Chapter 481: Hostile Takeover! The True Dragon Awakens! |
Looking at Gu Sheng's expression!
Shen Miaomiao knew she hadn't remembered 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!
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 Augmentation Technology] that Phantom Dream VI was currently heavily promoting.
What was this technology used for?
No idea.
What improvements 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 augmentation 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 augmentation 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 immersive full sensory experience for players.
If by then, [Reality Augmentation] 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 time.
This level of technological leap could even, to some extent, overwhelm gameplay quality.
To put it extremely, with such technological support, even if a manufacturer made the most mediocre racing simulation game, 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 home.
Continuing to emulate the Phoenix strategy, achieving industrial technology integration through cooperative win-win methods, 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 plummeting market value and an extremely unhealthy, fragile revenue model.
Now, the only one possibly willing to bail out Phantom Dream was Vivendi.
So, even when the "engine replacement 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 somewhat troubled.
What should they do?
Leaning against the headboard, arms crossed in thought.
The next moment, 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 somewhat sneaky:
"That... dear, what's Phantom Dream's current market value... approximately?"
"Why suddenly ask about this?"
Gu Sheng looked at Little Nezha somewhat 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 commercial 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 adjustment policy, Phantom Dream's valuation has continuously dropped under erosion from other engine manufacturers and declining market confidence.
But as they say, a starved camel 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 something a medium-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 same tier.
And this was after Phantom Dream's own mistakes caused their market value to plummet.
She originally thought her 27 billion dollars was quite substantial.
But now it seemed, launching an acquisition of Phantom Dream still seemed somewhat insufficient.
However, it wasn't completely impossible.
Essentially two paths—
Either attract investments to increase their own value, or continue shrinking Phantom Dream's valuation.
The former 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 investments would come flooding in like tides.
From big players like Yiyou and XunTeng to smaller ones like Shadow Peaks, everyone knew following Golden Wind meant getting meat 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 documents.
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 same 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 deployments to a greater extent.
Thinking this way...
After pondering for a moment, 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 time, 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 medium 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 meant 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 medium shareholders an escape opportunity.
At that time, Shen Miaomiao could completely mobilize partners like Yiyou and XunTeng to massively acquire shares from exiting small and medium shareholders, increasing their shareholding ratio to over 34%, thus gaining veto control power in Phantom Dream's board of directors, fundamentally 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 time!
When Golden Wind was the target of Vivendi's schemes!
Konik thought about it day and night, even resorting to all means, 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 methods countless times before!
From the former Melancholy Blues—Ubsoft game company that was successfully maliciously acquired!
To Nuyan games that was severely damaged, nearly controlled if not for reversing the situation with "European Truck" at the Europa Expo!
Vivendi's methods, 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 become 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 moment to rise!
And now, the time had come!
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 came 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 Game Trailer Featuring "Phantom Dream VI"!》
《Brand New Immersive 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 Flamebird, ultimately still used the Phantom Dream engine for production!
Yes.
This was perhaps the most correct decision Konik had ever made.
Back then, since Flamebird's chief director considered this work a horror game, 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 development of "Alien: Endless Dark Tide."
And now.
With the release of the sixth-generation Phantom Dream.
Their gradually improving relationship over time, 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 Augmentation Technology."
Such enhancement could completely compensate for the minor shortcomings in visual presentation.
Flamebird 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 momentum, return to the peak, and declare their dominant position in the gaming circle with supreme 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 plummeting 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 development 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 seemed 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 announcement, 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 times seemed to have completely dissipated.
He stood up, about to stretch a little.
But right at this moment!
Knock knock knock—
Rapid knocking made Konik start slightly, responding:
"Come 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 some clues.
A very bad feeling slowly rose in his heart.
Without saying much.
Konik just gestured for Betang to come over.
Tap.
The tablet computer was placed before Konik.
Woo— Woo—
In the dark screen, anxious and urgent siren sounds seemed to reflect Konik's current worried and uneasy mood...
Amid the blaring sirens!
Chaotic and disorderly sounds came from all directions in the pitch darkness!
[You are surrounded, surrender your weapons immediately...]
[One billion ransom...]
[What's the situation on site...]
[There are hostages...]
[Still unclear...]
[...]
Siren sounds.
Footsteps.
Conversation sounds.
Discussion sounds.
Shouted commands came from loudspeakers.
The buzzing of helicopters sounded overhead.
At this moment, countless sounds seemed 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 came from police cars, while nearby officers were learning about this emergency situation!
Until—!
!!!
Three gunshots suddenly exploded on site!
Sparks flew along a white line!
The camera 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 aimed firearms at the huge, completely sealed aircraft!
The gunshots just made all armed 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 moment!
All sounds in the area completely disappeared.
Only the faint sound from the walkie-talkie, subtle yet realistic, sounded:
"All team members attention—"
[Negotiations have broken down, begin assault]