bake Alex a cake for the occasion to celebrate over his book. That had now gotten to big win in just a span of few weeks. Looking at his mother excited expression for himself, Alex just shook his head wryly as to him. Who didn't consider this as important as his three other projects.

After finishing his homework Alex decided to go out to his gaming workshop to see the progress. Of their latest game DOOM and to also check the progress of Wolfenstein 3D. As its now been a week since the demo launched on their gaming website.

Tom had also contacted him about finding a physical media gaming company which to Alex's surprise was Atari Games Inc. Which was currently still at this time currently the one on of the best selling gaming console. Behind Sega and Nintendo before it was killed by the first Playstation which was yet to release.

The first Playstation console was released in Japan by Sony in 1994 and was later released to the west in 1995 to huge critical a claim. Killing the Atari along with the Sega console in the process. And would become one of the best selling console even suppressing Microsoft Xbox console with their Playstation 2.

Even though Microsoft Xbox series of consoles would usually have better hardwar. And is usually more powerful than the Sony Playstation series of console. Due to the technological advantages of the western market had over most countries.

However, the Sony Playstation console had arguably same of the best console exclusive games in gaming. While Xbox on the other mainly only had three big consoles exclusive games and a few other smaller titles.

And hey weren't even fully exclusive to the Xbox console as people could still play all of their exclusive games on a PC. That was supported by Microsoft windows system.

If Alex had to choose for himself which one of the two console was better Alex would say absolutely that it was the Xbox. As the only thing holding it back was the exclusive game titles for the console.

However, the Xbox console made up for this by it's backwards compatibility. Which Sony Playstation greatly lacked to some extent which is why Alex decided to combine the two console strengths and make the best console in the world.

Alex first priority now was to create some of the most popular game franchise before his competitors could. He also planed on finding some of those talented game creator before they released or come up with their popular gaming franchise.

As it wouldn't be possible to make all those popular game franchise with his current team of seven. They needed more people to come abroad to split the workload. So Alex had Gray and the rest of his team members of rage try and contact more people to work for Alex game studio.

Alex had placed all the money he had left from his dealings with Apple and Microsoft. And officially opened up his own gaming company Blue Star Interactive. However, the company was still currently under his mother's and father's name.

Alex had been haggling his parents for weeks to set up this company up for him. He was able to get them to officially register the company for him. He wanted to make a name for himself and his company to attract more people as soon as possible.

Now the only thing that he had to do now is for him to get through high school and turned eighteen years old. Then he would have the right to run the company fully by himself. Alex could just use his Intellect to take the GED exam and pass it.

However, his parents wouldn't except him getting a Good Enough Degree and the only thing he would gain some more time focus on his projects.

But doing that would mean cutting his high life short and never having the personal experience he wanted. Alex didn't want to start working full-time like his parents did the other reason why he was reluctant to do it was because of his older brother Duke.

Alex didn't think Duke would hate him for finishing his school life first but, however it would certainly be hard for Duke. To be the one still in high school instead of Alex's.

Alex could already see that he was now putting a lot of pressure on his older siblings not to fall behind their little brother who previously could barely read a book on his own.

Even though Alex felt like he could do more if he finished high school earlier and was very tempting. But, he finally decided that he would just enjoy his high school life for the moment. He still wanted to enjoy his high school life for the time being.

Arriving at Blue Star Interactive headquarters which took him about ten minutes to walk here. Alex used his keys to open the door to the two story condo which looked just like his own house which made Alex feel more comfortable being here.

"Hey, Looks like the boss finally arrived." Said a brown haird youth wearing a black t-shirt with a picture of the hulk printed on it.

The brown haird youth name was Marvin Drake and he specialized in programming and background designs of games. And how they would react to certain actions done in the game by players.

He was currently working on the 3D background of DOOM which wasn't too hard for him as Alex showed them how he design the 3d layout of Wolfenstein 3D.

Marvin was the same age as Gray twenty-two years old Marvin had thick eyebrows, brown eyes, sunken cheeks and long hair tied in a ponytail.

Marvin stood around 1,79 meters tall he looked like a hipster however, he actually wasn't one he just for some reason dressed like one. Alex upon first seeing Marvin for the first time though he had probably brought some illegal substances with him.

However, after getting to know Marvin personally Alex was much more reassured than before. He wasn't a fan of using those types of stuff even though some of them would become legal in the future. However, now wasn't the time yet so Alex would prefer keeping away from those sought of things.

"So, are you here to improve on the games engine again or something else?" Asked Marvin.

"No, I'm coming to check up on how things are progressing on DOOM and the progress of the demo of Wolfenstein. Where's Sam isn't he supposed to be working on the character design of the main lead and the enemies is he done scanning the 3D enemies yet?" Asked Alex as he looked around the room for Sam.

"Oh, yeah I think he said he was done making the clay model of some of the enemies and had finished the character design of Doom Guy. He went out with Jack and Gray two pick up some food at the grocery store for us." Replied Marvin.

Before turning went back to continue his own work typing on his keyboard board. The whole living room was their work area, being occupied by twelve computer and could still accommodate about nine more.

The rest of the game crew for DOOM also greeted Alex briefly and showed their progress on their ends. All six of them currently lived in the building for now. Alex planed to find another place for them to stay that was close by and would allow at least two people to live here fully.

As he didn't want to live the place completely empty Gray had decided that he would be one of the two. Who would personally live in the two story condo.

After Alex checked on the development of DOOM Alex's went up stairs to his personal station. That he shared with Michael and Mark the two Alex trusted the most in.

Switching on his computer Alex went online and looked at how many people had visited to download the demo of Wolfenstein 3D. He also checked how many people shared the link to the website.

Alex was very pleased with the results about two hundred people download the demo of Wolfenstein 3D. And the site link had been shared about one hundred and fifty-eight times.

Alex and Tom had made an agreement with Atari to promote the game together for the console and PC market. Alex would use some of the money from their companies bank account for the promotion.

The trailer would primarily be about the console version of the game. And about only thirty seconds of it would talk about the website of Blue Star Interactive and its demo of the game.

Atari planned to see how well the demo of the PC version of the game does. Before starting operation on making the cartridges for the Atari console.

As Atari wasn't two sure how a game with a lot of bloody scenes would sell. The main audience of this game is teenagers. As Alex had already told to Atari to place a teen rating on the box cover of the game. As well as in the trailer as to not cause a big problem with parents.

If it were to come up they would have the confidence to proclaim that it was clearly stated. In both the trailer and box cover of the game that it was meant for teens and not kids.

And if parents were to buy the young seven or eight year old child it would be their fault for not reading the cover box. Clearly stating to parents about the content of the game, moving all the blame on to the parents instead.

Although Alex still knew their would be some out cry from the public especially from parents. And Alex was hoping for this as it would be good publicity for the game.

The original Wolfenstein 3D didn't cause a lot of out rage from the public during its launch. And that because it was mainly distributed using the internet and most kids didn't use computers for games.

So it wasn't too widely known by parents at time. Until DOOM came out that and set the gaming world on fire. As well as being ported to the console market catching the attention of concerned parents.