Lorenzo had to admit—he wasn't young anymore, and playing such a physically demanding game wasn't exactly practical for someone his age.
But most people hadn't come to see him show off gaming skills anyway. They were there partly to pay tribute to him, and partly to see what kind of game this was.
And the game definitely didn't disappoint.
Gamestar Electronic Entertainment had always been known for their innovation. They'd created countless new game genres over the years and had become an industry giant.
Once again, they were making waves in a brand-new field.
Beat Saber was simple in concept: just swing the two controllers to the rhythm of the music to slice through incoming blocks.
The controllers looked like glowing lightsabers.
There was no Star Wars in this world, but similar sci-fi films existed featuring laser swords, and people had a real fondness for that kind of aesthetic. That's why Takayuki had no hesitation in adapting the concept of Beat Saber for this world.
…
…
Because of that existing pop culture foundation, everyone in the audience was able to understand and get into the game right away.
"Phew... just a short session and I'm already tired," Lorenzo said, chuckling. "Anyone want to come up and give it a try? This old man isn't quite cut out for this type of game anymore—but I think some of you would be perfect for it."
"Me! Me! Me!"
Hands shot up from the crowd in eager response.
Some just wanted a chance to get close to Lorenzo—maybe even grab a photo with him. Of course, many were genuinely interested in the game too.
Quite a few of them had experience with rhythm games.
Takayuki had previously made a small rhythm-based game himself, though it didn't borrow any names from real-world rhythm games. It was more of an experiment for him at the time.
But rhythm games eventually carved out their own space in the market. Players who enjoyed them truly loved the pure fun of the genre.
This version of Beat Saber hit the sweet spot for those fans, and they were immediately intrigued.
"Alright then, you there—come on up."
In that moment, Lorenzo felt like he had returned to his youth.
Back in those early days, cutting-edge computer tech was just starting to bloom.
He and a few friends had once charged fearlessly into that uncharted market.
They didn't have money back then. Hosting events at department stores or local venues was common—they did it themselves to save on MC fees. Sometimes that saved cash was all they had for food that day.
Looking back on those turbulent years now brought a knowing smile to his face.
Lorenzo's lips curled upward in reminiscence.
The person he picked was a young man who looked stunned for a moment, then walked up to the stage, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Here, give it a try. Have you played any rhythm games before?"
"Of course!" the young man said, nodding hard. "I'm the best rhythm gamer in my area!"
"Oh? That's great!" Lorenzo replied. "Seems I picked the right person then. I'll leave the demonstration in your hands."
He handed the VR headset to the young man, who took it and put it on, ready to play.
Compared to the older Lorenzo, this young man clearly handled the game more skillfully.
He quickly picked up the controls and selected a track he was familiar with to start playing.
Dodging, slashing with the light blades—his movements were smooth and precise.
His sense of rhythm was strong, and by the end of the first song, he had already earned an A+ score.
And this was only his first try.
The energy in the crowd below surged.
"Alright everyone! If you're interested in buying the product, please come sign up and pay now! You'll receive this VR headset along with the bundled game. And some lucky buyers may even receive autographs from both Lorenzo and the creator of Beat Saber!"
A salesperson appeared in the crowd holding a registration clipboard.
He had picked the perfect moment.
People were already extremely interested in the product, and now was the time to convert that interest into purchases.
Even a single sale was a win.
The crowd visibly buzzed with excitement. Without much hesitation, some began signing the form and paying for the product—though they weren't in a rush to leave. They wanted to stay and see what else Lorenzo had to show.
From this VR headset, people seemed to be getting a glimpse of the future.
"Looks like it's going well," Takayuki murmured quietly in the crowd. At the very least, everyone here seemed receptive to the VR product—despite its high price.
Of course, the attendees today had mostly been pre-screened and had an 80-90% chance of being actual buyers.
Even those who hadn't planned to purchase might be swayed by the lively atmosphere.
"Please don't wait too long!" the salesperson called out again, right on cue. "Our supply is limited. If you hesitate now and miss out, all we can say is—better luck next time!"
Several people rushed over to sign and pay immediately, not hesitating at all.
Watching this, Takayuki grew more confident that this world was, indeed, open to VR. Even though it was still a difficult field—one that required real capital—it wasn't hopeless. It was safe to dip a toe in.
Maybe it was time to consider developing Half-Life: Alyx.
Takayuki had already decided earlier: if even Lorenzo's personal appearance couldn't generate enthusiasm for the VR product, he'd put off VR development for now—at least until the technology tree reached a level comparable to his original world's 2022 standards.
But now, there was no more hesitation.
Once he returned, he'd instruct Airi Sazawa to accelerate her VR research.
With Morgan Group's tech backing them, Airi and her team should be able to produce a VR product that aligned with his vision much more quickly.