The Butterfly's Wings

The new commissioner, whose surname is Nishida, always has a professional smile on his face, which is completely different from Kazuo Okada's domineering attitude. He doesn't slam the table, nor yells loudly. He always speaks politely, which makes people feel more depressed.

"Mr. Kojima, your idea is very creative and very... well, individual." Nishida would take a sip of tea and speak slowly, "However, from a market perspective, can we consider a more... popular solution? After all, players' tastes need to be guided, but they also need to be catered to, haha."

He never directly denies it, but uses a series of "could it be better..." and "would it be better..." to break down your design. Sometimes, he will hold several so-called "player research reports", and the data and conclusions on them are always clever. They pointed to "simplification" and "popularization". Hideo Kojima doubted the source of these reports, but Nishida just smiled, "Nintendo has the broadest player base, so we naturally have the most authoritative data."

The development progress of <Metal Gear> was slowed down little by little due to this invisible pull. The team members gradually discovered that Kojima was more silent than before, and his brows were always furrowed. Sometimes, for a detail, Kojima would communicate repeatedly with Nishida. Nishida never got angry, but just used his "market theory" and "player habit theory" to grind slowly until Kojima was exhausted.

"Kojima, is this stealth part too demanding on your patience?" Nishida would pretend to mention it casually, "Look at the best-selling games on FC, which one is not fast-paced and easy to play?"

Kojima tried to explain the differences between the characteristics of the MSX2 platform and the target user group. Nishida listened, nodded, and then said, "I understand your pursuit, Mr. Kojima. But we also have to consider the possibility of porting to FC. It is not a bad thing to make some preparations in advance." That tone seemed to be for the good of Kojima and the good of the project.

A few weeks later, Nishida once again "friendly" made a "little suggestion". This time it was for a key plot performance in <Metal Gear>, which involved the protagonist Snake's inner struggle when he learned that he had been betrayed. complex emotions. Nishida believes that this performance is "too obscure and does not conform to the mainstream players' habit of pursuing refreshing and directness." He suggested that it be modified into a simple gun battle, or that Snake make an impassioned declaration of revenge on the spot.

"Kojima, players just want to see heroes killing each other in the game, not... well, this kind of inner entanglement. It's too literary, and players may not buy it." Nishida tapped the plot description with the tip of his pen, smiling broadly.

This sentence became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Hideo Kojima felt a rush of blood rushing to the top of his head. He looked at Nishida's face that always had a smile on it, and felt so hateful for the first time. Without saying a word, he picked up the script on the table that condensed his countless efforts and dreams, turned around and left. Nishida's slightly surprised voice came from behind. "Kojima-kun? Where are you going?"

He rushed straight to Kozuki Kagemasa's office, forgetting to knock on the door and pushed it open.

Kozuki Kagemasa was burying his head in a pile of documents. He was startled by the sudden intrusion. He looked up and saw Hideo Kojima's eyes were red and his chest was heaving violently.

"President!" Hideo Kojima's voice was trembling uncontrollably, but his eyes were like tempered steel, piercing straight towards Kozuki Kagemasa. He pressed the script hard on the large desk.

"<Metal Gear> This project must be developed completely in accordance with my ideas!" He said every word clearly.

"If you can't give me this creative freedom, if the company thinks that the "suggestions" of Commissioner Nintendo are more important than the efforts of the producer, then I can only leave Konami! I won't make this game!"

This is not a negotiation, but an ultimatum. A young creator bursts out with all his energy and final dignity in the gap between ideal and reality.

Kozuki Kagemasa looked at the young man with messy hair and flushed cheeks due to excitement. He was young, even a little immature, but his desperate persistence made Kozuki Kagemasa feel a little dazed. He remembered that when he was young, he seemed to have had such a moment. He picked up the script that was slapped on the table, and the cover was wrinkled because of the owner's tight grip. The air in the office, It froze in an instant. Kozuki Kagemasa's fingertips tapped lightly on the script, but he didn't speak immediately. He looked at Hideo Kojima with complex eyes, and he had mixed feelings in his heart. Nintendo's pressure, Yokoi Gunpei's unsmiling face, the company's performance, and the unmistakable light in this young man's eyes... All kinds of thoughts were tumbling in his mind.

He was silent for a moment, his tone calm but with unquestionable majesty.

"Kojima-kun, Konami has the system of Konami."

"The company cannot change its established policy for one person."

"If you can't adapt, then..."

The words were not finished yet, but the meaning was already clear.

Kozuki Kagemasa, this experienced businessman, chose the former without hesitation between the pressure from Nintendo and the pressure from his employees.

Abandon the car to save the handsome man.

Hideo Kojima's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

He was fired.

The painstaking <Metal Gear> MSX2 version project was also announced to be temporarily shelved.

Soon after, the project was handed off to another producer.

The new instruction is to completely clean up the plot concept of Hideo Kojima and rewrite a new story that is simple and straightforward and suitable for rapid porting to the FC platform.

The spark of genius seems vulnerable in the face of cold business rules.

The news spread quickly among the small circles of the industry like the wind.

The offices of Sega Headquarters, Takuya.

Masao Suzuki handed an encrypted piece of information to Takuya with a look of incredible surprise.

"Specialist, Konami over there...Hideo Kojima, is fired!"

Takuya was reviewing a report on the testing of several game demos on the new console. Hearing this, he suddenly raised his head.

His eyes suddenly burst into astonishing light.

Hideo Kojima!

This name, in the memory of his previous life, represents the legend and monument in the gaming world.

<Metal Gear>, <Death Stranding>... each of these thundering names are closely connected with this man.

Takuya took a deep breath and suppressed the ecstasy in his heart.

It's really hard to find anything without wearing iron shoes, and it takes no effort at all!

He originally just wanted to set a few small fires in Nintendo's backyard to create some chaos, but he didn't expect that such a big fish would be burned!

This is simply a gift personally delivered to your door by Nintendo!

"Suzuki-san."

Takuya's voice was calm, but with a hint of excitement that was barely noticeable.

"Immediately, immediately! Follow me to the Human Resources Department. Use all our available connections to contact Hideo Kojima secretly! Tell him that Sega welcomes him to join!"

"We promise to give him the highest degree of creative freedom! Allow him to form his own independent development team to specialize in the areas he is best at! Funding, technology, personnel, Sega fully support!"

Takuya's tone was decisive and full of unquestionable determination.

He knows that for an underappreciated genius like Hideo Kojima, money may not be the most important thing. Creative freedom and respect are what they desire most.

In a cafe near Tokyo Shinjuku Ward, Waseda University.

The frustrated Hideo Kojima was drinking coffee silently alone.

The blow of being fired from Konami made him feel confused about the future. He returned to his alma mater and was trying to contact some classmates to see if there were other jobs suitable for him.

At this moment, a figure sat down opposite him.

The person who came was none other than Masao Suzuki, and he brought the highest instructions and sincerity of Nakayama Takuya.

When Masao Suzuki placed the olive branch of Sega in front of Hideo Kojima, as well as the favorable conditions that promised a high degree of creative freedom.

Hideo Kojima's dim eyes regained a glimmer of light.

The disappointment with Konami and the disgust with Nintendo's domineering behavior turned into a desire for new opportunities at this moment.

Sega.

This company, which in his eyes was only a strong player in the arcade field, now showed surprising courage and vision.

Especially the name "Nakayama Takuya", he had heard about it.

That young man always seems to be able to produce some amazing works.

There was hardly much hesitation.

Hideo Kojima stretched out his hand.

"I agree to join Sega."

Although his voice was still a little hoarse, it contained a firmness that was reborn.

Masao Suzuki held his hand tightly, with a heartfelt smile on his face.

"Welcome, Kojima-san!"

"Believe me, this will be the most correct choice in your career!"