41. Starts on Capcom.

Since Electronic Arts withdrew from the project that Lux Comics wanted to develop, it has led to the search for many companies, but all the responses have been unsatisfactory. So they started looking for Japanese companies with branches in North America. By sheer coincidence, one of the first companies to respond is Capcom. Or is it, not just a simple coincidence?

In life, there are always breadcrumbs floating along the river of people bound to a certain plane, and they all interact in a strangely connected way. A simple smile in a job interview can be enough to land the role, the job.

What does the public know about Capcom USA Inc.? Established in 1985, they have started producing great games, including Mega Man. If possible, they could be the best company to develop Lux Comics games. Perhaps these individuals can create a better game than Electronic Arts. After all, it will be years before EA reaches its peak.

Their headquarters at that time were in Sunnyvale, California (1990), and their most eye-catching games are arcade games, which have become a generational milestone. In the following years, even great gamers will seek the embrace of the original arcade machine's joystick and buttons. Therefore, Capcom is one of the best options that Billy can choose to produce games. Only a cult game can lead to his broader desire.

Takashi Nishiyama, the designer, director, and artist of Street Fighter, has been an incredible producer for the Capcom franchise and one of the important executives who acts in the United States as head of the North American section. With a good understanding of the market, he is not unfamiliar with this company. In Japan, he is well known for his imprint of anime in American comics.

It's not a bad idea to match the style. It's worse that this company has created two outstanding works, and in Japan, there is some discontent about a foreigner creating works of their kind with better skill. So, Billy has read the content, and it's undeniable that the author has read a lot of manga. The designs, settings, and even comedies are similar to those used in Japan. It just has a North American twist that a Japanese person would never do.

The desire to get to know the faces of this company prompted him to immediately respond to some questions about the reason behind his drawings. It wouldn't be a bad idea to strike a good business deal either. The North American audience is enormous, and with a good game, it can work wonders for Capcom.

As a gesture of goodwill, he headed to San Jose to meet at a café near the airport. He came alone, having already produced two successful games and possessing a deep understanding of the science behind game development. His decision was enough to kickstart any project. A sequel to Street Fighter 2 would be a good title for the next year, he thought.

Negotiations always carry a hint of anxiety for the parties involved, as they are both looking to commit in some way. Hence, there are different approaches to handling the meeting. One of them is to be guided by culture, particularly the Oriental style that focuses on personal relationships. It involves making the other party comfortable, emphasizing respect, etiquette, and subtle communication.

The other cultural style of negotiation is the American one, which tends to be fast, direct, and immediate. It often causes upheaval among people from different cultures due to the way negotiations unfold, leading to some degree of mistrust. Will everything be done as we negotiated? So quickly, no need for further discussion? The legal aspects are always cumbersome and disruptive. Nonetheless, Americans always have a sense of urgency in carrying out their tasks, something time in the United States has taught them as a polite and learned reality.

That's why he reconsidered many thoughts he had previously. Americans tend to negotiate based on facts, statistics, and interests. They have a strong work ethic and a collaborative approach to negotiating for mutual benefit. Additionally, they must have a clear understanding of objectives, expectations, and interests from the very beginning to the end.

The power of the dollar is influential.

Takashi was sipping his coffee. He arrived an hour early, as flights tend to be delayed, so he decided to always be two hours ahead.

Mr. Carson arrived, wearing a completely black office suit and a nice gray vest. His whitish blond hair gave him a youthful appearance. In contrast, his son had much darker blond hair, almost ash blond with some darker tones at the roots, but there was no doubt that he was his father's son.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Both parties arrived half an hour early, which impressed them both as it was a comfortable attitude when such coincidences occurred. Thus, the negotiation started on the right foot.

-...game designer, particularly of Street Fighter, producer, and manager at Capcom in North America, - Takashi Nishiyama proudly said, having worked hard for the company for nine years.

Is pleasure to meet you, Mr. Takashi. I am Thomas Carson, Billy Carson's father, and I am his lawyer. He is the reason why we insist on confidentiality since he is still a minor, - Mr. Thomas said, as straightforward as he was in his relationships.

-Oh, it's a pleasure. We at Capcom value our relationships, - Takashi said. - It surprises me that Billy is the creator, but it explains a lot, - he added.

-It's nice to meet you. I must say that the Street Fighter arcade machine is quite impressive, although I only play on rare occasions, - Billy said.

-A fan, huh? To create a game, you need a player. I'll send you an arcade machine as a gift. Street Fighter holds a special place in my heart. I was thinking about it during the flight while anticipating the creation of Street Fighter 2, - Takashi said.

-Well, that's very kind of you. I deeply appreciate the gift, - Thomas Carson said.

-Thank you, - Billy replied, somewhat surprised by the gift.

-Mr. Takashi, I feel the need to reciprocate. I will send you the first two compilation volumes of Yu Yu Hakusho, - Billy said.

- Oh, that's a nice name, - Mr. Takashi remarked.

-Well, without further ado, let's get started with the negotiations, - Takashi said.

To which Billy nodded. His father had been teaching him about negotiation, accounting, and management for some time now. This was the second negotiation he had been involved in this year.

-Alright, among our initial proposals, we would like to create a game using the company's IPs. We are considering either Hellboy or Samurai Jack comics. Our idea is to develop an open-world game in a Metroidvania style, set in a dungeon-like maze with key objectives. I want to create a game that provides a new challenge for players, with a non-linear story, special puzzles, and unique items that are essential to progress through the storyline, - Billy explained.

>>That's why we believe it's best to entrust this to the expertise of a game development company. We have analyzed the current growth of Lux Comics, and we expect to have two million readers nationwide in two years, not to mention our new endeavors to expand into multiple countries such as Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, France, and Italy. -said, Billy.

- Well, undoubtedly, you have a groundbreaking idea. As a company, we can consider taking on the game, but as you know, this industry is filled with challenges, - Takashi said.

-Oh, well, as long as the terms are fair, we are willing to invest in the game, either in terms of resources or financially, - Billy replied. - The company's financial situation is healthy. Four months ago, we didn't have the resources for such an investment, but now it's entirely different. Providing $2 million is significant, as long as I can meet your point system and improve my skills, the monetary investment is just paper, - he added.

- Investing? - Mr. Takashi asked.

- Yes, indeed. In the industrial aspect, Lux Comics can focus on promoting the game upon its release, - Billy explained. - I can also design the game covers, and posters, and provide support with logistics. I have a strong relationship with an animation studio in Hollywood that can reduce costs and collaborate with Capcom. Additionally, I can invest $2 million in the game's development if there are any concerns, - Billy proposed.

-Well, that's a good start. The investment for a good game usually ranges from $10 to $20 million, sometimes even more. Game development can be challenging and unpredictable. However, we have stable finances. I am particularly interested in the advertising and animation aspects, which can be a promising start, - Takashi acknowledged.

-It's a pleasure. If the company requests it, I can create a short, animated film. I have received some training in animation, so that wouldn't be a problem, - Billy offered.

-Good, good. This partnership entails that the rights of the game belong to Capcom, which is the encoded framework of the game. Everything developed within it by the company, as well as the right to continue the series in future installments, - Takashi clarified.

- Of course, if you develop the game, the intellectual property belongs to the creator. Regarding the continuity, we can consider signing a three-game deal, and then we can reassess, - Billy stated.

-I see. Well, Capcom would be pleased to produce the game. However, in the proposal, you mentioned a historical guide for the game, considering that you, young Billy, want to be the writer, graphic designer, and publicist. At this point, the team needs to review the document I sent and assess its feasibility, - Takashi explained.

-Absolutely, I would appreciate it if they could review it and consider various details, as well as create a list of scenarios that can be rearranged according to how you envision developing the game, - Billy replied.

-Very well then. Let's create a great game together, - Takashi said.

Takashi knew that this relationship was different. He was facing a passionate young individual, which is a rare find as such passion is often restrained by colleagues. But as long as he had a passionate collaborator, the company would only thrive. He knew only a few passionate individuals who were not driven by money. They were all filled with great ideas, and the rest would depend on their lawyers.

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