The gaming world was in an uproar, but the world's gears didn't grind to a halt because of it.
The heat from the CES Exhibition had barely dissipated when Universal Pictures, a pack of shark-like opportunists, eagerly latched onto the tidal wave raised by Sega. Seizing the momentum, they kicked off the summer blockbuster campaign for *John Wick*.
Inside Universal Pictures' producer's office, cigar smoke curled lazily through the air.
"Tom, the buzz you generated at CES is even louder than the hype from our expensive trailer campaign," Ron Meyer, a Universal executive, said over the phone, his voice tinged with astonishment and a hint of smug satisfaction. He glanced at the freshly printed public sentiment report on his desk, noting how the popularity of "John Wick" gameplay trailers had, at one point, even surpassed that of *The King of Fighters*, which had been released simultaneously.
"Ron, I told you following Takuya's plan was the right move," Tom Kalinske boomed over the phone, his voice brimming with self-satisfaction. "Now do you believe me?"
"Alright, I believe you now! I'm damn near ready to go light a candle for your Mr. Nakayama at church!" Ron Meyer growled with a laugh, then his tone turned serious. "We've decided to fully accelerate the promotional plan. The first teaser trailer will drop next week, directly preceding the hottest films in theaters."
"So soon?"
"It's perfect timing. This ensures maximum impact while saving on promotion costs." Ron tapped his fingers on the table.
When selecting the male lead for this film, Universal Pictures had gone through an arduous process.
At that time, Hollywood action films were still stuck in the mold of *Terminator 2*—hard-boiled, macho clashes dominated by muscles, heavy firepower, and explosions.
Many were skeptical of Takuya Nakayama's proposed combat style, which combined tactical shooting with close-quarters combat, emphasizing efficiency and agility over brute force.
"We need a killer—a man who's seen a hundred battles, whose very gaze exudes exhaustion and danger," Takuya Nakayama had written in his proposal to Universal Pictures. "Not a super hero fresh from the gym, capable of killing a bull with a single punch."
He even suggested that Universal consult John Woo, who was already considering making his mark in Hollywood.
After hearing Universal's requirements for the action style, Woo immediately recommended his old Hong Kong collaborator, Kuo Chen-feng, who had trained under Chang Cheh.
"To capture that crisp, swift, and ruthless feel, you need him."
The selection of the male lead proved even more convoluted.
After a round of public auditions, the casting director submitted the final list.
"Liam Neeson?" Ron Meyer frowned as he read the name. "He's done plenty of dramatic roles, but action... is he up to it?"
"His eyes were perfect," the casting director explained. "We had him perform a scene without dialogue—just sitting and polishing a gun. That quiet, weathered quality he exuded perfectly matched our vision for the protagonist."
"What about the others? What about that guy who played the FBI agent in *Ultimate Justice* last year? I heard he's been really hot lately."
The casting director's face twisted into a peculiar expression. After a long pause, he said, "Keanu Reeves? Ron, he was filming a magazine cover shoot in the next studio on the day of our audition. I saw him—him, with his pretty-boy looks, seems more likely to say 'Whoa' to an enemy than blow their head off."
This snarky remark ultimately solidified Ron Meyer's decision.
As it turned out, this choice proved to be brilliantly correct.
When the first teaser poster was released, the entire North American film industry took notice.
The poster was strikingly simple.
Against a dimly lit background, a man in a black suit stood alone.
Though his face was marred by injuries, his eyes were sharp as blades. He gripped a pistol, its muzzle trailing faint wisps of smoke.
The man was Liam Neeson.
There were no explosions, no speeding cars—only a single, attention-grabbing tagline:
"Don't set him off."
This menacing poster created a striking contrast with the frenzied, boisterous atmosphere of the *John Wick* game booth at the CES Exhibition, creating a powerful and intriguing chemical reaction.
A question began to take root in the minds of all players and movie fans:
What could possibly drive a man like that to such extremes?
Once Universal Pictures' marketing machine kicked into gear, the results were immediate.
The first to be ignited were the players who had experienced *John Wick* firsthand at the CES Exhibition or caught a glimpse of its iceberg tip through game magazine reports.
On an ordinary weekend afternoon, the dormitories of the University of Southern California buzzed with the rhythmic clatter of keyboards and mouse clicks.
"Hey, Mike, quit playing that crappy *Hunter* and check this out!" Jesse, a young man, slapped a fresh copy of *Electronic Gaming Monthly* onto his roommate's desk.
Mike, a blonde guy, didn't even look up. "Can it even match *Hunter*'s gameplay freedom?"
"It's way cooler than that!" Jesse flipped the magazine to the middle section, where full-color screenshots of *John Wick* were accompanied by detailed diagrams explaining the Quick Time Event system. "Look at this—Gun Fu! Parry a shot, redirect the force, and finish with a headshot!"
Mike finally glanced over, his interest piqued. "Sounds good, but how's it actually play?"
"How's it play?" Jesse shot up, grabbing a banana from the table and mimicking the magazine's poses. "Imagine an enemy lunging at you from the side. A B key flashes on the screen. You press it—*bang*! The protagonist smashes the enemy's face with his elbow, then jams the gun under his chin—*click*! Finished! Clean and efficient!"
As he spoke, he seriously pressed the banana against his own chin, adding sound effects.
Mike burst into laughter at his ridiculous antics. "You look like a monkey trying to commit suicide."
Despite the laughter, he leaned in closer to scrutinize the magazine article.
Similar scenes were unfolding simultaneously in countless gaming hubs across the United States.
Soon, this craze spread from the gaming community to capture the attention of the broader public.
Leading publications like *Electronic Gaming Monthly* showered the game with effusive praise.
"We were fortunate enough to experience the arcade prototype of *John Wick* at the CES exhibition. It's safe to say this isn't just a light gun game; it defines an entirely new genre of action gaming. The adrenaline-pumping thrill of watching your character fluidly execute a close-quarters combat disarm and counter-kill is unlike anything traditional shooting games can offer."
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 30+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon