บท 223: Sales
As evening approached, H.E.S. sales across all Hellscape locations showed steady growth. By closing time at 7:00 PM, the numbers had reached 39,500 units sold, along with their limited game selection.
The day's revenue painted an interesting picture: 1.7 million dollars from console sales, with an additional 355 thousand from games, totaling 2,132,992 dollars. After manufacturing costs, Hellfire cleared 746 thousand in profit - respectable for a new product launch, though modest compared to their computer sales or barcode licensing. Even Arthur's films typically earned more.
However, since Hellfire hadn't published these opening figures, evening news networks rushed to declare the launch a failure.
"This is clearly a luxury item," declared Economics Professor Gerald Vale on Horn Kingdom News. "Only upper-class families can justify spending forty-five dollars on entertainment equipment. The market is simply too limited."
Over on Crystal Network, a business analyst shook his head gravely. "The fundamental flaw in Hellfire's strategy is pricing a recreational device at professional equipment levels. Without practical application, it can't possibly sustain those numbers."
The evening audiences, many of whom hadn't given the H.E.S. much thought before, found themselves drawn into the narrative of Hellfire's supposed misstep. The story of an overpriced toy's "inevitable failure" proved irresistible, even to those who'd never considered purchasing one.
---
In his mansion, Arthur watched the media's rush to judge the H.E.S. before clicking off the massive television with a knowing smile. Their criticism felt familiar - the same doubts had greeted both his color television patents and computers at launch. Those "doomed innovations" had transformed into pillars of his wealth.
HOLLOW had already earned billions from television sales, with Arthur's color TV patent royalties providing him a steady stream of income. His computers, meanwhile, had reached millions in sales across the Anatolia region, generating 1.4 billion dollars in profit after costs.
The computer's success remained limited to specific markets - Horn Kingdom, Japon, Choson, parts of Morningstar, and select regions of Bharat. Yet even this restricted distribution had corporate giants worried.
Every day brought new acquisition offers from major companies in Evros, Empirica, and Eden. These corporate giants, sensing their monopolies threatened, waved increasingly astronomical sums at his computer patents. Arthur's consistent refusal only drove the offers higher.
Settling into bed, his thoughts drifted to tomorrow's sales figures. Sunday often brought even better numbers than launch day.
Before sleep claimed him, Arthur visited his divine domain, checking on his followers in Angel City. Relief washed over him seeing their continued safety. The threatened champion had yet to appear.
Unknown to him, in Apollo Kingdom, the church's administration drowning in champion requests. The "Cult of Dionysus" competed for attention with dozens of more aggressive cults. Between bureaucratic delays and prioritizing more violent threats, their response would likely take weeks, if not months.
His followers had time - though none of them knew exactly how much.
***
Sunday's newspapers hit the streets with scathing headlines about Hellfire's latest venture.
The Horn Times led with "HELLFIRE'S NEW TOY: A FAR CRY FROM COMPUTER REVOLUTION", while the Morning Star Herald questioned "45 DOLLARS FOR ENTERTAINMENT? Arthur's Ambitious Gamble" in bold letters.
Business Daily didn't hold back either, splashing their front page with "'NEW FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT' OR EXPENSIVE DISTRACTION?"
Experts and critics filled column after column comparing the H.E.S. unfavorably to Arthur's computer success. Yet their relentless coverage, combined with Hellfire's strategic billboard campaign showing happy families gathered around their H.E.S., only fueled public curiosity.
The media's constant repetition of "new form of entertainment" particularly caught people's attention. Even those who'd never considered video games found themselves wondering what Arthur had created this time. The skeptical coverage had accomplished what marketing alone couldn't - it made the H.E.S. impossible to ignore.
Hellscape locations saw increased foot traffic throughout Sunday, with curious onlookers far outnumbering serious buyers. Yet surprisingly, or perhaps because of this expanded exposure, H.E.S. and game sales surpassed the previous day's numbers.
As the second day unfolded, sales climbed to an impressive 41,000 units, surpassing the launch day's numbers. However, even when combined with the first day's total, the figure represented only 0.71% of the Horn Kingdom's population.
Video games remained an unproven entertainment medium. Unlike computers with their practical applications, the H.E.S. offered pure entertainment in an age where leisure time was scarce. Most families found satisfaction in television and the steady stream of VFX-films from various studios. For children's gifts, parents gravitated toward proven choices like Hellfire Toys' popular "Good Guys" dolls.
The initial wave of H.E.S. purchases came primarily from the kingdom's wealthy elite - successful merchants, noble families, and prosperous business owners. Among them was Lorelai, a prominent businesswoman seeking something - anything - that might interest her restless son.
Previous attempts had failed spectacularly. The Good Guys doll she'd bought him gathered dust in his room, dismissed as "boring" because it lacked the artificial organs that made Chucky so fascinating in the film. When she'd given him a toy gun, he'd demanded a real one instead.
The psychiatrist had explained it clinically: her demon child had inherited the primal demon's hunger for action and adventure, a genetic restlessness that toys alone couldn't satisfy.
Now, as she carried the H.E.S. home, she could hear her six-year-old son's voice carrying from their living room. He stood before his friends, gesturing wildly as he proclaimed his future plans.
"Just you wait!" he declared, tail lashing with excitement. "When I'm older, I'll explore every inch of the Eden continent! There's still unmapped regions out there, filled with ancient ruins and maybe even dragons! That's where the real adventures are!"
"That's so cool, Nathan!" his friends crowded closer, eyes shining with admiration.
"I want to be an adventurer too!" one chimed in.
A smaller demon shuffled his feet. "My parents are making me become a doctor. We're too poor for adventures..."
"Then just run away!" Nathan thrust his fist in the air. "That's the only way to be free!"
Lorelai cleared her throat, announcing her presence.
Nathan spun around, pointing dramatically. "Look who's here - the witch of the house!"
"Mind your language, young man," Lorelai's voice carried ice. "Birthday or not, there are limits."
"I'll never follow your rules!" Nathan crossed his arms, lower lip jutting out.
Lorelai sighed, producing a wrapped package. "I brought you something. Try to appreciate it this time."
"A present!" Nathan's defiance vanished instantly. His friends gathered around, envy plain on their faces.
Nathan tore through the wrapping, revealing the black and silver H.E.S. console. He turned the unfamiliar device in his hands, studying its smooth surfaces and mysterious cartridge slot with uncertainty.
"What's this supposed to be?" His nose wrinkled. "Another boring thing?"
"Watch your tone," Lorelai warned, her voice sharp enough to make Nathan's tail drop. Then, with practiced patience, she connected the console to their television, walking him through each step of setup.
Minutes later, Nathan sat transfixed, controller gripped tightly in his hands while his friends watched in growing amazement. Every game over only seemed to fuel his determination.
"Well?" Lorelai asked after ten minutes, trying to keep the hope from her voice.
Nathan's character died again, but his eyes never left the screen. "It's really hard, but..." he paused, and Lorelai held her breath. "This is actually awesome! I can't believe I get to play as James! He's my hero!"
Lorelai watched her son's enthusiasm with quiet relief. After countless failed gifts, she'd finally found something that captured his restless spirit.
---
Across Horn Kingdom, similar scenes played out as the H.E.S. found its audience. While media critics continued their skepticism, and sales remained modest compared to computers, the console sparked an unexpected social phenomenon.
A week after launch, word spread through taverns and workplaces, schools and social clubs. Young adults who'd initially dismissed the "toy" found themselves drawn in after watching friends play. Some dipped into savings to purchase their own consoles, while others developed creative ways to share gaming time with console-owning friends.
Those who couldn't afford the H.E.S. discovered another option - the Hellscape Center's arcade section. The game rooms, already popular before the console's release, saw a surge in visitors. Ironically, many arcade regulars ended up purchasing the H.E.S. to avoid spending coins on their daily gaming sessions.
Their departure made room for newcomers, drawn by curiosity about this "new form of entertainment." The arcade's recently upgraded machines, now matching the H.E.S. in power and graphics, provided a perfect introduction to gaming. For the price of a few coins, anyone could experience what the newspapers couldn't stop criticizing.
บท 224: Game events
The video game venture was progressing nicely. H.E.S. sales had reached 348 thousand units, generating 15 million dollars in revenue with 4 million in profit. Game sales added another 3 million in revenue, bringing in 1.8 million profit.
Total profits since introducing video games to this world: 6.8 million dollars. Not impressive compared to my film earnings, perhaps, but this was just the beginning. Give it months, maybe a year, and we'd be looking at billions in annual revenue.
I had the media to thank for this success, though they didn't realize it. Their relentless criticism of the H.E.S. spread awareness better than my own TV network could, despite our dominance in the Anatolia region.
Pure advertising couldn't achieve what opposition did. People unconsciously resist obvious marketing, but when media outlets attack a product? That sparks curiosity. The critics thought they were warning people away, not realizing they were making the H.E.S. impossible to ignore. Human nature - or demon nature - always wants to see what others condemn.
Of course, we still needed extensive promotion throughout the kingdom. Now that we'd laid the foundation for video games, it was time to hook people properly.
The media kept hammering away at the H.E.S., completely unaware of our actual sales figures. I toyed with the idea of releasing those numbers. Would seeing the real data silence their criticism?
A smile tugged at my lips. Maybe not yet. Their skepticism was still too valuable.
Video games would certainly gain more fans after the game team completed "Football 1273" - a game featuring all the teams under the Anatolia Football Association.
Though football hadn't yet become a global sensation, my promotion efforts had made it quite popular across specific regions. Starting from Horn Kingdom, the sport had spread through Morningstar, Thorne, Japon, and Choson, even reaching parts of Evros. The dedicated fanbase we'd built would easily support video game sales.
I pushed thoughts of video games aside, focusing instead on my DP earnings display - 4,789 divine points. The tasks I'd assigned followers were proving effective, but we remained far short of the 8,000 divine points needed for the Sanctuary Sphere.
"If things come to worse, I might have to intervene personally," I thought, weighing my options. Without the Sphere's protection when the "champion" and "sacred knights" arrived, I'd need to reveal powers I'd gained from Dragon Ball and Naruto.
At least my clones would prove useful in such a situation.
A soft chime from my office computer interrupted my planning. The message notification showed Demon Dynamics - another multi-billion dollar company requesting negotiations for computer and barcode rights.
"Hmph. They're quite persistent," I muttered, leaning back in my chair. Especially after seeing other corporate giants like Dark Electronics, specialists in train, car, and airship components, making similar attempts.
These companies never learned. Each rejection only seemed to fuel more offers. Yet their persistence made sense - computers threatened their carefully built monopolies.
Once computer technology reached critical mass, their control over various industries would crumble. Their desperate attempts to buy the rights revealed their fear of this inevitable future.
***
(3rd Person POV)
With "Music Legends Quest" capitalizing on James and Frederick's fame, the music stars threw their full support behind the game's promotion. Their involvement opened new marketing possibilities that Arthur quickly seized upon.
He launched the "Hellfire Games Tournament" event, broadcasting the announcement across Hellfire Network. The commercial's dramatic voice filled taverns and homes across the kingdom:
"Think you have what it takes to be a gaming legend? Prove your skills in Music Legends Quest and win big! Six thousand dollars for the top score, four thousand for second place, and one thousand for third! But that's not all - winners get an exclusive meeting with James and Frederick themselves! Your chance at fortune and fame begins now at any Hellscape location!"
At the Crimson Horn Tavern, a demon nearly choked on his beer. "Six thousand dollars for getting the highest score on... a video game?" The unfamiliar term rolled awkwardly off his tongue.
"And meeting James and Frederick!" his companion's eyes lit up. "Been following them since their first album hit the streets!"
"What even is this Music Legends Quest?" a nearby demon called out, scratching his horns in confusion.
"Never heard of it myself," another chimed in from his corner table.
A demon wearing a Hellfire uniform turned toward them. "It's that new game for the H.E.S. - you know, that entertainment system Hellfire released last week."
Blank stares met his explanation. "The what system?"
The tavern erupted into explanations, with those who'd seen or tried the H.E.S. enlightening the uninitiated. Similar scenes played out across Horn City as Hellfire Network announced high score competitions for their other games - Tetris, Space Invader, and Ping Pong. The prize money drew attention, slowly driving up H.E.S. sales.
***
While video games carved their niche in Horn Kingdom, Arthur made a calculated move with "One Flew Over a Cuckoo's Nest." Rather than premiering the trailer locally, he released it in Kanata Kingdom.
The timing wasn't random - the prestigious Autumn Film Festival approached, drawing traditionally-crafted, non-VFX films from across the realms.
The Autumn Film Festival had built its reputation on celebrating psychological dramas and character studies - films that explored the depths of mortal consciousness without relying on magical effects or VFX spectacle. For Arthur's latest work, crafted without his usual visual effects arsenal, the festival offered perfect alignment.
Though Arthur hardly needed the exposure - his influence already spanned multiple kingdoms - the festival served another purpose. It could launch John's acting career into prestigious territory. The northern Empirica region's largest celebration of dramatic arts had launched countless careers, particularly in its psychological drama category.
The festival's dedication to low-budget, performance-driven films made it the perfect stage for John's breakthrough.
The trailer's release across Kanata Kingdom sparked immediate interest. In a realm saturated with magical spectacles, the raw, grounded portrayal of mental illness and institutional power struck a chord. The modern setting, deliberately stripped of magical elements, offered something different - a mirror held up to society's darker corners.
By July 29, 1274, as the Autumn Film Festival began, Quebec City's streets teemed with activity. Montreal welcomed fifty thousand visitors - critics, filmmakers, and enthusiasts drawn to celebrate cinema in its purest form.
Arthur, John, Vivienne, and the cast arrived in a city that pulsed with sophistication. Art deco buildings stretched toward the sky, their elegant lines softened by flourishing gardens.
Horse-drawn carriages shared cobblestone streets with sleek automobiles, while airships drifted lazily overhead.
Jazz music spilled from several clubs, mixing with the chatter of crowds dressed in the latest fashions.
This marked Arthur's first visit to Kanata, and the kingdom's prosperity impressed him. Its cities rivaled the wealthy metropolises of U.S.E., suggesting a different balance of power than he remembered from his previous life.
The U.S.E. hadn't yet achieved its destiny as a global superpower. Without World War II reshaping the global order, other nations maintained their influence.
The dwarven realms, particularly the Craft Kingdom, dominated technological advancement. Their underground cities and mountain strongholds housed marvels of engineering and artistry that human kingdoms could only dream of matching.
Looking at the city's grand architecture and bustling commerce, Arthur couldn't help but wonder how this world's future would differ from the one he remembered.
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