Chapter 158: The Second Wave of Publicity! - Part 1

Hollywood Reports: 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm join forces to release a new film, with Destiny Game's founder Ethan Jones fiercely blasting his competitors at the press conference!

Los Angeles Times: "The true essence of video games is to bring more joy to the world! Watch as Destiny Game's founder, Ethan Jones, describes the bright future of video games!"

The Washington Post: "Ethan Jones, the inventor of 'Pac-Man' and 'Snake,' publicly stated yesterday that Atari and Magnavox are trying to stratify happiness. They promote home consoles with the aim of creating barriers for public entertainment, intending to exclude a portion of game-loving players."

The Wall Street Journal: "At the press conference for Fox's new movie, Destiny Game's founder Ethan Jones announced his new game. He also stated that the era of arcade gaming is just beginning. Video games are a form of mass entertainment, and everyone should have the right to enjoy happiness. The disregard of Atari and Magnavox will bring disaster to their backers, Warner and Philips."

The morning after the press conference, articles sharing Ethan's perspectives spread across North America like a deluge.

When Ethan bluntly expressed his thoughts, directly naming his competitors, his sensational statements became the favorite content for all media outlets.

There was no helping it.

Such explosive remarks were bound to attract countless eyeballs. When a person's words can be copied directly to make front-page headlines...

The media, which thrives on public attention, would love nothing more than to embrace Ethan!

After the reports were released, Ethan's vehement critiques sparked intense discussions across North America. Previously, many media outlets, having received money from Warner and Philips, had been fervently praising the new generations of Atari and Magnavox. Now, following Fox's successful recharge, the narrative rocketed into prominence, causing a massive uproar.

Peacock Network voiced its opinion, with NBC's lead anchor David Brinkley saying on national television, "This morning, I read the news report about Ethan Jones, the founder of Destiny Game. His comments at the press conference for the new Fox and Lucas movie caught my interest."

"Long before Magnavox and Atari declared the end of the arcade era, I harbored strong doubts, feeling something was amiss but unable to pinpoint the problem. Therefore, I didn't speak out on the hot topic that's been all the rage."

"But after seeing Ethan Jones's response, I finally understood the source of my discomfort with Magnavox and Atari... It seems they are abandoning the masses."

"Magnavox never dealt in arcade machines; they have been producing home consoles from the start. And when did they launch their home console? If anyone remembers, it was five years ago! What was happening in our country five years ago?"

"Our great country suspended the gold standard for the dollar due to the Vietnam War, leading to a spike in oil prices. The resulting mass unemployment and inflation crushed us under immense pressure. In such times, even if Magnavox's Odyssey was impressive, what good would it do? When we're struggling daily for food, how many would seriously consider purchasing a home gaming console priced over a hundred dollars?"

"And in our times of hardship, Atari emerged!"

"'Pong' swept across the entire North American continent, becoming the hottest video game at the time."

"Was this success because Nolan Bushnell was exceptionally talented?"

"No! It was because engaging video games brought a ray of light to us in the darkness, offering immense joy at a very low cost during our spare time!"

"It's precisely because video games are a form of mass entertainment, available for a quick play on machines in every street and alley, that they quickly became a part of our lives."

"But what about now?"

"At the beginning of this year, Atari announced its formal exit from the arcade market, with Magnavox never having ventured into arcade gaming. Though they loudly claim that the future of video games lies in home consoles, offering unrestrained gaming as the essence of gaming's existence, they are indeed abandoning the players."

"I have some data in hand—"

"The arcade version of 'Pac-Man' is priced at two thousand dollars per unit, with over ten thousand units sold in North America last year, bringing in over twenty million in revenue for Destiny Game."

"This income might seem substantial, right?"

"But do you know how much 'Pac-Man' made last year?"

"A guaranteed income of over five hundred million!"

"Seeing this, many might wonder, where did the remaining 4.8 billion go?"

"I can responsibly tell you that the 4.8 billion went back into the market!"

"When players enjoy games through coin-operated machines, those coins flow into the pockets of arcade owners, pool hall, dance hall, and bowling alley proprietors!"

"And these proprietors, in order to maintain their businesses, hire employees, thereby distributing the game-related income among everyone connected to the game!"

"To be honest, I was shocked when I learned

 this fact!"

"Because the existence of 'Pac-Man' created a positive economic cycle in our country!"

"Ethan Jones brought joy to the people of our country, and at the same time, he helped thousands of small business owners and American workers earn money. And Destiny Game, as the lead in this event, received less than five percent of the income from one game!"

"Just like that..."

"And Magnavox and Atari still accuse Ethan Jones of exploiting arcade games for profit?"

"That's absurd!"

"I'd say it's Magnavox and Atari who want to monopolize all the profits!"

"Because when they release games through home consoles, the majority of profits flow into their pockets! And perhaps this is why they criticize Ethan Jones for disrupting the market? Because they fear others discovering this truth!"

When this sharp critique emerged, the people of North America were stunned! Under the media onslaught from Warner and Philips, they had been bombarded with messages about the high cost of arcade games for the past two months. Many even began to believe that paying a few cents to play a video game was a scam. But now...

Destiny Game didn't make money? Instead, it helped thousands earn?

Atari and Magnavox wanted to pocket all the money? So they were the real dragons?

Oh! Sxxt!

How could this be happening!

And when Peacock Network took the lead, ABC, deeply connected to it, didn't fall behind. Their star host, Harry Reasoner, also commented on the event.

This host, who had covered the assassination of the music icon in full, shared David Brinkley's viewpoint but was more biased in his words.

"Viewers! Although as a media professional, as a news anchor, I should always maintain a neutral stance because only then can I bring you more objective reports, the past few weeks of slander have been unbearable! Here, I earnestly request everyone to open your eyes and not be deceived by Atari and Magnavox!"

"They are the culprits wanting to empty your wallets!"

"They are the real demons wanting to control your source of happiness!"

"And Ethan Jones and his Destiny Game?"

"To this day! Have you seen him actively attack any opponent?"

"No!"

"Ethan Jones has only been making games, only releasing news related to games! Yet, such a person, who wants to bring happiness to the public, is now being suppressed by Atari and Magnavox. This is truly infuriating!"

Such words brought great shock to the people of North America!

In this moment, they felt ABC made a lot of sense! Ever since 'Snake' brought a green whirlwind across North America, it seemed Ethan Jones had never appeared in the media. Every news release was about a new creation. And when a producer is diligently making games...

His competitors are endlessly smearing him?

Oh—this is too disgusting!

Suddenly, voices of protest surged!

The players who had relied on 'Snake' and 'Pac-Man' as leisure staples over the past two years furiously condemned the shameless actions of Atari and Magnavox. Meanwhile, struck by Ethan's furious punch, Atari and Magnavox were somewhat bewildered, unclear on how Ethan Jones had become involved with Fox. According to their information, Ethan Jones had only entered Fox's doors for the first time a few months ago, at the beginning of the year!

And now...

Their jointly developed game was about to be released?

MFxxk! When did this happen?

They had no idea at all!