(3rd Person POV)
In the days following the introduction of Hell'a Fun! to the business guests, the arcade officially opened its doors to the public in Hellscape Center.
Initially, curious individuals ventured into the expanded arcade section, and it didn't take long for them to discover the sheer joy and entertainment it offered.
Within a mere two days, foot traffic at Hell'a Fun! had skyrocketed, with the old arcade section in Hellscape Center experiencing a noticeable decline as people gravitated towards the new, exciting attraction.
The allure of the potential rewards played a significant role in drawing the crowds. Rare prizes such as the "Good Guy Dolls," meticulously crafted with fake organs and blood to mirror their movie counterparts, and the iconic "One Ring" from the Lord of the Rings film, added to the arcade's appeal. The famous yellow tracksuit worn by actor Bruce Lee also featured among the sought-after items.
But perhaps the most coveted prize was the "Legendary Ticket," obtainable for a staggering 300,000 ticket points. The lucky winner of this ticket would be granted the opportunity to meet Hellfire's esteemed actors and popular artists, including Selina Taylor, Jackie Chan, Firfel, Shafel, Rocky, Clint Foster, James Blaze, and Frederick.
The prospect of rubbing shoulders with these celebrated figures fueled people's motivation to play and collect tickets.
Fans of Hellfire's talented roster flocked to the arcade, eager to seize their chance at this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Word of Hell'a Fun!'s unique offerings spread like wildfire, with no need for overt marketing from Hellfire. The arcade's reputation grew through the power of word-of-mouth, as excited patrons shared their experiences with friends and family.
In a local high school, a young elf-demon couldn't contain his enthusiasm as he addressed his group of friends. "Guys, have you heard about the new arcade at Hellscape Center?"
His curious friend tilted his head, intrigued. "New arcade? What's so special about it?"
The others leaned in, eager to learn more. An imp demon chimed in, "Oh, are you talking about Hell'a Fun?"
The elf-demon nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "That's the one! I heard that by playing there, we can actually win rewards."
His friends' eyes lit up with curiousity. "Really? That sounds interesting!"
The imp demon, already familiar with the arcade, suggested, "I've heard about it too. Why don't we check it out after school? What do you say?"
The group unanimously agreed, their curiosity piqued and their anticipation building.
As they stepped into Hell'a Fun! after their classes, the friends were immediately struck by the vibrant, joyful atmosphere that permeated the arcade.
"Wow, it's so lively in here!"
"I've never seen an arcade this packed before."
Every corner of the arcade buzzed with activity. A group of friends huddled around the basketball shooting game, cheering each other on.
Crowds gathered near the claw machines, eyes fixed on the prizes, hoping to snag a coveted stuffed toy. The dance machine attracted its own share of enthusiasts, their feet moving in sync with the flashing lights and pulsing beats.
But it was the video game section that truly captivated the friends' attention. They watched in awe as players engaged in head-to-head battles on the Tetris machines.
"Wait, are they actually playing against each other in Tetris?" one of them gasped.
A nearby patron overheard their amazement and eagerly explained, "You guys don't know? These are the latest arcade video games here. They have a '1v1' option." He continued, "If two players insert tokens simultaneously into two arcade machines and select the same option, they can directly challenge each other."
The friends soon discovered that the competitive multiplayer feature extended beyond Tetris. Games like "Mortal Kombat," a brutally entertaining 2D pixelated fighting game, allowed players to go head-to-head in intense battles.
It became clear why the video game section of Hell'a Fun! had become such a popular attraction, drawing in crowds eager to test their skills against fellow gamers.
***
As the days went by, the business guests who had expressed interest in opening their own Hell'a Fun! franchises quietly observed the arcade section, taking note of its growing success. It became increasingly apparent that the profits generated by Hell'a Fun! were quite substantial, with countless customers, primarily kids and young adults, eagerly exchanging their money for the seemingly worthless Hellfire Tokens.
Among the business guests, Yamauchi found himself frequently visiting the arcade, captivated by the vibrant and lively energy that permeated the space. The cacophony of sounds - the pulsing beats from the dance machines, the cheers and laughter from the basketball shooting games - created an atmosphere of pure joy and excitement. Yamauchi couldn't help but marvel at the players' enthusiasm and their willingness to spend money on the various forms of entertainment.
Intrigued, Yamauchi decided to try his hand at the basketball shooting game. He found himself engrossed, shooting hoops until the "game over" message flashed on the screen at level 3. His efforts earned him a respectable 75 ticket points. Over the course of several visits, Yamauchi managed to accumulate an impressive 572 ticket points.
Approaching the counter, Yamauchi couldn't help but notice the crowd of people eagerly exchanging their hard-earned ticket points for an array of rewards. The excitement in their voices was palpable as they discussed their choices.
"I've always wondered about the taste of this special Hell flavor from Coke. Now I finally have enough tickets to exchange for it!" one enthusiastic customer exclaimed.
Another pondered aloud, "Should I save up for more points? There's this one item I really want..."
Yamauchi overheard some patrons inquiring about the possibility of combining paper slips containing their ticket points. The cashier informed them that the points could indeed be combined and would remain valid for six months. This revelation seemed to motivate several players to save their tickets, aiming for the bigger, more coveted rewards.
"I've got my eye on that 'Legendary Ticket,'" a determined demon shared. "I wonder if it's actually possible to get it."
"Keep playing those arcade machines that give out ticket rewards, and you'll get there eventually," another patron advised. "Just keep in mind that the video game arcades don't give out tickets, even though they're the most popular for their entertainment value."
As Yamauchi collected his chosen item, a simple Hellfire Coke cup, from the cashier, he couldn't help but reflect on the potential of this business model. "I came here primarily to discuss a video game partnership with Hellfire," he muttered to himself, a smile playing on his lips. "But this arcade concept... it's fresh, innovative, and would undoubtedly be a hit back home in Japon."
***
Since the release of the H.E.S gaming console, arcades throughout Horn Kingdom had experienced a decline in popularity, leading to a reduction in foot traffic at the Hellscape locations.
This shift had initially worked in favor of Fantasia Plaza, allowing the competing mall to regain its position in the market.
General Manager Delvin had been quite pleased with this development, believing that Hellscape's decline would continue, solidifying Fantasia Plaza's spot as the kingdom's premier mall.
However, his satisfaction was short-lived as he began to notice a significant decline in Fantasia Plaza's own performance once more.
Perplexed, Delvin sought answers during a mall management meeting. It was then that he was informed by an employee about the new arcade section at Hellscape.
"I thought arcades were already on the decline," Delvin remarked, frowning. "What in the nine hells is happening to make them popular again?"
"Boss, it appears that Hellfire's newly opened arcade franchise, Hell'a Fun!, is the reason," someone explained. "Many of our casino customers have suddenly shifted their attention there."
"Hell'a Fun?" Delvin's frown deepened. "An arcade with its own brand name now, huh? Well, go on and tell me more about it."
The others exchanged glances before proceeding to inform Delvin about the attractive features and offerings that made Hell'a Fun! so appealing to the public.
One demon spoke up, "I heard that Hell'a Fun! is a franchise opportunity. Why don't we reach out to Hellfire and inquire about opening a location in our mall?"
Delvin raised an eyebrow at the suggestion, but ultimately shook his head. "The decision isn't entirely up to us. Currently, Fantasia Plaza lacks the necessary space, and our parent company, Westfield, would need to approve the addition of a Hell'a Fun! location."
Westfield, a U.S.E-based company, was known for its cautious approach to partnerships, especially with demon-led enterprises like Hellfire.
Delvin and his team understood that securing their approval for a Hell'a Fun! franchise within Fantasia Plaza would be an uphill battle.