Mark Cerny's Arrangements
Nakayama Takuya then thought of the project he had placed so much hope in, which was far away in the United States.
He picked up the phone and dialed Sega of America Headquarters number directly. The transoceanic line was a bit noisy, and it rang for a long time before being answered.
The receiver picked up a series of keystrokes and muffled English conversations before Hideo Kojima's voice came through.
"Executive Director?"
"It's me, Kojima- san. Did I disturb you?" Takuya asked with a smile.
"Of course not!" Hideo Kojima seemed to perk up immediately on the other end of the phone. "Executive Director, you've called at just the right time!"
"The Clear and Present Danger is in its final debugging stage. In about three weeks, we will be able to release a tested and corrected version!"
He spoke quickly, as if showing off his proudest work. "I'll personally take it to Maryland and let Mr. Tom Clancy see for himself how we've transformed his words into a tactical storm that can be perfectly replicated on screen!"
"Hmm, well done. Just follow your established plan and strive for perfection." Listening to Hideo Kojima's report, Takuya's lips unconsciously curled upwards.
It seems that throwing him into that "cowboy den" in United States back then not only didn't cause him to suffer from culture shock, but also completely activated his innate creative wildness and leadership talent.
Of course, all of this was made possible by the help of a key figure, Mark Cearney.
Takuya's thoughts drifted back to the past.
He remembered clearly that Mark Cearney, this technical genius, was initially attracted by the advanced design concepts of Metal Gear.
An United States tech genius plunged headlong into Hideo Kojima's development team, which was full of his unique aesthetic sense.
Everyone expected a clash of titans, but the result was surprisingly harmonious.
After development was completed, Mark seamlessly joined the Sonic project team, using his genius-level technical skills to provide solid underlying support for Sonic's amazing sense of speed.
Takuya even remembers how the development team was struggling with a bug that caused Sonic to spin too fast, but Mark Cearney fixed it perfectly in just one night.
Such talent is practically a universal lubricant for the game development industry.
So when Takuya announced that the <Clear and Present Danger> project would be assembling a team in the United States, Mark Cerny was almost the first person to rush into his office.
"Executive, let me go!"
Takuya still remembers what he looked like back then: messy blond hair, but his eyes shining. "The United States game development environment has been reborn from the ruins of Atari's collapse, now is the perfect time to go back! Besides, I know how to deal with those United States programmers, I know exactly what they're thinking! I can translate Kojima- san's ideas for them verbatim!"
Takuya had no reason to refuse a core technical staff member who was proficient in both Eastern and Western development logic, spoke fluent Japanese, and had a strong affinity for Sega.
In hindsight, this move was absolutely the right one.
"Sounds like you're getting along well with those 'proud cowboys,' Kojima -san." Takuya leaned back in his chair, chuckling lightly as he teased Hideo Kojima.
Hideo Kojima on the other end of the phone immediately burst into hearty laughter.
"Haha, Executive Director, please stop making fun of me! To be honest, if it weren't for Mark, I probably would have gotten into a fight with them in the first week over trivial things like 'whether the door should open inwards or outwards'!"
Hideo Kojima's tone was full of emotion.
"That guy is a genius, not only in language translation, but also as a bridge in work methods and logical thinking. Even though my English is pretty good, there are still many things I need his help with communication."
"Very good." Takuya nodded in satisfaction. "It seems my decision was right. Since he's so capable, that's perfect."
Takuya changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.
"Have him answer the phone; I want to talk to him."
On the other end of the phone, Hideo Kojima's laughter abruptly stopped, and he paused for a moment. "Looking for Mark? Okay, please wait a moment!"
Soon, a flurry of footsteps came through the receiver, followed by Hideo Kojima's booming Japanese-accented English: "Mark! Big Boss wants you! The Real Big Boss from Tokyo!"
"Executive, you wanted to see me?" Mark Cearney answered the phone.
"Mark," Nakayama Takuya leaned back in his large executive chair, shifting to a more comfortable position, "I heard from Kojima that you're doing quite well in United States."
Mark chuckled lightly on the other end of the phone, "It's all thanks to Kojima -san's excellent direction; I was just lending a hand at most. You didn't call just to praise me, did you?"
"Of course not." Takuya paused, letting the weight of his words travel across the vast Pacific Ocean. "<The Clear and Present Danger>"
After it's done, Kojima might go back to Japan. But I think you should stay in the United States.
The receiver fell silent instantly; even Hideo Kojima's discussion ceased, leaving only a faint static.
After a few seconds, Mark's tentative voice rang out again. "Stay in the United States? Executive Secretary, you mean—"
"Sega of America needs a technical core who can keep things under control, a general who can lead a team into tough battles independently." Takuya's voice was calm and clear. "I think you're a good fit."
"General? Me?!" Mark Cearney's voice sounded somewhat excited. "Executive, you're not kidding me, are you? Of course I want to! My God, I've been dreaming about it! What kind of project is it? Is it a sequel to Sonic? Or some new IP?"
He fired a barrage of questions like a machine gun.
"No projects." Takuya shook his head.
Mark's excitement seemed to be instantly paused. "Huh?"
"I'll give you a blank check," Takuya said slowly. "You'll build the team. You'll apply for the budget. You decide what game to make. I trust your judgment and your talent."
Silence fell on the other end of the phone.
Takuya didn't urge him, but waited patiently.
He could almost picture the blond tech genius staring wide-eyed, his brain racing, trying to process this enormous surprise that had fallen from the sky.
"Your Excellency—" Mark's voice was a little hoarse, "Are you serious?"
"I never make jokes like that."
"OK! OK! I understand!" Mark's voice rose a few decibels, brimming with long-suppressed energy. "I'll consider it! Once <The Clear and Present Danger> is finished, I'll definitely give you the best idea in the world!"
"No rush," Takuya laughed. "But if you really can't figure it out, I have a lot of good stuff stocked up here, you can come and get more from me anytime."
This joke completely Panasonic Mark, and he laughed heartily, "I understand! Thank you, Executive Director! Really!"
"Take care of what you're doing first." Takuya was about to hang up when he suddenly remembered something and added one last sentence.
"By the way, Mark, when you're brainstorming, try to think outside the box and don't let the MD's capabilities limit you."
"What do you mean?" Mark keenly grasped the key point.
"Don't rush that. After you finish ' The Clear and Present Danger,' remember to request an updated internal technology product briefing from Tokyo headquarters."
Takuya chuckled and hung up the phone, leaving Mark Cerny with endless imagination.