Everything often depends on the right timing, the right place, and the right people.
At the height of this Japan bubble economy;
In this era where home consoles have become popular, arcade games remain the core entertainment venues where people of all ages gather.
While restricted content has already taken shape in the film and television industry, it remains a largely undeveloped area in the gaming industry.
In this region where mahjong is a national pastime;
For a reputable game developer to decide to enter this genre is nothing short of a devastating, disruptive attack.
The birth of " Mahjong Academy " was perfectly timed and took full advantage of favorable circumstances.
As for people----
Lin Lixin and his team found an undisputed top authority in the field.
For Toru Muranishi, this year is clearly not a year in which everything goes smoothly.
In late 1986, he had just been arrested by local police in Hawaii and fined $155,000.
This is not the first time he has been fined.
Despite his impressive resume, he is now burdened with debts exceeding 100 million yen.
The films he made couldn't even cover the fines he was charged; it was basically all done out of passion.
Bankruptcy is something Muranishi is already used to.
However, things seem to have changed a bit today.
Inside the meeting room, the staff member sitting opposite him conducted his routine interrogation as usual.
" Toru Muranishi ----"
I've said everything I needed to say.
Toru Muranishi sat there with his legs crossed, somewhat bored; he was already thoroughly fed up with this kind of thing.
He just wants to be released as soon as possible so he can continue to use his talent and bring more artistic works to the world.
"This is not an interrogation, Mr. Muranishi. Please sign this document."
That was a bail document.
How could that be?
Upon seeing the document, Toru Muranishi suddenly froze.
"Someone has paid your bail, the paperwork is being processed, and you can leave in an hour."
Who is it?
Could it be someone from Crystal-Eizou?
Toru Muranishi frowned and immediately shook his head, rejecting his own idea.
Crystal-Eizou is currently embroiled in a chaotic internal power struggle, with those people eager to oust them from the core leadership.
If it weren't for Kaoru Kuroki still being active in the industry and maintaining his reputation, he probably would have been completely forgotten long ago.
"A foreign-owned entertainment company."
The employee clearly didn't want to say much about it, simply relaying the instructions given to him.
Having finally breathed in fresh air again after so long, Muranishi didn't hesitate and quickly went to the address the guard had given him.
However, when he pushed open the door to the private room, the person's appearance disappointed him somewhat.
He was just a young Japan local.
Satoshi Tajiri slightly raised his eyelids, saw the person who had arrived, and matched the name with the information in his hand.
After so much training, Ash Satoshi has become quite worldly-wise.
Although Muranishi is well-known in the industry, he is just a small fry compared to GAMENOVA's vast empire.
"Director Muranishi, I am Satoshi Tajiri, manager of the Roppongi Agency."
"You bailed me out?"
Muranishi sat down somewhat awkwardly opposite Satoshi.
"I guess so. Our Roppongi Agency is looking to expand our business and hopes to find a suitable director to collaborate with."
"Business expansion? You guys are planning to make action movies?"
"No, we plan to develop video games."
"Ha?"
The Muranishi was completely stunned for a moment.
But being someone who works in the industry, he quickly realized what he wanted to do.
"Is it... an arcade game?"
"Yes, strictly speaking, all video games."
Satoshi Tajiri nodded and continued, "I'll fund your separation from Crystal-Eizou and allow you to start your own business. Do you dare to do it?"
He reached out and pushed a document forward.
It was a pattern consisting of a central red circle and three long red trapezoids surrounding it.
Below is a title written in English.
[Illusion]
A company whose core business is entirely focused on video games.
Director Muranishi never imagined he would one day become a game director.
This is the name his partner, Satoshi, gave him.
However, after seeing the design proposal for " Mahjong Academy ", Muranishi dispelled all his concerns.
Sigh, isn't this exactly what he's best at?
As for game development, according to the boss, he will fund the outsourcing to overseas developers.
All they need to do after debugging is find a local foundry to produce the substrate and sell it.
So, in order to pay off his heavy debts, Director Muranishi resolutely embarked on a path of no return.
Muranishi naturally held this divine savior in the highest esteem.
To this, Satoshi Tajiri's attitude was very clear. "What talk of repaying a debt of gratitude? Just don't mention me if you cause trouble in the future."
Satoshi Tajiri knew very well that as long as Muranishi didn't make any real mistakes, the real big shots behind him could ensure that he could fully unleash his talents.
May.
In this month of frequent enrollment, employment, and transfer activities, the entire Japan region is shrouded in the "May sickness," revealing a gentle, melancholic literary air.
Those who fall into depression due to drastic changes in their living environment avoid social interaction, hide at home, and wait for --
To achieve spiritual redemption.
And redemption, too, quietly seeped into arcades everywhere.
"Boss, fifty coins, please."
Hearing bursts of "H! H! H!" coming from the corner, Yamazaki slammed the banknotes on the counter.
"Alright, are we here to play ' Mahjong Academy ' again today?"
The shop manager skillfully arranged the game tokens for him and made a joke.
The players will definitely be even more excited when they see Yamazaki later.
After all, his mahjong skills were simply unmatched in the surrounding area.
In the Mahjong Academy, each character has a distinct playing style and skill.
To see the interactive animation of the strongest headmistress at the end of the level, you have to actually defeat her with skill.
Yamazaki is the only one in their shop who has been able to do that so far.
Please! That's an interactive animation featuring the school principal, voiced by Kaoru Kuroki!
The shop manager was even considering abandoning the shop to go see Yamazaki's performance.
"I went back and studied the headmistress's playing style; I'm determined to completely win her over today!"
Yamazaki chuckled.
If he can win three consecutive games against the school principal, then his professional career will be a complete success, and he will have no regrets in this life.
"If you can really do that—you can play that machine for free from now on."
The shop manager chuckled, then, as if remembering something, he beckoned Yamazaki closer. Lowering his voice, he whispered in his ear, "Come find me after closing time tonight. I know a secret trick to 'remove moles'."