Chapter 22
Chapter 22 : Sponsor Game (5)
“Oh~ Phoenix Soft created Dragon Warrior . ”
“Yes . That’s right . They informed us that they’ll be implementing cartridge production starting next month, but since the company is a major player in the field of consoles, it’d be good for Mr . Shigeru to go there and personally observe the inspection process . ”
“That’s right, that’s right~ That way, we can released the 3rd edition to our Family, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stamp our faces there . Shige really thought this through . Well then, Kang-kun, have a great time there~”
President Yamauchi was grinning like a maniac after seeing all the royalties from the game developers pouring in each month . The business model for Mintendo’s stock had done a complete 180 flip recently . Mintendo switched every production line from toy manufacturing to family consoles to change the company image from a toy maker into a game company .
After the Family’s launch three years ago, the current Mintendo maintained about 30% of Japan’s economy . In other words, Mintendo was one of the three big players in the playground .
Additionally, there were a few instances that became not-too-funny because of the sheer size of its popularity; after new stocks were shipped, they would clear out within a week, which caused the Family to become a fairly rare item in small cities .
What the children wanted was the Family, but adults who didn’t know that often gifted the NEGA disk, which were easier to find, but resulted in the ensuing rage of kids . Consequently, NEGA suffered a massive headache due to the ever increasing number of returns .
It’s understandable, my parents were like that too when I was a kid . All games would look the same to adults .
I remember feeling a great deal of frustration and shock upon being gifted the NEGA Disk when I was young, and crying as a result . I had specifically told them to buy Mintendo’s Family back then, but my parents bought the domestic version of the NEGA Disk .
They must have paid for the expensive item expecting me to be happy, but I felt sorry now for only showing vexation and tears back then . I’m missing my parents now… I wonder if they’re doing well?
“I’ll leave and come back later . ”
I left the headquarter buildings after saying goodbye to President Yamauchi . I had to travel by subway because Phoenix was located in Tokyo and I was too tired to drive there myself, plus it usually took longer anyway, so I mostly used the subway .
Because of the flourishing competition in this period, many new startups located themselves in Tokyo . Thanks to that, I was taking a business trip of 2 days to reach the Tokyo headquarters .
It would be easier if Mintendo also moved their headquarters to Tokyo, but Mintendo was set up by President Yamauchi’s ancestors in 1889 and it was almost approaching the 100th anniversary .
Moving a company like this was impossible from the start…
As per usual, I boarded the subway and ate the packed lunch . After I finished eating, I stood up and looked for the rest area in the train aid digestion with a smoke . I don’t enjoy smoking, but I puff a cigar every once in awhile after a meal . Why do I want to smoke a cigar whenever I board the train?
Cell phones haven’t come out yet, so there was not much to do while sitting down, and I was already familiar with the story of the currently trending Dragon Ball so it wasn’t fun . New projects that debuted in the 1980s were not enough to interest me . But seeing their current company situation, I could understand the sentiment of putting the word “Final” in ‘Final Frontier’ that they would later release… ‘Final Frontier’ would go on to be a figurehead that would lead the era with its diverse graphics . I remember after playing ‘Final Frontier 7’, that was released in SenSony’s Playstation, my heart almost froze…
For everything, the “unique original’ possessed a miraculous effect . The first Family’s RPG game ‘Dragon Warrior’ was coined the game of the nation, and the sequel to it was already approaching cartridge production in the near future .
If the 1st game in the series was about a single brave warrior rescuing the prince, the following sequel would include a party system for friends to join each other on a journey to defeat the Demon King .
On top of that, the sequel was directly related to the original game, so the warriors that would fight against the Demon King were the grandsons and granddaughters of the original Dragon Warrior… Gamers that had enjoyed the 1st game immensely were eagerly anticipating the sequel .
If the current situation continued, even if they release ‘Final Frontier’, it would get swept
I could help them out right now, but now was not the right time . Not yet .
Should I phrase it as finally aiding them when they were at wits end? Just like how hitting rock bottom was the driving force for characters in comics .
Anyway, a ‘Sponsor Game’… To think I would be able to view information about the industry at a glance… This is very interesting, since what I needed now was not money, but human capital…
&
That evening I arrived at Phoenix company, and was directed by the employees to Dragon Warrior 2’s development department .
“Hello . I am Mintendo’s Kang Junhyuk . ”
“Ah~ Mr . Junhyuk!! Welcome~”
The atmosphere of Phoenix’s development team was vastly different from Fox Soft . The development was already finished and they were awaiting the Cartridge production which was just around the corner, so the office atmosphere was very calm .
“Thank you for personally coming here for the inspection . It looks like we’ll have fewer difficulties . ”
“Not at all . For cases like Dragon Warrior, President Yamauchi gave a quick approval for production, knowing this title brought additional traction for our Family console sales . ”
“We can feel the love Mintendo is showing towards our company, haha . ”
“Of course . We also have high expectations for the upcoming ‘Dragon Warrior 2’ . Customers would also line up to buy it this time around, right?”
“The release of the Legend of Karin was a sensation . I heard that the limited edition marketing was thought up by you, Mr . Kang Junhyuk . You’re accomplishments are incredible at such a young age . ”
“That’s an overstatement… Haha…”
How long are pleasantries going on for?! In the end, I could finally start the inspection after exchanging pleasantries with the development team for 10 minutes .
As the nostalgic theme tune and the Dragon Warrior logo appeared on the screen, I unconsciously drew a proud smile on my face .