"I won't beat around the bush. Our next Mintendo console will utilize a 64-bit architecture. And we will present an entirely new form of gaming to all of you."
"Wowwww!"
The users erupted into cheers that made it seem like the chairman might leave due to Yamashita's statent about surpassing a generation. For those who had already experienced Real Fighter on the 32-bit generation, Yamashita's statent about showcasing more had an imnse impact.
"What's this? Is Mintendo going back to an independent path?"
"They gave up the joint developnt project with Sensony for the 64-bit console, right? So, it seems like that."
It might not just be because of the 64-bit; it's more accurate to say they abandoned the storage dium of CDs. However, to the users gathered here, that decision was sowhat welco. In fact, until now, there hadn't been a successful console using CDs, and due to the colossal failure of the NEGA CD, there was a widespread distrust of optical disc dia. So, so users felt that Mintendo's choice of ROM cartridges was the right move.
Even the Arican friend standing in front of , presumably here to see CES, was cheering with an excited expression towards Mr. Yamashita.
"That's right. I tried the next-gen dium they talked about, and it took like 10 seconds for a single ga to load. It's not even the ti for a leisurely cup of coffee..."
"Seriously? That bad?"
"No kidding. I was playing so Sonite on the NEGA CD, and I got so frustrated that I just turned it off..."
"Indeed, Mintendo is on point when it cos to gas."
"Anyway, I'm all for sticking with cartridges."
Project 64, smoothly presented without even a single word of apology to Sensony, introduced after Senso... ni without any apologies, projected a bold ambition. After its release, it promised to introduce 3D in every ga, displayed alongside a giant face of Super Marigi on the screen set up behind the stage.
At the sight, the onlookers let out exclamations bordering on screams.
"Whoa... Jesus Christ!"
The Italian man with a red hat turned upside down, sporting a bushy mustache, stared at the users with round eyes and shouted "Mamma Mia!"
Unlike the crude textures seen in Real Fighter, Marigi's face, almost as if alive and moving, depicted even facial expressions.
Witnessing the users' reactions, Mr. Sige added with a satisfied smile in his explanation.
"As you can see, this is the completely 3D-rendered face of Marigi. And I can confidently say that this is just a part of the performance of Project 64 that can even convey the character's emotions."
"This is amazing."
The appearance of the 3D-rendered Super Marigi instantly erased the lukewarm mory of NEGA's conference.
And the face of President Yamataka turned red almost imdiately at the presentation of Project 64, showcasing performance significantly superior to their own next-gen model.
From NEGA's perspective, Mintendo was always the annoying presence that seed to flee whenever they thought they were catching up. And that pattern remained the sa this ti as well.
"Mr. Junpei... why does it feel like the atmosphere is getting too heated?"
Representative Kawaguchi spoke with a perplexed expression, observing the enthusiastic reactions of the users.
And I understood Representative Kawaguchi's feelings perfectly well. Even though our conference hadn't started yet, the chairman's mood was already at its peak.
"Don't worry too much. Since Mintendo had to scrap the project they were developing, the Project 64 announced by Mintendo won't be able to launch anyti soon."
And shortly after, my prediction turned out to be accurate.
After finishing the promotion for the new Super Marigi series, Chairman Yamashita announced that Project 64 was scheduled for release at the end of 1995.
Although the announcent of having to wait for over a year left so users slightly disappointed, perhaps due to the exceptional quality of Super Marigi? The users, to so extent, accepted it within a resigned atmosphere and concluded the next-gen model's unveiling.
However, Mintendo's conference didn't end there.
Following that, they announced a ga titled 'Pocket Monster Ball' and simultaneously unveiled the smaller and lighter 'Portable Gaboy Pocket.'
This was clearly an alternative strategy after the release of Project 64 was pushed back.
The new 'Gaboy Pocket' transford from its previous bulky form into a lighter, slimr form.
The screen also changed from yellowish to black for better readability. In appearance alone, the new 'Gaboy Pocket' didn't show much difference in size and weight compared to Laon. Of course, there was a considerable difference in internal performance, but...
Taking over from Chairman Yamashita, Gunpei listed the advantages of the new Gaboy, smoothly capturing the users' attention.
Especially, the ga announced alongside the new model, 'Pocket Monster Ball,' drew trendous excitent from the kids.
"At that looks fun..."
"It looks similar to Tamago Monsters, but you can enjoy it with just the Gaboy without a separate terminal..."
"There are 151 types of monsters, so there's plenty to collect, right?"
Even though the release date for Project 64 was far off, upon the announcent that the new Gaboy and Pocket Monster Ball would be available from next month, the users sent waves of applause and cheers.
Having satisfactorily finished the presentation, Gunpei, the presenter, who had disappeared backstage, sent a slight wink and a smile in my direction from quite a distance.
It felt more like a gesture of gratitude toward my forr colleague, with no negative connotation.
Clap, clap, clap, clap~!!
Despite the presenter, Gunpei, having vanished backstage after a rather satisfying conference, the applause didn't die down.
'I wonder if we'll continue to hear this applause even two years from now in the future?'
With a light nod, I moved away from the Mintendo booth.
The next conference would be for the 3DO, right? But the 3DO wasn't particularly expected to be a promising model.
Of course, it was an epoch-making console that opened the door to the 32-bit gaming market, but was that all it had to offer?
In truth, the 3DO had initially garnered significant attention in its early developnt stages.
Gunpei and Mintendo had experience creating the portable ga 'Atari Lynx' in the early 90s, which led to the inception of the first console equipped with a 32-bit CPU and CD-ROM based on their expertise.
The company they initially approached with the crumpled napkin idea of the new model was none other than NEGA, where the USA branch head viewed Gunpei and Mintendo's proposal positively and contacted the Japanese headquarters.
However, President Yamanaka's response was to reject their proposal, given the NEGA Drive was selling well in North Arica and Europe due to 'Sonic,' not wanting unnecessary rumors about a new console to affect sales.
Also, during the ti when Sega was adopting CD-ROM technology and planning Saturn, hindering the conditions for their idea.
Failing to find favorable circumstances, the two innovators sought AE Corporation, the leading ga company in the United States. There, eting with Trip Hawkins, the president of AE at the ti, the duo's pitch convinced Hawkins to leave AE and establish 3DO.
The developnt of 3DO took an unconventional path, involving subcontracting to companies specializing in ho appliances, intending to distribute profits after production, unlike traditional gaming consoles.
Each manufacturer had varied designs for 3DO, and even 'Eunhae' from Korea participated in console production under the na '3D Alive' (although their design was among the worst).
Trip Hawkins firmly believed his 3DO venture would revolutionize the gaming market, not just as a gaming console but also enabling video playback using VCDs, anticipating the shift from VHS to VCDs with the demise of the VHS market.
Considering 3DO as a multidia device for households, Hawkins announced it at $699, but unfortunately, no one bought it; consurs were wise enough not to purchase an expensive device that was neither a gaming console nor a straightforward video player.
A year after the release, Hawkins had to make a decision. Despite the launches of Saturn and Nintendo's Project 64, 3DO's fate seed sealed. Nevertheless, he prepared for 3DO's conference with a last-ditch effort.
"Look at his expression; it's as if he's carrying the weight of the world's misfortunes..." observed Hayashi while checking the stage and microphone before the conference.
"Understandably so. He left a thriving position at AE, and now things are terribly tangled," Kawaguchi nodded in agreent.
"There are rumors of a radical price drop at this CES. However, whether that will resonate with users remains uncertain," speculated Kawaguchi.
"Recently, due to 3DO's low distribution, AE is reluctant to release exclusive gas. If that happens, it's like getting betrayed, even by the child one raised," lanted Hayashi.
"It's a stark example that high specs alone don't ensure success," concluded Kawaguchi.
Monts later, Trip Hawkins cleared his throat, signaling the start of the 3DO conference. However, after Nintendo's conference, attendees dispersed for a late lunch, leaving 3DO's conference desolately comnced, already shunned by users.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Trip Hawkins, representing 3DO. While 3DO opened the gateway to the 32-bit gaming market last year, it received much love from core gars. However, due to a sowhat high device price, it seed daunting for light users to enter... Therefore, this ti, with a bold pricing revolution, we..."
However, Hawkins' misfortune didn't end there. An announcent about a new console conference from Sony disrupted his presentation.
"Sony is starting a conference for a new console device!!" a user's exclamation diverted the attention of the 4-50 users gathered in front of the booth.
"What!?"
"Sony making a ga console!?"
"Wow~!!"
Amidst the sudden rush towards Sony, Hawkins seed flustered and started stuttering.
"T-This... is a bold... pricing revolution..."
However, no one paid any heed to him. Despite reducing the price of 3DO to $499, the concept had already faltered, facing the later releases of Saturn and Gear Station and fading into history's sidelines.
Sony's surprise announcent of the next-gen console was abrupt and garnered a multitude of users in front of their booth.
The curiosity stemd from Sony, a newcor to console gaming, attracting nurous users, backed by their international brand power and the jointly developed 'Gear Station' with Nintendo.
Kawaguchi couldn't attend due to preparing for the next conference, but Morita and Hayashi were bewildered by the explosive user reactions.
"Was Sony this popular among gars?" asked Morita.
"It's more about their brand power. In terms of ho appliances, Sony is a much larger global company than Nintendo, which solely manufactures consoles," Hayashi explained.
Nodding in agreent, I shifted my gaze towards the stage.
Under the spotlight, a man held a gray device. "Could that be!? Has the next-gen console already been completed by Sony?"
Nodding in response to Hayashi's query, I nervously bit my nails, contemplating Sony's technical prowess, which could likely swiftly create a device even with moderate expertise.
Kurakagi, smiling at the users, held the gray device, undoubtedly the Gear Station I knew.
>
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a mber of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public. You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.Your na will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".The power to vote on which novel I translate next.You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
You get to suggest a Novel for to translate.You get access to Digital art.Your na featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
You get to recomnd a Novel and I will imdiately start translating it.Your na featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
Reviews
All reviews (0)