Compared to the bustling and technologically vibrant Hong Kong Island, the Mainland at that time was still in a critical stage of post-war recovery, yet the novelty of internet cafes had already quietly emerged in the hidden corners of major cities. Some sharp-witted residents in small counties even secretly opened internet cafes, trying to grab a piece of the pie in this emerging field. At that time, the Mainland did not yet have clear regulations for internet cafes, which frequently faced repeated inspections by relevant departments.
Consequently, most of these internet cafes were concealed within residential buildings in housing complexes; without an acquaintance to guide the way, outsiders would find it very difficult to locate these hidden spots. After Ma Huateng held the press conference, the news spread like a spring breeze to every corner of the city. Internet cafes of all sizes installed the two hit games, Chinese Paladin and Red Alert, at the very first opportunity.
In those internet cafes, compared to the screaming brats playing DOOM and Half-Life, another group consisted of older people quietly immersed in their own gaming worlds. The newly released Chinese Paladin, in particular, was immensely popular among the twenty-five to thirty age group. Middle-aged players operated the game with complete concentration, often surrounded by a circle of semi-grown kids.
Chapter 305