GameScope Forum Hot Posts:
"Chicken Coop Collapsed: Couch Locked! Trouble's Brewing, Folks! Word is, after Yamamoto Studio's delisting at Komina, hundreds of top devs jumped ship to WindyPeak!"
"Turkey Rice Crust: Hundreds? For real? That puts them on par with the big dogs! (shocka-lad)"
"Wounded Warrior: Chill, it's just seven hires. WindyPeak set up a new studio. Bet they'll announce it soon."
"Fishin' Guru: Yo! The Seven Turncoat Ninjas! (lol)"
"CrawlMaster: Hahaha, the Seven Turncoat Ninjas, gold!"
"Litang Legend: Komina's eating dirt—lost the fight, lost face. They're mumbling nonsense now."
"Slick Slider: Wild twist. Komina tried to outplay Nebula to control the market, got outplayed instead. Now WindyPeak's pulling a power move, snagging Komina's own talent (hehe)."
"CokeCan: Feels like WindyPeak's eyeing Japan. This studio's stacked with Japanese devs. Neon branch next?"
"Lucky Leopard: Bet the logo's KOMINA with a big ol' slash through it (side-eye smirk)."
"KnowItAll: Nah, slap 'FVK' on KOMINA's logo."
"Cilantro King: Single-core to dual-core—WindyPeak's about to flex hard…"
Two days later, morning.
WindyPeak dropped the bombshell.
WindyPeak V: Stoked to unveil our second studio, Steel Chain Fingers! We're keeping the fire lit, passion real, and innovation sharp, delivering epic games! Celebrate!
Boom!
With Gus Harper and Zoey Parker's green light, seven "turncoat ninjas" from Komina's Yamamoto Studio landed in Seattle, joining WindyPeak.
The seven hires triggered internal tweaks.
First up, the OG project team got a glow-up: Golden Experience Studio, WindyPeak's core hub, 16 strong, led by Jonah York as studio director.
Yuki and Sato were tapped to form Steel Chain Fingers Studio with the seven ninjas, a nine-person crew, with Sato as studio head.
Gus Harper, Luke Bennett, and Jake Rivers stepped up as shared directors and deputy directors for both studios.
The news lit up the gaming scene.
And the happiest? WindyPeak's ride-or-die, IndieVibe's CEO—
"Victor Lang?!" Zoey yelped in her office, head throbbing as Chloe Quinn delivered the report. Her hand instinctively reached for the water gun in her drawer.
This guy's got guts showing up here!
Doesn't he know Zoey's got moves?
Right after WindyPeak announced Steel Chain Fingers, IndieVibe called within two hours. Victor Lang was flying to Seattle that afternoon.
Zoey wasn't thrilled. She might just yeet Victor out the door.
"What's he want?" she asked, taking a deep breath.
"Mr. Lang said he's coming to congratulate us in person," Chloe replied. "But, my guess? He's sniffing out a new project."
Chloe was sharp.
WindyPeak drops a new studio, and IndieVibe's on the phone?
Congrats? Sure. Over the phone would've worked.
Flying from New York to Seattle? That's a pitch.
"Judging by the timing," Chloe said, "he's likely angling for Steel Chain Fingers' first project, locking in one of our two cores."
Chloe's logic was tight.
WindyPeak was the hot ticket!
Game platforms and somatosensory cabin makers were drooling. IndieVibe and Nebula Games had already cashed in on WindyPeak's magic.
Now, with a second studio, single-core to dual-core?
Everyone wanted a piece.
"Hmm…" Zoey crossed her arms, nodding. Fast move.
Her earlier hunch was spot-on—more hands meant faster game churn.
New project? She'd have to meet Victor, like it or not.
It was a shot at tanking big—$182.07M in losses was just the start.
Chill, Zoey. Plenty of chances to flop later.
But when Victor strolled in that afternoon, his opening line shattered her calm.
"Haha, congrats! New studio, GDC domination, and you smoked Komina—triple win!" Victor beamed. "Billion-dollar club's right there. Congrats!"
Zoey's fists clenched.
You had to say it?!
The billion-dollar club taunt stung. If Victor hadn't pulled that IndieVibe X2 stunt, WindyPeak would've hit it already!
Her head buzzed.
Gus, cool as ever, stepped up, shaking Victor's hand. "Thanks for the vibes, Mr. Lang. We're moving steady, aiming for mid-tier status soon."
"Young and sharp, not rushing it—love that," Victor said. "You'll get there."
They headed to the conference room, host and guest settling in. Chloe brought tea.
After small talk, Gus said, "Mr. Lang, Zoey and I appreciate the congrats. On behalf of WindyPeak, big thanks to IndieVibe."
"We've been tight partners," he continued. "Even against Komina, you waived Outlast's commission—huge support."
Gus meant it. IndieVibe's promo push for Outlast and waived fees were clutch, practically free help.
From his view, gratitude was due.
He missed Zoey's face turning green.
Salt in the wound, Gus?!
Zoey shot him a side-eye, seething. I'm not grateful!
Not blasting Victor was proof her law-abiding side was winning.
"Heh," Zoey forced a smile, switching topics. "So, Mr. Lang, this visit isn't just for high-fives, right?"
Say it quick, or she'd test legal limits.
Victor chuckled, relieved. "Ms. Parker, love your straight talk!"
He'd been wondering how to pivot, but Zoey cut through.
"I've got a small ask," Victor said, pausing. "Indie Game Fest."
Zoey and Gus blinked. Indie Game Fest?
WindyPeak's clout was beyond indie fests. They could drop small games anytime—no need for the hype.
Gus remembered last year, when he'd strong-armed Victor into a "special invite" for Overcooked. Classic big-fish move.
Now Victor was inviting them?
What's the play?
"With our rep, Indie Game Fest feels… small-time," Gus said, hesitant.
Victor grinned. "Small-time? You're still a mid-tier studio, right?"
Gus smirked. Heard that before.
He'd thrown that line at Victor last year.
Karma's a trip.
Victor laughed. "Just a joke, Mr. Harper, no shade."
Then he got serious. "This year's Indie Game Fest is our tenth. We're leveling it up with an 'Indie Overseas Plan.'"
"Top ten games get global marketing and distribution through major platforms," he said. "A little boost for up-and-coming studios."
Gus nodded, moved.
Three years ago, WindyPeak was a nobody. IndieVibe's fest gave them a shot—Supernova Trophy, rapid rise.
Victor wasn't flexing. IndieVibe had always backed new talent—festivals, somatosensory cabins, global pushes.
It was Victor's gamer code, his industry love.
That's why Gus vibed with IndieVibe.
Walter Parker's words echoed: Don't forget your roots.
IndieVibe was pushing the industry forward. As a top player, WindyPeak had to step up.
Plus, more games, bigger market—Walter's wisdom.
No reason to say no.
"Steel Chain Fingers needs a debut project," Gus said. "Indie games are low-risk, quick wins. Perfect. How can we help?"
Victor lit up, thrilled Gus was in so fast.
"Not tough for a design legend like you," Victor said. "Drop a small-to-mid game, like last year, as our flagship for the overseas plan."
IndieVibe wanted WindyPeak's rep to lead.
Simple.
Gus was nodding when Victor added, "But…"
"But?" Gus raised an eyebrow.
"We're also pushing mobile gaming," Victor said. "Can you make a dual-platform game—PC and mobile, same account?"
"Cross-platform?" Gus froze.
Zelda vibes? Nah, chill.
Victor clarified, "Like Defend the Carrots—play on PC or phone, one account."
"Oh, got it," Gus exhaled. "Timeline?"
"Mid-next month to end of month, launching the overseas plan," Victor said, sheepish. "Tight, I know. I wasn't gonna bug you with A Way Out in the works, but with Steel Chain Fingers…"
"We're good," Gus waved it off. "Plenty of time."
"Sweet," Victor said, extending a hand. "Counting on you, Mr. Harper."
Gus shook it. "Won't let you down."
They wrapped with pleasantries.
As Victor headed out, he paused. "One thing, Mr. Harper, just curious—no offense."
"Go for it," Gus said.
"Where'd 'Steel Chain Fingers' come from? Any story behind it?"