Chapter 3: Expanding the Empire (May – June 1973)
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Finalizing the Transformers-Style Toy Line
By May 1973, my toy line was no longer just a concept—it was becoming a reality.
I named the brand "MechaMorphs." The idea was simple: robots that transformed into vehicles, weapons, or futuristic tech. Unlike traditional static action figures, these toys would give kids a hands-on experience, combining mechanical engineering with storytelling.
I had already outlined a comic book series to accompany the toys, just like what Transformers would do a decade later. The comics would create a rich lore around these characters, giving kids a reason to collect multiple figures.
Production Plan:
Factory Setup: A toy production facility in Hong Kong.
First Wave of Products: 5 robot figures with detailed transformations.
Marketing Strategy: Tie-in comic book series, animated commercials.
By June 1973, we had prototypes ready, and I started reaching out to major retailers for pre-orders. The response was promising. Toy store owners loved the concept and placed initial orders worth $2 million.
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Expanding Arcade Machines – The Birth of a Gaming Giant
After the success of Galaxy Raiders, it was clear that I needed to scale up production and distribution.
I reinvested $5 million into my gaming division, hiring engineers and programmers to expand the product lineup. By June, we had two new games in development:
1. Cyber Wars – A futuristic strategy game.
2. Speed Circuit – A high-speed racing arcade game.
At the same time, I was making deals with arcade owners, ensuring that my machines got priority placement in major gaming centers across the U.S.
Arcade Machine Sales (May – June 1973):
New Units Sold: 5,500
Revenue: $8.25 million
Profit: $4.1 million
The gaming industry was growing, and I was positioning myself as an early leader.
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Acquiring a Film Distribution Company – Entering Hollywood
One of my long-term goals was to enter the movie industry, but I knew that without a strong distribution network, success would be difficult.
I had already begun acquiring shares in United Artists (UA). They had a global distribution network, which would be crucial when I started producing movies.
By June 1973, I had successfully increased my stake in UA to 12%, making me one of the largest private shareholders.
However, I didn't want to stop there. My plan was to continue buying shares quietly, eventually gaining a controlling interest.
I also started networking with filmmakers and studio executives, making sure that when the time was right, I could launch my own production company.
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Oil Crisis – Investing in Energy & Shipping
The oil crisis was still unfolding, and I was looking for secondary opportunities.
By May 1973, oil prices were still rising, and I knew that transportation costs would skyrocket. Instead of reinvesting in oil futures, I shifted focus to shipping and energy.
Strategic Investments:
Bought shares in shipping companies, anticipating increased costs would lead to higher freight rates.
Invested in oil refinery businesses, knowing that refining capacity would become more valuable in the coming months.
Secured long-term contracts for plastic materials, ensuring stable supply chains for my toy and gaming businesses.
By the end of June, my shipping investments had already grown by 40%, bringing in an extra $6 million in paper gains.
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Summary of Key Achievements (May – June 1973)
1. Toy Division:
MechaMorphs toy line prototypes completed.
$2 million in pre-orders secured.
Comic book tie-in in development.
2. Gaming Division:
5,500 arcade machines sold.
$8.25 million revenue, $4.1 million profit.
Two new games in development.
3. Entertainment Industry:
Increased stake in United Artists to 12%.
Started networking with Hollywood producers.
4. Energy & Shipping:
Invested in shipping companies and oil refineries.
$6 million in gains from rising shipping rates.
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Financial Update (June 1973)
Company Holdings & Investments:
Publishing House: Profitable, earning $720,000 from novel sales.
Arcade Machines: $8.25 million revenue, $4.1 million profit.
Toy Manufacturing (MechaMorphs): $2 million in pre-orders.
Plastics Industry Investment: $20 million.
United Artists Stake: 12%.
Shipping & Energy Investments: $6 million in gains.
Total Liquid Funds: $60 million
Total Assets Controlled: $180 million
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Next Steps (July – August 1973)
Finalize toy production and expand comic book series.
Continue increasing stake in United Artists.
Secure distribution deals for my arcade machines.
Start preparing for a full-scale expansion into Hollywood.
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This chapter maintains a strong first-person perspective, emphasizing strategic planning, financial growth, and industry expansion. It also includes detailed breakdowns of income, investments, and future plans.