Late October. Without realizing it, the end of the year was approaching once again.
This year's Halloween was not only about Daenerys Entertainnt releasing the final installnt of the Scream series, Scream 3.
After the rger with MCA, the two major Universal Studios in Los Angeles and Orlando would also be hosting an even grander Halloween-thed event.
Through coordination by the the park operations team, this ti all the films Simon had participated in since his debut, including Scream, Final Destination, The Butterfly Effect, and The Sixth Sense, would feature in the Halloween activities at both Universal Studios.
October 25, Friday.
Scream 3 officially opened in North Arica on 2,672 screens.
At the sa ti, the ten-day Universal Studios Halloween event running from October 25 to November 3 officially kicked off.
Simon had been personally overseeing the final preparations for the Halloween event at Universal Studios Burbank for the past few days. Only on Friday afternoon was he finally able to return to the Daenerys Film Studios in Malibu to handle so other matters.
"Based on the recent negotiation results, if we want to fully acquire EA, the final offer should be around 1.2 billion dollars. Since we already hold 35% of the company, the additional cash required would be about 800 million dollars."
"800 million dollars. The company also reduced its debt by 800 million dollars this year. This would basically push the debt ratio back to the level it was when we first acquired MCA."
Nancy smiled. "But it's worth it. Moreover, if we keep hesitating, the price will only get higher. Recently, all internet-related concept stocks have been rising, and EA just released the online real-ti strategy ga Dune Fortress, so you know how it is."
Inside the second-floor office loft at the studio.
Nancy Brill was discussing the progress of the full acquisition negotiations for EA with Simon.
Although Ystore had gotten off to an excellent start.
Simon also understood clearly that traditional ga publishers could not be replaced by online distributors like Ystore for a long ti to co.
EA had spent ten years accumulating its business, focusing exclusively on PC gas since its founding. Over the years, it had built up a large library of classic PC ga copyrights, particularly in sports gas that no other publisher could match.
Moreover, EA possessed a complete PC ga publishing team and years of accumulated experience in PC ga production and distribution. These were the foundations of the company.
Thanks to its attachnt to the thriving Westeros system and its own rapid developnt, EA's stock price was now unrecognizable compared to when Daenerys Entertainnt first invested two years ago.
When they initially acquired the stake, Daenerys Entertainnt had obtained 35% of EA for a re 50 million dollars. At the ti, EA's market value was only 170 million dollars.
In two years, influenced by successfully entering the console market, the rise of online gaming concepts, the success of the Dune series of real-ti strategy gas, and the company's continued rapid expansion, EA's market value had increased fivefold.
EA's recent market value stood at 910 million dollars. To fully acquire the company, 1.2 billion dollars was a necessary premium. Moreover, this 1.2 billion figure was largely due to EA maintaining a relatively high P/E ratio with so stock price inflation.
Otherwise, a premium of less than 50% would make it very difficult to take over the company.
Although the acquisition cost had skyrocketed, considering EA's future market potential was expected to reach 50 billion dollars, Simon felt no regret at all.
800 million dollars was not too heavy a burden for Daenerys Entertainnt right now.
Fully acquiring EA would also allow Daenerys Entertainnt to integrate it with its own Blizzard studio.
Over the past two years, while continuing to focus on the Ninja Turtles series, Blizzard Studio had also released several other very successful console gas. Combined with Nintendo's preferential slots, the studio had beco the leading console ga developer in North Arica.
rging PC-focused EA with console-focused Blizzard would create a degree of complentarity.
Nancy continued discussing other details of the EA acquisition with Simon. The petite female executive finally closed her mo and brought up another matter. "So, Simon, what about Blockbuster? What do you plan to do with it?"
Simon shook his head slightly. "With Blockbuster's current market value, we probably can't afford to buy it anymore."
Compared to EA, which was still in the billion-dollar range, Blockbuster's recent market value had already reached 5.3 billion dollars.
Moreover, Simon could clearly sense that under the careful managent of the petite female executive, the current Blockbuster was vastly different from the one in his mory that pursued reckless expansion.
It was no exaggeration to say now that Blockbuster was the "Walmart" of the video rental chain industry.
The reason the Walton family occupied five spots in the top ten of this year's rich list was mainly because Walmart continued strong growth despite the sluggish U.S. economy.
How fierce the competition in retail was could be seen just from the countless supermarkets of all sizes everywhere.
Walmart's ability to stand out in such a red ocean market was definitely not sothing ordinary people could achieve.
Similarly.
The threshold for video rental chains was even lower than for supermarkets.
The current Blockbuster had also beco the standout player in its industry.
Blockbuster's data analysis system and warehousing logistics system were unmatched by other similar companies. Its employees also followed a distinct set of operating guidelines different from other chain stores.
Even the selection of videotapes in each store, their display arrangents, the number of staff, and so on, were all based on the company's increasingly sophisticated data analysis system through repeated testing and optimization.
All of this ultimately created Blockbuster's lowest costs and highest efficiency.
Blockbuster's custor satisfaction and other trics also far surpassed those of other companies in the sa industry.
Currently, Blockbuster had more than 3,000 chain stores across North Arica and overseas markets such as Britain and Australia. Yet the company showed no signs of the typical big-company problems like inefficiency or staff bloat.
For 1991, which was about to end, Blockbuster's revenue scale was expected to reach around 2.3 billion dollars, and its market share had grown from the initial 5% to the current 31%.
It was estimated that within the next two years, Blockbuster would achieve the 50% North Arican market share Simon had originally expected.
Even though most of its revenue had been reinvested into expansion, the company's projected net profit margin for this year was expected to reach around 11%, aning approximately 250 million dollars in net profit.
Daenerys Entertainnt only held 35% of Blockbuster. As usual, the company's revenue was not included in Daenerys Entertainnt's figures. Otherwise, Daenerys Entertainnt would also have beco a giant with revenue reaching the one-billion-dollar level.
Because of its market value exceeding 5 billion dollars and the exceptionally high vitality the company demonstrated, most investors were unwilling to sell their Blockbuster shares easily. Daenerys Entertainnt also could no longer muster enough capital to acquire the company.
In his mory, Sumner Redstone's Viacom had acquired Blockbuster for 8 billion dollars in 1993.
Now, although Blockbuster's market value had only just surpassed 5 billion dollars, Simon believed that even if Redstone made a move now, 8 billion dollars would not be enough to swallow the company, and Daenerys Entertainnt would certainly not sell.
Therefore, maintaining control of Blockbuster and the existing 35% stake was the best choice for Daenerys Entertainnt.
After finishing the discussion with Nancy, Simon headed to the post-production center on the first floor. Wonder Woman had recently wrapped filming smoothly and returned to North Arica to begin post-production.
He stayed busy until five o'clock and got off work on ti.
Upon returning to the Du Point estate, Janet had just gotten ho as well.
As her pregnancy advanced, Janet's moods had beco increasingly volatile and she showed clear signs of anxiety. However, the woman had not neglected any of the things she needed to do.
When Sandra reminded them about the baby shower last ti, Simon had ntioned it to Janet.
The party was scheduled for noon tomorrow.
With no work arrangents for the weekend, Simon personally prepared dinner. Janet, with her large belly, circled around the kitchen, occasionally causing minor trouble while chattering about all sorts of trivial matters.
Simon's cooking skills were only average. Usually several carefully trained girls handled Janet's daily als.
On these occasional occasions when he cooked himself, what both of them truly enjoyed was simply the feeling of ho.
"Speaking of which, there's a surprise tomorrow. Guess what it is?"
Simon continued chopping carrots and followed her tone. "Your mom and dad are coming over?"
Janet picked up a slice of carrot Simon had cut and nibbled on it. "Of course not, but close. Guess again."
Simon paused. "Your aunt is coming over?"
Then he got a light smack.
Simon didn't dodge and smiled. "You told to guess."
"All right, auntie really is coming tomorrow, but so are Pat and Sarah."
Patrick Johnston and Sarah Keaton.
Simon recalled the girl with the Latin tattoo "Devil on Earth" on her shoulder and asked with a smile, "What are those two coming to Los Angeles for?"
"Of course to visit their big sister," Janet said matter-of-factly, then changed her tone and added gleefully, "Actually, the old man has started pressuring them to get married."
"So they think running over here will let them escape?"
"They'll probably still have to go to Britain afterward."
Their conversation unconsciously left out another person.
After chatting for a while, Janet sat down on a stool beside the kitchen counter, propped her chin on her arm, and continued watching Simon prepare dinner. After a mont of silence, she said, "Simon, I don't want to have any more babies after this one."
Simon knew Janet really disliked the feeling of walking around with a big belly every day. For a woman who loved her freedom, it was a clear restriction.
In this society, the higher one stood at the top of the pyramid, the lower the desire for children often was. To a large extent, this was probably one of the reasons.
Simon smiled and nodded. "Then we'll just have this one."
Janet furrowed her brows in distress again. "But how can the Westeros family possibly have only one child? What if lbourne turns out like Pat soday?"
Since they had decided the baby would be called lbourne in the future, Janet had also started using the little guy's nickna directly.
Simon thought about Patrick Johnston's personality and felt so concern. The ti the guy dragged him to the Park family boxing ring, Simon still wanted to punch his brother-in-law.
However, right now he had to go along with Janet's mood. Simon maintained a calm expression. "Then you'll just have to teach him well in the future."
"I don't want to deal with it at all. I really want to just dump him on Mom and Dad."
Simon continued nodding. "Mm, maybe letting them teach him would be better."
Janet stared at Simon and suddenly let out a couple of humphs.
Simon glanced at the rice porridge beside him, added the freshly chopped carrots, and smiled. "What's wrong now?"
"Do you want to have children with other won?"
"Yeah."
"Co here. Let hit you first."
Simon smilingly reached his hand over. Janet slapped his palm. "Jerk."
It was still about the female assistant, after all.
After all, the na had already been decided: Seattle.
lbourne.
Seattle.
The female assistant had also occasionally whispered to Simon about her hopes, saying it would be best if she could have a girl.
The notion that Westerners don't favor boys over girls was nonsense.
Western won had only broken free from being appendages to n relatively recently.
Precisely because it was "lighter," the female assistant hoped for a girl. That way there would be fewer troubles.
As for Simon himself, he actually hoped to have several children. This was probably influenced by traditional thinking. Since he had already built such a massive fortune, he naturally wanted it passed down properly. This was an instinct rooted deep in human genes.
Even though he occasionally had thoughts like "after I'm gone, who cares if floods co," in the end, how many people could truly act that way?
However, if Janet firmly refused to have any more children in the future, Simon would not force her.
One heir was indeed enough.
Moreover, there would be at least two.
As for having children with other won, Simon had never considered it. Even when he occasionally slept with other won, he was always very careful with contraception.
Simon understood very clearly that for him now, the appearance of an illegitimate child would be an extrely troubleso matter.
Won who were as pure as the female assistant, simply wanting a child, were ultimately a minority.
More common were the gold-digging girls often seen in NBA circles, who would have a child and then live carefree lives while constantly demanding from the biological father. There had even been NBA stars who went bankrupt from the burden of illegitimate children.
Simon of course would not go bankrupt now.
However, if sothing like that happened, the result would likely still be a complete ss.
Janet continued propping up her chin, seeming to ponder for a mont. "Actually, I've consulted the doctor about so things recently."
"What things?"
"About surrogacy."
Simon imdiately felt so resistance, the sa as when he had resisted IVF back then.
IVF still ultimately involved the mother carrying the child herself.
Surrogacy often involved certain ethical issues.
Even if they made complete legal preparations in advance, Simon would still inevitably wonder: in the case of surrogacy, who would the little guy's mother actually be in the future?
There were indeed many wealthy and famous people in his mory who chose surrogacy due to advanced age and other reasons. But for Simon, this matter still carried considerable potential risks.
Ultimately, it was still because of Simon's current status.
He was not rely an ordinary tycoon, but the richest person on the rich list, a super tycoon.
Who could predict whether a woman who acted as a surrogate and gave birth to a child would not cause endless entanglent because of his identity?
Deep down, Simon had never truly believed in human nature.
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