The Delayed Hook
Nakayama Takuya returned to his office, and before he could even settle into his chair, the phone on his desk rang urgently.
He picked up the receiver; it was Director Takahashi.
"Takuya, you're finally back!" The voice on the other end of the phone sounded urgent. "There's been a problem in United States."
The smile on Nakayama Takuya's face hadn't completely faded. He leaned back in his chair and casually asked, "What's wrong? What could have made Takahashi- san so anxious?"
Director Takahashi sighed on the other end of the line, "Steven Spielberg was saying he was going to make ' Hook ' last year, and what happened? Filming didn't officially start until February of this year! The efficiency of those Hollywood old men is simply infuriating!"
Takuya listened, his fingers unconsciously tapped on the table, and his heart skipped a beat.
What about our game?
"That's the problem!" Director Takahashi spoke even faster, "Those guys in the Arcade Division are all elites, their efficiency is frightening!"
To meet the deadline, they didn't even wait for System 32; they finished the game directly on System 16! Now, the game is in the final integration and testing phase.
Takuya frowned.
System16 is an old circuit board from several years ago.
System32, however, is Sega's trump card for dominating arcades this year.
When will Spielberg's movie be released?
"He said post-production will take until at least after summer vacation, and then there's scheduling to find a good date. I reckon it won't be until after Thanksgiving at the end of the year!" Director Takahashi's voice carried a sense of helplessness. "Takuya, do you understand what this means?"
Of course Takuya understands.
He could even picture the catastrophic scene.
At the end of the year, Metal Slug, developed based on the brand-new flagship System32, and Hook, developed based on the old System16, were simultaneously released in arcades. A comparison of the two games' graphics clearly showed the difference in quality.
Even with the huge IP of Spielberg and Hook, players aren't stupid.
This public, humiliating comparison will not only lead to sluggish arcade sales for Hook, but will also make people laugh at Sega for deliberately developing it for System 16 in order to clear out inventory.
This is a nightmare for the Marketing Department; the arcade owners' order volume will definitely be low.
"---. Hmm, wait a moment, I'll come over and explain in detail."
After saying that, Takuya hung up the phone and walked towards the Arcade Development Department.
Pushing open the door, Director Takahashi was indeed there. He was standing in the corner, his face ashen as he stared at a testing machine; his very presence was filled with rage.
Keep out of reach of strangers.
The head of the development team, a young man named "Ono," was pointing and gesturing animatedly at Hook was wielding a longsword on the screen.
The team members around him gasped in amazement, their faces showing a mixture of exhaustion and excitement at the impending success.
They were unaware that their proud achievement had become a ticking time bomb.
When Director Takahashi saw Takuya, it was like seeing a savior. He quickly pulled him to the fire escape and closed the door behind him, shutting out the noise inside.
"You saw it all?" Director Takahashi asked in a low voice. "They're still celebrating the achievements of System 16. I don't know how to tell them."
Nakayama Takuya's gaze passed over Takahashi's shoulder, landing on the group of oblivious heroes inside the door. He calmly said, "Takahashi- san, they are the elite, aren't they?"
"What good are elites! They've messed things up!"
"No," Takuya shook his head, "Their efficiency is too high, that's the root of the problem. It's not their fault."
Director Takahashi paused for a moment, then slumped against the wall, rubbing his temples in anguish. "What's the point of saying all this now? Am I supposed to go in and tell them, 'Everyone's worked so hard,' and then cancel the project?"
"Why cut it down?" Takuya countered.
Director Takahashi suddenly looked up. "Not cut it? Are we really going to wait until the end of the year, let it be released alongside System32's games, and be publicly executed?"
"Takahashi- san, you overlooked MD."
Nakayama Takuya's words were like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the fog in Director Takahashi's mind.
He paused, his mouth slightly open. "Damn it... you mean...?"
"That's right." Takuya nodded. "The development experience on System16 has been very mature for porting to MD. This version can be directly used for porting to the MD version."
"This..." Director Takahashi quickly considered the feasibility of the plan.
"Hmm—at least the efforts of the past six months haven't been in vain. What about the arcade machines? What will happen to them?" Director Takahashi pressed, hope rekindling in his eyes.
"Arcade games, of course we need to use our strongest weapons." Takuya shrugged. "Starting today, the arcade team is starting from scratch. Based on the current version, use System32 to create an even more gorgeous and stunning Hook! Spielberg was going to drag it out until the end of the year, right? Perfect, he's given us plenty of time."
Director Takahashi's brow relaxed, but soon, a new worry arose. "But—the development team—they just finished their sprint, and now to move the finish line back and have them run it all over again, their morale will collapse!"
"Morale?" A slight smile played on Nakayama Takuya's lips. "Takahashi- san, what do you think about telling them that after completing this project, the entire development team will travel to the United States at their own expense to attend the world premiere of ' Hook,' and maybe even take a picture with Mr. Spielberg —what do you think?"
"..."
Director Takahashi's eyes lit up, and he slammed his right fist into his left palm. "That's right, that's a good idea."
Takuya added, "This can be offered as a perk for similar projects in the future."
Director Takahashi nodded, took a deep breath, pushed open the fire escape door, and walked in one after the other with Nakayama Takuya.
"Ahem!" Director Takahashi coughed heavily twice, interrupting their test.
Everyone turned to look at Takahashi, whose face was grave, and behind him Nakayama Takuya, whose expression remained calm.
"Everyone, please be quiet. I have a few things to announce." Director Takahashi's voice was a little hoarse. He glanced around, and everyone's face still held a trace of lingering excitement.
"First of all, I and Special Advisor Nakayama have witnessed everyone's hard work over the past six months. This version of ' Hook ' is outstanding and has exceeded our expectations. Thank you for your hard work!"
He bowed deeply.
The group members exchanged glances, vaguely sensing that something was amiss.
This kind of opening, which begins with praise and then ends with a slump, is usually not a good sign.
Ono, as the person in charge, stepped forward and cautiously asked, "Director Takahashi, is there a problem?"
Director Takahashi straightened up, his gaze heavy as he stared at the Hook on the screen, wielding a longsword, the pixelated image still clearly visible.
This version cannot be played in arcades.