Yes, I'm a Sonic Fan Too

For the North America market, the arrival of Sonic was a completely different matter.

Who is Sega? Players familiar with their games do know them, but that's about it.

In the North America market, among Japan manufacturers, Nintendo North America (NOA) and their NES are still the most influential.

Just because you don't know Sega doesn't mean you don't know Gamenova.

Throughout North America, even people who don't play games have definitely heard of this company.

For this Sonic the Hedgehog game, GAMENOVA is handling the North America distribution.

This kind of thing is very rare.

Even for a direct descendant of Gamenova like Activision, they usually handle the publishing themselves.

With Gamenova backing Sega, that's a solid guarantee of quality.

What is the level of influence GAMENOVA has in the North America market?

Let's put it this way: even if it's a product from a small, unknown manufacturer, as long as the GAMENOVA logo is printed on the cartridge box, it will at least sell a million copies in its first sale.

Not to mention that Sega itself still has a group of loyal Sega fans.

With this endorsement, there's no need for further explanation; the initial sales of "Sonic the Hedgehog" are already a sure thing.

However, Lin Lixin was clearly not satisfied with this.

For this project, he used his "Face Fruit" ability to summon two friends from the entertainment industry.

"Michael, it's so nice to have you here. I thought the next meeting would be during next year's tour."

Inside the studio, a soft sofa is placed on the stage.

Michael Jack sat atop it, dressed in his signature Bad Tour outfit.

In fact, this world tour ended almost half a year ago.

But even now, it remains a popular topic of conversation among people on the streets.

BAD concert, the grand opening of the MJ era.

A world-class tour spanning five continents and featuring 123 shows.

With a total revenue of $125 million, it set two Guinness World Records.

The highest-grossing tour in history, and the tour with the largest audience in history.

It was this tour that propelled MJ to the throne of King of Pop.

"Thank you, it's an honor to have you here. I don't usually do this."

Michael's voice was very soft.

"Well—the reason we invited you here today, besides to meet with our fans, is that we've also prepared answers to a few questions that everyone is interested in."

The host, facing the camera, gestured with a piece of paper in his hand, saying, "These are the questions we collected through the audience hotline."

"Certainly."

Michael blinked gently, his eyes exceptionally clear.

"Okay, shall we begin now?"

The host nodded, and only after Michael gave him an affirmative answer did he continue, "So, the first question—I heard that you recently received two United Kingdom music awards. What are your thoughts on this? Could you share them with us?"

"Ah—indeed, I am truly, truly grateful for their recognition. But for me, I prefer the certificates the children colored in for me with their paintbrushes."

The host nodded knowingly.

This likely refers to Michael's recent visit to the victims of the Cleveland elementary school shooting and his donation of $250,000.

"Speaking of which, I heard that your Neverland Ranch has recently been renovated and has invited many children to play there, right?"

"That's right, I originally planned to retreat to Neverland Ranch for a while to work on my next album."

Michael thought for a moment, then continued, "Later, a friend came to visit me and convinced me to participate in today's interview."

"Oh? Who is it?"

The host looked on with great interest and curiosity, but in fact, both he and the viewers in front of the screen already had the answer.

It's not hard to guess based on recent moves from various parties.

"Mr. Lin, I would also like to take this opportunity to properly thank our King of Video Games."

"Wow, that's quite a prestigious name."

"I think he deserves that title."

Michael's lips curled into a slight smile. "That day I invited a group of children to visit our newly built Neverland Ranch. You know, it has a carousel, a movie theater, and a zoo that I designed myself."

"We have indeed heard about that."

"That's right, but I noticed a few kids didn't seem to be having much fun, so I suggested taking them on the Ferris wheel. Guess what they said?"

Michael's gentle voice complemented his storytelling style perfectly, drawing the host in effortlessly.

"What?"

They said, "Why aren't there any game consoles here?"

As if recalling something funny, Michael, then pursed his lips before continuing, "That day I was chatting with Lin about random things, and he overheard the kids talking. So the next morning, he..."

Several trucks were arranged to deliver enough gaming equipment to form a small mountain.

"Friends from the Umbrella Corporation helped us with the renovations, building an arcade next to the cinema, as well as isolation rooms for the children who are receiving treatment."

"They have every kind of arcade game, including those from their company, as well as Sega, Atari Namco."

"And of course, that includes game consoles—have you ever played a Gamenova game?"

The host nodded slightly.

Even though he knew the two had interacted privately, this was indeed the situation on the day Michael first revealed it to the public.

"Of course, Michael, I don't think there are many people in the whole of America who haven't played a Gamenova game, just like there are very few people in the whole of America who haven't heard your songs."

"Well—in short, Mr. Lin told me that GAMENOVA's mission is to create happiness for everyone," and that he not only didn't ask for a single penny, but also sponsored the medical expenses of several children.

Michael swallowed hard. "By the way, I wonder if anyone has played Sonic the Hedgehog, published by Gamenova? Lin sent over a dozen copies to Neverland Ranch during the closed beta, and it's still the most popular game in Neverland Ranch."

"Actually—actually, I'm also a Sonic fan."

An unprecedented public relations campaign, with the King of Pop Michael Jack, personally endorsing it.

A superstar whose mere presence on stage can send fans in the farthest seats swooning, made such remarks during a highly anticipated prime-time talk show—

The outcome is self-evident.

I'm going to buy them all!

How to get people who never play games to start playing games has always been a headache for Lin Lixin in this era before smartphones were invented and even PCs were not yet widespread.

NovaPocket was a pioneer in this field.

His further explorations include World Wide Web and a variety of casual games suitable for all ages.

But no matter how hard they try, their effects are indirect.

The simplest, most direct, and most effective way to attract the attention of people outside this circle is through collaboration.

Just like how Rocksmith brought GAMENOVA a large number of fans in the music industry.

This collaboration with Michael has become an important step in helping Sonic the Hedgehog open up the North America market.

There are even rumors that Sonic's red shoes are actually a tribute to pop superstar Michael Jack.

However, Lin Lixin was still not satisfied with this.

The goal this time is to bring ourselves into the view of all humankind; but that alone is not enough.

Then, it was the turn of another friend to appear.

The Flash Sonic

No one expected that, at a time when DC was declining in influence, Gamenova would suddenly step forward and reach a deal with Warner.

This bonus chapter is featured under "The Flash Volume 2," and the artists and writers are all from the original DC Comics team.

Aside from the involvement of Lin Lixin and members of AM8 in the supervision, it can be described as a genuine pure-blooded production.

Such a unique work naturally attracted the attention of superhero fans everywhere.

Even readers who aren't usually interested in DC Comics might buy a copy just to try it out because of the Game Nova name.

This fast-running, handsome, and somewhat comical blue hedgehog entered the eyes of readers everywhere through comics.

middle.

When two characters with similar abilities are put together, a wonderful chemical reaction begins.

"I'm saying Sonic is more awesome, anyone get it? Looking at the story, Wally alone definitely couldn't beat Doctor Eggman."

"More awesome my ass, are you an idiot? It's obviously just because Doctor Eggman happens to have a way to counter Wally's ability. In terms of speed alone, Sonic couldn't outrun him even if he worked himself to death."

"Don't compare your fighting strength with a comedic character! Sonic is practically invincible except for not being able to swim, right?"

"Look at the lore, they've already said that Sonic is the fastest hedgehog in the world, the fastest in the world, you understand?"

"They're talking about the fastest hedgehog, not the fastest creature."

"What the hell are you arguing about? I have no idea what you're spouting. Have you even played the main Sonic the Hedgehog games before you're starting this fight?"

"You think you're so great? Tell me!"

"All I can say is, those who know, know, right? You'll understand once you've played it; if you haven't, you won't understand even if I explain."

The ultimate showdown of combat prowess.

Those who got into the main series and then went to read the manga, and those who got into the manga and then went to play the main series, are now tearing each other apart.

Those familiar with the Flash say the Flash is awesome, those who have played the game say The Hedgehog is awesome.

After all, the expressive power of comics as a medium depends entirely on the artist's skill, although DC Comics ' artist team has always been technically proficient.

But if it really is a competition of expressiveness------

At this stage, probably no other work is qualified to compete with this near-32-bit game that brings together the best of global technology.

No matter how amazing your claims are, or how incredible your concepts are, they lack any sense of reality.

But Sonic's fart that shoots hundreds of meters is a real, fully animated display shown to fans.

Fans from different regions immediately started fighting.

Now it was DC Comics' turn to get restless.

According to Lin Lixin's plan, this bonus chapter was originally intended to be just a short story used to promote Sega.

However, given the increasingly intense trend, Sonic has become a highly sought-after character with a massive following.

One book isn't enough!

"Lin, Warner called again today, still wanting to get an inaugural issue for Sonic."

Sam gave a few perfunctory replies and hung up the phone, then turned to Lin Lixin, who was standing beside him, and said...

Upon hearing this, Lin Lixin gently patted the Sonic barcode toy he was playing with onto the table.

"Don't rush, play with them for a bit."