Dance Dance Revolution

When Smith's breathtaking performance ended, the powerful music abruptly stopped, leaving only the soft hum of the equipment's cooling fans and the heavy breathing of the people. Smith leaped off the platform, his face beaming with extreme excitement, and flashed a victory sign towards the control room.

The young employees gathered in twos and threes, their cheeks flushed with excitement, gesturing wildly as they imitated one of Smith's signature moves, which drew good-natured laughter.

The air was filled with a joyful atmosphere, rising like the bubbles of champagne.

The executives then sat back down at the bar, their excitement slightly subsided, but the gleam in their eyes remained.

Mitsui Chuta picked up his almost untouched coffee, which was slightly cool to the touch. He took a small sip, his gaze sweeping over the excited faces of the crowd before finally settling on the arcade machine that had just quieted down but still seemed to radiate astonishing energy.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice trembling slightly, breaking the brief silence created by the lingering reminiscence, "Such a groundbreaking product—no, it should be called a work of art—needs a resounding name, a name that can define trends."

Director Yoshikawa nodded in deep agreement. At this moment, he was completely devoid of his usual imposing seriousness. He leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped together on the bar, like a child looking forward to a new toy.

"That's right, a name that's unforgettable, even memorable!"

Almost as if by telepathy, the entire bar area fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on the young man.

They were hoping that this young man, who had created a miracle, could provide another amazing answer.

Nakayama Takuya felt the weight of everyone's gazes, the expectation was immense, yet it also fueled his growing pride.

Then, he uttered a few words clearly and forcefully.

"I suggest we name this game 'DanceDancerRevolution'!"

<DanceDancerRevolution>!

When Nakayama Takuya pronounced these English words in clear Japanese, they didn't sound out of place at all; instead, they carried a wonderfully international and fashionable feel.

Sony Music President Shigeo Maruyama slapped his thigh almost reflexively, his eyes gleaming with an even more intense light than before.

"DanceDancerRevolution!"

He excitedly repeated it, even reading it several times in different tones, feeling more and more that the name was full of magic.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! This name is full of dynamism and youthful trendiness; it has an inherent appeal!"

He almost jumped for joy, his smile even brighter than when Smith had performed.

Listen to this, "Dancing Revolution"! It's practically a manifesto!

The other executives nodded in agreement, their faces showing satisfied smiles.

The name, <DanceDancerRevolution>, not only directly points out the core gameplay, but also carries a domineering aura of subverting tradition and leading a new trend. The name seems to have a life of its own, and it quickly took root in everyone's hearts.

With the name finalized, the atmosphere at the scene reached a new climax.

The conversation naturally turned to the subsequent content creation and marketing of this revolutionary game. This is the key to turning "art" into real money.

As the head of Sony Music, Shigeo Maruyama took the lead in expressing his opinion, his excitement evident in his voice, which was eight octaves higher than usual.

"Mr. Nakayama, Sony Music will provide the most comprehensive support for <DanceDancerRevolution>!"

He waved his arm forcefully, as if the scene before him was no longer a conference room, but a mountain of platinum records and a surging crowd. "All of our music library resources, including those upcoming hit singles, will be prioritized for DDR's use! We will also actively coordinate with our artists, whether top stars or promising newcomers, to participate in dance choreography and promotion!"

Nakayama Takuya wore a perfectly measured smile and nodded slightly. He was well aware of Sony Music's influence in the music industry and understood the significance of this support.

After Shigeo Maruyama's passionate speech came to an end, Nakayama Takuya slowly took over the conversation.

"Mr. Maruyama's strong support undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for DDR's success."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of deep thought.

"In terms of track selection, besides technically demanding and highly energetic professional dance tracks like <Bad>, which set a professional benchmark for DDR and attract core players, I believe we need to more precisely target niche markets, especially..."

His gaze shifted to Shigeo Maruyama, his expression one of complete confidence.

"Young female gamers."

Upon hearing this, several executives showed thoughtful expressions. The arcade market has always been a male-dominated field, especially for fighting games...

Shooting, racing—it's all about these. DDR's explosive performances and gameplay, at first glance, seem to appeal more to men who are passionate about street dance and pursue skill. Nakayama Takuya's suggestion undoubtedly opened a new window.

"We can incorporate songs and dances from currently popular girl idol groups."

Nakayama Takuya further elaborated on his ideas, his voice steady, his logic clear, and his delivery persuasive.

"The dances of these idol groups may not be as complex and varied in terms of professional skills as those of top dancers, but their advantage lies in their youthful beauty and charm. Their dance moves are easier to imitate and learn, and they are also closer to the aesthetic preferences of young girls. This can greatly lower the entry barrier, attracting them to participate actively, even for their favorite idols."

A knowing smile played at the corners of his lips.

"Once a certain number of female gamers are formed, their natural social skills will come into play, encouraging classmates and friends to join in. One girl starts playing, and it quickly becomes a group of girls. They will form a unique community culture, sharing high scores, discussing new songs, and even making plans to go to the game center together. Not to mention,"

He then changed the subject, a hint of barely perceptible mockery in his voice, "Wherever lovely girls are, boys' eyes and feet will follow. I think all of you seniors here understand this better than I do."

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm pond. The male executives present were initially taken aback, but then revealed knowing and somewhat subtle smiles.

Shigeo Maruyama's eyes lit up, and he almost immediately pictured the popular or highly-funded female idol groups under Sony Music.

"Mr. Nakayama is absolutely right! This idea is brilliant! It allows girls to easily enjoy the fun of dancing, and the market potential is enormous!"

Seeing this, Nakayama Takuya knew that his idea had been approved, so he went on to offer another brilliant plan.

"In addition, we can also consider IP collaborations, designing exclusive dance content for some popular IPs."

He paused briefly, observing the crowd's reactions.

"For example, we could design some slightly clumsy but adorable 'puppet dances' for characters like ' Pokémon,' which are very popular among young people, combining their theme songs and related music."

He even awkwardly swayed his body, mimicking the mascots from his memory, which elicited a burst of good-natured laughter.

"Imagine Mickey Mouse Donald Duck from Disneyland, or the mascots of professional sports leagues in North America. When they dance, although the moves are simple, their endearing clumsiness makes them even more popular."

These words struck like a bolt of lightning, shattering everyone's preconceived notions of thinking.

Before their eyes appeared adorable characters like Pikachu and Eevee, dancing a simple yet incredibly cute dance to cheerful music on the DDR stage.

The thought of that scene is hilarious, but it also reveals enormous commercial potential. If these characters' dances were included in DDR, the copyright holders of those characters would have to pay Sony a promotion fee.

Ken Kutaragi had a rare, upward curve at the corners of his mouth. Nakayama Takuya have in his head?

Mitsui Chuta stared intently at Nakayama Takuya; this young man's market insight and understanding of user psychology were simply phenomenal.