Accompanied by a burst of intense drumbeats, the GAMENOVA logo disappears from the screen.
In the pitch black, a powerful and explosive electronic synthesized background music suddenly burst forth.
This music style blends rock with elements that Benjamin had never heard before, making it unlike traditional Western genres and exceptionally catchy.
"Is this the game company's GG?"
Benjamin took a bite of Donut and casually put the remote control aside.
At least its soundtrack was very tasteful.
He'd rather waste a little time here than watch a prime-time soap opera.
The camera instantly cuts to the studio.
This is a small venue in California that has historically been contracted out to host boxing matches.
The camera traced a beautiful arc as it swept across the audience.
The not-so-spacious space was packed with hundreds of fans who had come from all over the country.
They held up homemade signs and even had the names and body paint of the corresponding characters on their faces.
They shouted chaotic names in rhythm with the background music.
The sound almost shattered the glass.
From grand pronouncements of GAMENOVA to specific characters within a particular game.
Everyone here has their own side to support.
This event, which had been teased in magazines for a long time, has now unleashed its full potential.
" Guile! Guile! Guile!"
" Zangief! Zangief! Zangief!"
Of course, the most frequently shouted names were those from Street Fighter.
After all, today's event is the world's first official fighting game competition, organized by the official organizers.
Those who were able to attend, apart from GAMENOVA's die-hard fans, were naturally all veterans of fighting games.
This is an official competition, completely different from the small-scale events organized by arcades in the past.
Most importantly, today's program includes a promotional segment for our new work!
GAMENOVA's first new fighting game in so long!
"It should be a sequel to Street Fighter, right? It's about time they released some new characters."
"Definitely. It would be great if the visuals could be improved as well."
"Quick, quick, the camera's coming over!"
"Strengthened Cammy Meow! Strengthened Cammy, thank you Meow!"
The camera follows the enthusiastic audience and rapidly zooms in on the center of the stage.
There is a standard boxing ring set up here, clearly arranged by the previous users of this venue.
GAMENOVA did not remove it; instead, it was kept.
Benjamin wiggled twice and brought his head closer to examine it more closely.
"Is it a boxing match or...? At least Channel 29 finally knows to find some good programming."
He muttered to himself, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
Although I missed the afternoon WWF, I didn't expect to stumble upon a program that looked pretty good.
Just consider it a meal replacement for WWF.
But as the camera zoomed in, giving the ring a close -Close-Up, Benjamin suddenly froze.
What the heck is this?
On the arena, right in the center, were two large arcade machines that I had never seen before, placed back to back.
Click!
Amidst the thick white fog created by dry ice around the edge of the ring and the flashing lights, the two machines on the stage were visible to everyone, including the audience.
Amidst dazzling fireworks effects, the paint on the machine reflected the lights, revealing its name to the world.
[The King of Fighters]
What an arrogant and domineering name!
The King of Fighters!
"Ugh!!!"
The cheers erupted instantly, and everyone surrounding the arena simultaneously burst into thunderous shouts.
As expected, there's a new work!
But to Benjamin, an outsider, this scene was utterly baffling.
I actually photographed wherever I dreamed of.
Who's the kind person who'd put two arcade machines on the ring and play them?
"I thought Channel 29 had learned its lesson, but it seems they really couldn't buy any more."
The camera continued to zoom up, focusing on the giant projection screen that almost occupied the entire space in the air.
The screen faces the audience seating area and several camera positions, and will be responsible for projecting the game footage to the audience.
In the audience, John and Mike excitedly held up their signs, their eyes burning with anticipation as they watched the two brand-new machines they had never seen before on stage.
John shook the fan sign with Guile's picture on it vigorously, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.
His ticket was a gift from GAMENOVA.
Because of the Contra egg incident, he was fortunate enough to receive a ticket as a gift, and even his round-trip travel expenses were covered.
Mike also came to California, but he had another purpose for this trip.
After the show ends, they'll stay here for two more days, letting Mike take down the two gyms in California and see if they can find any clues about Mew.
" John, take a good look, they're definitely hiding! There must be clues!"
John had grown somewhat accustomed to his obsession.
To be honest, in John's opinion, the much-discussed No. 151 may not even exist.
This could just be a marketing campaign by GAMENOVA.
We might have to wait for a sequel to see it.
As they were talking, the lights suddenly went out and the projector started up.
However, the screen did not display the image of a game console, but rather a commentary booth located on one side of the stage, constructed entirely of glass.
The camera focused on the two commentators behind the table.
Lin Lixin and Vivian each adjusted the Sennheiser MKH 816 Mike in front of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the inaugural EVO Evolution Championship Series hosted by GAMENOVA! I am Lin Lixin, your commentator for this tournament!"
Vivian had changed out of her usual casual clothes today and even put on some light makeup.
She continued Lin Lixin's words, "That's right! Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight will be the most important night in the history of fighting games! Who will write the first page of Legend? Are you ready!"
Their response was naturally a new wave of even greater fervor.
Vivian paused for a moment, waiting for the music and lighting crew to make adjustments.
With a powerful drumbeat, all the lights in the arena suddenly converged on the passageway to the left of the ring.
In front of the television, Benjamin was faced with a bizarre scene that was so déjà vu that he forgot to eat the Donut in his hand.
Isn't this just like a show called WWF?
"If I'm not mistaken, the two of them will be having a game competition later—"
He's not even a top-tier wrestler, why give him such flashy special effects for his entrance?
He looked at the white mist billowing at the entrance of the passage and the incessant fireworks, intending to see what exactly was going on.
"First up is—" Vivian's voice boomed, drawing everyone's attention.
When she saw through the glass window that everyone had focused their self-lights on the entrance, she shouted out the rest of her lines: "From LA, the man who tears apart all opponents with an iron will and an indestructible Sonic Boom —Mr. Schwarzenegger!"