He opened the email containing the focus group’s comments and stared at the screen. TheCowboys and Zombies 2project felt distant, as if it wasn’t his anymore. He couldn’t go on like this, hating what he did most days and longing to be a simple designer. When he returned to California, he and Cody would need to talk.Why wait?If he told Cody he wanted out, they could both start looking for someone to buy him out and the sooner that happened, the better.
Once out from under Big Stake Games, he could start a tiny company alone, or design games that interested him to sell. He’d been itching to work on the zombie wedding idea he’d gotten at Ty’s wedding. The concept had potential for expansion, zombie date, zombie baby, who knew where else he could take it. Confident of his decision and excited about his career for the first time in years, he composed an email.
After thanking Cody for taking the risk with him to start Big Stake Games and helping makeCowboys and Zombiesa reality, Zane dove into the reason for the email.
I have to be honest. My heart isn’t in this company anymore. I’m not giving it or you my best. That’s not fair to you or our employees, and eventually, the company will suffer. The lessons I’ve learned from Big Stake Games are invaluable. Unfortunately, one I’ve discovered is we have different visions for the company, and I miss being more involved in design. As I don’t want to hold you back and we can’t return to the time when Big Stake Games was simply you and me, I plan to sell my share of the company.
He continued, saying if Cody could raise the capital to buy him out, that was fine with him. If not, he suggested they find someone with a business background, capable of acting as a CFO to buy him out. He insisted he wouldn’t leave Cody high and dry regarding the focus group issues onCowboys and Zombies 2: The Next Wave. Then he finished the email with again thanking Cody and wishing him luck.
Zane leaned back in his chair, reread the email, and corrected the mistakes. He sat for a moment, making sure he had no doubts. Then he hit send. A weight lifted off his chest. He could pursue his dreams again in his way.
As he returned to the focus group email, sheets rustled behind him. He started to turn, his chair squeaking with his movement.
“Don’t turn around. Let me get dressed.”
“Isn’t it a little late for modesty?”
“Pretend you’re Nike and just do it,” McKenna snapped.
He laughed. “That’s a good one.”
The bed creaked and then bare feet slapped against the old wooden floor. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“That’s not the only thing I enjoyed. Turns out you have all kinds of hidden talents.”
“You have no idea.”
Her husky voice reached out to him, sending a fresh surge of desire shooting through him. “After last night, I’ve got a few.”
A minute later, she joined him at the desk. Her dress wrinkled from being in a crumpled ball, her hair wild and tousled flowed around her shoulders. She looked amazing. “Good morning.” He cupped her face and pulled her down for a quick kiss.
Should he ask if they were okay? If she had any regrets? He decided if she had concerns, she could bring them up. Then she glanced at the computer. “Your other job? Is there a problem?”
He nodded and minimized the screen.
“Does it have to do with why the release date forThe Next Wavewas pushed back?”
“How did you know about that?”
“I received a notice because I’ve preordered. Can I help?”
She was offering to help? Most women he’d dated pretended to listen about his work, but they only humored him, but McKenna appeared sincere. What the hell? Being a fan and player of the original game, she could have helpful insight. Plus, what did he have to lose? He clicked on the email again and pointed to the screen. “We’ve got creative issues. You can read them for yourself.”
She scanned the email. “What do your designers say about the focus group comments?”
“Mainly that we don’t have time to design an entire town, new characters, and increase the game difficulty.”
“You based the ranch on Lucky Stars, right?” He nodded, and she continued. “What if you based the town on Wishing? Would that save time?”
Hope mixed with the high of having a possible solution pumped through his veins. “That would eliminate the planning/concept work. I could knock out a sketch quick. We could include the wishing well.”
“That could add new challenges, too. Players could earn coins to make wishes.” She scanned the email again. “For characters, think about people you know and what skills you could give them.” She giggled and poked his shoulder. “It’s a silly example, but Ginny said I make the best pumpkin bread. What if a character experiments with baking ingredients and discovers something that explodes zombies?”
“But the gamer has to conduct trials to determine what works.” He opened a new document and started typing. “This has potential. Expand on the idea.”
“If the ingredients must be gathered and the gamer has to fight zombies to obtain them, that increases the difficulty. Then create other folks who have a skill needed to build something the town needs to survive, for example.”
“Once we have the characters, I’ll assign each to a designer to complete. Your ideas are great. Want to keep going?”
