Chapter 454: You're using all my words! |
Shen Miaomiao's smile was quite beautiful.
Her large eyes curved into crescent moons, sparkling with a crystalline light, the corners of her small lips lifting to reveal shallow dimples on her cheeks, sweet and adorable.
But at this moment!
In Betang's view, this smile was so dangerous and terrifying!
"You... Ms. Shen,"
Betang's face immediately darkened:
"Such irresponsible speculation shouldn't come from someone in your position as a leader!"
This troublemaker was trying to throw mud at their CloudPower!
Damn!
He never expected this!
Having hunted eagles all his life, only to have an eagle peck his eye!
The deeper meaning behind Shen Miaomiao's earlier words was painfully obvious to Betang, CloudPower's second-in-command who was well-versed in public opinion manipulation!
Golden Wind was going to use this opportunity to launch a dual counterattack against them!
Not only would they implement technical blockades in engine technology against them.
In public opinion, they would also strike first, promoting the "Vivendi threat" narrative!
Damn it!
Betang was grinding his teeth in frustration.
Isn't this our tactic?
How did Golden Wind suddenly become the imperial power in the blink of an eye?!
Betang felt somewhat panicked.
Because Golden Wind's public opinion warfare was famously formidable in the industry.
Back during their confrontation with XunTeng, this very Shen Miaomiao standing before him had made their opponents suffer greatly, eventually beating XunTeng into submission.
And after they joined forces with Yiyou and XunTeng, their combat power reached its peak.
How many marketing and public opinion battles had Komera fought with them?
Except for matches Golden Wind had no intention of participating in.
In their encounters with Komera, the Eastern hegemon, Golden Wind had maintained a perfect record of total victories!
Under their "both lawful and unlawful" style of play, even the massive Komera couldn't find an opportunity to fight back!
"Words carry responsibility, especially for companies like yours with special international influence,"
Betang's eyes were unfriendly, radiating strong threat:
"Baseless speculation without evidence could lead to unnecessary reputation rights disputes."
I'm warning you not to speak recklessly! I'll sue you for defamation!
Betang's threat clearly lacked conviction.
And Shen Miaomiao was even more brazen, showing a Leonardo DiCaprio-style mocking expression—
"Wow~"
"That serious, huh? Then Mr. Betang, you'll be quite busy, because I also heard this news from others—they have—
SNG Express—
《Counter-Blockade! Phoenix Announces Engine Blockade Against CloudPower, Komera, and Two Other Game Companies Under Vivendi This Morning!》
Hummingbird Games Daily—
《Phoenix Confirms CloudPower Previously Approached Them for Engine Cooperation! CloudPower Planning to Dump Old Flame for New Love?》
Player Campfire Forum—
《Cooperate with Caution! Illusion Engine Was Just Used to Blockade GW, Then Immediately Discarded by CloudPower After Blockade Failed!》
SLGamers Forum—
《First Time Facing Blockade! Detailed Account of CloudPower's Hegemonic Actions in Gaming Circles Over the Years!》
China Finance Weekly—
《Gaming Giant Seeks Continued Dominance in Core Technology Fields? Beware of Capital Forces' Monopolistic Ambitions!》
Atlantic Financial Weekly—
《Engine Industry Leader Suffers Cold Shoulder, Weekly Stock Plunge Over 35%, Earnings Report Can't Hide Decline》
(......
"This really is 'when one suffers misfortune, eight directions offer praise'..."
Monday.
32nd floor of the International Data Corporation (IDC) office building, Chief Department Head Office of Public Affairs Division.
Jimmy Lawrence, having finished his morning meeting, was stealing some leisure time during work.
As soon as he opened his phone, news from various social media apps came flooding in.
The various notifications were practically overwhelming his phone.
And Lawrence became an amused spectator, laughing while browsing.
Although he had already heard quite a bit about CloudPower being blocked by Phoenix last week.
At that time, discussions about this matter were still at the rumor stage, not yet confirmed by many mainstream media outlets.
Until today.
As the new week began, related news exploded simultaneously.
Without doubt, someone was definitely stirring the waters behind the scenes, organizing and planning this.
Suddenly, the entire CloudPower, even Vivendi, was thrown into complete chaos.
Although CloudPower was the first to respond when the news broke, stating that their approach to Phoenix for cooperation was "based on consideration of technical requirements for individual projects," not "as rumored externally."
What's subtle is—
Illusion Engine didn't issue any response regarding this matter.
"This is fucking interesting..."
Amused spectator Lawrence enjoyed watching the drama unfold.
His professional sensitivity to information made him clearly perceive Illusion Engine's ambiguous attitude.
It had a humorous feeling reminiscent of when one celebrity in a rumored couple desperately clarifies cheating allegations while the other remains silent, implicitly confirming the leak's authenticity.
And just then,
Ding-ding-dong-dong—Ding-ding-dong-dong—
The voice call ringtone sounded, temporarily interrupting Lawrence's drama-watching.
"Hey, Brown, good morning, you slacking off this early too?"
Lawrence answered the phone, took a sip of hot coffee, and greeted the other end with great interest.
Indeed!
The caller was none other than UBM Joint Development Division Head—Will Brown.
"What the......"
Hearing Lawrence's relaxed and cheerful tone, Brown on the other end was speechless:
"How can you still laugh so casually? Buddy?"
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Lawrence put down his coffee cup and shrugged:
"Why shouldn't I laugh? Is the sky falling?"
"No, but almost,"
Brown's voice on the other end sounded somewhat worried:
"Haven't you seen the news? CloudPower's negative reports are everywhere!"
"Um..."
Lawrence paused here:
"Actually, I'm watching them right now."
Hearing this, Brown was even more shocked: "And you can still laugh?!"
"Why not?"
Lawrence spread his hands and retorted:
"The world's largest comprehensive gaming group! The top general under Vivendi, who holds half the global gaming world! Actually got blocked and sanctioned! Isn't this news exciting enough?"
Enough.
Brown found it hard to deny Lawrence's words.
This is more than just exciting.
With various news spreading like wildfire, the gaming world was practically in chaos.
But the problem is—!
"Big bro... is there such a possibility,"
Brown took a deep breath, reminding this disconnected slacking amusement-seeker:
"That CloudPower is our main invited guest for this GDC?"
Our GDC, co-hosted by our two companies, is starting next month!
And now CloudPower is caught in this storm center!
Amidst the public condemnation, CloudPower is practically becoming the gaming world's public enemy!
How can we still proceed with this?
Exactly!
Traditionally, at GDC's exchange conferences, the organizers designate one manufacturer as the main invited guest.
As the main invited guest, the invited manufacturer representative not only gives the final keynote presentation on the first day but also serves as the host, managing the entire first day's proceedings at GDC.
Given this importance.
Typically, the main invited guest is selected from manufacturers with top-tier qualifications, scale, achievements, influence, and attention globally.
Like FoxForce last year, Aurora Games the year before, and Komera three years ago, etc.
And this year, according to their original plan, this main invited guest should have been CloudPower.
After all, with Komera also merged into Vivendi, current Vivendi truly holds sway over clouds in the gaming world, with earth-shaking momentum.
And CloudPower, as Vivendi's number one fighter and also the industry's default Vivendi representative, whether in scale, qualifications, influence, or topicality, fully deserves the main invited guest position.
Moreover, this wasn't their first time serving as GDC's main invited guest, so theoretically, CloudPower was definitely a safe choice for GDC.
"...But given their current situation... this..."
At this point, Brown heaved a heavy sigh, quite helpless, even somewhat annoyed:
"Would it be inappropriate to still invite them as main guests...?"
"Inappropriate?"
Before Brown could finish, Lawrence pursed his lips:
"That's more than just inappropriate! That's completely inappropriate!"
"You need to understand, we're GDC! The world-class non-stick pan exchange conference! How could we invite such a controversial manufacturer as our main guest? Brown, we've been organizing this event together for so many years, how the fuck could such a question come out of your mouth?"
Brown: ???
What the fuck are you talking about?
What the hell is he saying?
Too many points to mock, directly overloading Brown's CPU.
He didn't even know where to begin mocking for a moment.
"Huh?"
After holding back for a long time!
Brown ultimately only managed a single syllable, expressing his confusion.
What?!
How did this bastard turn the tables?
Wasn't I the one asking questions?
I was saying CloudPower's reputation is bad now! I was saying CloudPower isn't suitable to be main guests anymore! I was saying CloudPower's scandal would bring controversy to our GDC!
Everything you said, those were my lines!
"S000000000——?"
Facing Lawrence's seemingly reasonable sophistry, Brown was practically rolling his eyes to the sky:
"My meaning is! Since CloudPower is no longer suitable as our main invited guest! Then! Who should we find at this critical moment to answer the call in crisis and become our main invited guest?!"
"Find..."
As soon as these words were spoken!
A moment of contemplation could be heard in the voice call from Lawrence.
Finally tentatively, he opened his mouth:
"Golden Wind? What do you think?"
Silence.
Long silence.
A full half minute!
Only then did Lawrence hear Brown's voice from the phone, after hesitating several times, finally speaking hesitantly:
"You fvking kidding me?"