The Helpless Minoru Arakawa

"Don't jump to conclusions, take a look at the terms first." Nobuyuki Idei pointed to a line on the document, "Co-founders of the Association," Sega promises not to seek absolute leadership, and all founders are equal in status.

Ken Kutaragi glanced at it, his previously disdainful gaze slightly hardening.

For Sony, an "outsider" to the gaming industry, identity has always been a major issue.

Nintendo treated them like thieves, Sega, though they had cooperated, harbored ulterior motives, and even some smaller game studios were not very confident in Sony's consoles, hesitating to apply for development kits.

If PlayStation can gain "veteran" status on par with these two established giants through this association, it would undoubtedly be the best endorsement for the upcoming PlayStation launch at the end of the year.

"That's interesting." Ken Kutaragi stroked his chin, his earlier arrogance somewhat subsided. "You mean, we don't have to do anything; just by nodding, we can become one of the rule-makers in the industry?"

"Not only that," said Ryoji Chubachi, who had been silent until now. He was in charge of Sony's electronic components business and a regular at CES. "Regarding that E3 exhibition, I wholeheartedly support it."

All eyes turned to him.

Ryoji Chubachi smile, "President Ohga, you didn't go to Las Vegas this January. It was truly awful. Our booth was decent enough in the home appliance section, but to get to the gaming section, we had to walk through two blocks of adult video booths. The carpet was covered in sticky Coke stains, and the ceiling leaked. The worst part was the noise. The vacuum cleaner company next door was running their motor all day to demonstrate their suction power, and it gave me a headache."

Thinking back to that scene, Ryoji Chubachi couldn't help but shake his head. "Sega's Tom Kalinske turned green with rage."

In that kind of environment, nobody cares about your game graphics; everyone just wants to escape and get some fresh air.

"That's right," Nobuyuki Idei in. "Sega doesn't want to put up with it anymore, why should we?"

"The PlayStation is a groundbreaking product, are we really going to let it debut amidst the noise of home appliances?"

Ken Kutaragi: "No! My machines absolutely cannot be released in that awful place. Since Sega is willing to take the lead and play the villain, setting up the platform, why shouldn't we go?"

He turned to Norio Ohga, his tone urgent. "President, this is an opportunity. If we join, we can gain an edge over Nintendo in terms of momentum. Those old fogies in Kyoto are definitely still hesitating. If we become the initiators first, we'll have a head start in the association. This is a great opportunity to 'tie' Sony's name to industry standards."

"Moreover, this sends a signal to the outside world," Nobuyuki Idei added, "Sony is no longer an outsider in the home appliance industry," but a gaming giant on par with Sega and Nintendo."

Norio Ohga closed the document and glanced at the expressions on the three men's faces.

Sega's cunning move was indeed brilliant.

This not only solved his own pain point but also gave Sony a favor that they couldn't refuse.

That young man, Nakayama Takuya, is even more shrewd than rumored.

Since Sony doesn't have to risk offending CES, and can still reap the benefits, there's no reason to refuse such a good deal.

"Since we're co-initiators," then we should act like initiators. Norio Ohga removed his glasses and gently placed them on the table, his voice steady and powerful. "Idei, reply to Nakayama Takuya Sony has agreed to join IDSA."

Compared to Nakayama Takuya, who returned to Tokyo to rest for a few days before leisurely visiting Sony in Shinagawa, Tom Kalinske across the ocean was clearly more American in his decisive and efficient manner.

No sooner had Nakayama Takuya boarded the plane than Tom drove directly to Redmond, Nintendo North American Headquarters.

This scene would have been unimaginable in the past few years. The two companies were exchanging insults on TV and fighting each other on store shelves for market share. If their executives didn't throw gloves at each other when they met, they were considered to have good manners.

But today, Tom swaggered onto Minoru Arakawa's guest sofa, even holding a cup of coffee made by Nintendo's secretary.

"Just say it, Tom." Minoru Arakawa didn't give him a friendly look just because he was a guest. "If it's about some kind of ceasefire agreement, you can go back now."

"Ceasefire? No, no, no, I'm here to invite you to do something else." Tom put down his coffee cup, pushed the IDSA draft in front of Minoru Arakawa, and tapped his knuckles on the table. "Unless you want to continue smelling that musty carpet in Las Vegas next year, while listening to the salesman next door demonstrate the flushing sound of the new electronic toilet."

Minoru Arakawa paused for a moment as he opened the file.

The nightmare at CES in January is still a thorn in the side of all Nintendo of America.

Nintendo, as a leading manufacturer in the industry, didn't have a much better booth location than Sega.

He and Tom shared the same sense of humiliation that came with being seen as "a third-rate toy manufacturer".

"IDSA— Interactive Digital Software Association." Minoru Arakawa quickly skimmed the terms, his gaze finally settling on the "Co-founders" section. "Sega isn't planning to be the boss?"

"Mr. Nakayama said we're here to make the pie bigger, not to divide it up. That's our own industry's business. Right now, our main goal is to contribute to the development of the entire industry. Sega, Nintendo, Sony, and EA—" Tom observed Minoru Arakawa's expression and timely threw out the bait, "That megalomaniac Tripp Hawkins has already agreed. The current situation is, if we all leave, and only Nintendo remains at CES exhibiting alongside refrigerators, what will the media write?"

This tactic of provoking someone is very effective, but it's not entirely based on provocation.

Minoru Arakawa knew very well that if EA and Sony both joined this camp, a new power center would be formed.

If Nintendo is absent, it's tantamount to voluntarily relinquishing its right to set the rules.

"The terms are very sincere, especially the part about equal rights." Minoru Arakawa closed the document, his face revealing neither joy nor anger. "But I can't make the decision. You know, important matters depend on what Kyoto thinks."

"Then go and persuade that stubborn old man." Tom stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and said, "Tell him that this is the only chance for the gaming industry to shed its 'electronic toy' label. If he doesn't agree, then at next year's E3, Sega and Sony will be happy to take over the booth space and media coverage that originally belonged to Nintendo."

After seeing Tom off, Minoru Arakawa immediately summoned his right-hand man, Howard Lincoln.