II: Influences — Chapter 4

Summary

• Sadie didn't start working on creating the storm, the first area of the game, until mid-August. Despite her and Sam knowing they will not finish their game before the start of the school year, they keep working with Marx suggesting numerous times to figure out work schedules for when they return to school.
• Sadie is having trouble creating a desired graphics engine, struggling to achieve the watercolor effect she and Sam wanted for their game, Ichigo. She's unable to create a realistic storm and Sam gives her feedback on this issue. Upset by the criticism, Sadie leaves to be alone and to cope, uses marijuana from Marx’s stash.
• When Sam talks to Sadie about the issue, they agree that the game engine is to blame. Sam assures Sadie that he has confidence in her but also starts researching on available game engines that they can borrow.
• Sam discovers Dead Sea, another game that has the qualities they're looking for in their game. Sadie, who has had a previous relationship with the designer of Dead Sea, Dov Mizrah, agrees to talk to him about their project. Dov shows interest and agrees to help them, offering his game engine, Ulysses, and becoming a producer and equity partner on Ichigo.
• After meeting Dov, Marx dislikes him, objecting to his apparent physical intimacy with Sadie and his overall demeanor. Marx is unsettled by the idea of Dov being involved in their project due to him being Sadie’s former lover and professor.
• Dov's influence results in Sadie deciding to take off the semester to work full-time on the game. Sam agrees to do the same, leaving Marx as the only one returning to school.
• Sadie's decision to move in with Dov under the pretext of him having an 'extra room' is obviously a lie, but nobody points it out.