267 Richard Boll

The days in front of ID Software's office were filled with specific tasks. Designing the levels for Crash Bandicoot 1 games, and continuing with the Mario World copy, but updating the levels with specific worlds and different stories in Crash, all in a 2D screen used to train new animators in series production.

The delivery of the new formats for Resident Evol, Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon, and Doom, each with their friendly details and a complex relationship of luxury. Not many companies would undertake such complexities. ID Software's goal was to use these games to modify, improve, and prepare a series of classic enhancements that were fresh in Billy's thoughts. Two games would use the co-authorship of two recently acquired companies. The challenges were in the air, challenging the companies not only to present a game franchise that would be above others for the next twenty years but also to advance technology.

-I don't think we can make a game with such proportions, - Brian Riley said, sitting in the company's board meeting, the game was a challenge from the start. Even the crazy Carmack and Romero were dumbfounded by Billy's demands, new sound improvements while playing, camera movements, different projections, and game quality as a mandatory requirement.

-It's a challenge. Accomplish it as best you can. I'm not asking you to implement everything immediately, but you can gradually add things to the games. However, if you can structure the key points that stand out, there's no need to bother. Within a year, I would like you to complete all my demands. A game can only get better each time, from gameplay, visibility, interest, order, origin, and execution, - Billy commented.

-We need more staff. Our work teams are developing their projects and engaging in different activities. I don't think we'll be able to shoot the first game like this in a year without more resources, - John Carmack said.

Richard Boll intervened at that moment amidst the heated discussion in the room. They imagined a year filled with work ahead, believing that what they were doing was above the market, now they were being told that they lacked development in many areas.

-We acquired two companies, each with its team. Parallax Software will support joint efforts with Group 1, and Raven Software with Teams 3 and 2, to develop Resident Evol, - Richard said from his position, with a folder outlining the team formations. - We'll also hire five new developers to add to the groups. The task continues to surprise us, but there may be a sixth and seventh development team to fill the company's needs in the coming months. -

-Seven teams, - Alexa Riley whispered, totally admiring the company's growth.

Even Billy was surprised by Boll's boldness, as he was aware of a software development team for the project of creating their game engine that would encompass the creation of both 2D and 3D games in a single mega-engine, with all the tools needed to make the best video games.

-Are there any additional questions anyone wants to know? - Billy questioned after the discussion about the company's new projects. The game formats were guidelines that captured all their thoughts. For example, in RPG platforms, they had up to the third generation, which was a journey through the Orange Islands, containing the first Pokémon from other regions, with evident differences, such as the Ice Onix, a regional variant, expanding the franchise, which would feed not only into the future series but also into the movies.

-We'll get our Rock songs for the Doom game we're planning to release to the market, - John Romero said, with his alternative character. He believed that the essence of bullets was rock music with all its force and a combination of terror.

-Yes! The problem is that I don't get along very well with record labels, and the prices they quote are ridiculous. It would be easier to create a music agency and hire them. At least then the price would be fair, - Billy said sarcastically.

-I think if the boss tries a music agency, it wouldn't be too difficult for him. What's a few million to set up the drumbeat and set the pace? - Romero said.

-I'll think about it, - Billy replied, not wanting to disrupt the music world, and buying a renowned record label was not economically feasible. Jim Waitt might have answers for that task, some contacts, or know the band members perfectly. But getting those singers had brought some headaches.

-Damn right! Doom with metal rock will be one of the best games in history, - John Carmack said.

-We, the second team, will take into account the Crash franchise to continue improving the game's playability. But I would like to create our own video game. I have plenty of materials that are enough to come up with the creation of a video game, - Tim Willis said.

-Everyone can create their video games, and teams can ask for help from each other as long as people agree, - Richard Boll said, echoing Billy's thoughts. He has spoken numerous times on the phone with Anne and Raimon, working almost to the point where he has achieved a complementary vision of what Billy desires for the video games and the company he is forming.

This gesture completely surprised Billy.

-As long as it aligns with ID Software's three values, - Tim Willits added, who is a gaming enthusiast.

-Are there any more questions? - Richard Boll added one last time. He was certain that in the coming months, he would have to do a lot of fieldwork. - Very well, for now, I adjourn the extracurricular meeting. -

The room began to empty, except for Richard Boll, who had to address some hidden issues of the company.

-Our meeting ran a bit long, - Billy remarked.

-It's necessary. Many of the teams need to see the big picture to be able to draw it in their respective work. Your design guidelines are the best I've seen, and frankly, I can't find better ideas to continue making video games, - Richard Boll commented, amazed by the progress of the video games that still managed to cross his mind like raindrops.

-You have many future ideas. Anne has a good opinion of you. She speaks honestly, - Billy said.

Richard Boll was moved to be recognized. Years of work and climbing up from the bottom of society had brought him to where he was.

-Well, the first thing is a somewhat risky proposal, but I would like us to have a gaming console. The company can strengthen and creating a gaming console can double our profits in many ways. This idea is ambitious, but it's perfect for us as a team to diversify our products—a somewhat revolutionary idea. I've noticed that there isn't a single American machine that competes against the Japanese market, which has a significant advantage over us, - Richard concluded.

-We don't have adequate funds, but we can collaborate with some companies that have the same ideas, split the project, and limit financial expenses, - Billy said.

-I'll leave some of my ideas and research at hand. However, the second one is the most important. By expanding our software development companies, we can seek a game that fulfills the same functions as Mario has done for Nintendo. If we manage to create a versatile game like Mario, we can give birth to a guaranteed gaming company, - Richard Boll commented. His ultimate idea was to find a game like Mario, a game with the same level of guarantee as Mario, which stood out like a thumb among other video games.

-What do you propose? - Billy asked.

-To invest in more video games, or to buy them, - Richard Boll said.

-For now, it's better to create our video games and focus on what we have. We'll decide our destiny later, but I firmly believe that opportunities will come when the time is right, and we can buy video games. Our goal should be to partner with universities in the United States and cultivate the world of video games for ourselves, as well as for future entrepreneurs. From there, buying a game similar to Mario is just— - Billy said.

-A brilliant idea, - Richard Boll murmured. - But it doesn't guarantee anything. The investment may be lost or taken advantage of by others. -

-That doesn't matter. Let's continue with our work; time will tell everything, - Billy said.

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