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Chapter 20: Crazy Merchandise
🕑 Added 2025-09-04 09:21:29 +0000 UTCBeyond the Avatar character skins, the merchandise plan included an extensive lineup of mount cosmetics. Dire Horse and Banshee (Ikran) mount skins would be released with a cap of 10 million units worldwide, priced at $10 and $30 respectively.
Mount skins were purely cosmetic overlays that automatically matched similar mount types. The Banshee Ikran skin could transform any flying mount's appearance, while Dire Horse skins worked with ground mounts—no statistical bonuses, just visual customization for players who wanted their mounts to match Pandora's aesthetic.
The premium tier included 1 million Hammerhead Titanothere mount skins at $120 each. The Hammerhead—nicknamed the "four-eyed rhino" by players—was one of Avatar's most popular creatures, with its distinctive hammer-shaped bone crest that could allegedly tear through steel. This skin would actually enhance defensive attributes.
Even more exclusive were 500,000 Thanator (Death Beast) mount skins priced at $240 each. The Thanator, Pandora's apex predator resembling a massive black panther, had become a player favorite after its heroic sacrifice in Avatar's final battle. These skins would boost both agility and defensive stats.
The crown jewel of the collection was the Toruk (Great Leonopteryx) mount—limited to just 5 units per server and only obtainable through the premium loot box system. The Toruk possessed stats comparable to the platform's most powerful mounts, plus unique abilities exclusive to Pandoran content: massive buff bonuses while in Avatar dungeons and the power to summon Na'vi tribal leaders, providing group benefits to all nearby players using Avatar skins.
The merchandise plan also included hundreds of decorative items: atmospheric masks, bioluminescent plants from Pandora's forests, Prolemuris (Pandoran monkeys), fan lizards, woodsprites, and other fauna for territory customization. Each item type was limited to between 1-50 million units, with prices ranging from $3 to $80.
Alex ran conservative calculations and felt his head spin. Total merchandise value approached $40-50 billion. Even with the intermediate supplier's 40% revenue share, Stormwind Studios could potentially earn over $15 billion if everything sold.
Fifteen billion dollars. Even for someone from a family worth hundreds of billions, that was life-changing money—especially money he'd earned through his own work rather than inheritance.
More importantly, this level of financial success would prove to his father once and for all that he'd found his calling. No more threats about military school or lectures about responsibility and direction.
Beyond merchandise, Infinite Realms had also granted Avatar the right to develop Level 70 official content—currently the platform's highest-tier dungeons, reserved for their most successful creators.
After finishing the marathon of corporate calls, Alex gathered his team in their cramped office space.
"Alright, everyone, the prize money just hit our account," Alex announced with a grin. "You all put in incredible work during crunch time, so the company's giving everyone a $15,000 bonus. I hope you'll stick with us for what comes next."
"Fifteen thousand dollars?" David stared at Alex in disbelief. "Boss, did I hear that right?"
"You heard correctly," Alex confirmed.
"Holy shit, you're incredible!" David practically launched himself out of his chair.
Tom and Sophie looked equally stunned. "Are you serious? This is amazing!"
"Thank you, boss!" they chorused.
For young professionals just starting their careers, $15,000 was a substantial windfall. David was practically vibrating with excitement, while Tom and Sophie kept exchanging glances like they couldn't quite believe their luck.
Alex outlined their expansion plans: new office space, additional hires, and splitting into two development teams—one focused on Avatar content expansion, the other on new IP development. Stormwind Studios was about to become a real company.
That evening, Tom walked into his family's suburban home carrying a bank envelope and wearing the biggest grin his mother had seen in months.
"Mom, I want to show you something," he announced, setting the envelope on the kitchen table. "This is a bonus from my company. Fifteen thousand dollars."
Catherine nearly dropped the dish she was washing. "How much? Fifteen thousand? Are you serious?"
Tom pulled out the bank statement showing the direct deposit. "Dead serious. Got it this afternoon."
His mother dried her hands and examined the paperwork carefully. She'd been expecting Tom to come home with news that his startup had folded, not carrying more money than she made in four months.
"Honey, you didn't do anything illegal, did you? Or win some kind of lottery?"
"Mom, come on. It's a legitimate performance bonus. Look—" Tom showed her his banking app with the transaction clearly labeled as workplace compensation. "I withdrew some cash at lunch so you could see it's real."
Catherine stared at the money, trying to process this development. "Is your boss having some kind of mental breakdown? What startup gives bonuses like this after two months?"
"Actually, our first game just won the biggest competition in the VR gaming industry," Tom said proudly. "Do you remember me mentioning Titan Games where cousin Jennifer works? And that big American company ET? They both spent hundreds of millions trying to win this championship."
"And?"
"We beat them. David and I were part of the core team that created the winning entry. Gaming companies worldwide are calling it the biggest upset in industry history."
Catherine looked skeptical. "This is real?"
"You could Google 'Avatar New World Competition' if you want proof. Our little startup just became one of the most talked-about companies in gaming. I'm about to be promoted to project manager, Mom. By the end of the year, I'll have my own development team."
The transformation in his mother's expression was immediate and dramatic. "Really? Oh honey, that's wonderful! What do you want for dinner? I'll make whatever you like!"
She carefully tucked the bank statement into her purse. "I'm putting this toward your savings account. You'll need to start thinking about your future—maybe a house down payment fund."
"Mom, when did I get a house fund?"
"You have one now," Catherine said firmly, already planning how to maximize this unexpected windfall.
Tom could only shake his head and smile. Success had a funny way of changing everyone's perspective.
