"Xi Ho will handle the Chinese localization and publishing in China and the Chinese-speaking territories of the Asia-Pacific region." said Zhao giving Kazuya a pointed look.
"SEGA will still retain main international English language and Japanese publishing rights" pushed back Kazuya.
"And Rostov Software Systems will handle Russian and Eastern European localization and distribution" rumbled Urik.
"And finally, I insist on both a digital and physical media release." said Aaron, causing Zhao and Urik to look at him in disbelief.
"Discs? In this day and age? Will the game even fit?" asked Urik skeptically.
"While we do have the manufacturing capability, volumes are low and costs are high" said Zhao cautiously.
"Aaron Zakhrov is old-school despite him being young enough to be our son." chuckled Kazuya, breaking the somewhat tense atmosphere that had formed during the divvying up of distribution rights.
"The base game will come in within the 50 gigabytes of a dual layer Blu-ray. Our servers at Sirius Software will host the game files for patching and download of course, but the Blu-ray version will be playable even without internet access. The DLC should fit on another Blu-ray and once released, you can offer a collector's box set" said Aaron.
"You think there will be enough of a fan-base to warrant the costs of physical media production?" asked Urik, still skeptical.
The game was impressive, but not so groundbreaking that he was willing to incur losses on the increasingly less common and more expensive Blu-ray releases.
"I know my fan-base. Physical media will sell. Even now, there is a healthy sales volume from SEGA's physical media sales." said Aaron as Kazuya nodded in agreement.
"The original game was released on both DVD and Blu-ray. The demand for the physical copies skyrocketed as protests for the game to be banned from Steam took off. With this new remake, there is a high chance that Valve would finally cave in to the demands for it to be banned." said Kazuya.
Urik shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Rostov Software Systems just signed an investment deal with the vultures at BlackRock. I'm afraid we no longer have the infrastructure to manufacture physical media" he growled.
"Xi Ho and SEGA can allocate capacity. I'm sure you gentlemen can reach a mutually beneficial deal" said Aaron.
"I think 10% from each would be a good start" said Urik, but Zhao shook his head.
"I think we'll expand our facilities, using a direct investment deal with Rostov. No need to waste all that BlackRock money" he said slyly.
Excitement lit up in Urik's eyes. "If that is the case, Rostov will have direct half ownership of that extra capacity" he demanded.
"But Urik! Wouldn't that lower your ESG score now that you are invested with BlackRock?" asked Zhao, secretly glad that the Chinese government had stepped in and protected his company from BlackRock.
"I never wanted those vultures in the first place! My cowardly board of directors went behind my back on that! This will give me an equal, if not greater cashflow and a clean break from them." snarled Urik.
"In that case, Rostov, SEGA and Xi Ho can invest in a multilateral expansion, that will give you boys more flexibility and collateral." said Aaron.
"That's a very good idea. I think that will minimize the risk to all of us" said Kazuya.
Zhao and Urik mulled it over and then nodded in agreement.
"I think that's a good outcome." said Zhao as he, Kazuya and Urik shook hands on the deal.
"A lot is riding on your new game, boy. I hope you know what you are doing" said Urik to Aaron.
He was surprised and impressed that Zhao and Kazuya would actually risk expanding Blu-ray manufacturing capacity based on Aaron's game, a testament to their trust in the young man.
Aaron nodded stoically. "I have faith in my games and my company Mr. Gorbachev" he said neutrally.
"Very well, I think that concludes our meeting. Shall we have lunch before we disperse? I've heard that this hotel serves an excellent porterhouse steak" said Kazuya.
The other partners nodded in agreement and stood up.
Nina was nearing the limit of her self-control. She wanted to grab a private moment with Aaron and lit into him with all the fury she felt. However, Yiyi grabbed her sleeve and beckoned her towards the other personal assistants.
"I never knew Master Zakhrov had a personal assistant! What is it like to work for him?" she asked Nina eagerly.
Excitement and eagerness filled Tatiana's and Tomoe's eyes as well.
"W-well I'm still new. It is only my third day." mumbled Nina, very uncomfortable with the curiosity of the other girls.
"Well still! What do you think of him?" asked Yiyi.
"Well I think he's quite difficult to work with. I'm quite uncomfortable in suits and high heels" said Nina, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge that the suit and heels were surprisingly comfortable, and had actually boosted her self-confidence and made her a little less fearful of Aaron.
"Well what's Sirius Software's offices like? I've heard it is very impressive" asked Tatiana.
"He's got the entire place bristling with cameras, and the doors would put most bank vaults to shame" grumbled Nina.
"Well he does seem like a very private person" giggled Yiyi, as the group entered the hotel's upscale restaurant.
"He's a sadistic, misogynistic pig!" snapped Nina, growing impatient with the obvious admiration and curiosity from the other girls.
"He's demanding, but he's the last person to be accused of misogyny. I think you should show more respect for your employer." said Tomoe coldly, surveying Nina with contempt.
Nina's jaw dropped in horror. Just who were these girls? They seemed to not only admire Aaron's attitude, but actually relish it!
"Little sister? Master Aaron?" asked a voice behind them, and the party turned to see a petite, and pregnant Asian woman in a flowing black dress, next to a tall, much older man in a sharp black three-piece suit.
"Big sister! It's so nice to see you!" squealed Yiyi giving the older woman a warm hug.
"You are looking well Mei. Congratulations to both you and Mr. Thompson" said Aaron, smiling warmly at them.
"Thank you, Mr. Zakhrov, it is so nice to see you after such a long time. I've heard great things about you." said Mr. Thompson in a refined British accent.
"Please, join us. We were just about to order lunch" said Aaron as the wait-staff, smoothly and efficiently added two extra chairs to the long table.
After they had all seated and placed their orders, Nina's anger and horror, had given way to curiosity.
She barely knew anything about Aaron, and decided to use this opportunity to pump Mei for information.
However, she was not alone in her curiosity, Yiyi, Tatiana and Tomoe all pleaded with Mei to spill the beans on Aaron.
Mei graciously recounted her first experience with Aaron on his birthday. How they had met in Mr. Thompson's shop, Aaron's ordering of a black leather suit, the subsequent date with her at the opera theater, her realization of her attraction him and their subsequent decision to minimize contact.
"But I must say, when I opened up to Mr. Thompson, it was like a breath of fresh air. He was able to give me exactly what I wanted from Aaron, and even surpass the memories" she said blushing fondly.
Nina's bafflement and fear of Aaron only grew after hearing Mei's revelations. What sort of strange power did Aaron have on these poor girls?
The others had listened to Mei's recounting with blushes and coos at how sweet and gentlemanly Aaron was.
That was so far from the truth! He was a cold, calculating and manipulative sadist!
Nina felt a gentle, but firm grip on her shoulder and looked to see Mei looking coldly at her.
"I know what you are thinking. However, I urge you not to jump to conclusions. It is not my place to reveal what Aaron wishes to keep hidden, but suffice it to say that he's not the violent and aggressive beast you think he is" she told Nina coldly.
"I'll reserve judgement of him based on how he interacts with me!" growled Nina, wishing she was in her apartment, listening to her favorite feminist podcast and drinking boxed wine.