I scrolled through TikTok, watching content created by nearly 800,000 users on the app.
We'd soft-launched by the end of May, and in three weeks there'd been an explosion of users. We estimated that after the full rollout in October and by the following October we'd have almost 80 million users.
Basically, I was going to become a multibillionaire by the end of 2018.
My tech company was named Chrysos—I wanted to keep the gold theme going; "chrysos" is Greek for gold.
Midas. Aurum. Chrysos.
Maybe I should rename Infinite Worlds Publishing; it was the odd one out after all.
The CEO of the company was Rajesh Mehta, someone I'd poached from YouTube. He came highly recommended, and I'd had to convince him and pay him a lot to join us. So far, he's been great worth every penny. Along with him, I'd also hired many experienced developers and some new ones, making sure they were happy with competitive salaries.
I owned 70% of the company, with 10% owned by Henry Morgan, who was becoming my steadfast business partner, and 15% by other investors and venture capitalists. The remaining 5% was divided among the top executives, including Rajesh.
I wondered what I could do with all the money I was going to make. It just felt like too much. I mean, I already thought I had too much. I could do a lot of charitable work in the future, yeah, do some good with it. Not to show off or virtue-signal, just make some good changes.
I was pulled from my thoughts when Scott Snyder said something. I was sitting with him and Brad Bird on one of the couches in the room where the Justice League movie table read was happening. The entire main cast was here the seven members of the League: Henry Cavill, Alexandra Daddario, Jensen Ackles, Sterling K. Brown, Damson Idris, Grant Gustin, and Alan Ritchson. The supporting cast as well, including the actor playing the main villain, Malefic—Lance Reddick.
I looked to my right, and Scott said, "Did you hear what I said?"
"No, sorry. I had something on my mind," I admitted.
Scott leaned in slightly. "Maybe we need to make some changes to the ending."
"What? Why?" I asked as Alexandra read her lines.
Scott shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe it was them reading it. I feel like we could make some changes."
"I think it's great," I said, "but if you want, we can do a session after I get back from E3."
"Yeah, let's," Scott agreed.
I turned my attention back to the cast as Henry read the final lines.
Brad clapped his hands together. "And that's it."
Everyone clapped, and they congratulated Scott and me on the script. We really had done a great job, so it felt good.
After discussing a few scenes and taking notes from the actors on what they felt needed changing in the dialogue, we wrapped the table read.
Before leaving, I found myself talking to the main seven.
"That was a great script, Daniel," Sterling said.
"It really was," Damson added.
The others nodded their agreement, offering more praise.
"Well, Scott and I worked hard on it," I said. "This is the big one, after all."
Grant turned to Damson. "We need to meet up before the shoot begins to work on our scenes."
Damson nodded. "Yeah, we do."
Damson and Grant had a lot of scenes together in the movie, and the Green Lantern–Flash chemistry needed to be on point for it to work.
"What about the costume? Is it going to be like we talked about?" Alexandra asked hopefully.
"You can see it next week at the costume fitting," I said.
"I can't wait, because you promised it will have—"
"Yes, yes, it will have it," I said, cutting in with a grin.
I looked around at the group. "Well, Jensen, Henry, and I have to be at E3 in two hours, so we're off. I'll see you all later."
Jensen and Henry said their goodbyes, and we left together, getting into a car bound for the L.A. Convention Center.
The Batman game being developed by DC Games was being shown off today, and Jensen was part of the reveal. Henry and I just wanted to go to E3 because, well, we were gamers at heart.
"And now they're saying it was us buying the team that caused the loss. You know, some stupid sports superstition," I said, telling them about the NBA Finals two days ago.
"Hey, man, don't call it stupid. They're real," Jensen said seriously.
Henry shook his head. "Daniel's right. It is stupid." He mentioned how his father would wear an unwashed cap whenever the Ashes were on.
Jensen raised an eyebrow. "Did your team lose when something happened to the cap?"
Henry hesitated. "Well… there was that one time."
"Aha! There it is…it's real!" Jensen grinned. "If the Warriors do badly next year, you're fucked, my friend. They're going to latch onto this. It'll be like, 'Oh, Daniel Adler, he's put all his bad luck into the team.' I mean, it's gonna be like that, you know, since you're called the man with the golden touch."
"Fuck off, Jensen," I said.
We all laughed.
The conversation shifted to Games Workshop as Henry and I talked about plans for the series and the upcoming books.
Jensen shook his head. "I don't get why anyone would spend so much money on those. I mean, action figures I understand."
"Yeah, says the guy who has a collection of helicopter toys," I shot back.
"Hey, they're models. And you have a model collection too," he protested.
He paused, then added, "What I do like from this new company of yours is Cards Against Humanity. The wife and I played it with some friends last week. It was fun."
Cards Against Humanity was the first product released by Aurum Games, and it was selling very well. The other projects would take a year or two to roll out; this was the easiest.
Our conversation continued and, after an hour's drive, we arrived at the L.A. Convention Center. The DC Games reveal was slated for the PlayStation showcase.
As soon as we arrived, we were led to where it was happening. We were greeted by a PlayStation rep who guided us through a maze of backstage corridors. Henry and I were shown to the VIP suite a sleek room with plush leather seating and a massive screen mounted on the wall. Snacks and drinks were laid out on a side table, and a few other industry people were already seated. Jensen, meanwhile, was taken elsewhere, likely to the room where they'd brief him on what to do on stage.
We settled into our seats, and the showcase began. I hoped it wouldn't turn into some cringefest like many showcases in E3 turn out to be.
Games like Horizon Zero Dawn, Death Stranding, Crash Bandicoot, and gameplay from Resident Evil 7 were shown throughout the showcase. I was sure our game would appear before the big God of War reveal I knew was coming at the end.
Henry was speculating about what Death Stranding even was when Ari walked onto the stage, announced as the head of DC Game Studios.
"For the past year and a half, our team at DC Game Studios has been working on something special. We set out to create a superhero game of your dreams."
He talked through the basics of what they'd built, then said it should be shown in the presence of Batman himself.
The lights dimmed, and Jensen walked out to thunderous applause.
"What's up, E3!" he shouted.
The crowd roared louder.
"I'm Jensen Ackles, and as you may know…" He paused, his expression shifting as his voice dropped into that gravelly, menacing tone.
"I am Batman."
Big applause and cheers erupted.
He grinned, breaking character. "Today, I'm here to show you what Ari and the team have been working on at DC Game Studios. And I'm sure you're going to love it." He paused for comedic effect. "The game has passed the Adler certification of quality, so you know it'll be great."
More laughter and applause rippled through the crowd.
And there was the cringe I thought.
He talked a bit more about his experience working on the game, then turned it over to Ari.
"Thank you, Jensen," Ari said, his voice steady and clear.
The screen behind him flickered to life.
=========
[Gameplay footage begins]
A sweeping shot of Gotham at night. Rain-soaked streets glisten under neon lights. The camera soars over the city, capturing the towering skyline, the grimy alleyways, the Gothic architecture looming in the shadows.
The crowd gasps.
"Welcome to Gotham," Ari says. "It's fully open world. No loading screens. No barriers. Just you and the city."
The footage shifts, showing different parts of Gotham each district visually distinct: the Bowery with its crumbling tenements, the glittering, corrupt elegance of the Financial District, the industrial decay of the Docks.
The camera sweeps over six distinct districts.
"Tonight, I'm going to play through a section from early in the game," Ari continues. "Batman's been operating for about two years, and right now he's hunting a killer."
[Batman perches on a gargoyle overlooking rain-slicked streets]
Ari is now controlling the character in real time. Batman crouches on a stone gargoyle, cape billowing in the wind, rain streaming down his cowl.
The graphics are stunning. The crowd erupts in applause.
"So right now I'm in the Bowery one of six major districts in our Gotham," Ari explains. "Each district has its own character, its own criminal factions. And right now? The Bowery is at war."
He activates Detective Vision. The world shifts into shades of blue and orange, highlighting three thugs below shaking down a shopkeeper.
"This is Detective Vision," Ari says. "It lets you analyze the environment, track enemies, and piece together clues. Batman's the world's greatest detective, and we wanted that to feel real."
The crowd murmurs in appreciation.
"Now, I could intervene here…" Ari says, pausing. "But let me show you something first."
He opens the pause menu and selects something labeled The Network.
"This," Ari says, "is the Nemesis System."
The crowd leans in as did Henry and me.
"It's a system we created to build a living world, a dynamic ecosystem where your enemies evolve, adapt, and remember every encounter."
The screen shows a web of connected faces, thugs, lieutenants, crime bosses all linked by lines indicating their relationships, rivalries, and allegiances.
"Every thug you fight, every criminal you interrogate, every boss you take down, they remember. If you fail to stop them, they'll come back stronger. Maybe they'll set a trap for you. Maybe they'll rally their crew and ambush you when you least expect it."
[Cursor highlights: "MARCUS 'BREAKER' STONE — ENFORCER — COBBLEPOT CREW"]
ARI: Marcus Stone. I fought him three nights ago. He escaped. Since then he's recruited more crew, gotten himself body armor, and he's been training specifically to counter my tactics. Why? Because the Nemesis System tracks how you play.
[Closes menu, continues patrolling]
ARI: But tonight's not about Marcus. Tonight's about this.
[Arrives at crime scene — police tape, GCPD officers, Commissioner Gordon]
ARI: Commissioner Gordon needs our help.
[Cutscene begins — seamless transition from gameplay]
GORDON: Batman. Another body. Same M.O. as the others.
BATMAN: Show me.
[They walk to a covered corpse. Gordon pulls back the sheet]
GORDON: Victor Orvan. Mid-level enforcer for the Maroni family. Throat slit, left in the open as a message.
BATMAN: This is the fourth in two weeks. Someone's making a play.
GORDON: My detectives think it's a gang war. But you don't agree.
BATMAN: The victims are too strategic enforcers, accountants, suppliers. Someone's dismantling the Maroni infrastructure from the inside.
GORDON: Any suspects?
BATMAN: (pauses) One. But I need proof.
[Player control returns]
ARI: Okay, so we're investigating a murder. Let me show you our detective system.
[Presses button Detective Mode activates]
ARI: Detective Mode lets us analyze crime scenes in detail. We're looking for evidence.
[Batman kneels by the body. UI appears showing analysis options]
[Examines wound shows blade type, angle of attack]
BATMAN (internal monologue): Serrated blade. Upward thrust from below. The killer is left-handed. Based on the angle of entry, approximately five foot ten.
[Examines ground — footprints highlighted]
BATMAN (crouches, scanning): Boot prints. Size nine. Expensive custom Italian leather. Not your typical street thug.
[Follows trail to alley wall finds trace evidence]
BATMAN (examining a snag on the brickwork): Fabric caught on the brick. Our killer was in a hurry.
[Scanner analyzes: "PURPLE SILK RARE DATABASE MATCH FOUND"]
[Screen shows profile: Associates of OSWALD COBBLEPOT THE PENGUIN]
BATMAN: The Penguin. He's been consolidating power in Old Gotham. Looks like he's making a move on Maroni territory now.
ARI: Do I go after Penguin immediately, or investigate further? These choices matter. But for this demo, we're going straight to the source.
[Batman grapples to a rooftop, camera pulls back to reveal the full city]
People gasp at the beautiful graphics and the sweeping Gotham reveal. The cityscape stretches endlessly glowing neon signs, rain-slicked rooftops, distant sirens wailing in the night.
"Holy shit," someone in the audience says aloud.
ARI: Now, Penguin operates out of the Iceberg Lounge in Old Gotham. That's three districts away. I could fast-travel, but let me show you traversal.
[Runs and leaps off the building, cape spreading into glide configuration]
The crowd erupts in cheers.
ARI: Our movement system is all about maintaining momentum and flow. You can grapple, glide, and combine them for maximum speed.
[Demonstrates: grapple boost -> glide -> dive for speed -> pull up -> grapple to the next building]
ARI: And the city is fully open—no loading screens, no barriers. You can go anywhere you see. "It just works," as one of my fellow studio head likes to say.
There is polite laughter at the mention of The Toddhead himself.
[While gliding, radio chatter crackles]
GCPD RADIO: All units, 10-31 in progress, corner of 5th and Main. Multiple armed suspects—
[UI prompt appears: RESPOND TO CRIME / IGNORE]
ARI: Random crimes happen in real time throughout the city. I could stop this robbery… but it would take time. And maybe Penguin would be alerted that I'm coming. Everything's a trade-off.
[Ignores the crime, continues toward Old Gotham]
ARI: For this demo, we're staying on mission.
[Lands on a building overlooking the Iceberg Lounge]
BATMAN (scanning the building): About forty armed guards inside, plus Penguin himself.
[Alfred's voice comes through the communicator]
ALFRED: Sir, a frontal assault seems… inadvisable. Perhaps a subtler approach?
ARI: So the player has a choice here in how to proceed.
[Activates Detective Mode shows enemies through walls, highlights tactical information]
ARI: See those tags above each guard? "NERVOUS," "VETERAN," "AGGRESSIVE." These are personality traits. They affect how enemies behave.
[Points to one guard]
ARI: This guy's nervous if I take out his buddy, he might panic. This one's a veteran he'll stay calm and call for backup tactically.
The audience murmurs appreciatively. The level of detail is staggering.
[Drops through skylight into upper level of club]
ARI: Okay, I'm in the club now. The guards don't know I'm here yet. Let me show you some takedown options.
[Moves silently along rafters toward an isolated guard]
[Drops behind guard.. silent takedown.. guard collapses, unconscious]
Applause ripples through the crowd.
[Another guard notices his buddy is missing]
GUARD 1: "Hey, Sal? Where'd you go?"
[Guard approaches cautiously]
[Batman drops a smoke pellet; the guard fires blindly]
GUARD 1: "He's here! THE BAT'S HERE!"
[Multiple guards converge on the position]
ARI: And now they're alerted. Here's what's cool guard behavior changes based on their stress level.
[Uses grapple to pull up into a ventilation shaft]
[One guard below]
GUARD 2: "Everybody stay together! He picks us off when we're alone!"
ARI: They're learning in real time. But I've got options.
[Tosses remote batarang; it curves around corners]
"Whoa!" several people exclaim as the batarang curves mid-flight.
[Strikes guard in the head a knockout]
[Two guards remain together, watching each other's backs]
[Batman moves silently across the destructible wooden floor above them]
[Explosive gel placed on the floor]
[Detonates — floor collapses — both guards fall through, stunned]
[Quick double takedown]
The crowd roars with approval.
ARI: Environmental takedowns. The world is full of interactive elements.
[All guards neutralized]
ARI: So, Penguin now knows we're here. We could have done it more stealthily, sure but this is the fun way.
Laughter and cheers fill the hall.
[Batman enters lavish office Penguin stands by window, umbrella in hand]
CUTSCENE]
PENGUIN: Ah, the Bat himself. I was wondering when you'd darken my doorstep.
BATMAN: You've been killing Maroni's men.
PENGUIN: Killing? Such uncouth language. I've been… removing obstacles. Gotham is evolving, Batman. The old families are dying. Someone needs to fill the vacuum.
BATMAN: You're starting a war.
PENGUIN: I'm ending one. The Maronis are relics. Cobblepot Enterprises is the future legitimate business, political connections, respectability. You should approve. I'm doing what you do, just with better tailoring.
BATMAN: Turn yourself in.
PENGUIN: (laughs) Or what? You'll brutalize me like the common thugs outside? We both know you won't. I know how you operate.
[Penguin presses a button armed guards pour in]
PENGUIN: And I have insurance.
[BOSS FIGHT BEGINS Player control returns]
ARI: All right, I'm going to show you the combat now. This is a mini-boss fight. There are a lot of these in the game.
[Combat encounter: eight guards + Penguin with trick umbrella]
ARI: Our combat system is built around rhythm and flow. Every punch, every counter, every dodge—it all chains together. You build momentum by reading enemy attacks and responding perfectly. Counter incoming strikes, redirect blows, use your cape to stun groups, and keep the pressure constant.
[Demonstrates fluid combat punches, counters, cape stuns]
Batman weaves through the guards, taking them down one by one.
[Combo counter: ×5… ×8… ×12]
The crowd cheers.
ARI: At certain multiplier thresholds, you unlock special takedowns.
[At ×8, performs a devastating ground-pound takedown on a guard]
Batman grabs one guard midair and slams him into the floor with bone-crunching force. The crowd roars.
[Penguin fires umbrella machine-gun rounds]
ARI: Penguin's keeping his distance. I need to close the gap.
[Uses grapple to pull Penguin closer, then evades as the umbrella releases gas]
[Smoke cloud obscures vision]
ARI: He's using the environment against me. We need to adapt.
He pauses the action for a moment.
ARI: This is how all the mini-bosses work. The Nemeses you'll face in the game are like this. They'll force you to adapt to new situations and new tactics. You can't just button-mash your way through you have to think.
[Resumes fight]
Batman rolls out of the smoke, identifies Penguin's silhouette through Detective Vision, and fires a batarang that disarms the umbrella. Penguin curses and pulls a blade from his coat.
[Two guards rush Batman simultaneously]
Batman counters the first with a brutal elbow, redirects the second into a wall, then vaults over a third attacker and drives his knee into the man's spine.
[Penguin charges with blade]
Batman sidesteps, grabs Penguin's wrist, twists and disarms him with a sharp strike to the forearm. Penguin stumbles back, clutching his arm.
[All enemies down]
The crowd erupts in cheers.
[CUTSCENE]
BATMAN: It's over, Cobblepot.
PENGUIN: (coughing, clutching his arm) For now. But you've made a mistake, Batman. You think this solves anything? Someone worse will take my place. They always do.
[GCPD sirens approach]
BATMAN: I'll be there when that happens.
[GCPD bursts in Gordon enters]
GORDON: We'll take it from here.
[Batman turns to leave]
GORDON: Batman. Thank you.
[Batman nods, grapples away through the skylight]
[GAMEPLAY RETURNS Batman on rooftop]
[UI notification: NETWORK UPDATED]
ARI: So, I just took down Penguin. Let me show you the consequences.
[Opens Network shows power vacuum in Old Gotham]
ARI: See? Penguin's territory is now contested. Three different factions are moving to claim it. And this guy?
[Highlights: "MARCUS 'BREAKER' STONE PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT"]
ARI: Remember Marcus from earlier? He just got promoted. Penguin's arrest created opportunity. Now Marcus controls part of Old Gotham, and he really wants revenge on me.
[Notification appears]
ALERT: MARCUS STONE IS HUNTING YOU THE BOWERY AMBUSH IMMINENT
ARI: And look at that. He's set a trap.
[Gameplay shifts Batman investigating a warehouse in the Bowery]
ARI: So Marcus has been planning this. Let's see what he's got.
[Batman enters through skylight Detective Vision reveals 15+ armed thugs, heavy weaponry, explosive traps]
ARI: Oh, he's been busy.
[Batman moves silently along rafters]
[Suddenly a spotlight snaps on, catching Batman]
MARCUS (over loudspeaker): "There you are, Bat! I've been waiting for you."
[Thugs open fire Batman barely evades]
[Screen shows: AMBUSHED — COMBAT ENCOUNTER]
ARI: This is a bad situation. Marcus knows how I play. He's prepared.
[Batman fights through waves of enemies]
ARI: These guys are tougher. The armor means I need to adapt my combos.
[Uses cape stun + armor-break combo]
[Marcus appears on an upper catwalk with a heavy machine gun]
MARCUS: "Come on, Bat! Let's dance!"
[Fires sustained burst Batman forced into cover]
[Explosive barrels nearby Batman throws a batarang, detonates them]
[Explosion staggers Marcus, but he recovers]
MARCUS: "You think that's enough?!"
[More reinforcements arrive]
ARI: And now I'm outnumbered and outgunned.
[Batman struggles in combat takes several hits]
[Health drops to critical]
[Smoke pellet deployed — Batman retreats through a ventilation shaft]
MARCUS (laughing): "That's right! Run, Bat! You're not so tough now, are you?!"
[Gameplay ends with Batman escaping mission failed]
[Network screen returns]
[Marcus Stone's profile updated: "DEFEATED BATMAN… GAINED REPUTATION…TERRITORY EXPANDED"]
ARI: So I just lost. And Marcus? He's celebrating. His reputation just skyrocketed. More thugs are joining his crew. He controls more territory now. And every time I run into him, he's going to remind me of this.
[Shows Marcus's new dialogue options: "Remember when you ran from me, Bat?" / "Not so scary now, are you?"]
ARI: This is how the Nemesis System works. Your failures matter. Your enemies remember. They grow stronger. They'll taunt you, reminding you of your losses. And it makes finally taking them down so much more satisfying.
Huge cheers.
[Gameplay resumes Batman preparing for the rematch]
ARI: All right, round two. This time, I'm ready.
[Batman enters the same warehouse but from a different angle]
[Uses explosive gel to create an entry point through the wall]
[Immediately targets Marcus with a remote-controlled batarang]
[Strikes Marcus in the shoulder disrupts his aim]
MARCUS: "You again?! I already beat you once!"
[Batman systematically takes down guards using environment, gadgets, precision]
[Disarms heavy weapons with EMP batarangs]
[Creates chaos smoke, distractions, fear takedowns]
[Finally isolates Marcus]
[Boss fight… Marcus charges with an electrified baton]
[Batman counters, disarms, delivers a brutal combo]
[Final move: grabs Marcus, slams him against the wall]
BATMAN: It's over.
MARCUS (struggling): You… you got lucky…
[Knockout punch Marcus collapses, unconscious]
The crowd explodes with cheers.
[Screen fades to black]
[Gameplay sizzle reel plays rapid cuts]
Combat in rain-soaked alleys
Batmobile pursuit through streets, drifting around corners, missiles firing
Bruce Wayne at a charity gala, maintaining his playboy/CEO persona
Detective Mode crime scene analysis, piecing together clues
Multiple villain glimpses: Two-Face, Scarecrow, Riddler
Nemesis Web with dozens of interconnected criminals
Explosive set pieces—buildings collapsing, bridges exploding
Emotional Alfred scene: "Master Bruce, you cannot save everyone."
Final shot: Batman overlooking Gotham, cape billowing; a lightning flash illuminates his silhouette
[Title appears]
BATMAN: DARK REIGN
COMING Fall 2017
The crowd erupted. Standing ovation. Thunderous applause. People were on their feet, shouting, cheering.
"Holy shit," Henry said as the presentation ended.
"I know, right?"
Henry turned to me. "Danny, I want to cash in some friend privileges with you." He leaned in. "I need to play it alpha, beta, I don't care. I need to get my hands on it."
I laughed. "Henry, my friend, when I get my hands on it, you'll be the first to know."
"Come on, let's go see Ari," I said.
We walked out, meeting Jensen first.
"That was great," he said, grinning.
"It was," Henry agreed.
Then I saw Ari walking over, still riding the high from the presentation.
"Good job, my friend," I said as we hugged.
Henry turned to Ari. "It was great." He paused, then added, "Now you need to do a Superman game next."
Everyone around us laughed, and people started taking photos.
"Like the batman bias is showing" he added to more laughter.
I turned back to Ari. "Now you just need to make sure it ships without any issues next year."
Ari nodded confidently. "Let me worry about that, Daniel."
I couldn't wait to play it for real. I mean this was one of the best changes I had made in this world.