Tomonobu Itagaki

David agreed with that view.

"Electronic Arts has always been good at squeezing the remaining value out of old IPs." David watched Larry onstage, the CEO talking a blue streak as he pitched this "new title." "On console platforms, Sega charges them hefty royalties, so they can only make the profits back on PC. With no middleman taking a cut, this deal is all gain and no loss. Larry is a competent businessman."

Onstage, Larry threw out a new selling point at just the right moment.

"In addition to single-player mode, the PC version of Road Rash will fully support LAN play." Larry pressed the remote, and the screen split in two, showing a live connection between two computers. "In the office, or in a college dorm, you can connect with your friends through the IPX protocol. Settle your differences with a baseball bat inside the computer. No more putting up with the cramped view of split-screen mode—everyone gets a full screen."

That feature drew a ripple of chuckles from the audience.

In 1996, LAN play was gradually becoming standard for PC games.

As Ethernet cards became more widespread, linking several computers together to play games had become the most fashionable social activity among young people.

Compared with grinding away alone against AI that followed fixed routes, the fun of beating up living people rose exponentially.

"This move works." David added a few more strokes in his notebook. "It hits PC users right where it hurts. After work, you can beat up your coworkers in the office without bearing legal responsibility. That selling point is much stronger than upgraded graphics. Electronic Arts knows exactly what adult players need."

Paul laughed and pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose.

"Larry has played the business logic inside out." Paul