At the Atlas office, Kobayashi Tetsu formally introduced Masanobu Endo.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Masanobu Endo. Endo-kun, you are now officially a member of Atlas. I will be drawing personnel from both the first and second teams to work with you on developing an arcade game."
Naka Yuji glanced at Masanobu Endo.
What kind of nobody is this?
Kobayashi Tetsu explained, "Endo was the producer for the Iron Plate Formation port to the FC. He was responsible for adapting the arcade version of Iron Plate Formation for the FC."
Naka Yuji sat up straight.
Now this was worth paying attention to!
With Kobayashi Tetsu's endorsement, Atlas employees readily accepted Masanobu Endo. After all, someone who could oversee the development of a game at a company like Namco must have the necessary skills. Naturally, he deserved respect.
However, Masanobu Endo still felt uneasy. Being assigned a solo project right out of the gate could easily invite jealousy.
"Atlas doesn't follow seniority; we value ability. If I think you're capable, then you are," Kobayashi Tetsu declared without room for argument. He then assigned Masanobu Endo directly: "Get ready. We're going to TBS Television to film a GG. We need to let your old company know where you've gone!"
Moreover, since we've decided to collaborate on a project like the Tower of Druaga—a game that requires both online and offline puzzle-solving—we have no choice but to take certain steps.
Without a massive publicity campaign, it's impossible to complete the offline puzzles, even if Kobayashi Tetsu himself were to cheat his way through!
Therefore, he's already prepared to invest in a large-scale marketing effort.
Masanobu Endo, somewhat tentatively, raised two fingers.
"I believe that with 200 million yen, we can achieve the publicity effect we're aiming for. That should be enough to get players in the Tokyo area to spontaneously participate in the offline puzzles."
Kobayashi Tetsu rolled his eyes.
200 million?
"That's too stingy! If foreigners saw this, they'd think Atlas couldn't afford more! 200 million won't cut it!" Kobayashi Tetsu raised his hand. "Two hundred million!"
Masanobu Endo: ???
Three perfectly aligned question marks appeared above Masanobu Endo's head.
This was outrageous!
Two hundred million yen, just for promoting a game with an uncertain future? Masanobu Endo couldn't believe he was actually hearing these words!
Kobayashi Tetsu sighed.
"Only two hundred million? Is that really so much?"
With Atlas's current revenue, the company was earning around 200 million yen per month. Several of their games were sold directly, with Bandai handling production, resulting in steady sales. Combined, they were selling 400,000 to 500,000 game cartridges per month across different titles. First-party hits like Sonic, specifically developed for the MS, were shipping 200,000 to 300,000 units globally each month.
Kobayashi Tetsu hadn't touched a single penny of the overseas income. Based solely on domestic revenue, Atlas was netting around 200 million yen per month.
Seeing Masanobu Endo's disbelieving expression, Kobayashi casually encouraged him.
"Have some confidence in yourself! You're the man who can complete the Iron Plate Formation development. I hope you can live up to this trust I'm placing in you!"
Masanobu Endo suddenly felt his mouth go dry again.
Tokyo, TBS Television.
In the mid-1980s, TBS Television's influence was already beginning to decline, but it still remained among the top three private TV stations in Japan.
Kobayashi Tetsu was at TBS to film a GG (Good Game) announcement.
For this, he had specially prepared an animated PowerPoint presentation.
In the studio, Kobayashi stood before a green screen backdrop, improvising without a script.
"I'm delighted that viewers at home are watching this GG. When you hear these words, consider it..."
"You've accepted Atlas's challenge!"
"December 25th: To celebrate Christmas and thank players who have supported Atlas for the past three years, we will host a massive offline puzzle event! Using the provided clues, solve the puzzles and mail your answers to Atlas until you uncover the final clue."
"Until February 14th, this will be the first phase of the puzzle. All who complete the first phase will receive a Sonic cartridge!"
Kobayashi Tetsu took a deep breath and pointed at the camera.
"From the first life that emerged underwater, to the colossal beasts of the Stone Age, to humanity's first steps on two feet—you've witnessed so much. Now, embark on your greatest adventure, from the cradle of early civilizations to the vast cosmos, from the tiniest atoms to the grand expanse of outer space."
"I will await every successful puzzler at the Atlas office in the Shinjuku Mitsui Building. The winners will appear in Atlas's next game! I've hidden the clues in secret places. Welcome, all, to this great treasure hunt era!"
Kobayashi Tetsu stepped aside, yielding the green screen to Masanobu Endo. Endo would now reveal the crucial clue that pointed to the first offline puzzle. Ultimately, those who successfully solved the puzzle would go to Shimayose Yosuke's game shop to retrieve the second clue, with Shimayose promising to tally all those who found it.
Emerging from behind the green screen, Kobayashi Tetsu greeted the TBS program producer with a beaming smile.
"How much does it cost to air GG on your channel?"
The blunt question momentarily stunned the producer.
Kobayashi Tetsu, unfazed, spread his hands. "Just give me fifty million yen to start with."
Silence.
Silence was the Cambridge of this night.
Japanese during the Bubble Era were renowned for their willingness to spend money, yet even then, there were rules to their spending—especially in the television industry. The cost of producing a single season of most TV dramas was less than fifty million yen.
And now Kobayashi Tetsu was demanding fifty million yen just to air GG.
That sum could secure prime-time airtime for GG at 7 PM—or even a month of bumper ads after a popular drama.
When the producer looked at Kobayashi Tetsu, he felt a complex and indescribable emotion.
He wasn't sure whether to call Kobayashi Tetsu generous or a sucker.
Even for TBS, with its substantial revenue, 50 million yen was a significant amount from a GG advertiser.
The two shook hands firmly.
The collaboration was sealed!
"Rest assured, President Kobayashi. TBS will secure the best GG time slot to ensure this investment pays off handsomely!"
"Your assurance puts my mind at ease. By the way, may I ask how you should be addressed?"
The producer waved his hand dismissively. "My name is unimportant. I am Hashimoto Yoji."
Kobayashi Tetsu uttered a noncommittal "oh."
Hashimoto Yoji... he knew the name well.
They were old acquaintances!
Hashimoto Yoji was a program producer at TBS Television, responsible for coordinating the production of numerous TV dramas, including series from Toei and Tsuburaya.
Unfortunately, while Kobayashi Tetsu recognized Hashimoto Yoji, the feeling wasn't mutual.
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't elaborate, simply bowing in return.
With the money secured, all that remained was to wait for the TV station to air the GG!
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