Chapter 118: Handheld Pre-Research
"Handheld?"
At the current time in 1987, although Nintendo's Game & Watch series had tested the waters, the market for true handheld consoles with interchangeable cartridges and powerful gaming capabilities had not yet fully exploded.
"Yes. A handheld console that can change game cartridges just like a home console."
Takuya Nakayama nodded affirmatively, clearly and fluently listing a series of key performance indicators.
"For the CPU, I'm considering using the Z80 chip we're familiar with. As for which version, that can be discussed during later pre-research, but low cost and long battery life are essential requirements."
"The screen is crucial. I hope it can be equipped with an LCD screen, and it must have a switchable backlight function."
"Backlight?"
Department Head Nakamura repeated, a flicker of seriousness passing behind his lenses.
"Yes, switchable backlight."
Takuya Nakayama emphasized.
"I know this will increase cost and power consumption, but it will greatly enhance the user's gaming experience in various lighting conditions. After all, what we emphasize is being able to play anytime, anywhere. Of course, we can add a switch."
"At the same time, I hope this handheld console can achieve high integration to minimize its size for easy portability."
"High reliability, reducing the repair rate, this is especially important for handheld devices."
"Low power consumption, to ensure sufficient gaming battery life, so players don't have to constantly look for batteries."
"And, 'easy to develop'."
Takuya Nakayama particularly stressed the last point.
"We cannot make handheld development as demanding for developers as the new console. It should be a platform where more small and medium-sized teams, and even independent developers, can easily showcase their talents."
Department Head Nakamura listened quietly, his pen rapidly recording the various parameters and design concepts Takuya Nakayama proposed on the paper.
The expression on his face gradually shifted from initial surprise to deep thought.
Takuya's business acumen and foresight for the market indeed made him, an old veteran who had been in the hardware field for many years, feel admiration.
But as the head of hardware development, he almost instinctively began to consider the technical challenges these concepts would face.
After a long while, Department Head Nakamura put down his pen and gently rubbed his temples.
"Nakayama-san, your concept is very appealing."
He spoke slowly, his tone cautious.
"Enjoying games anytime, anywhere is undoubtedly a huge potential market."
"However, from the perspective of hardware implementation, there are several core difficulties we must face."
"First, there's the backlit LCD screen you mentioned."
Department Head Nakamura pointed to the word "backlight" he had written down.
"In the current handheld device field, this is indeed a dual challenge in terms of technology and cost. The backlight module itself will add a lot of cost, and more importantly, it consumes a huge amount of battery power. How to control power consumption and cost while ensuring display quality is a very tricky balancing act."
"Secondly, high integration and heat dissipation."
He continued.
"Pursuing a compact size means that the internal components will be very tightly arranged. While ensuring a certain level of performance, how to effectively solve the heat dissipation problem and prevent the machine from overheating affecting stability and user experience is also a challenge."
"Third, chip selection and supply chain."
Department Head Nakamura's brows furrowed even tighter.
"Finding a suitable processor for a handheld console that balances low power consumption and high performance, as well as matching graphics chips, memory, etc., and establishing a stable and reliable supply chain, is itself a daunting task. Especially given that the company's main resources are currently tilted towards the new console, whether we can get enough support is an unknown."
"Finally, and the most realistic problem—R&D resources."
He looked at Takuya Nakayama, a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"The hardware department is currently going all out, carrying out the final optimization of the new console and various preparations before mass production. Every engineer wishes they could be two people. At this critical juncture, opening up a brand new handheld product line, whether in terms of manpower or material resources, would probably be difficult to support."
Takuya Nakayama smiled and nodded, expressing full understanding of Department Head Nakamura's concerns.
He had already thought about these issues in his mind.
"Department Head Nakamura, all your concerns are very pertinent."
He said calmly.
"My proposal today is not to ask the hardware department to immediately invest in large-scale development, nor is it to compete for resources with the new console project."
"This is more like a preliminary strategic direction discussion. I hope the hardware department can conduct some preliminary technical pre-research and feasibility assessment."
He cleverly positioned the handheld project as a "strategic reserve" rather than an urgent task, trying to alleviate Department Head Nakamura's concerns about resource conflict.
"We can start by looking for solutions from existing technological accumulations, such as the selection of low-power Z80 chips, supply chain research for small LCD screens, and various technologies and power optimization methods that can achieve backlight effects, and so on."
"For this project, I am more inclined to see it as preparation for Sega to open up a'second front'. A mobile entertainment platform that can complement our home consoles and cover a wider user base."
Department Head Nakamura pondered for a moment, his gaze lingering on Takuya Nakayama's young and firm face for a few seconds.
He was attracted by the future of "enjoying games anytime, anywhere" that Takuya Nakayama depicted, and he also keenly realized that this was indeed a huge potential market that could not be ignored.
If Sega could be the first to make a breakthrough in this area, its strategic significance would be profound.
"I understand, Takuya-kun."
Department Head Nakamura slowly nodded, the seriousness on his face slightly lessening.
"I will organize a small evaluation team as soon as possible to conduct preliminary technical assessments and discussions on prototype design directions for these key points you raised."
"No need to invest too many resources, just to first understand the technical feasibility and potential difficulties."
"Exactly, my main goal is to understand these issues so that when we need to invest in development, we can do so with a clear target!"
Takuya Nakayama showed a sincere smile.
"Thank you very much for your support, Department Head Nakamura."
"I will give you an initial feedback as soon as possible."
Department Head Nakamura promised, picking up the paper on the table that recorded the handheld's parameters, a hint of exploration in his eyes.
Takuya Nakayama secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He knew this was just the first step.
Once the technical evaluation results of the handheld project were optimistic, how to appropriately propose this project to the board, and cleverly combine it with the new console's market promotion strategy to form Sega's Three-dimensional offensive in the entire game market, would be his next step to meticulously plan.
In particular, he hoped to launch a true high-performance handheld with backlight function before Nintendo, catching them off guard.