3DO Press Conference
Three US dollar! Did I hear that right?
"He's insane! This guy is absolutely insane! Is he trying to make enemies of the whole world, or is he trying to be the savior of the world?"
"They only charge three US dollar in royalties for a game? How does their company make money? Do they live on air?"
The reporters, like sharks smelling blood, had their eyes gleaming and were furiously scribbling in their notebooks, as if they wanted to record every pore on Hawkins' face.
Meanwhile, the professional industry analysts quickly calmed down and their minds raced.
This model is too ruthless.
It's not challenging Sega and Nintendo; it's digging up the roots of these two giants!
The "razor and blade" model in the gaming industry is essentially about extracting revenue from software sales through exorbitant royalties. 3D0's move directly targets that most vital artery.
For game developers, this is an irresistible temptation.
Why should the platform take 30% of the profits after all the hard work of making a game? Some people are saying, "Just give me three dollars." Even a fool knows which option to choose.
The prospects are equally attractive for hardware manufacturers.
No more having to cater to Nintendo and Sega, no more being their assembly plant; they can produce their own branded next-generation consoles and build their own distribution channels. That's incredible autonomy!
"A madman, a complete madman!" an analyst muttered, but his eyes gleamed with excitement. "But fucking—this is too tempting!"
The Wall Street Journal reporter who had just written "Apple released nothing" in his notebook quickly turned to a new page, his eyes shining, and began writing furiously.
A new title took shape in his mind: <CES Takes a Dramatic Turn: 3DO Declares War on Game Console Manufacturers Worldwide!>
"Mr. Hawkins!" A reporter raised his hand high, almost jumping out of his seat. "Your vision is very ambitious, but a standard needs hardware to support it! Which hardware partners have been confirmed so far? When can we expect to see the first 3D0 host?"
This question touched on everyone's heart.
No matter how big the pie is drawn, you still need a pan to cook it.
Hawkins seemed to have anticipated this question, and his smile was so confident it was almost blinding.
"I understand everyone's concerns." He held up a finger and shook it gently. "But please believe me, no one will deny the future. We are in very in-depth and very pleasant discussions with several of the world's top consumer electronics giants. I can only tell you that in the near future, you will see a 3D0 console on your shelves from a brand you are very familiar with and absolutely trust."
His words were perfectly worded, both piquing curiosity and revealing no substantial information.
In the crowd, a middle-aged man in a dark suit, who looked unremarkable, sat upright.
He is Kenji Aso, the vice president of Matsushita Electric.
At this moment, he was trying hard to control his facial muscles, to make himself look like any other astonished colleague around him, just an ordinary audience member attracted by the grand launch event.
But the hands under the table were already clenched into fists.
It's done!
Hawkins, that United States, is really something!
This speech, this publicity campaign, was absolutely perfect!
He could feel the probing gazes around him; the analysts and reporters were frantically speculating about the "top consumer electronics giant" Hawkins was referring to. Sony? Philips? Or— Panasonic?
Kenji Aso's lips twitched slightly as he forcibly suppressed the urge to stand up and declare, "It is indeed I."
No, it's not the right time yet.
Jumping out now might steal the spotlight, but it would also immediately make Sega and Nintendo the target of their attacks.
The best time for Panasonic to enter the market is when market enthusiasm and anticipation reach their peak.
He even turned his head to the side and whispered to his subordinates, his face showing just the right amount of amazement and caution, looking exactly like a shrewd businessman assessing a new business opportunity.
As the press conference concluded, Hawkins stepped off the stage amidst thunderous applause.
The reporters scattered in a frenzy, rushing towards the public phone booths outside, eager to get the earth-shattering news back to their news agencies before any of their colleagues could.
That evening, the air in Chicago was filled not only with the smells of money and perfume, but also with the lingering scent of electronic gunpowder.
In the hotel's executive lounge, reporters gathered in small groups, while the local television station's evening news was playing, featuring a special report on the day's CES.
"Apple CEO John Sculley outlined a grand vision for a personal digital assistant this afternoon. This device, named 'Newton,' is expected to redefine personal computing."
On the television screen, Scully was waving his arms with great enthusiasm.
A suppressed chuckle rippled through the lounge.
"Grand blueprint? I like that word; it sounds much more sophisticated than 'pie in the sky.'" A reporter raised his glass and toasted the television screen.
His companion, the Wall Street Journal reporter, took a sip of whiskey, the ice clinking crisply in his glass. "I sent my article back to the office, and the editor only replied with four words: 'Investigate further, report again.' They weren't interested in something that didn't even exist."
The news anchor's tone suddenly changed.
"However, the real storm today comes from a little-known new company—3D0! Its founder, Trip Hawkins, a legend from Electronic Arts, has dropped a bombshell on the entire gaming industry!"
The scene shifts, Hawkins ' confident, even arrogant face appears on the screen, with the eye-catching words "Three US dollar royalty per game" prominently displayed behind him.
The anchor's voice rose eight octaves. "This is an unprecedented disruptive business model! Will it completely rewrite the rules of the gaming industry? When will we see the first 3D console? Who exactly is the world's top consumer electronics giant that Mr. Hawkins mentioned? Sony? Philips? Tonight, the entire tech world is speculating about the answer—"
The atmosphere in the lounge was instantly ignited.
"This guy is a genius at causing trouble!"
"My editor just called and told me to cancel all my plans for tomorrow and go dig up scoops on 3D0, especially that mysterious hardware partner!"
"Poor Sega," someone suddenly remarked. "I was almost crushed to death at their booth this morning. I only finished half of my draft, and now it's all ruined."