The United States Entertainment Software Classification Review Committee, abbreviated as ESRB, began its preparations. This time, there was no room for idle chatter. They were operating with full transparency, and their audit standards closely resembled those of the movie industry. The key difference was their strict scrutiny of shooting games.
These standards might seem excessively strict in other countries, but in the United States, where firearms are prevalent, such rigidity was deemed necessary. The country was already awash with old and beautiful guns, with an average of one firearm for every two people.
It's important to note that owning a firearm is one thing, but actually needing it is another matter. In major cities, firearms are not a necessity; in fact, they can be quite troublesome. Losing a gun could lead to significant complications.
For those who lack the necessary skills, it's better not to engage with firearms. The chances of accidentally injuring oneself are close to 100%. These weapons are more suited for suburban areas, but even there, such incidents are rare.
You might argue that shooting games are highly profitable. Well, money isn't everything. The stricter auditing standards ensure that if you get into trouble, the review committee won't take responsibility.
ESRB operated efficiently and even sought public input. If the public expressed dissatisfaction with certain terms, ESRB would make corresponding adjustments.
The sheer number of committees in the United States overseeing various industries is notable. These committees typically function on a voluntary basis without strong legal enforcement. Industry giants tend to ignore them unless they're faced with legal mandates.
In contrast to ESRB, one such committee, the Comics Code Authority (CCA), had become a laughingstock. It had no substantial standards, and even prominent figures like Stan Lee found fault with its amateurish approach.
William White had long been dissatisfied with CCA. He believed that professional matters should be left to professionals, and the priests at CCA had proven inadequate in managing the comic industry.
With the situation resolved, orders for arcade machines began to soar. The Legendary World's six games had gained widespread recognition during this period.
The footbath industry was disappointed, but they hoped that the DuPont Consortium would continue causing trouble. The Legendary World was too strong, and this incident had reduced their bargaining power.
William White, on the other hand, wasn't perturbed. The magnitude of this incident made staying low-key nearly impossible.
The situation also led to long-term reflections. It was evident that wealth was shifting, and not everyone was living comfortably. Meanwhile, William White was amassing a significant fortune, oblivious to the struggles faced by others.
A battle with no clear winner left everyone feeling awkward, and the numerous flaws in the United States' system were exposed once again.
Indeed, the major consortia were a headache. Beyond that, there was dissatisfaction among many non-consortium forces, and even among the consortia, there were disagreements.
"Dad, they say I'm outrageous, but William White is even more audacious than me."
Listening to his son's complaints, Old Bushu remained unfazed. He knew his son still had much growing up to do. People were willing to let the DuPont Consortium off the hook, but trying the same with someone else might not yield the same result.
"Is that so? I don't find his behavior abnormal."
"Alright, but isn't he outrageous?"
"Hmm, but he's rational. While it may not matter much, no one really wants to confront him head-on. Didn't he ultimately give in? Even those lurking in the shadows helped him find a way out. How can you say he's chaotic? He's actually quite disciplined."
Old Bushu saw through it all. Youth was this guy's capital, and others were genuinely afraid of him. It wasn't a joke.
In this situation, several old figures couldn't help but feel a bit apologetic. This was just a simple trial.
Well, they had succeeded.
In their view, William White was a madman. The issue wasn't that big; did he really need to go this far?
"Boss, the security report just came in. Some unidentified individuals were spotted near the villa, and their appearance is highly suspicious."
"What? How many people and what are their intentions?"
"I don't know. The person responsible for the young master's safety also reported this and has dispatched personnel to track the suspicious individuals."
"Damn it, they're going too far."
The old man was fuming, but he didn't realize that his tone was quivering.
If they could approach his family discreetly, how could they be detected when they left? This was a blatant warning from the United States.
Everything he learned later sent shivers down his spine because his men reported mortar traces around the villa. They arrived too late; the other party had already disappeared.
Damn it, did we have such deep-seated enmity?
Huh, you can't intimidate your spoiled son. Don't blame me for making a fuss. Annual profits of at least $100 million might reach $200 million in the future.
Is your life worth so much money?
The old man was thoroughly frightened, but he never expected death to be so close. Given the circumstances, people were preparing for panic.
As for the consequences?
You're all dead. Do consequences even matter? Even if they are severe, what difference does it make?
William White's audacity had truly angered many. However, the bottom line was simple—it's your problem!
Don't assume that the consortia haven't resorted to similar tactics. The DuPont Consortium had indeed done so. They had not only sabotaged other people's factories but also targeted their villas.
But big brother, what era are we in now? How can you still play like this?
The reason was straightforward. The battle between consortia followed certain rules, and they weren't so strict with each other. Since there were no rules from others, why should they follow any?
Many were frightened. They began to reflect on themselves. William White's fierce reaction had thrown them off balance. Rather than worrying about others' right or wrong, they needed to assess their own actions.
Everyone was content with making $100-200 million in profits annually. Yet, you wanted to stir things up openly and rob them of their profits. This was a recipe for endless conflict.
The existence of these consortia was no coincidence or luck. They had survived through failures and found their own paths. Years of tranquility had led them to take their privileges for granted.
There's only one scion left in the White family. Are you really trying to squeeze others like soft persimmons?
Even a single scion is the hope of a family. Other backgrounds may not be inferior to yours. Don't think that success is merely a product of luck. Without financial resources and manpower, rapid growth like that is impossible.