New Situation

Kozuki Kagemasa stood up and paced back and forth a couple of times.

"We used to adore the Mega Drive because Sega was doing so well in North America. But now, Nintendo has used a lawsuit to show the world Nintendo depth in this industry. They're not dead, they're thriving, and they're incredibly sharp-tongued. The Super Famicom's market share in Europe and America has also increased. So—"

"I don't care what methods you use, I want to see our next flagship product, it must have an SFC version! And," he emphasized, "It must have an English version developed simultaneously! I don't want to see our games released in Japan only to slowly appear on the shelves of the United States and Europe six months later!"

"Let Nintendo and Sony fight it out in court, let them fight like dogs over a name. What we want to do is..." Kozuki Kagemasa stopped, looked around at everyone, and said, slowly and deliberately, "We're going to the winner's territory and harvest the players' wallets!"

He looked at a manager and called out directly, "I've read the proposal for the new Castlevania game, it's very good. Get it released simultaneously on the Super Famicom (SFC). I want it to be the most visually stunning action game on the SFC!"

The entire office was completely silent, save for the sound of heavy breathing.

Everyone was stunned by the president's decisive declaration.

It's not shameful to be a fence-sitter; what's shameful is clinging to the old ways even when the winds have shifted.

Kozuki Kagemasa clearly understood that Konami's success today was not due to loyalty, but rather to its ability to assess the situation.

On the third day of CES, the tide turned completely.

If the first day belonged to Sega, and the second day to the war between Sony and Nintendo, then on the third day, the entire Chicago Convention Center became Nintendo's victory parade.

Sony's booth has removed all PlayStation-related items, leaving only various home appliances and Walkmans.

In stark contrast, the Nintendo booth was located in the North Hall.

The word "popular" is no longer enough to describe this place; it has practically become a pilgrimage site.

The reporters who were relentlessly attacking Minoru Arakawa yesterday have now all adopted a humble and obsequious demeanor, holding their microphones far away, as if afraid of blocking the spotlight of this victor in the business war.

"Mr. Arakawa, when did Nintendo decide to cooperate with Philips? Was all of this part of your plan?"

Minoru Arakawa stood next to a the Legend of Zelda demo machine, watching Link wield the Master Sword on the screen. He didn't even turn around, but simply spoke calmly.

"Our plan is singular: to bring the best games to our players. As for commercial partnerships, they are merely a means to achieve this plan; we simply choose the most suitable partners."

Another reporter squeezed forward, his face full of admiration. "What are your thoughts on Sony's situation? Do you think they still have a chance?"

Minoru Arakawa finally turned around, glanced at the reporter, and then pointed to the game screen.

"I'm more concerned about whether Ganon will be defeated. As for my former partner, that's a matter for our Legal Department." He wore a perfectly measured smile. "I suggest you give this game a try. We completed the localization of the entire English version at the end of last year and it's already available throughout the US."

This isn't an interview; it's a blatant declaration of defeat.

But none of the reporters felt offended; on the contrary, they were even more excited to record every word Minoru Arakawa.

The victors are always right; everything they say is considered wise.

Howard Lincoln, Vice President of Nintendo of America, squeezed through the crowd, leaned close to Minoru Arakawa's ear, and spoke with barely suppressed excitement.

"Arakawa, my phone's been ringing off the hook! Sears, Walmart, Toys "R" Us" Us—all our distributors are placing extra orders!"

Minoru Arakawa raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"SNES console sales since yesterday afternoon's press conference have already surpassed the total sales of the past month!" Howard's voice was filled with excitement. "They say many people rushed into stores specifically to buy the SNES. Super Mario World and the Legend of Zelda cartridges are completely sold out!"

Minoru Arakawa's smile finally stopped being concealed and became genuine and radiant.

He looked around, at the players cheering excitedly at the games in the booth, at the reporters frantically snapping photos, and then at the Sony booth in the distance, shrouded in black cloth.

"Howard, do you know how much Sony spent on that press conference yesterday morning?"

"I heard that the cost of the stage and the promotional resources alone exceeded one million US dollar."

"Yes, we invited media from all over the world, making sure everyone remembered one name." Minoru Arakawa patted a brand-new SNES box next to him, making a crisp sound.

"Now, this name belongs to us."

He turned to look at Howard, a sly glint in his eyes.

"They spent so much money to put on the biggest Game Boy launch ever for us. Wouldn't it be incredibly impolite of us not to take this opportunity to sell more consoles?"

Howard paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Just then, Minoru Arakawa's private phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID; it showed Kyoto's area code.

The smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a respectful expression.

He walked to a quiet corner, answered the phone, and said softly in Japanese, "Father."

On the other end of the phone, Yamauchi Hiroshi's voice was devoid of any emotion.

I saw the newspaper.

Just that one sentence, without any greetings or preamble, as if it were just a very ordinary internal report.

Minoru Arakawa straightened his back, and the surrounding noise and frenzy seemed to be shut out in an instant.

"Yes, Father. After the press conference, SNES orders have surged. Howard's team estimates that current orders have already exceeded the total for the previous quarter."

He tried to keep his voice steady and simply state the facts.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Those are the distributors' figures, not the money players actually take out of their pockets." Yamauchi Hiroshi's voice remained calm. "Having goods sitting in the warehouse and selling them are two different things."

A basin of cold water, poured just right.

The initial excitement that Minoru Arakawa felt because of the victory instantly cooled down.

"Yes, I understand. I will keep a close eye on the final sales figures."

"Um."

Yamauchi Hiroshi uttered a faint syllable through his nose, then changed the subject.

"What kind of expressions are those people from Sony making right now?"

This question Minoru Arakawa's mind, a hint of the joy of victory.

"Their booth has removed all PlayStation-related items."

"Hmph." Yamauchi Hiroshi let out a barely audible sneer.

"Don't be too happy yet." Yamauchi Hiroshi's voice turned serious again. "A temporary victory means nothing. Even a wounded lion is still a lion, and when cornered, it will bite."

"Sony spent millions of US dollar hiring media outlets worldwide to help us with a publicity campaign. Now, we've temporarily secured the word 'PlayStation'."

"Take advantage of this momentum and distribute SNES products throughout North America and Europe. You'll handle the legal aspects in Europe and America; the headquarters in Japan will take care of things."

"I understand," Minoru Arakawa replied in a deep voice.

"That's settled then."

The call was abruptly ended, leaving only a busy tone on the receiver.