Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Interview
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“Huck, honestly, I'm glad, but I don't think this interview will be beneficial for you.”
“It's fine. Even if it turns out badly, it won't be your fault, Jamie. Don't worry too much.”
Jamie.
Jason's cousin and a CGW journalist, he'd been steadily connected to us since the Dead Hills release.
- Sign here for me, Huck. This is definitely going to be a historic souvenir someday.
True to his blood relation with Jason, he had a bit of an eccentric side, but compared to other journalists obsessed with scoops, he came across as more humane and likable.
“Let's start the interview with talk about Soul Hunters first.”
“Sure, sounds good.”
That was probably why, instead of jumping at my interview request, he seemed concerned.
- Ricardo definitely crossed a line with that interview, but responding to it isn't a good idea. The Remus fandom is notoriously fanatical.
When I said I'd counter Ricardo Garriott's interview, it was Jamie who'd tried to dissuade me.
But when I told him someone else would do it if he didn't, he had no choice but to accept.
The interview started routinely with Soul Hunters talk.
“Now, onto the main point. Regarding the candidates for AIAS's 'Best Game of '97' award, are you aware of what Remus Online's creator, Ricardo, said?”
“Yeah, I read it. It was pretty entertaining.”
“Entertaining?”
Jamie looked puzzled at my response.
The interview itself had trashed me and Last Fantasy's creator Satoshi without outright insults, so it was normal to feel offended.
But I'd genuinely found the interview amusing, so I had to say so honestly.
“I can't speak on other games, so regarding what Ricardo said about Savior...”
“Regarding that?”
“Ricardo is a parasite.”
“What?!”
I could see Jamie's dark complexion drain to white in shock.
Sorry, Jamie. But I can't pass up this opportunity.
It wasn't just because I'd been attacked that I was targeting Ricardo.
But if I played this right, it'd be a huge boost for future projects, so it was too good to miss.
“Lord British... you need to see this.”
“What is it?”
Ricardo Garriott had instructed his Origin employees to address him as Lord British.
The character from his Remus series—his self-insert and an omnipotent being.
So Ricardo, Origin's head, issued near-commands for them to call him Lord British.
Origin staff cursed him behind his back, but with AE backing him fully, they had no choice but to comply.
“Savior's CEO Huck has an interview in this issue of CGW.”
“Huck? Oh, that arrogant punk?”
The subordinate reporting to Ricardo was dumbfounded.
The arrogant one's you, great Lord British. Huck from Savior is the monster developers worldwide—from gamers to devs—are busy praising.
Honestly, Ricardo wasn't even in the same league as Huck.
But he couldn't say that, so the employee silently handed over the magazine.
Sigh... He'll flip out seeing this, but if I don't show him, he'll flip out later for not telling him.
The employee wasn't eager to show it.
But the interview's content was sure to reach Ricardo's ears anyway, so better to take the hit upfront.
“Hm...”
As Ricardo slowly read the CGW his subordinate handed him, his expression darkened visibly.
- Have you seen Ricardo's interview about Savior?
[I have. It was entertaining enough that I read it cover to cover.]
- Even with his sharp critique of Savior's games?
[Do you get upset when an ant happens to meet your eye on the street, Mr. Journalist?]
- Pardon?
[Ricardo is a parasitic creator living off the glory of the '80s. What does his supposed masterpiece Remus Online even offer besides slapping online onto his old games?]
- Uh... Are you serious?
[Of course. I won't deny his old Remus series were great CRPGs that influenced the genre, but does he have the right to go around saying 'games are art'?]
- Why do you think that?
[Remus Online is 'high freedom' at best, unfinished at worst. What did he do for three years? Graphics, music, motion—all copied straight from the originals. If that's art, it'd make me hate all art.]
BAM!
“That arrogant bastard!!!”
Ricardo slammed his fist on the desk in rage, not even finishing the interview.
Ha... Yeah, better not to read the rest.
The watching employee hoped Ricardo's fury would stop him from reading further.
The back half was even more shocking.
But bad feelings always hit the mark.
- Any last words?
[Savior is different from Origin. I'd like to say: History belongs in museums. We live in the present. Developers should speak through their games.]
“I honestly didn't expect you'd actually take it.”
“Is that so? Then I might be putting you in a tough spot for nothing, Mr. Agaraki.”
Agaraki shook his head with a beaming smile.
“Not at all. Did you know? Internally at Uni, lots of people opposed the GameStation Pro launch.”
“Can't blame them.”
I nodded at Agaraki's words about opposition to GameStation Pro.
Less than two years after GameStation's release, pushing out an upgraded Pro version was a risky move.
“I believed. Good products lead to good results.”
“Thank you for the faith.”
“I should be thanking you. With pre-orders included, do you know how many GameStation Pros have sold?”
I pondered Agaraki's question but couldn't pin down exact figures yet.
“Ten million units. Just over a year since launch, and it's broken ten million.”
“Whoa, that's incredible.”
Ten million.
Impressive for any console, let alone the Pro version—not even the base model.
“So there's zero internal grumbling about Soul Hunters hitting ten million sales and claiming a $100 million running guarantee.”
“Really?”
“Last Fantasy 7 at eight million, Soul Hunters at ten. Total GameStations sold—base and Pro combined—have surpassed forty million.”
Agaraki seemed to expect shock at the sales figures.
Sorry, but your machine's a final 100-million seller. With my help, it might exceed that.
I knew GameStation's potential, so no surprise, but I feigned it for the mood.
“This gen's console war is Uni's victory.”
“Congratulations.”
“And Uni will win the next gen too. Of course, we'll need Savior's help.”
“Just hearing that makes me happy.”
I smiled and extended my hand; Agaraki took it, reading agreement in my words.
Sorry. Back then, we planned to go head-to-head with you.
A rare moment using that Japanese-style talk I despised.
“Got it, Greg. So prototypes are done?”
“Yes. Stabilize parts supply, fine-tune a bit more, and we can start production.”
“Good work. Handhelds must've been a first for you.”
“Fun, in its way. But the issue is no factory lined up yet. Any word from CEO Huck?”
Scarlett paused the call, sighing.
It's coming. Basically for free.
This was exactly what Scarlett had been worried about too.
Seon Woo-hyuk had ordered handheld development but hadn't sourced factories.
When pressed, he'd just say it'd be handled soon, focus on the IPO.
“No word on that.”
“Then he must have it covered. I'll keep going.”
“Okay. Call if anything comes up.”
Click.
Hanging up, Scarlett mulled Greg's last words.
Then he must have it covered.
“Heh.”
She wasn't worried, just frustrated not knowing the plan.
Worried about Huck? More realistic to worry Bill Gates about money.
The Seon Woo-hyuk Scarlett knew was a genius developer, prophet, and ruthless businessman.
He churned out ahead-of-time tech, his predictions spot-on, and occasionally dropped marketing shocks.
Hard not to trust him.
Then, follow orders?
Before his Japan trip to meet Uni's Agaraki, Seon Woo-hyuk had tasked Scarlett.
- I want to do a documentary.
A recent doc request from Korea—his homeland—targeting him and Savior.
Scarlett figured he'd decline, as always.
But,
We should. But only if they accept our filming conditions.
Surprisingly, he agreed after reading, shocking her.
US networks had begged before, always refused as 'not the time.'
Who knew he'd greenlight Korea's?
Homeland ties?
Scarlett still didn't get why, but since he'd approved, she'd relay his conditions to the Korean broadcasters.