The next day, I woke up on the dormitory bed provided by Mintendo. Hmm... Not as fancy as a hotel, but considering it's provided by the company, not bad, right? It's close to the office too, though it feels a bit like being raised in captivity. Well, that's just how it feels.
Starting work at the company in the 1980s involved gymnastics first. I found myself standing in the courtyard in front of the company building, doing exercises in sync with everyone to the count. Even though I wanted to take it easy, the other employees were so diligent that I ended up following the exercises with stiff movents.
"Keep pushing through today!"
"Whoooa!"
As we finished the last chant, the Mintendo staff dashed off like soldiers charging into battle.
"This is crazy..."
Mumbling to myself in Korean, I trailed after them. The 1980s were a strange era, valuing collectivism over individualism.
-
"Boss, why is Kang Gunpei assigned to overseas sales? I recomnded putting him in the portable console developnt departnt."
"Well, Gunpei, my man. You recomnded Kang Gun but trying to snatch him away to your developnt departnt—how does that work? After having a chat, it seems Kang Gun should join the ga software developnt departnt."
"Enough! All interviews go through , and I assign them to the departnt I believe suits them. Kang Junhyuk is definitely for overseas sales. Besides, his resu highlights proficiency in English. Moreover, this lad's going to make a big impact in the US market!"
The three heads leading Mintendo were arguing over . When my departnt's transfer to overseas sales was announced, Gunpei and Shige simultaneously stord up to the CEO's office, causing quite a scene to take away.
"Hey, you brats! I'm the boss here!"
Kamauichi's outburst eventually silenced Gunpei and Shige. I overheard their conversation from a corner and nearly burst out laughing. How amusing it was that they fought over where to assign , sothing that must've been a source of joy from the perspective of the person in question.
But I couldn't let it continue, so I cautiously intervened in their conversation.
"Um, sorry to interrupt, but may I say sothing?"
"What? A new employee barging into higher-ups' talk. Ballsy. Alright, let's hear it."
"If this continues, it seems like there won't be a conclusion. I'm just here to streamline things a bit."
"Streamline? This guy's taphor is good, huh? Haha."
CEO Kamauichi laughed heartily. He seed more decisive and quick in character than I had thought.
"Firstly, Mr. Nisekoi, I believe I've already provided the drafts for the next portable gaming device. Once we have a display capable of organic graphic representation and a cartridge system, the basics of the next portable device are perfect. Performance-wise, reaching the current 8-bit family level might be difficult, so focus on selling it at a price point. The current family price is 14,800 yen, so it should be at least cheaper than that for people to understand. Even if it's a re 1,000 yen less, try to aim for that."
"Hmm... that seems reasonable. If we use our resources for the cartridge system, the crucial point lies in deciding the unit price for the organic display."
"Once production kicks off, expect bulk orders, so consider public bidding. That way, we might procure good items at a lower price."
Then, CEO Kamauichi muttered while looking at , "See this guy? Young but sharp in business."
I smiled back at CEO Kamauichi.
"Next, sir. I don't have major complaints about being assigned to overseas sales. If given the opportunity, I'll strive to make a success of the Family in the US market. However..."
"However?"
"Don't send soone to the battlefield without weapons."
"What was that?"
"Right now, the Family [console] is just starting in Japan. The only title that might resonate in the U.S. is 'Donkey Kong.' If things continue like this, Aricans will simply refer to it as the 'Donkey Kong machine,' and other titles won't sell. Though we're currently the sole suppliers of hardware and software, soon enough, arcade ga companies will surely take notice of our Family."
"But can we just sit and wait?"
"Of course not. That's why we need Shige. The title Shige is currently conceptualizing seems like it'll be a hit upon release. It'd be best to focus on that title and release it in the shortest ti possible. Maybe start with the board production and supply it to ga centers in the U.S. That would be a trendous advantage when selling the Family in the U.S. market."
"Alright, that sums it up for ."
"That's all I have to say."
"I've never seen an employee so straightforward while I'm in charge, Mintendo. Are Koreans usually like this?"
"Um, well?"
"Your straightforwardness is refreshing! Alright, do as you wish, Shige. Let's quickly create that Marigi or whatever it's called with Kangpei."
"Yes, understood!"
Shige seed satisfied with the boss's decision and energetically replied while looking at . "Alright then, let's make it together—the legendary ga that will sell the most worldwide."
&
"This doesn't seem right... Why does it feel so awkward?"
"Sothing isn't working?"
"Oh, Kangpei, perfect timing. Adding a side-scrolling feature to the new Marigi ga is fine, but sothing about the movent looks a bit awkward, don't you think?"
"Ah, really?"
Collaborating with Shige was quite enjoyable for . The basic structure of Super Marigi was rapidly being developed due to ideas from Shige and . However, for days now, Shige had Marigi moving around an empty stage.
I had already sensed what he was struggling with, but I didn't explicitly point it out. It felt like observing a student testing themselves with an answer sheet for a crucial exam. While revealing the solution could speed up the production of Super Marigi, I was waiting for soone.
Then, on a day in November...
"Shige, the demo disc for the Family ga has arrived."
"Oh, I'm a bit busy now, just leave it on the table there."
Still engrossed in studying Mario's movents, Shige didn't even glance at the package brought by the employee.
Learning from the Atari Shock, Mintendo, in charge, personally inspected gas set for release on the Family to ensure quality. The inspection involved us from the developnt departnt playing the gas, evaluating their worth, and if they passed, producing them as cartridges. In a way, it was similar to how app developers had to go through an approval process before submitting to the app store in 2015.
I, substituting for the busy Shige, picked up the package on the table. The sender was an oddly nad company called HEG Laboratory, and seeing the na of the contact person below, my fingers trembled.
"It's here. Finally!"
Under the na Kawata Satoshi, I hastily tore open the package. The ga title written on the small floppy disk was 'Balloon Fight.'
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