Rebirth of America, this is my time

Six hundred million in three days, what kind of level is this?

If you show off this matter on the Internet in the future, you will definitely get a lot of ridicule, because those leading e-commerce anchors can sell 9.5 billion in one day on the first day of Double Eleven pre-sale.

Even if the exchange rate is multiplied, the sales of 600 million US dollars will not make it to the list.

It can only be regarded as a small shrimp in Internet sales.

Only if inflation is taken into account can it enter the top ten.

Since this is three days of sales after all, the total has to be divided by three.

However, in this day and age...

An income of 600 million in three days is already terrifying!

You know, last year, the total box office of the entire North American film market was only 1.7 billion!

Just like that, it has to be divided by theaters, distributors, producers, etc.!

And what about Ethan Jones? In just three days, he had already earned 35% of the annual income of the entire Hollywood industry!

Although there are various factors involved, for example, the just-concluded national video game competition, which lasted for several months, has kept the Johnson home console product in the public eye. The investment of up to 30 million is Huge advertisements that ordinary companies cannot afford; for another example, the game presentation of "Starry Sky" is unique and will always attract players to keep buying.

But these promotional things...

Which one doesn’t have it!

In fact, the publicity and distribution budget of Hollywood movies has never been less than that of production!

And when the production time is uncertain and there is a lot of publicity funds, can Destiny Games package and sell its own products and achieve the sales of their industry in a quarter in three days? And they can only make small profits but quick sales, making money back dollar by dollar by selling cheap movie tickets?

This special code is too unfair!

"MFxxk? Is this true?"

Roy Disney raised his head in disbelief, "Ethan Jones made 600 million in three days?"

"Isn't this kind of thing too outrageous?"

"How much money did Disney make last year?"

"Six point nine hundred million!"

"This, this, this... what is this..."

Roy Disney simply threw away the document in his hand.

Although he and Ethan Jones are allies at the moment, and although he has judged that video games have very broad prospects before, the problem is...

He never thought that the expansion of video games could be so abnormal!

yes!

Previously, "Fortune" magazine reported that Ethan Jones made 100 million yuan a year, but where did Ethan Jones' 100 million profit come from? Everyone knows this!

When an electronic arcade machine sells for two thousand U.S. dollars and the manufacturing cost is less than one thousand U.S. dollars, the exaggerated profit margin is the basis for Ethan Jones' crazy money-making!

If we really talk about revenue, every company in Hollywood can crush it!

Moreover, Ethan Jones also publicly disclosed the shipment volume of his own arcade machines at the National Video Game Competition a week ago. When the fact that the maximum number of arcade machines was 130,000 units emerged...

The coverage rate of 1:16 allows them to easily calculate the number of resident video game players in the country. The maximum number is eight to nine million, or ten million.

Because no matter how many there are, the current arcade machines will no longer be able to meet the needs of those people.

When the number of resident players at most 10 million appeared, according to this year's announcement, the median household income in America last year was 15,000, and the income distribution ratio showed that 22% of households had an annual income of more than 20,000. Five, and the total income of this group accounts for 48% of the total social income.

The number of players who can easily spend two hundred dollars to play games is probably only one million dollars.

Faced with this fact, even if advertisements are flying all over the place, the sales volume should be 200,000 to 300,000 units a day.

But now?

Actual sales were five times higher than expected!

Although Roy Disney was also religious, he believed that even if God came, that special code would not be able to sell three million home consoles in three days!

Even if God comes, he must take the initiative to toast Ethan Jones now!

"But this is true..." Roy Disney's lawyer and financial advisor Stanley Gold reluctantly picked up the document, looked at the numbers on it, and said: "Now there are shortages all over the United States. , all the sellers are calling, urging Destiny Games to replenish the goods as soon as possible.”

"Based on the current demand, the sales volume of Johnson's home console this year can reach 5 million, and the expected figure should be between 8 million and 10 million."

"This can bring them at least one billion in revenue."

"Because when players get the console and play "Star Sky", they will find that the game "Star Sky" far exceeds their expectations, although Ethan Jones has already shown the content of "Star Sky" in an all-meter live broadcast. , but you won’t know how fun this game is until you actually play it.”

This fact made Roy Disney close his eyes and frown.

This situation made Stanley Gold sigh secretly.

He felt that his friend was regretting it at the moment.

Regret hooked up with Ethan Jones and pulled him into the battle for the Disney Group.

That's right!

When competing with Walt Disney for the Disney Group, they really needed a strong ally, because only in this way could they kick Ron Miller out of the company, but at the same time they also knew that this ally couldn't be too strong, because it was too If it is strong, they cannot control it.

After all, what they want is control of the group.

If the allies are too strong and interested in Hollywood, then...

It is very likely to attract wolves into the house.

Before selling Johnson's home console, Ethan Jones wasn't very powerful.

But now...

well!

more importantly……

He is now also a senior player in Hollywood!

Thinking of this, Stanley Gold coughed and comforted: "Roy, although judging from the current sales of Johnson's home console, Destiny Game's operating income this year will be very considerable, but their profits this year are definitely not as good as before. There are many because the console product is not profitable.”

"According to the information we have received so far, the cost of a Johnson home console should be around 170 US dollars. After deducting sales expenses, transportation expenses, and financial expenses, the net profit of a host should be around 10 US dollars. Therefore, even if Destiny Game sells three million units, their profit will only remain at 30 million, and even if it sells 10 million units, it will only be 100 million."

"Compared to the previous situation where 100,000 electronic arcade machines could make a profit of 100 million..."

"The profit ratio of home consoles is too low."

"so……"

"The pressure we face is actually not that great."

These words brought Roy Disney back to his thoughts.

When he opened his eyes again, he turned his gaze to his friend, with a half-smiling expression on his face.

"Stanley, do you think Ethan Jones might be a problem?"

"..." Stanley Gold's expression tightened and he asked, "Isn't it?"

"Hahahaha..." This answer made Roy Disney laugh out loud.

"Yes and no." He wagged his finger.

"Yes, that's because I coveted his "Snake" before."

"He also knew about it."

"We had a little conflict."

"No, that's because he has too many opponents now."

"After he broke the rules of the Film Association, his Destiny Pictures has become the most unique existence in Hollywood. Now he can only develop it on his own and cannot acquire other giants."

"Because once acquired, the balance is broken. Now, he has four votes in the Motion Picture Association, Fox, Universal, our Disney and their Destiny Pictures, they will all vote with him, which allows him to suppress Warner and MGM , but once he acquires us, Paramount and Columbia will definitely not sit idly by, they will definitely join the Warner camp in order to protect themselves, so..."

"He only had three votes, while Warner had four votes."

"so--"

"Why do I think Ethan Jones is trouble now?"

Roy Disney raised his eyebrows at his friend.

This idea is indeed beyond Stanley Gold's cognition.

At the same time, his friend's smile also made him wonder, "Then what were you thinking about just now?"

"You didn't look good just now."

"What am I thinking? Oh - that's a good question -" Roy Disney said: "I was thinking, why couldn't I be tougher back then, even if Ron Miller and others vetoed my acquisition of Atari? I can also buy them with my own money."

"It's only more than ten million, I can afford it."

"Even if I didn't buy Atari, I could have contacted Ethan Jones in advance."

"Invite him to play games."

"Instead of meeting him at the Star Wars celebration party."

“My hesitation caused me to miss out on video games.”

Stanley Gold was stunned on the spot.

Roy Disney's idea surprised him.

While he was lost in thought, Roy Disney clapped his hands again and said, "But even if I missed the video game, Ron Miller and the others didn't get it, right?"

"And, now, Ethan Jones is still on our side, so..."

"At this moment, they are the ones who should be nervous."

Roy Disney smiled and patted his leg and said, "Go and prepare some gifts for me. I'm going to Palo Alto to visit Ethan Jones and congratulate him on another great achievement."

"In the meantime, give Ron Miller a call and tell him..."

"This year, I'm going to tell him to get lost."

Roy Disney winked at his friend.

His eyes full of joking were full of pride!

Yes!

Although Roy Disney was unhappy about missing out on video games, what could he do?

As long as he can get back the Disney Group, he will have the confidence to become bigger and stronger!

and……

He actually hasn't missed video games completely now, right?

As long as he can get Disney back, he can cooperate with Destiny Games.

Until then...the Disney+ Destiny game lineup?

ha--

Who else? ! ! !

At the same time that Roy Disney rushed to Palo Alto, Ron Miller, who had received threats, also went to Warner Bros. Now that everyone had broken their skin, there was no need to hide it anymore.

Taking the elevator, we arrived at the door of Steve Ross' office. As his secretary opened the door, a burst of passionate music entered his ears.

Looking along, Steve Ross was sitting on the sofa leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees, holding a handle and rubbing it wildly, while his eyes were fixed on the TV in front of him.

The situation made Ron Miller frown.

When he discovered that the console played by Steve Ross was Johnson from Destiny Game, and the game on the TV was the popular "Starry Sky", his eyebrows suddenly became twisted.

Although he felt unhappy, he didn't make a sound, he just stood aside and watched quietly.

It wasn't until the character controlled by Steve Ross was hit by the monster and let out a scream of "ah" that the old man sitting there made new movements. He regretfully threw away the controller and turned his head.

"Oh Ron...why are you standing here?"

"Sit, sit, sit, sit down quickly..."

Ron Miller sat down unhappily after being left alone for a long time.

At the same time, he choked: "Steve, are you admitting defeat?"

"Huh? Why do you say that?" Steve Ross, who was pouring water for Ron Miller, asked with a smile without turning his head: "Is it because I'm playing Ethan Jones's game?"

"Oh - speaking of games, Ethan Jones is really good. Although we are enemies, I have to admit that his games are really amazing."

"How do you think his brain grew? How could he come up with a game like "Starry Sky"? Do you know? When I got "Starry Sky" and finished the first level, the realistic character design was really shocking. After I arrived, the designs of the monsters in each level and the bosses guarding the levels were all very good."

"For this reason, I also went to see "Alien". The monsters in the game are really similar to the monsters in the movie. If the previous "Star Wars" only had the name consistent with the movie, the rest were basically original. So now, many of the arrangements in "Starry Sky" can be found in the movie."

"He really brought the movie and the game together."

"It's no wonder his machines are selling out."

"Any normal person would like this effect."

"Also, his other game, Minesweeper, is also very good."

"I even feel like I could play for a year if I could."

Speaking of which, Steve Ross, who had finished pouring the water, came to Ron Miller's side.

He handed over the cup.

Ron Miller didn't answer, but looked at Steve Ross with a scrutinizing look.

This situation made the old man smile and put the water glass on the coffee table in front of Ron Miller.

Leaning back on the sofa, an unabashed relief appeared on his face.

"Ron, understanding your opponent is the key to success."

The serious words that finally appeared made Ron Miller take a deep breath and said: "Steve, of course I know this fact, but do we still need to study Ethan Jones now?"

As if he found that his words were a little too absolute, Ron Miller changed his words the next second.

"Of course we have to keep an eye on him, but not in games."

"He is already invincible in this aspect of the game!"

"No matter how much we analyze! We can't catch up with him!"

"And since you can't catch up! Then don't chase!"

"Because we don't have much time left!"

Ron Miller's tone was stiff.

Even his breathing was a little short.

This performance was seen by Steve Ross. The old man pursed his lower lip and said with a smile: "Have you received Roy Disney's ultimatum?"

Ron Miller didn't answer.

In Steve Ross's view, this behavior is a tacit admission, "Okay, I know you are under a lot of pressure, and your pressure is actually our pressure."

"We are all allies, and if Disney is really taken away by Roy Disney, it will be a huge loss for us, so we will not watch you be attacked."

Although Steve Ross's words were frighteningly straightforward, at this moment, these words made Ron Miller feel at ease, "Is there a solution?"

"I need to know your situation first."

Without hesitation, Ron Miller directly explained what happened to him.

When Steve Ross learned that Roy Disney felt that he had a chance to win, had put down his harsh words, and might take action this year, he tapped the armrest of the sofa with his index finger and asked: "Ron, what do you think? How will Roy Disney seize the company's operating rights?"

Ron Miller asked without hesitation: "Steve, do you think Roy Disney has any other good ideas besides wooing shareholders and buying up shares?"

Steve Ross nodded and said: "You are right. With Ethan Jones here, it is easy for Roy Disney to win over neutral shareholders, especially when Johnson's home console sold three million in three days. Next... But it is impossible to buy shares by sweeps. First, he is the largest individual shareholder of the Disney Group. If he buys shares by sweeps, he must disclose the information about his holdings. Second, he does not have so much money."

"So, Steve, what do you mean?" Ron Miller's eyes flickered.

"Do you think Ethan Jones will buy shares of Disney?" Steve Ross asked with a smile.

The question made Ron Miller narrow his eyes.

Steve Ross, who was leaning there with his hands on his legs, looked at him.

As the two fell silent, the huge office suddenly fell into silence.

After a moment, Ron Miller, who understood the meaning of Steve Ross's words, asked in a deep voice: "Steve, do you mean to say that Roy Disney invited Ethan Jones to become his white suit?" A knight?"

Steve Ross did not answer this question.

He gave his solution directly, "I can help you find a white knight."

He smiled and said: "At this time, finding a white knight to save the situation is the best thing you should do. Just like Roy Disney..."

When this proposal appeared, the corner of Ron Miller's mouth suddenly twitched!

Because he understood that Steve Ross had already stretched out his fangs to him!

Although in normal business activities, when a company's management finds that its control is likely to be lost, the most common approach is to find a friendly company to protect itself.

but……

Is the white knight really a knight?

There is no such thing as charity in shopping malls!

In general business activities, after white knights pay to help the seeking company retain control, they will try every means to extract profits from the seeking company.

The best result would naturally be to sell shares to management shareholders at a premium, allowing the seekers to raise money and gain true control.

But this situation is too rare in business.

More often than not, they are improving the company's value by improving operations and directly grabbing profits by selling assets. In other words, they are directly splitting and reorganizing the target company and taking away the valuable assets they like in the target company. The new company is then sold to the original management.

If you put the white knight and the black knight together, there is actually no difference between them!

If I have to tell the difference...

That means the Black Knight came uninvited!

And the white knight was invited by the management themselves!

The former cannot communicate!

The latter is negotiable!

That's all!

But this is not the purpose of Ron Miller’s trip!

Because what he pursues has always been exclusive access to Disney!

In this case, what he needs to do is kill Roy Disney!

So, seeking a white knight?

That's impossible!

It is impossible for him to do such a thing that leads the wolf to reject the tiger!

"Steve, I can't accept this."

Ron Miller looked dark.

"Oh - then there is nothing we can do -"

Steve Ross shrugged and spread his hands.

Not only that, he also had a kind smile on his face.

"Ron, if that's the case, then you might want to seek help from others."

The casual look made Ron Miller's face tighten!

The shameless response sent Ron Miller to the ice!

At this moment, he already understood that Steve Ross, that son of a bitch, was going to give up on him!

Because they are no longer worth using by Disney!

In other words, Ron Miller's greatest value at the moment is to use his own flesh and blood to hold back Ethan Jones! Buy time for Warner and others!

but……

"Steve Ross!"

Ron Miller looked fierce.

He stared at the old man and said word by word: "You! Are! Dreaming!"

"You think we have no use value anymore, don't you?"

"So you decided to give up on us??"

"good--"

“We’ll wait and see!!”

"You beast!!!"

Note: ① 1 US dollar in 1979 is equal to 4.04 US dollars today. This ratio comes from data provided by the NFL. They calculate this number every year to see how much the advertising costs of that year are equivalent to today's dollars, in order to tell sponsors that their offer is not expensive. This number is definitely not accurate, but many sponsors agree. ② It is no exaggeration to sell three million units in three days. A good game can stimulate the crazy sales of consoles. In reality, Atari's consoles only sold more than 300,000 units in 1977 and 550,000 units in 1978. Taiwan, sold more than 600,000 units in 1979, but by 1980, the transplantation of "Space Invaders" allowed them to sell more than 2 million units, 3 million units in 1981, and 1982, "Pac-Man" The transplant brought their total sales to twelve million units, with more than six million units sold in a single year. In that era, excellent games could make console sales rise in a straight line. ③In reality, after taking back Disney, Roy Disney let his family fund start government business, using the contracting of Orlando's public utilities as an introduction, and began to earn government public utility funds. It may not seem like a big business, but the business of monopolizing alarm calls like Roy Disney's is very powerful. More importantly, in this kind of business, you don't have to worry about not being able to collect your money.