"Exciting Collab Opportunity: Celestial Games X The Black Mastadonte"

My heart skips a beat after reading the subject line of the email I just received. Looks like a game developer wants to work with me. Hell yeah!

As a content creator, few things hit as hard as an email from a company asking you to try their product. You receive something for free, get a little confidence boost, and most importantly...you get PAID...usually. So don't judge me when I say this news got me doing a little happy dance in my office. But one thought stops me. How do I even know if this is legit?

Sponsorship scams have been running rampant recently. Creator gets an email talking about some monumental opportunity. Creator gets asked for sensitive information or makes the grave mistake of clicking on a link. Then before you know it, some villain ends up posting about cryptocurrency in said creator's social media accounts. It's a screwed-up cycle and I am definitely not ruining my 9 years of hard work today! So I sit my happy ass back in my chair and return to my desk. Leaning forward, I take a closer look at the email.

From: [email protected]

Subject: Exciting Collab Opportunity: Celestial Games X The Black Mastadonte

Greetings The Black Mastadonte,

Todd from Celestial Games here. We've been watching your channel for a while now and we love your stuff. The energy you bring to your gaming and anime reviews is intoxicating. We think you would be perfect to promote our upcoming game: The Final Sector.

But you're probably wondering what The Final Sector is. Well, over here at Celestial Games, we have been calling it the game of dreams. We managed to combine elements from the world's most popular genres (Fighting, RPG, Battle Royal, etc.) into one seamless MMO package.

We'd love to say more, but we don't want to spoil too much before you get a chance to play it. We currently have a working offline alpha of the game ready for content creators like yourself to try out. So please get back to us if you are interested.

After we get you onboard, we'd love to talk about rates and a possible long-lasting partnership.

Best,

Todd

Celestial Games

After reading the message twice, I lean back in my chair to think. The proposal sounds interesting enough. I like that they're talking about rates from jump. But calling your game the "game of dreams" is a little pretentious if you ask me.

“I should probably look them up,” I mutter to myself.

I open up a new tab in my browser and enter "Celestial Games" in the search bar. The first thing that pops up is their official website. With a click, I enter it and scan their home page. It has this galaxy theme going. Different planets as well as multiple glistening stars can be seen in the background.

“Hmmm. Space themed. I can dig it. Wonder if you can fly spaceships n' shit.”

At the center of the page lies a huge banner saying "Welcome to Celestial Games". I scroll down to find a slideshow with promising promotional art for The Final Sector.

The first image is an enchanting painting of a vast grassy field with what looks like a village off in the distance. As an artist myself, I can't help but admire the attention to detail. This illustrator, whoever they are, knows what they're doing.

The second painting, just as breathtaking as the last, shows the complete opposite; a futuristic city with skyscrapers that look like they can actually scrape the sky. Streams of brilliant pink neon lights travel down the buildings in the background like circuits. In the foreground, hover cars can be seen speeding through the sky

“Yeah playing in a place like this would be dope.” I declare with an approving nod.

I decide to leave the rest of the images for later and continue scrolling through their front page. There is an "About Us" section detailing who they are and how long they've been in the business. Turns out their team was started by a bunch of game developers who were laid off and decided to put everything into their dream idea. I like that. Well, not the laid-off part, but them putting their all into this project is inspiring. I can feel my skepticism for the game slowly turning into hope. Hope that it'll be just as dope as Todd said.

I continue scrolling, but nothing else catches my eye. They have an area for the press to contact them as well as links to their social media accounts. Pretty regular stuff. So I head back to the slideshow to finish looking at the images. There are only 2 more left. The first shows concept designs for a few mobs: a slime, an imp, and a goblin. The second shows art for what I can only assume is an NPC. I can see how anime inspired the look and that only makes me more interested in this project.

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With that, I roll back to the middle of my office and leave my chair. This all looks pretty cool. The concept art is fire, it's an MMO, and they have a legit website. But on the other hand, there is still so much I don’t know. I've seen my fair share of developers hype up games that turn out being nothing like how they said they would be. There is still a chance this pans out being a waste. Pretty high chance at that.

"But it wouldn't hurt to at least message them back. See where it goes."

The thought escapes my lips without me realizing it.

"You say something?!"

The voice comes from the other side of my closed office door. It's my girlfriend, Yoru. She must've been passing by my office while I spoke.

"Naw! Just-“

Before I finish my sentence, I pause for a second. For a lot of our relationship, Yoru has sort of been an advisor for me when it comes to content creation. She gives me video ideas every now and then, but more importantly, she makes sure I don't do anything too impulsive. And if there’s anything I’ve learned about myself in these 29 years on this planet, it’s that I’m a little too good at that. I should probably run this by her first.

"Actually...can I get your advice on something real quick?"

She enters my office and I fill her in on the situation. I even show her the email. After taking everything in, she scoffs while she turns to me.

"'Game of dreams' is pretty bold."

"Right?! That's what I said!"

She gets out of my chair and turns away from me. One of her hands rests on her chin while the other hugs her stomach. After a moment, she looks at me and speaks again.

"I mean...I don't see the issue in hitting them back up to see where this goes. At the very least, if it ends up being ass, that can still make content."

Yoru coming in clutch once again! I can always count on her! I place my hands on her shoulders and kiss her forehead.

"Exactly what I was thinking. Thanks babe! That really sets my mind at ease."

“I got you, babe!”, she replies with a bright smile.

With that taken care of, my growling stomach reminds me that I haven’t eaten in a minute. Yoru’s expression goes from bright to concerned.

“Jesus! Was that you?!”

Feeling a little embarrassed, I hold my stomach and slowly nod.

“When’s the last time you ate?”

“Pretty sure it was when we last ate.”

“Babe…that was at noon. It’s 8 o’clock right now.”

“Damn, it’s that late?!”

“Yes! You need to eat. No more work.”

“Copy. You right.”, I respond with a stretch. Probably should take a break. I managed to get some work done on a video script, send some emails, and even get some editing done. I’d say this was a pretty productive day. Plus, I’m trying to get some Street Brawlers time in before I start falling asleep. But first, food.

“What do you feel like eating?”

She thinks for a minute then pulls her phone from her pocket. After some screen rapping she returns my gaze with a look of defeat.

“I was trying to see if I had promos for MoFood, but I don’t.”

“Yeah screw that. Those service fee prices are getting egregious now. I can just pick it up myself and save us bread.”

“Bet. Then how about some Thai food?”, she asks with her eyebrow raised.

“Oh, I’m so down!”

“Lit.”, she says with a nod. Then she goes back to tapping away at the phone.

“I’ll text you what I want.”, she says as she hands the phone to me. I look at the menu and decide to get the Drunken Noodles. Those have and will always be my shit!

I gather my phone, wallet, and keys then throw my puffer jacket on along with my hightops. Yoru follows me to the door and kisses me goodbye as I step out of our apartment.

"Thanks, babe. I appreciate it."

"No problem. See you in a bit!", I respond with a smile.

With that, I put on my mask and head out of the building. Once I get outside I'm welcomed by the frigid New York winter cold.

“It is brick as fuck tonight!”

I zip up my open jacket to the point where my chin is covered then make my way to the bodega two blocks away. While I'm at it, I whip out my phone and open the email from Todd. Upon seeing the subject line, my excitement is reignited. I really hope this is real.

The open street stops me in my tracks. But there are no cars in sight and the light is red, so I look back down at my phone and proceed to cross the street. My fingers run across the keyboard as I type a response confirming my interest in The Final Sector. Then with the press of a button, my reply is sent.

Suddenly, a prickly feeling runs up the back of my neck. A shiver spreads throughout my whole body, but I know it's not because of the cold.

"Welcome to the game, friend."

A raspy whisper invades my ear. And with it, I sense the presence of eyes staring holes through the back of my head. I swiftly turn around. Without even thinking about it, all my attention goes to the clear night sky, but it looks normal.

That’s…weird…

HONK HONK

The loud sound of a truck horn snaps me out of my trance. I didn't realize I was still in the middle of the road. I direct my eyes to the source only to be met by a debilitating bright light. Every part of my body tells me to move, but I can't. For whatever reason, I can't move my goddamn legs!

Fuck! Move, idiot! MOVE!!

The light continues to get brighter and brighter. And like a deer in headlights, I'm motionless. All I can do is close my eyes to prepare for impact. I squint hard and grit my teeth. But after what feels like an eternity, nothing happens. I want to look, but I'm too afraid that sight will bring about all the pain I should be feeling.

Fuck. FUUUCK!!

The pressure on my eyelids increases. My heart feels like it's trying to fight its way out of my chest.

Shit, Donte! You can't keep your eyes closed forever!

Finally, I open one...but all I see...is white.