I am the Entertainment Tycoon
Chapter 722: Unveiling a Gem Amidst the Artists Alley

Chapter 722: Unveiling a Gem Amidst the Artists Alley

Ever since Theo decided to open his own game studio, he had been searching relentlessly for the right people to bring his vision to life. He had big plans-games that would push boundaries, combining the storytelling and mechanics he remembered from his past life with the innovation that he believed could set his studio apart. But replaceing the right team had proven far more difficult than he expected. Three months of searching, with countless résumés reviewed and interviews conducted, had left him frustrated and empty-handed. Sam, one of his most trusted friends and advisors, had recommended a few candidates, but none of them had the spark, the talent, or the ambition Theo was looking for.

Now, as he and Aurora wandered through the vibrant and eclectic Artist Alley at PrimCon, Theo had all but given up on replaceing talent in this space. But then, something caught his eye. A small booth tucked away at the edge of the alley displayed a series of monitors, each running short clips of an independent game. The art was unlike anything Theo had seen so far at the convention-atmospheric, detailed, and dripping with a sense of mystery and adventure. The characters moved fluidly through mist-covered forests, strange creatures lurking in the shadows as the screen cut from one scene to another. The world felt alive, breathing with a distinct style and energy.

Theo paused, staring at the display for a moment longer. There was something about this project that resonated with him. It wasn't just the technical skill, which was undoubtedly impressive, but the passion behind the work. He could sense it in the way the characters moved, the way the environment shifted with every step. This wasn't just a game. It was a labor of love.

Aurora noticed his hesitation and followed his gaze. "That looks pretty cool," she said, stepping closer to the booth. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Maybe," Theo murmured, his eyes still on the screen. "Let's check it out."

They approached the booth, where a group of ten young developers stood eagerly showcasing their game. Theo immediately noticed their energy-excited, hopeful, and driven. They were recent graduates, as one of them explained while another demonstrated the gameplay to a small crowd gathered around the booth. The game was still in early development, but the potential was undeniable.

Theo, keeping his cards close, smiled as he listened to their pitch. "So, what's the concept behind this game?" he asked, keeping his tone casual. He didn't want to reveal too much about himself just yet.

The lead developer, a tall young man with messy black hair and wire-rimmed glasses, grinned broadly as he launched into an explanation. "We wanted to create a game that blends exploration with a deep narrative experience. Our world is set in a place where nature and magic intertwine, and the player takes on the role of a wanderer, someone with no memory of their past, who has to uncover the secrets of the world while navigating through dangerous, mystical landscapes."

As he spoke, Theo watched the others. They were passionate-fired up by the project they had created together. One of the artists showed Aurora some of the concept sketches for the game, which were just as impressive as the in-game art. The characters were distinct, each one with a unique design that hinted at layers of backstory and personality.

"What's your development timeline?" Theo asked, still careful not to show his hand too early. He didn't want to intimidate them, but he was genuinely curious.

The young woman who had been showcasing the gameplay spoke up this time. "We've been working on it for about eight months now. We're aiming to have a playable demo ready within the next four months, but we're working out of a small space right now, so we're moving as quickly as we can with the resources we have."

Theo nodded, impressed with how far they had come in such a short time. The game's fluidity, the attention to detail in both the art and mechanics-it all pointed to a team that was not only talented but dedicated.

"Are you funding the project yourselves?" Aurora chimed in, her curiosity piqued as she continued to look over the concept art.

The lead developer smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, we've been pooling our savings and working odd jobs to keep things going. It's been tough, but we're passionate about this. We believe in the project, and we want to see it through."

Theo's mind raced. Here was a group of people who had the talent, the drive, and the creativity he had been searching for. Their work had the potential to be groundbreaking, and yet, they were struggling with the most common hurdle in the industry-funding and resources. It was a familiar story and one that Theo knew well from his experience in his past life.

He turned to the lead developer, intrigued. "You've got something really special here," Theo said, offering a genuine smile. "I'm curious-what's the endgame for your team? Are you hoping to release this independently, or are you looking for backing?"

The developer glanced at his team before responding, his excitement palpable. "Honestly, we'd love to get back if we can. We've been talking to a few smaller publishers, but nothing concrete yet. Ideally, we want to maintain creative control over the project, but we could definitely use the resources to bring this to the next level."

Theo nodded thoughtfully. He was impressed by their vision and their commitment to the project. They had built something from the ground up, and with the right support, he could see them taking it even further. These were the kind of people he had been searching for-the kind who weren't just in it for the money, but for the love of the craft. They were the perfect fit for Genesis Game Studio.

But Theo wasn't ready to reveal his hand just yet. He wanted to see more of their work, to learn more about them before making any offers. Still, he couldn't hide the spark of excitement that was growing within him.

"You've got a lot of talent here," Theo said after a moment. "I'm sure you'll replace the right partner to help you finish this project."

The team members smiled, clearly grateful for the praise. But Theo wasn't done yet. He casually asked about their backgrounds, probing deeper into their individual skill sets without making it seem like an interview. It turned out that several of the team members had specialized in different aspects of game development-one was a coding prodigy, another a gifted animator, and another had a sharp mind for world-building and narrative design. Aurora, meanwhile, was chatting with one of the artists, who was explaining the unique design philosophy behind the characters. "We wanted each character to feel like they were part of the world, but also distinct enough to stand out on their own," the artist said, showing her more sketches. "The world we've built is rich with history, and we want the player to feel like they're uncovering it with every interaction."

Theo couldn't help but smile as he listened. These were exactly the kind of people he needed for Genesis Game Studio. They were young, talented, and hungry for success-willing to put in the work to make their vision a reality.

He glanced at Aurora, who caught his eye and gave him a knowing smile. She could see the gears turning in his head.

Theo turned back to the team. "I'd love to keep in touch," he said casually. "This project has a lot of potential, and I think you guys are onto something special."

The team exchanged excited looks. "That would be amazing!" the lead developer said, his enthusiasm bubbling over. "We'd love to show you more as we keep developing."

After taking their contact information, Theo and Aurora walked away from the booth, Theo couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. For the first time in months, he felt like he had finally found the right team to help bring his game studio to life.

They didn't know it yet, but those ten fresh college graduates were about to be part of something much bigger.

"Looks like you found a gem," Aurora said with a grin as they moved toward the next booth.

"Yeah," Theo replied with a bright smile, his mind already racing with ideas. "I think I did."