High-Speed Pursuit Hits Shelves
Universal Pictures ' public relations budget has even drawn in mainstream media outlets like the Los Angeles Times.
Their entertainment section wrote in a curious yet expectant tone, "----An interesting phenomenon is that a movie that hasn't released any footage has already garnered amazing attention through a video game. Young people are discussing the protagonist's gunfighting techniques," imitating moves that don't yet exist in the game. Is this a high-stakes gamble by Sega and Universal, or does it represent a revolution in Hollywood's future promotional model? We'll have to wait and see this summer."
Even more interestingly, discussions on some film fan forums have become polarized.
"Liam Neeson? The one from ' Darkman '? He's going to do an action movie? Has Universal gone mad?"
"Hey upstairs, didn't you see the poster? That look in his eyes is incredible. The tagline is 'Don't mess with him,' I bet five US dollar this guy will go on a killing spree in the movie."
"I just came from a gaming forum. They said the protagonist in the game can use a pistol as a brick and even use enemies' bodies as stepping stones. Is that true? If the movie can capture even a tenth of that, I'll buy three tickets!"
This unique interaction between gamers and movie fans has kept the topic trending.
The game's cool design has become the biggest expectation of movie fans for the film, while Liam Neeson's weathered and stern image on the movie poster has in turn filled players with endless imagination about the character's backstory.
In July, the California sun beat down on the docks of Port of San Francisco.
Rows of containers were steadily lifted from the cargo ship by huge gantry cranes and then gently placed onto trailers.
Inside each crate slumbers a black beast poised to sweep across North America.
Twenty-five thousand arcade cabinets of "High-Speed Pursuit" landed like a silent army.
This time, the preparation of inventory was much more relaxed than when we besieged SNES last winter.
Without the pressure of rushing to complete multiple games, everything seemed well-organized.
The atmosphere at Sega North America headquarters was as relaxed as a vacation.
After the CES show ended, those dozens of highly decorated demo machines were moved directly to the headquarters showroom, becoming sacred objects that all distributors and arcade owners came to "pay homage to".
The result is obvious.
"Tom, the first batch of orders is in." Bernard Stolar walked into Kalinske's office, placed a report on the table, and had a relaxed expression that said, "Everything is under control."
Kalinske didn't even bother to look; he was facing the window, admiring the map of his empire.
Tell me something I don't know, Bernie.
"Okay, here's something you don't know," Stolar cleared her throat and read in a melodious tone, "The initial shipment of 25,000 units, with an order of 22,000. But just now, that Fat Joe from Chicago," yes, the one who complained about our Hook poster last year, called and said he only ordered ten units, the stupidest decision he'd ever made, and asked if we could give him another twenty."
Kalinske finally turned around, a big smile spreading across his face.
How did you reply to him?
"I told him that if he wanted to add more, he could get in line; there were hundreds of other guys just as stupid as him ahead of him."
A burst of hearty laughter filled the office.
The same phone rang in Universal Pictures ' distribution department, except that the callers were the deep-pocketed theater managers.
"Listen, I know the contract says the third week of July," an AMC Theatres regional manager said urgently on the phone, "But it's already the second week! The most prominent spots in my ticket hall are already empty, and my staff ask me eight times a day when those new game consoles will arrive?"
"Soon, sir, our logistics are operating at full speed."
"Then tell them to hurry up!" the manager's voice rose a few decibels. "Do you know how much more worn out the carpet where the arcade machines were during those two months with Hook? I can't wait to put High-Speed Pursuit on! The kids are on vacation, my friends, their pockets are stuffed with pocket money!"
This time, the cinema managers had no complaints; in fact, they were eagerly anticipating it.
The phenomenal success of Hook a few months ago made them realize that this thing wasn't just a game console, it was a money-printing machine.
By the third week of July, all the formalities were completed.
The box containing the game's baseboard was opened, and core components were loaded into those silent black frames.
As the last screw was tightened, the screen lit up, and the familiar "SEGA" logo flashed by.
Immediately afterwards, Liam Neeson's face, etched with stories, appeared on the standby screen, his gaze cold and stern, as if scrutinizing the person about to face him.
Trucks bearing the Sega logo drove out of warehouses in major cities, heading towards arcades and movie theaters that were already eager for more.
In Fat Joe's arcade, he personally directed the workers to place ten brand-new "High-Speed Pursuit" machines in the most conspicuous position, even going so far as to move several still-popular action-platformer machines to a corner.
He looked at these massive, metallic-looking machines as if they weren't game consoles, but volcanoes about to erupt with gold coins.
The storm has gathered.
They're just waiting for the order to release the movie, and then it will sweep across North America in an instant.
On the evening of July 16, at the Chinese Theatre.
The flashes of light from both sides of the red carpet created a white sea, illuminating the night sky as if it were daytime.
The air was filled with the aroma of famous perfumes and cigars, and everyone who walked the red carpet seemed to be welded to the center of the world by a spotlight.
"My God, Mark! That's Rocky! And next to him is John Mike!"
Dave, the tallest Black programmer on the team, grabbed Mark Cerny's arm excitedly, with a force that seemed to be crushing his bones.
The "Rocky" and "John Mike" he mentioned were Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis. The two action stars were surrounded by a group of reporters, answering various questions.
Mark Cerny patted Dave's hand, signaling him to calm down.
He wasn't much better off himself; his palms were slightly sweaty.
He glanced at the development team members around him. These geniuses, who were usually so powerful in the world of code and pixels, now looked like country bumpkins who had stumbled into Eden. Their suits couldn't hide the awkwardness and excitement in their eyes.
As is Sega's custom, the core members of the game development team were invited to attend the premiere, as well as a week-long vacation for everyone.
This is both an honor and a silent declaration.