"So that lady is your daughter? We honestly didn't know that. She was just sharing her gaming experiences online. We don't have the ability to investigate anyone's personal background in detail."
The person speaking with Jean responded sincerely.
But Jean still wasn't convinced.
Yet, the change in his daughter was undeniably real.
He had seen with his own eyes how lazy she used to be.
If it were just about getting a decent job offer, he didn't believe that alone would be enough to motivate her so much.
But maybe fitness really did have this kind of effect.
Exercise isn't about wearing people down—on the contrary, moderate physical activity makes people feel more energized throughout the day.
...
...
At this point, Jean started to waver.
He began to admit, at least to himself, that Ring Fit Adventure might have some value.
Though, he still didn't think that value was especially great.
Earlier, the person on the phone mentioned that many people had been sharing their Ring Fit progress on social media, and that Jean's daughter was just one of the promotional ambassadors they had reached out to.
Social media?
Even though he was getting older, Jean was still very familiar with today's social platforms. As a sociologist, it was part of his job to stay current. He just didn't use them much in his personal life.
Now, he thought it was time to take a proper look.
He found a computer and logged onto Facebook, searching for content related to Ring Fit.
It wasn't hard—he just needed to type "Ring Fit" into the search bar.
Immediately, a flood of related posts filled his screen.
"Hey everyone, look at my Ring Fit progress! I finally cleared the game!"
One user shared a selfie of themselves standing in front of the TV, holding the Ring Fit ring, drenched in sweat and smiling brightly. Their game data was visible on the screen.
The comments were full of praise.
"Amazing! Looks like you finished the challenge. How did you do?"
"After a month, I feel so much stronger! I'm even starting to see some muscle!"
"This is Ring Fit? Looks fun! I'm going to buy one too!"
Jean scrolled through more posts.
Most of them were very similar—happy people sharing their progress and transformation bit by bit.
The comments were filled with sincere admiration. Many people expressed envy over the progress made by those who had stuck with the game.
Of course, not everyone kept it up. Even though Ring Fit was engaging, it still couldn't stop some people from giving up after a short burst of enthusiasm.
Still, even those who gave up early made a little progress during that time.
Jean's internal conflict grew stronger.
Maybe… this Ring Fit game really was different.
Beyond the personal stories, he also found professional reviews and analyses of the product—content he hadn't looked at before.
Experts from various fields analyzed Ring Fit from their own perspectives.
They pointed out how the game used only a leg strap and a resistance ring to guide players into full-body workouts. The design was widely praised. Many agreed that Gamestar had done something impressive in terms of industrial design.
Some people even admitted they were starting to question their past criticisms of video games.
Are video games really that bad?
Maybe not.
Some users shared their deeper thoughts on gaming.
They described how they viewed games, breaking down titles in detail.
Titanfall, The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy…
Each game had its own unique features.
These players could clearly explain what they liked and why. Not like the vague responses Jean had heard in the past—people simply saying games helped them "relax" or "escape reality." That kind of answer had always felt meaningless to him.
Then, Jean suddenly remembered the letter that came with the console and Ring Fit Adventure.
There had been other game recommendations listed.
He sat quietly in front of the computer for a long time.
Finally, as if making a decision, he stood up and headed out.
About thirty minutes later, Jean walked into a department store and went straight to the Gamestar Electronic Entertainment display shelf.
"Welcome, sir! How can I help you today? Buying something for your child?"
As soon as Jean stepped into the area, a store clerk wearing a Gamestar-branded uniform came over enthusiastically.
"No, I want to buy a few games for myself. Are you familiar with video games?"
The clerk lit up with pride. "Of course! I'm a total game nerd. If you're not sure where to start, I can recommend some titles."
"I'd like to hear what your favorite game is," Jean said.
"My favorite? That has to be Super Mario! I love fun and light-hearted games. But I also really like emotional story-driven games—they always make me cry, like Titanfall and Final Fantasy."
Jean nodded. "Great. I'll take all of them. I'm new to gaming, and I'd like to try everything."
"Absolutely, sir! Give me a moment to get everything packed up for you!"
The clerk was thrilled—this would be a great commission for the day.
As he packed, he eagerly kept talking, pouring out all his love for gaming, describing every detail with excitement.
"Trust me, sir—you won't regret playing these games. Even the toughest heart will be moved."
"Sir, Super Mario Galaxy is hands down the best Mario game I've played. The creativity just reminds me of my childhood adventures. Oh, do you already have a pair of Joy-Con controllers at home? If not, you'll need an extra set."
Jean said, "I have them already. No need."
"Okay, then I'll continue. Hope I'm not talking your ear off?"
Jean shook his head. "Not at all. Please go on. I enjoy listening."
At this point, Jean wanted to hear more people's honest opinions about games.