Agreeing to Create Bad Games, What the Hell Is ‘Titanfall’? Chapter 481: Hostile Takeover! The True Dragon Awakens!

Looking at Gu Sheng's expression!

Shen Miaomiao knew she hadn't rembered wrong.

Several days ago, she and Old Gu had unintentionally discussed the technical gaps in the Golden Engine.

It wasn't that she was particularly studious.

Mainly, she wanted to understand engine upgrades and whether there would be more operational space for them in the future.

After all, this thing was incredibly profitable!

It was like a money printing factory!

When she initially invested in the Golden Engine, 1.2 billion turned into 18 billion.

Then when they purchased Phoenix equity, it went from 18 billion to 27 billion!

Shen Miaomiao deeply realized that the strategy she had insisted on from the beginning was actually correct—

The market's carrying capacity was ultimately limited, so when costs rose to a certain point, losses were inevitable.

Just like now!

With the Golden Engine's money-burning project entering the scene, her personal treasury was growing richer by the day, with rebates pouring in steadily.

This was a really good thing.

She needed to ask Old Gu if there were any other areas that needed money burning... oh no... "upgrades."

And indeed, there were.

Currently, they only possessed four of the seven major modules, with three modules still having immature technology.

And among these three immature modules!

Was the very [Reality Augntation Technology] that Phantom Dream VI was currently heavily promoting.

What was this technology used for?

No idea.

What improvents could this technology bring?

No idea.

How important was this technology really?

No idea.

Shen Miaomiao was like that player who skipped all the story explanations—

[I only know I'm going on a killing spree now!]

Here, Shen Miaomiao entered her money power Valkyrie state, her big eyes sparkling with the brilliance of gold coins.

Across from her, Gu Sheng's mind was also racing rapidly.

Unexpected.

Reality augntation was actually Phantom Dream VI's killer feature.

This was good news, but not entirely good.

As one of the three modules most urgently needed by the Golden Engine, having an engine company step forward saying 'we've developed world-class reality augntation technology' undoubtedly gave Golden Wind stronger motivation and clearer targets.

Based on what he understood now—it wouldn't be long before Yan Sheng's "Yiyou x3" motion-sensing pod would be released.

As the latest next-generation motion-sensing pod, the Yiyou x3 further upgraded its signature "full sensory assistance technology," dedicated to creating the most imrsive full sensory experience for players.

If by then, [Reality Augntation] and [Full Sensory Assistance] could be simultaneously realized on the Yiyou x3...

Gu Sheng hardly dared imagine how astonishing the works would be at that ti.

This level of technological leap could even, to so extent, overwhelm gaplay quality.

To put it extrely, with such technological support, even if a manufacturer made the most diocre racing simulation ga, it could still crush many competitors with excellent creativity and storylines purely through gaming experience.

But!

The problem was that this technology... was actually in Phantom Dream's hands.

Their sworn enemy back ho.

Continuing to emulate the Phoenix strategy, achieving industrial technology integration through cooperative win-win thods, was impossible.

Although theoretically, Phantom Dream wasn't a subsidiary funded by Vivendi.

Undoubtedly, it was currently Vivendi's dog.

Regardless of whether it was willing or not, the leash was firmly in Vivendi's hands.

The failure of monopoly sanctions caused Phantom Dream's market share to shrink repeatedly, followed by continuously plumting market value and an extrely unhealthy, fragile revenue model.

Now, the only one possibly willing to bail out Phantom Dream was Vivendi.

So, even when the "engine replacent incident" with CloudPower caused such an uproar, Phantom Dream could only endure silently like a weak cuckold, becoming part of this no-safeword play between Golden Wind and CloudPower.

Phantom Dream wouldn't easily hand over its newly developed technology to join the "Golden Alliance."

"Huu—"

Thinking this, Gu Sheng couldn't help feeling sowhat troubled.

What should they do?

Leaning against the headboard, arms crossed in thought.

The next mont, Gu Sheng felt additional weight on his shoulder.

Little Nezha scooted over, resting her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his, her tone seeming sowhat sneaky:

"That... dear, what's Phantom Dream's current market value... approximately?"

"Why suddenly ask about this?"

Gu Sheng looked at Little Nezha sowhat puzzled, joking:

"What's this? Boss Shen? Are you planning to buy Phantom Dream?"

Hearing this!

Shen Miaomiao's delicate body trembled slightly.

Guess what?

This is how us old money wake up every day!

My 27 billion dollars are already thirsting for action!

If I don't burn this money, I feel all itchy and restless!

"That's right!"

Shen Miaomiao straightforwardly spoke her mind in a joking manner:

"Since they won't accept gentle cooperative win-win approaches anyway, we might as well just take action and grab it directly!"

Pfft—

Gu Sheng almost spat out the water he just drank: "Please save us, ancestor..."

Phantom Dream, honored as the world's largest comrcial engine company, dominates the majority market share in both motion-sensing engines and conventional engines, with last year's valuation reaching nearly 200 billion dollars.

Although since announcing their monopolistic price adjustnt policy, Phantom Dream's valuation has continuously dropped under erosion from other engine manufacturers and declining market confidence.

But as they say, a starved cal is still bigger than a horse.

Current Phantom Dream still has a valuation of nearly 150 billion dollars.

Losing fifty billion in half a year, with market value shrinking by a quarter is indeed miserable,

But it's not sothing a dium-sized gaming company like Golden Wind can acquire.

Sss—

Hearing this.

Shen Miaomiao couldn't help clicking her tongue inwardly.

So Phantom Dream was this massive.

Even about twice the market value of Phoenix, which was theoretically in the sa tier.

And this was after Phantom Dream's own mistakes caused their market value to plumt.

She originally thought her 27 billion dollars was quite substantial.

But now it seed, launching an acquisition of Phantom Dream still seed sowhat insufficient.

However, it wasn't completely impossible.

Essentially two paths—

Either attract investnts to increase their own value, or continue shrinking Phantom Dream's valuation.

The forr was easier.

Given Golden Wind's current reputation, if Chairman Shen dared shout in the market "Anyone want to join us on a project,"

Then massive investnts would co flooding in like tides.

From big players like Yiyou and XunTeng to smaller ones like Shadow Peaks, everyone knew following Golden Wind ant getting at to eat.

Money wasn't the problem—not worried about not getting enough, only worried about not being able to handle it all.

Moreover, there were still Shen Capital and Pengcheng Real Estate.

If Golden Wind dared propose it, plenty of people would be waiting to throw money in.

Although according to system regulations, these recruited funds couldn't be counted as costs in the rebate docunts.

But for Shen Miaomiao who already had 2.7 billion in hand, this cost was enough for her to incur substantial losses.

This was a good path.

But not as excellent as continuing to suppress Phantom Dream, making their valuation continue shrinking.

Because this way, Golden Wind could use the sa amount of money to acquire higher equity and decision-making power in Phantom Dream, even becoming one of the top major shareholders, influencing or even determining Phantom Dream's policy deploynts to a greater extent.

Thinking this way...

After pondering for a mont, Shen Miaomiao had made her decision.

They still needed to find ways to continue affecting Phantom Dream's market value, making it keep shrinking.

Now that Phantom Dream VI had just been previewed, this was a golden opportunity. If they could make the market lose confidence in the Phantom Dream V engine now, then Phantom Dream's market valuation wouldn't just drop fifty billion in half a year.

The newly launched flagship product being questioned by the market.

Who knew how much impact this would have on Phantom Dream, already in deep trouble.

By then, she could decisively take action.

As long as they could acquire over 30% of Phantom Dream's equity, then according to regulations, Golden Wind would have the right to issue a "takeover bid" to Phantom Dream.

At that ti, Golden Wind would report the acquisition stock price, and all Phantom Dream shareholders would choose whether to sell their shares.

For major shareholders, such takeover bids involving company decision-making power required careful consideration, even finding ways to resist.

But for the vast number of small and dium shareholders, decision-making power itself had little to do with them—they only needed to care about their own interests.

Generally speaking, groups or companies receiving takeover bids usually ant the company would undergo major changes, with stock prices experiencing significant fluctuations.

Under such circumstances, takeover bids typically served as an "exit warning," giving small and dium shareholders an escape opportunity.

At that ti, Shen Miaomiao could completely mobilize partners like Yiyou and XunTeng to massively acquire shares from exiting small and dium shareholders, increasing their shareholding ratio to over 34%, thus gaining veto control power in Phantom Dream's board of directors, fundantally affecting all of Phantom Dream's business decisions.

All of the above!

This series of operations!

Was called hostile takeover, also known as—

[Malicious Acquisition]

The wheel of justice turns!

There was a ti!

When Golden Wind was the target of Vivendi's sches!

Konik thought about it day and night, even resorting to all ans, both soft and hard, wanting Golden Wind to go public, making it convenient for them to conduct this kind of malicious acquisition bypassing the board!

And they had used such acquisition thods countless tis before!

From the forr lancholy Blues—Ubsoft ga company that was successfully maliciously acquired!

To Nuyan gas that was severely damaged, nearly controlled if not for reversing the situation with "European Truck" at the Europa Expo!

Vivendi's thods, wielded by their chief enforcer Konik, were executed thoroughly and recklessly!

But now!

The situation had completely reversed!

The opening of the "Golden Era" was the combined success of the Golden Engine in Gu Sheng's hands and Shen Miaomiao's massive rebates entering proper channels!

Did the dragon slayer eventually beco the evil dragon?

Who told you we were dragon slayers?

We are the true dragon!

A real dragon that endured patiently, waiting for the right mont to rise!

And now, the ti had co!

Returning the favor in kind!

Now it's our turn to launch the malicious acquisition!

And the trigger for launching this acquisition...

Scrolling through her phone, Shen Miaomiao's gaze fell on a news notification that just ca in—

.......

《"Phantom Dream V" About to Release! What Will This Era-Defining New Technology Bring to the Gaming Circle?》

《Phantom Dream Announces CloudPower as "Phantom Dream VI" Chief Partner! CloudPower's New Work Will Pioneer Phantom Dream VI!》

《It's Happening! CloudPower Releases World's First Ga Trailer Featuring "Phantom Dream VI"!》

《Brand New Imrsive Experience! CloudPower Releases Latest Masterpiece "Alien: Endless Dark Tide"》

《Super Horror IP Licensed! Previously Shelved Masterpiece Re-announced! CloudPower's "Alien: Endless Dark Tide" Will Feature Latest Sixth-Generation Phantom Dream Engine!》

(......)

Excellent!

After all the twists and turns!

"Alien: Endless Dark Tide," this super horror IP derivative masterpiece produced by CloudPower's flagship studio Flabird, ultimately still used the Phantom Dream engine for production!

Yes.

This was perhaps the most correct decision Konik had ever made.

Back then, since Flabird's chief director considered this work a horror ga, they proposed using Phoenix for better visual presentation.

But precisely this proposal pushed both CloudPower and Phantom Dream into the spotlight.

Rumors about their "discord" or even "split" spread like wildfire.

Under such influence, no matter how unwilling Konik was, he could only temporarily shelve the developnt of "Alien: Endless Dark Tide."

And now.

With the release of the sixth-generation Phantom Dream.

Their gradually improving relationship over ti, plus the comprehensively upgraded new-generation Phantom Dream VI engine, undoubtedly gave CloudPower an opportunity to restart the project.

Most crucially,

This latest sixth-generation Phantom Dream engine was equipped with the world's most advanced "Reality Augntation Technology."

Such enhancent could completely compensate for the minor shortcomings in visual presentation.

Flabird was tasked again, fully developing "Alien: Endless Dark Tide"!

Without a doubt!

Whether for CloudPower or Phantom Dream!

This work "pioneering Phantom Dream VI" was their crucial battle!

Long-silent CloudPower counted on this work to regain montum, return to the peak, and declare their dominant position in the gaming circle with supre posture!

While struggling Phantom Dream needed this work even more to demonstrate their latest motion-sensing engine's advantages, not only stabilizing the continuous decline but also reclaiming the painfully lost market share from this period!

CloudPower needed this work to reclaim their rightful dominant position!

Phantom Dream needed this work even more to recover their plumting market share!

This was their crucial battle!

A critical battle they couldn't afford to lose!

"...I believe this work is enough to leave the most glorious mark in world gaming developnt history, President Walker. Good news awaits us ahead, now let's calm our hearts and wait to see!"

With that!

Konik bid farewell to Phantom Dream Engine's President Walker, smiling as he hung up the phone.

With Vivendi appearing, who could contend?

Konik was quite satisfied with the current situation.

Since they and Phantom Dream jointly announced news about "Phantom Dream VI" and "Alien," the entire gaming market seed to have fallen silent.

Most manufacturers understood how unstoppable CloudPower was, honored as the world's largest comprehensive gaming company, now equipped with Phantom Dream's latest engine.

In the nearly week since the announcent, many major manufacturers changed their marketing plans, all striving to avoid CloudPower's powerful heavy impact.

Konik naturally enjoyed seeing this situation of "no one daring to challenge their dominance."

Taking a satisfying sip of coffee, the gloom of recent tis seed to have completely dissipated.

He stood up, about to stretch a little.

But right at this mont!

Knock knock knock—

Rapid knocking made Konik start slightly, responding:

"Co in?"

Click.

The office door opened.

Vice President Betang actually appeared at the doorway holding a tablet computer, his expression seeming quite grave.

"President..."

Betang opened his mouth, wearing an expression that things weren't looking good.

Konik's heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

They looked at each other silently.

Although neither spoke.

From Betang's expression, Konik could discern so clues.

A very bad feeling slowly rose in his heart.

Without saying much.

Konik just gestured for Betang to co over.

Tap.

The tablet computer was placed before Konik.

Woo— Woo—

In the dark screen, anxious and urgent siren sounds seed to reflect Konik's current worried and uneasy mood...

Amid the blaring sirens!

Chaotic and disorderly sounds ca from all directions in the pitch darkness!

[You are surrounded, surrender your weapons imdiately...]

[One billion ransom...]

[What's the situation on site...]

[There are hostages...]

[Still unclear...]

[...]

Siren sounds.

Footsteps.

Conversation sounds.

Discussion sounds.

Shouted commands ca from loudspeakers.

The buzzing of helicopters sounded overhead.

At this mont, countless sounds seed chaotically intertwined in the pitch-black screen.

But miraculously—!

You could actually distinguish with absolute clarity the sources of all these chaotic sounds on site!

The shouting in the open area!

The helicopters circling in the sky!

Sirens ca from police cars, while nearby officers were learning about this ergency situation!

Until—!

!!!

Three gunshots suddenly exploded on site!

Sparks flew along a white line!

The cara pushed up from the white runway line!

Only to see in the center of the screen, a massive Boeing 747 aircraft was actually parked on the runway!

Surrounding it, dense police cars completely encircled it!

Countwell-equipped police officers aid firearms at the huge, completely sealed aircraft!

The gunshots just made all ard officers collectively crouch in alert position!

The only officer standing straight, slightly frowning with a grave expression, looked at the massively encircled large passenger aircraft.

Then, the officer's hand slowly raised, the walkie-talkie in hand flashing with communication indicator lights.

And at this mont!

All sounds in the area completely disappeared.

Only the faint sound from the walkie-talkie, subtle yet realistic, sounded:

"All team mbers attention—"

[Negotiations have broken down, begin assault]