The time had come. Each individual, from Matthieu to Daniel, Evie to Prince Tarif himself, moved purposefully through the sprawling corridors of the Riyadh headquarters. The air was heavy with anticipation, a collective sense of purpose driving them toward the heart of the building—the meeting hall.
The hall itself was a spectacle. It was vast, its dome high above, adorned with intricate designs that gave it an air of regality. It was akin to a United Nations assembly hall, with large, curved rows of desks and dedicated stands, each labelled meticulously with a CEO's name and their respective country. It was a visual testament to NexaCorp's vast expansion across borders. The countries represented—Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Canada, France, and Australia—each had their segment, highlighting the global influence they had forged in just one short year.
The stand where Hye-su's name was engraved had a flag of South Korea beside it, and beside her, there was a stand for Hae-won and one for Jin-ho, whose title was deliberately vague. Each CEO had their own space, illuminated by soft, warm lighting. The grand circular table at the centre of the room was polished to a gleaming sheen, and behind it, massive screens displayed the NexaCorp logo, flickering occasionally with statistics and footage from NexaRealm.
Hye-su stood for a moment, taking in the sheer majesty of the space. It seemed surreal. To think that such a hall now existed, compared to the humble Riyadh office from their beginnings—it brought a smile to her lips. She remembered the tight, simple office they had started with, where desks were pushed close together, and everything was done with a DIY mindset, from reading and testing to scribbling down notes on shared presentations crammed into small tablets. Now, the transformation was almost incomprehensible, and it spoke volumes about the strides they had made.
The sight of everything—the names of countries, the flags, the dedicated space for each representative—hit her with an unexpected wave of nostalgia. She still remembered when their only real concern was getting NexaRealm's alpha version running without any crashes. Now, they were sitting atop a global phenomenon, and the reflection of it was right in front of her eyes, in the grandeur of the hall and the presence of those who were instrumental in building it.
Jin-ho seemed less impressed as he entered. He shrugged slightly, more focused on the screens, checking for details as a tech-savvy even now as he scanned the footage on display. Meanwhile, Hae-won gave Hye-su a small smile as they moved toward their designated stands.
The reality of NexaCorp's journey—from that cramped space in Riyadh to this hall that echoed with the weight of global ambition—was a sight to behold. The meeting was about to begin, but even before any words were exchanged, Hye-su could feel it: this was history in the making.
Prince Tarif stepped into the centre of the hall, commanding the room with effortless authority. His presence, dignified and warm, immediately drew the attention of everyone present. He extended his arms slightly, a gesture of welcome.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to see all of you here," he began, his voice smooth and resonant. "I must thank you all for making this journey to Riyadh. This meeting, indeed, holds great significance, not only for NexaCorp but for each of us who have been part of this incredible journey."
He paused, a smile curling on his lips as he took in the assembly before him.
"It feels like only yesterday that we began, from a small team with a vision to now having offices across the world. Congratulations are to every one of you for making NexaCorp a symbol of progress, collaboration, and innovation."
There was a round of respectful applause, a mutual acknowledgement of how far they had come.
"And now," Prince Tarif continued, his eyes growing serious. "We are on the brink of celebrating our first anniversary—a milestone that signifies all our efforts, dreams, and visions. We must make it memorable, something that not only commemorates our success but also inspires our players and enhances their experience in NexaRealm."
The screens at the centre of the room flickered to life, displaying highlights from the game—images of players engaging in thrilling battles, of new seasonal bosses, of limited-time maps that had been unveiled to keep the excitement alive. Prince Tarif gestured to the screens, his tone growing reflective.
"We have given the players much over this past year. From seasonal events that have challenged them, to PVP arenas where they have tested their skills against friends and strangers. But there is still an aspect we have yet to fully explore," he paused, his gaze moving to Matthieu, "and that is the spirit of true competition."
Matthieu, who had been waiting for his cue, nodded and stood up. The attention of the room shifted to him, and he adjusted his tie before beginning. His gaze was calm but confident—an air that came from being one of the founders, someone who had been instrumental in shaping NexaRealm.
"Thank you, Prince Tarif," Matthieu began, smiling. He looked around the room, briefly meeting the eyes of his colleagues. "What I'm proposing today is something that will take our game, NexaRealm, to the next level—something that will engage players in a way they haven't been before."
He gestured toward the screen, where the images shifted to show various types of player interactions.
"We have all these wonderful elements—seasonal hunts, limited boss fights, PVP—but we lack a global sense of competition. We need something that will bring all players together, from different servers, across countries, in one grand challenge."
The screens shifted again, showing a world map dotted with different NexaRealm hubs.
"Introducing the World NexaRealm Championship—a competition where the best players, teams, and guilds come together in a series of community challenges. Imagine timed hunts, boss battles on a scale never seen before, where players must cooperate and showcase their skills. This will not only create a deeper level of engagement but also foster a sense of camaraderie. Players will remember these challenges, not just for the rewards, but for the experiences they shared."
He moved on to discuss PVP tournaments.
"Implementing PVP tournaments will be the next big thing. Players will be excited to test their strategies in front of a global audience, climb leaderboards, and earn bragging rights. This will create a dynamic, competitive layer of gameplay that keeps players coming back, wanting to improve, wanting to become the best."
Matthieu paused, letting his gaze settle on each CEO.
"And we have seen how competitions tied to seasonal events have worked in other games. We need something fresh, something unique. Seasonal events, timed with exclusive challenges and rewards, will make the game feel alive like there is always something new just around the corner."
As he went on, Matthieu explained the benefits in terms of replayability, mentioning leaderboards that could push players to keep returning to climb ranks.
"Friendly competition can bring out the best in players, challenging them to master the game's mechanics, experiment with new builds, and refine their skills. Imagine the sense of accomplishment they will feel in achieving those ranks, and the desire that will keep them motivated."
He finished his speech with a confident smile, knowing the idea had merit, even if it might not resonate with everyone present. The applause that followed was immediate and full of respect. Matthieu, after all, was not just presenting a proposal—he was offering a vision, a path forward that many were excited about.
The meeting hall was filled with nods of agreement. Hye-su watched carefully, seeing the enthusiasm and support from many of the newly appointed CEOs. The idea had taken root—Matthieu's passion and vision seemed to sway most of the people in the room. She exchanged a look with Hae-won and then with Jin-ho, who remained composed, though she could sense his hesitation.
The proposal was indeed compelling—enhanced engagement, player interaction on a global scale, and more reasons for players to return to NexaRealm. But she couldn't help but think of Jin-ho's objections. This was a bold step and one that would need careful deliberation. But for now, Matthieu's idea had garnered significant traction, and as the discussion continued, the excitement for the potential World NexaRealm Championship began to grow.
Matthieu's words echoed in the vast hall, resonating with everyone present. The energy in the room was palpable as if the vision he had painted had sparked a new sense of purpose among them. Prince Tarif nodded approvingly, a smile hinting at the corner of his lips.
"This, ladies and gentlemen," Prince Tarif said, stepping forward to take the floor once more. "Is precisely the kind of ambition we need. To elevate NexaRealm not just as a game, but as a global experience that unites people across borders. A true celebration of the community we have built."
Hye-su took a deep breath, glancing again at Jin-ho. This was a momentous decision. As the murmurs of agreement and excitement continued to ripple through the room, she could feel the momentum carrying them forward. This was the vision that NexaCorp needed to push them into the next chapter—a grand, ambitious step that would surely mark NexaRealm's place in history.