Chapter 97 - Disney Partnership

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The negotiation meeting became awkward quickly as Vince attempted to formulate a good enough excuse for Bob to let the issue go.

"I never meant the AR and VR attraction partnership with Universal Parks to slight you or Disney, Mr. Iger. On the contrary, I have always planned on sharing our tech with the most consumers, meaning the need to cooperate with Disney Parks as well." Vince explained as eloquently as he could.

"Apologies for my misunderstanding. I assumed you Universal was scheming to monopolize this new form of media your corporation has popularized recently. So we can discuss our park partnership today, as well." Bob replied amicably.

[The older man is trying to throw me off my game. Sly.] Vince pondered while David prepared the visual presentation.

"It was a pleasure working with Kyle and Future Studios directing the Everlife campaign. My brother and I would love to work with them again on a different project." Anthony Russo stated while waiting on the presentation to start.

"Definitely. I'd also like to thank you for connecting us with Disney and its executives. It saved plenty of trouble of setting a meeting up." Vince replied sincerely.

"It was actually Kevin here who instructed us to set this meeting up, primarily for the use of Unreal Engine for our upcoming movie projects." Joseph Russo added.

"Alright. So we'll start the presentation of our new product pitch first before discussing our media production partnership." Vince explained.

The Disney executives were confused because they initially thought the meeting only regarded the Unreal Engine and theme park negotiations.

David signaled he was ready, and Vince stood up to start explaining Future Tech's new business-to-business solution for piracy prevention and the on-demand video streaming platform hosted by NetServ.

"We recently developed unique tags embedded within online media such as pictures, audio/video, film, and video games that protect from the typical and more advanced methods of re-distribution. NetServ will also implement the solution on an all-in-one media platform meant to compete with Netflix, HBO, Spotify, and Apple Music." Vince explained while scrolling through his presentation.

"I think I have an idea where you're going with this. You want Disney-licensed properties as one of your main attractions. Am I correct?" Bob inquired as he quickly understood the gravity of Future Tech's innovation.

"Yup! We'll allow Disney partnership access to Infinity Unreal Engine for any of your upcoming projects if Future Tech becomes your primary online content distributor. We'll naturally pay Disney a portion of the monthly subscription payments based on content watch time. Compared to our competitors who can't even stream standard high-definition, our service will be streaming ultra HD 4K instead." Vince replied in detail.

Bob Iger and Kevin Feige started whispering to each other to discuss the implications of Vince's offer.

[This is my best opportunity to garner a fighting chance against the well-funded media companies I'm trying to compete against.] So Vince thought while waiting for Bob's decision.

"The Digital Millenium Copyright Act is, at best, a band-aid solution in maintaining your profits. But the robust service we provide allows Disney to police their copyrights in foreign markets, unlike DMCA, which is practically useless abroad," David mentioned as a further reason to partner with Future Tech.

"We've had trouble expanding our online reach in emerging markets like South East Asia and Africa, mostly due to poor network infrastructure. So Disney should consider Vince's offer seriously, in my opinion." Kevin whispered to Bob.

"I'll allow it under two conditions," Bob stated sternly.

[Is this the part when he asks me to pay an absurd amount of money upfront?] Vince thought worriedly.

"Disney requires a dedicated section within your platform which separates us from non-Disney content and a higher percentage of the subscription profits," Bob added.

[Phew! Future Tech needs the liquid capital right now with all the projects going simultaneously.] So Vince thought as he looked towards David for confirmation.

"It's within our limits, Vince. We should take the offer." David whispered to his CEO.

"Acceptable. We can move on to the theme park partnership, then. I'll offer you the same deal we have with Universal Parks. Future Studios will provide the technical and development expertise in creating licensed VR and AR park rides based on whatever you want in exchange for a small portion of the park's revenue." Vince stated politely.

"That should be fine. Though I'm more interested in Future Studio's core business, video games, because of how excited the Russos get whenever we discuss the matter." Bob Iger replied.

"Everlife is a phenomenal experience, Bob. You have to try it out yourself to understand what my brother and I mean." Anthony commented as an avid gamer.

"If that's the case, then Future Studios could probably develop a compelling Marvel video game," Bob stated nonchalantly.

[Wait. Is Mr. Iger serious?! I can't let this chance go to waste.] Vince thought deeply.

"Future Studios and Epic Games are very interested in creating third-party licensed video games, especially now that we're only working on updates and expansions for Everlife and War Online," Vince said excitedly.

"Video games are slowly rising these past few years and are projected to eclipse the film industry, which dominated the entertainment industry for almost one hundred years. So I think it's only proper for Disney to explore this form of media with the best in the business." Bob Iger explained eloquently.

"The Marvel games don't have to be too expansive like Everlife, and instead should be an enclosed single-player experience that Future Studios could develop in a reasonable amount of time." Kevin Feige commented.

"You don't have to worry about development time considering my staff's expertise. Future Studios doesn't run into crunch issues like our competitors because we treat our people well throughout the production process." Vince explained proudly.

"Say no more. I'll have Kevin discuss the details of an appropriate Marvel property to adapt into a video game. Would you like to talk about anything else today?" Bob inquired.

"One last subject I'd like to raise is the production of an Everlife movie for the mass market. I'm willing to shoulder most of the cost, at around $500 million, and I want the Russo brothers to direct it." Vince replied.

"I think it's a great idea! My brother and I have already discussed a possible film adaptation we'd pitch to you eventually, but now you've made it a lot easier for us." Anthony commented.

"Future Studios will have Disney's support if required now that we're officially media partners. Let's sign the paperwork already so I can leave you gentlemen to discuss the projects further." Bob suggested.

David Henderson opened his suitcase and retrieved an Infinity Tablet, having a secretary print the edited documentation for signing off the tablet.

A few moments later, the secretary from earlier arrived with the paperwork that both parties immediately signed.

"It was a pleasure to meet such a young and talented businessman like yourself, Vince Dalton. I hope our partnership leads to success for both sides." Bob Iger stated before bidding farewell to the younger gentlemen.

"So which Marvel property are we adapting into a video game first? I suggest saving an Avengers game for when the video game series is more established." Vince stated.

"How about we start where the Marvel Cinematic Universe began, with Iron Man." Kevin Feige pitched.

"True. Depending on the first game's reception, we can follow it up with a Captain America and Thor video game. I'm sure we can afford to get Robert Downey Jr. to reprise his role as Iron Man and the other actors involved in the original movie." Vince replied with his opinion.

"Alright. How about the Everlife movie? We were thinking something along the lines of a prequel to the story campaign rather than a sequel." Joseph stated.

"The movie's main storyline could be about the past experiences of the major NPC characters in the game like The Rock and Jennifer Lawrence," Anthony added.

"Then we'll start a script with that concept in mind. I trust both of you to direct the prequel movie as well as you did for the Everlife campaign. Will $500 million be a big enough budget for your vision of the movie?" Vince inquired.

"More than enough, Vince. My brother and I have a lot on our plate right now directing the Captain America sequel, so we'll likely begin pre-production for the Everlife movie later this year." Joseph explained.

"Understood. I'm in no rush to release Future Studios' first-ever feature film. Quality is what's most important." Vince replied honestly.

[With this agreement in place with Disney, the other companies like NBCUniversal, Comcast, and Warner will have more reason to join Future Tech's multi-media initiative.] Vince pondered as Kevin Feige concluded the lengthy meeting.

Stats last time checked: 

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion 

15 million BTC (currently trades at $25,000) 

$14.5 Billion cash in Future Tech 

105,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics, Future Education, Epic Games, 60% of SpaceX, 10% of Tesla, 10% of Koenigsegg) 

20,000+ operators under Future Security 

Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner, The Longhorn, Flyga

Collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E, Disney) 

Numerous subsidiaries under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram, Twitch, Big Hit Entertainment)