The Dust Settles

Arms rose one after another in the conference room.

There was little suspense.

Before rational business analysis, the plan that maximized profits could always win the approval of the vast majority.

Enix, this great ship, had chosen the safest course amid the storm-tossed waves of the console war.

They did not completely throw themselves to either side. Instead, they turned themselves into a weight that every side needed to fight for.

That afternoon, Honda Keiji's secretary dialed the Third-Party Liaison Office at Sega Headquarters and confirmed the itinerary for the technical team's inspection trip to Ota Ward.

At the same time, a politely worded but firm letter of rejection was delivered to Nobuyuki Idei's desk at Sony's Minato Ward headquarters.

On the chessboard of the console war, another heavyweight piece had fallen into place.

This piece had not taken the enemy's king or general, but it had occupied a position in the center of the board that no one could ignore.

The perspective returned to Sega Headquarters in Ota Ward.

Nakayama Takuya listened to Hisao Oguchi's report, his face showing little expression.

"Enix's technical team arrives tomorrow morning." Hisao Oguchi flipped through the schedule. "It looks like they rejected Sony's equity investment proposal. Judging from the information they fed back, they also haven't promised exclusivity on Jupiter. President Honda's exact words were that they would prioritize guaranteeing the development schedule of the Jupiter version."

"Prioritize guaranteeing it means they still have to take care of others." Nakayama Takuya filed away a document. "A multi-platform strategy. Honda Keiji is a smart man, and Enix's executives are doing some very precise abacus-clacking."

"Managing Director, we went to so much effort to integrate outsourcing resources, only to let them go multi-platform in the end. Aren't we letting them off too cheaply?" Hisao Oguchi