Chapter 167: Game Console
Chapter 167: Game Console
The U.S. President doing politics for his own country was something everyone took for granted.
They sat together in the cool evening air of the garden.
He held a bottle of beer in his hand, but these were the moments when the most important discussions could arise.
‘If he’s talking about Buy America, it probably means he’s got a related proposal in mind.’
I sharpened my focus and listened to Biden.
“America’s manufacturing sector has high competitiveness. Low tax rates, technological prowess, capital, stable government, worker productivity, infrastructure—you name it.”
“Yes. I agree.”
I nodded along casually, and Biden asked,
“Do you know anything about the shoe industry, by chance?”
“I know a bit. I recall that in the past, a lot of shoes were made in Korea’s Busan region on orders from American companies.”
Traveling around the country for work had built up a lot of trivia knowledge, even if it wasn’t strictly necessary.
Stories I’d heard from nurses while visiting hospitals in the Busan area.
For over a hundred years, Korea had developed a shoe manufacturing hub centered around Busan.
After importing technology from Japan, the industry started with rubber shoes, which gained popularity for being not much more expensive than straw sandals but far more durable.
In the 1970s, Nike outsourced production to various Korean shoe makers, and Reebok, Adidas, and others followed suit with domestic orders.
Busan became the world’s largest shoe production region.
Even in the early 1990s, when the economy wasn’t that big, shoe exports to the U.S. alone exceeded $9 billion, a booming period.
‘Nurse Jung had gone on about it enthusiastically at a company dinner.’
I casually shared that picked-up trivia with Biden.
“As expected from someone running a business—you really know your stuff.”
“Well...”
“It’s clear why Wall Street holds CEO Kim Shin in such high regard.”
Biden seemed to view me as quite knowledgeable in economics, but there was no downside to being highly rated by the U.S. President.
Biden took a sip of his beer and continued.
“As you know, Nike set up factories in Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, China to produce shoes. They handled R&D and design in the U.S. while outsourcing to low-cost countries. But now Nike’s production factories are coming back to America.”
This was the core of the Buy America initiative Biden was talking about.
Advancements in robot control technology had boosted factory efficiency, reducing the need for large workforces like before.
The shale revolution had made electricity costs for factories cheaper, fundamentally enhancing U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
“I’d love for my friend to invest in Buy America.”
“Me?”
“No plans to acquire any top overseas semiconductor or electronics companies? If you build factories in the U.S., the White House will support you actively.”
It hadn’t even been two years since founding Earth Resource.
Listening to Biden, I felt more inclined to just focus on running the businesses we’d already established well.
* * *
The world was truly unpredictable.
Not only had Roona and Tay, who’d been locked in a fierce debate just days ago, nearly vanished, but something even more astonishing had happened.
“Hyung. I was playing games over the weekend.”
I arrived at the office, and there on Eddie’s desk sat a PlayStation and an Xbox.
Eddie was Earth Resource’s most important technical contributor.
As long as his workload was normal, playing games in the office wasn’t an issue.
“Yeah. New game out? Want to play together?”
To get closer to Eddie, gaming together was the way to go.
After grinding about 100 rounds of The Last of Us together, he’d felt a burning camaraderie.
“No, while playing, I tinkered with the console a bit.”
Eddie booted up the PlayStation.
The connected monitor should have shown the Japanese game company’s logo, leading into the game screen.
[Earth Channel]
Instead, “Earth Channel” appeared on the monitor.
The Gothic font was crude, but the name was unmistakable.
“Huh?”
What followed was a direct connection to Earth Channel.
I wasn’t sure I’d understand even if he explained, but I had to ask.
“How’d you do that?”
“You remember when I tore apart the OS last time?”
“Yeah.”
“I installed a lightly modified version of the OS on the game console.”
“...”
After a moment to process, I asked,
“So, you can access Earth Channel through the console now?”
“Of course. Hyung gets it right away.”
Accessing Earth Channel via console internet was already possible.
But auto-connecting right on boot-up meant it was functioning as a basic OS.
That alone was an impressive feat, but given Eddie’s genius, I figured there was more.
“Obviously you can watch videos on Earth Channel, but apps actually run too?”
“Bingo! Right on. That’s my hyung.”
“...”
I understood, but it took a while to sort it out in my head this time.
‘So... one console lets you use Earth Channel freely.’
Enjoy content, upload your own videos, use SNS or messengers, run games or apps through the Pangea system.
I’d thought it’d take years of preparation for a world like this.
“Now consoles can basically act like computers.”
“Console hardware is seriously good. Fast response, supports high resolutions.”
“No need to mod the parts?”
“Nope. Just install via USB. Fixed hardware specs make it easy to set up and run.”
Not just Google—MS, with overlapping business areas, already disliked Earth Resource plenty.
If they knew we’d done this with their consoles, how much more would they hate us?
‘Their hostility’s already maxed out anyway?’
Their relationship was simple and framed in the language of games.
At the same time, Biden’s investment pitch brought various ideas to mind.
‘Distributing the OS to make game consoles viable... honestly, it won’t boost subscribers or revenue much right away.’
99% of PS or Xbox owners likely already had desktops or laptops.
‘But we could make similar consoles ourselves.’
Electronics development was advanced, compatibility good.
Make a decent-spec console, sell it pre-loaded with the Earth Channel OS.
‘Full access to Earth Channel games and apps.’
It would be a system that linked personal computers directly to Earth Channel.
It would not be limited to games; it could function as a general computer and target a far larger consumer base.
‘Gotta call it the Earth Console.’
Might even become the Earth Computer.
No need for pricey parts and high pricing.
Mass production could slash prices.
‘We’ll be making a lot of companies cry.’
Yongsan in Korea came to mind unbidden.
Many shops went bust with the rise of online sales—how much would they curse me over an Earth Console?
‘Whatever... plenty of people already hate my guts somewhere.’
* * *
Arsenal’s owner had changed to Kim Shin. But the GM, CEO, and manager stayed the same.
It was a meeting about player recruitment and the club’s operations.
“Isung Group has officially proposed uniform sponsorship.”
“Mirae Motors from Korea, DK Group, and many others...”
“We’ve got tons of sponsorship offers from U.S. companies too.”
Arsenal’s executives were flustered by the developments after the ownership change.
Last season, Arsenal had finished eighth in the Premier League and reached the Europa League quarterfinals.
Those were disappointing results for a traditional English powerhouse.
Yet sponsorship proposals flooded in from a huge array of companies.
Competition was so fierce they could jack up fees several times over, and fan reactions were positive.
―It’s time Arsenal got a super-rich owner.
―Clinging to rankings with tearful ass-kissing shows... This isn’t the soccer I loved.
―Years of suffering finally rewarded, but too late!
―Soccer isn’t about money. But if we’re getting a rich owner, Kim Shin’s the best choice.
Fans often criticized rich foreigners shaking up English soccer, but it didn’t apply to Kim Shin.
Last year, when COVID was killing people in the UK, he’d swiftly supplied K-Vaccine.
With a young, honorable, moneyed owner appearing, Arsenal’s popularity was rebounding.
“Sign-ups from teens and 20s are up among supporters.”
“Our team’s results haven’t been great lately...”
“Must be the owner’s influence.”
GM Josh Kranky said with a serious face.
“Think the owner will fire us over last season’s poor performance?”
“Who knows. We’ve gotta do everything we can, right?”
They outlined club operation plans based on projected increased revenue for next season.
Kim Shin’s number and group chat existed, but reporting directly felt daunting.
They called Lee Jong-yeop, who was known as the chief secretary.
―Next season plans? I’ll tell the CEO right away.
About 30 minutes later, a call came to the meeting room.
Josh Kranky answered on speaker.
“Owner, this is Arsenal GM Josh Kranky. Manager Mikel Arteta and other executives are here.”
―Good. I’m Oh Myeong-woo.
“Yes?”
Oh Myeong-woo emphasized he was Earth Resource’s VP and Kim Shin’s right-hand man who scratched his back.
‘What’s this relationship...’
The Arsenal execs looked shocked, like they’d uncovered a huge secret.
―Having a meeting to decide next year’s signings?
“We were discussing overall team operations.”
―Same thing. I’ve been delegated full authority over Arsenal decisions. I’ve got a few players I want—mind helping with signings?
Manager Mikel Arteta in the room looked grim.
Super-rich owners meddling in daily operations was common.
Bringing in players based on personal taste, ignoring soccer tactics or team needs.
Josh Kranky asked hesitantly,
“Which players?”
―Erling Haaland. Plays for Dortmund in Germany now.
“Ah, that one.”
Haaland was the UEFA Player of the Year and the Champions League’s leading scorer.
He had scored a hat trick on his Champions League debut and combined speed, power, and clinical finishing.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s face brightened a bit.
Haaland would fit tactically well.
―And we need to sign Kylian Mbappé from PSG.
“Mbappé too.”
Mbappé was another of world football’s greatest stars.
From a rich club like PSG no less.
The old stingy Arsenal couldn’t have dreamed of it, but now a bid was possible.
―A few more. Mix of instant impact and prospects.
The list included Jesús Ferreira from FC Dallas, Kenneth Taylor from Ajax, Brandon Williams from Manchester United, Gonzalo Inácio from Sporting, and many others.
Oh Myeong-woo rattled off a list of 20.
―Clubs’ situations mean we can’t get them all, so I listed generously. But please sign Erling Haaland no matter what. If money’s short, I’ll sell my buildings to chip in.
Josh Kranky glanced at the manager.
Seeing Mikel Arteta nod, he replied.
“Yes. We’ll do our absolute best.”
These were transfer recommendations from the owner’s friend.
Haaland seemed manager-approved; check the others and grab the useful ones.
Suddenly, Josh Kranky got curious.
“But how’d you come to recommend these players?”
―I’ve tried them out and am convinced.
“Yes?”
―Verified through Football Manager and FIFA.
“......”