Kazuo Hirai

Blizzard had adopted an architecture that combined P2P with client servers.

Free—this word was extremely rare among internet services in 1996.

The Kali platform charged a subscription fee of twenty US dollars a year, while AOL billed by the hour.

Blizzard's free strategy was no different from dropping a heavy bomb onto the surface of a calm lake.

"That's hardly the end of it. It's not an either-or choice, and besides, this game isn't even out yet. Just wait and see," David said thoughtfully.

Mike Mohan ended the demonstration and announced that the release window was set for the end of the year.

Thunderous applause broke out.

The media were won over by this new work with its cultish style.

Blizzard had proven through action that they did not only know how to make RTS games; in the RPG field, they also possessed the potential to overturn industry rules. After Tecmo and Blizzard's press conference ended, a nearly half-hour intermission countdown appeared on the big screen.

The audience and media rose from their seats and surged toward the corridors and restrooms.

Long lines formed in front of the vending machines outside the venue.

Some people walked to the parking lot with cigarettes in their mouths to get some air; others squatted at the base of the wall, flipping through the notebooks they had just filled with writing.

David made a trip to the restroom, and on the way back bought two cans of Sprite from a vending machine in the corridor. Paul took one, popped the tab, and gulped down a mouthful.

"How many more sessions are there this afternoon?" Paul looked at the schedule in his hand.

"Sony is at four." David glanced at his watch. "Then there are booth demos from a few smaller companies. The main stage's