Traveling Through the Tokyo Bubble Era

Chapter 296 "Boys Over Flowers" was broadcast, F4 became popular, Sega and Nintendo's reaction
After the sales data of the first day was released, Elf Entertainment did not hide it.

directly to the relevant media.

After all, there are two competitors in the market, and any favorable news should be known to consumers.

Unlike other places in America, the business competition here is more direct.

Don't have any scruples, there is nothing wrong with directly and publicly belittling your competitors.

For example, when the former Sega MD was launched, it directly made public comparisons with Nintendo's FC, mocking Nintendo's FC performance garbage.

And if this approach is placed on Neon, Nintendo can directly sue Sega.

Therefore, after the first-day sales were released, Elf Entertainment was not polite.

In the promotional release, it is both explicit and covert that the competitors are rubbish, and they are not worthy of comparison with PS consoles.

The reason why they didn't name them publicly was mainly because they didn't want to be swayed by those two families.

The strong sales volume of Elven Entertainment shocked the industry.

But it was also within everyone's expectations.

Compared with Elven Entertainment, everyone is actually more curious about the sales of the other two.

Nintendo's NES host is only sold within the New York metropolitan area, and it stands to reason that the aggregate sales are faster than that of Elf Entertainment.

But Elf Entertainment announced the first-day sales, but Nintendo didn't see any movement.

Seeing that Nintendo, which dominates Asia, is so cowardly, there are already some media that are not too serious about watching the excitement, and have published a series of articles that are either negative or mocking.

Even a game magazine that was launched during the E3 exhibition drew a very interesting poster directly for the sake of gimmicks.

That is the image of Pikachu representing the elf entertainment, stomping on a Donkey Kong representing the image of Nintendo fiercely.

The King Kong who was trampled under his feet was somewhat bruised and swollen, obviously he had been severely beaten.

It can only be said that these European and American media played without giving Nintendo any face.

This kind of situation will never happen in Neon.

They have been ridiculed to such an extent, if you want to ask if Nintendo's sales statistics have come out.

That must have been calculated, not only the sales on the first day, but they even summed up the sales of the previous two days.

At this time, Minoru Arakawa was talking on the phone with the Neon Headquarters just for this matter.

"President, the total sales of NES in the New York area in the first two days was only 740 units."

Arakawa Minoru's voice was very bitter.

Compared with the first-day sales announced by Elf Entertainment yesterday, their total sales in the two days are not even a fraction of others.

Although the sales scope of the NES console is only within the New York metropolitan area.

But this is a high-consumption metropolitan area with more than 2000 million people.

According to their estimates, Elf Entertainment's Elf Show store in New York alone probably sold more than their sales.

Comparing the two sides, Nintendo can be described as a complete failure.

On the other end of the phone, Hiroshi Yamauchi was sitting in the conference room of Nintendo headquarters.

Surrounding him are the high-level executives of Nintendo.

On the conference table in front of him, there was a brand new PS console.

As soon as the PS host was launched, the American branch bought two and sent them back to the Neon headquarters.

The one in front of him was used by Hiroshi Yamauchi and Nintendo executives for a trial play.

The other one has been sent to the hardware department for disassembly and analysis.

After personally experiencing the performance of the PS host, after hearing that the sales of the NES host in America are so dismal.

Even though he was used to the strong winds and waves in the business world, Hiroshi Yamauchi felt the crisis.

Once the PS host has an absolute advantage in America, the next step is definitely to counterattack Neon.

There is no doubt about that.

Because if it were him, he would choose the same way.

"Do you have any good suggestions?" Yamauchi Hiroshi asked Arakawa Minoru.

The son-in-law is in America and has a better grasp of the situation there than he does.

"To cut prices, we must increase shipments, without market share, everything is empty talk.

We have to keep the tinder in America, and then launch sixteen consoles as soon as possible, so that we have a chance to catch up with Genie Entertainment. "

Arakawa said categorically.

If it weren't for Sega messing around, Nintendo might have other options.

However, after the Sega SG1000 announced the retail price of $99, there are not many choices left for Nintendo.

"The price can be reduced, but have you thought about how much it will be reduced.

There is also the development of [-]-bit hosts, how should Neon's FC market deal with it.

We already have an advantage, and if the new host fails, even the original advantage will be lost. "

Hiroshi Yamauchi has always felt that his son-in-law only has the American market in his eyes and ignores the neon is the root of Nintendo.

"President, Elven Entertainment's ambitions are definitely not limited to the American market. When they gain a foothold here, they will definitely compete with Nintendo in the neon market. I don't think the performance of the FC console can withstand the attack of the PS console."

Arakawa earnestly persuaded.

In his opinion, Hiroshi Yamauchi has missed an opportunity, and he must not hesitate any longer.

After hearing what his son-in-law said, Hiroshi Yamauchi said after a little thought.

"You come up with a price reduction plan for an NES console as soon as possible. As for the development of a new console, I will seriously consider it."

After saying this, Hiroshi Yamauchi hung up the phone.

Then he looked at the senior management of Nintendo.

Especially the heads of the hardware department.

"What do you think about PS consoles?"

Everyone looked hesitant, and no one dared to speak for a while.

In the end, it was Junpei Yokoi who spoke first.

"Although there are still some flaws, the current technical conditions are enough to be called excellent.

Although I don't want to admit it, this host is indeed more powerful than our FC host in terms of performance. "

Seeing that Junpei Yokoi was the leader, the others also followed suit.

Although there are some faults, they basically admit the excellence of the PS console.

After listening to everyone's words, Hiroshi Yamauchi was not angry, but said in a calm tone.

"If we use this mainframe as a model to develop our own [-]-bit computer, how long will it take to complete?"

The people in the hardware department looked left and right, and finally Masayuki Uemura, the chief designer of the FC mainframe, gave an answer.

"Other parts are easy to solve. The [-]-bit processor is quite mature in the market now. Only the graphics processing, I am afraid that it needs the cooperation of semiconductor manufacturers, and it will take at least half a year of research and development time."

"Which manufacturer is the graphics processing chip for the PS host? Can we cooperate with them?" Hiroshi Yamauchi asked.

"I'm afraid this can't be realized." Uemura Masayuki replied.

"why?"

"The manufacturer who customized graphics processing chips for them is called Elven Vision. This manufacturer is very popular in the field of Hollywood special effects, but as far as I know, this manufacturer is originally a subsidiary of Elven Entertainment."

As soon as Uemura Masayuki said this, Yamauchi Hiroshi never mentioned the matter of cooperation again.

After all, as long as Elf Entertainment is not stupid, it will never use the technology of its own subsidiary to help competitors.

At this time, Shigeru Miyamoto from the game development department spoke.

"I think there's one more thing that has to be taken into account if a new sixteen-bit console is going to be developed."

"What's the matter?" Hiroshi Yamauchi asked.

"That is, the new console must be compatible with the cartridges of the FC console, otherwise, once the new console goes on the market, it will be tantamount to giving up the market that originally belonged to FC."

Shigeru Miyamoto replied with a serious tone.

Hiroshi Yamauchi nodded.

"That's right, this matter must be taken into account, Uemura-san, you are still in charge of the research and development of the sixteen hosts, please immediately formulate a complete research and development plan, I only have one request, and that is to be fast!"

"Yes." Masayuki Uemura stood up and agreed.

However, on the face of the father of the red and white machine who was ordered in danger, there was a faint look of sadness.

Everything has to be started from scratch, and games compatible with eight-bit machines must also be considered.

For Masayuki Uemura, this is undoubtedly a very huge challenge.

And just when Hiroshi Yamauchi arranged for the development of Nintendo's [-]-bit console.

Far away in America, Arakawa is actually thinking about the price reduction strategy of the NES console.

A sudden and substantial price cut is not just an explanation to the seller.

It also has to face the doubts of consumers.

Especially consumers who have already bought NES consoles.

Once it is not handled properly, it will cause consumers' resentment.

But at this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door outside the office.

After he agreed, the assistant came in with a panicked face and told Arakawa Minoru an unacceptable news.

"The Sega branch of America held a press conference and announced that the first-day sales of the SG1000 were 2 units."

When Arakawa heard the words, he immediately slumped down on the chair.

His worst fear happened.

He was more worried about the success of Sega's low-price strategy than the hot sales of PS consoles.

Because what he wants Nintendo to follow is Sega's current route.

2 units, it seems that there is not even a fraction of the PS console.

But it is enough to block Nintendo's way.

Although he didn't want to be a mourning bird, he could only pick up the phone and report the bad news to the Neon headquarters.

And at this moment, the Neon Sega headquarters.

President Hayao Nakayama is also holding a high-level meeting of Sega.

The sales volume of more than [-] units on the first day is undoubtedly a very beautiful figure for Sega.

Although far inferior to Elven Entertainment.

But at least the old rival Nintendo is under pressure.

This made Nakayama Hayao very happy.

Of course, after being happy, Nakayama Hayao also understood that Sega was nothing more than losing money and making money.

The more you sell, the more you lose.

But he knew that he was losing money, and he still wanted to do this. Of course, it was not because he had too much money and had no place to spend it.

Nakayama Hayao naturally has his plan.

Looking at all the high-level people in the conference room, Nakayama Hayao said loudly.

"Our strategy in America has been very successful and we are continuing as planned."

As he spoke, he asked Sega's sales manager, "Are you ready?"

"Get ready, we will control the shipments of America's sales and mainly supply the production capacity to the South American market."

The person in charge's words made Nakayama Hayao show a satisfied expression.

That's right, when Nintendo and Spirit Entertainment both had their eyes on America.

Sega's huge low-price promotion in America was nothing more than a feint.

The real goal of Hayao Nakayama has been the unnoticed South American market from the very beginning.

The low price of SG1000 in America is just an advertisement prepared by Sega for the South American market.

Asia, North America, Europe, of course, are the main markets for video games today.

But that doesn't mean South America has no demand for video games.

If America didn't have Elf Entertainment, he might really keep his eyes on America, and he would not hesitate to compete desperately with Nintendo.

But now America is occupied by Elf Entertainment.

In the neon market, Sega couldn't compete with Nintendo.

Although the South American market is small, it is better than no market at all.

That's why Nakayama Hayao came up with such a way to help Sega survive.

The most important thing is that Sega, which acquired Atari, has a channel advantage in the South American market, even stronger than Elf Entertainment and Nintendo.

Thinking of this, Nakayama Hayao told his subordinates again.

"We must maintain the sales channels left by Atari in South America. If we keep South America, we can hold on to the hope of a comeback."

Then he looked at the person in charge of the hardware R&D department.

"Refer to the PS console and develop Sega's [-]-bit console as soon as possible.

For the graphics processing chip problem mentioned earlier, go directly to ElfVision for cooperation. "

Hearing this, the person in charge of Sega's hardware R&D department felt a little embarrassed.

"I'm afraid Elf Entertainment will not agree with Elven Vision to cooperate with us."

"Whether they agree or not, we will try it and there will be no loss. If they agree, our host development speed will definitely be accelerated a lot."

Nakayama Hayao said indifferently.

Compared with the thoughtful Hiroshi Yamauchi, Hayao Nakayama is undoubtedly more decisive in doing things.

"Yes, I understand"

……

The sales figures announced by Sega have caused a little disturbance in the game industry.

When it reached Hideki Hanyu's ears, he didn't pay much attention to it.

Sega has come up with a "group purchase price" of $99, and they don't allow others to sell it.

And even if Sega wants to sell the console at a loss, and then sell games at a high price to make money.

That also requires a certain host share.

Sega's current sales cannot meet the most basic requirements.

Even if it can sell so much, I am afraid that Sega will not be able to afford it.

Therefore, even though Sega's sales on the first day were not bad, Hideki Hanyu still didn't take Sega seriously.

Sega's current situation is far from challenging Fairy Entertainment.

Putting the Sega thing aside.

By the way, I was dealing with Yasuko Sawaguchi on the phone.

After the girl returned to Neon, she immediately organized her little sisters to get together in Chiyoda District to watch the premiere of "Boys Over Flowers".

Before the TV started, he even called Hideki Hanyu to report the situation.

"Okay, you watch TV obediently, there is something I need to deal with on the house construction side, so hang up first."

"All right……"

Yasuko Sawaguchi reluctantly hung up the phone at his house in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

Turning his head, he saw that Sachiko Kawachi was looking at him curiously.

Yasuko Sawaguchi did not hide her relationship with Hideki Hanyu from this boudoir friend.

"Is it Chairman Hanyu's phone?" Sachiko Kamaike asked.

"Yes." Yasuko Sawaguchi replied.

"It's been a long time since I saw the president go to the training base. I really want to ask him when will I debut."

Sachiko Puchi said with some melancholy.

As a trainee recruited by Yunshang Arts in the first phase, Puchi Xingzi has been in the training base for more than two years.

During this period, the trainees who joined at the same time as her, and even the trainees who joined later than her.

Some debuted successfully, some failed to debut, and some have already become famous.

But she is the only one who has signed a B-level contract and hasn't made her debut yet.

She is already this year, and belongs to the oldest batch of trainees in the training base.

In the summer, she will be graduating from Horikoshi High School.

She really didn't want to go to college, and she didn't have a chance to debut yet.

So she wanted to ask Hideki Hanyu why he chose to sign her and gave her a B-level contract, but he never arranged for her to debut.

As a trainee who was selected into the training base at the same time, Yasuko Sawaguchi certainly knew what Sachiko Komachi was feeling sad about.

She tried to say, "Or next time I see Hideki-kun, I'll ask him for you."

"It's still not necessary, I want to ask the president about this personally." Puchi Xingzi insisted.

"Okay." Yasuko Sawaguchi, who knew her friend's character well, couldn't make the decision on her own.

At this moment, Ai Yazawa, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room, suddenly yelled at the two of them.

"The time is up, the TV series is about to start."

"I'm coming!"

The two girls hurried over and sat on the sofa to watch TV.

At this time, on TV, commercials before the start of the TV series are already in progress.

Ai Yazawa suddenly turned her head and asked Yasuko Sawaguchi.

"Chairman Hanyu can see Fuji Terrace in America?"

Yasuko Sawaguchi shook his head, "I can't see it."

Ai Yazawa was a little disappointed when she heard the words. As the main writer of the manga, she still wanted to hear Hideki Hanyu's opinion on the TV series as soon as possible.

But the disappointment didn't last long.

Because with the sound of the introduction, the long-awaited "Boys Over Flowers" is finally about to start.

Yasuko Sawaguchi and the others immediately turned their attention to the TV.

In fact, it's not just them.

The whole neon, I don't know how many TV sets, are occupied by girls who like "Boys Over Flowers".

Even far away in Sendai City, Hanyu's house.

When the opening song "Gaining Through Losing" sung by "F4" sounded, the two girls Yui Hanyu and Yumi Watanabe shouted excitedly.

Next to it, Shuri Hanyu said with a look of disdain, "Isn't it just a TV series adapted from a manga? What's so interesting about it?"

Who would have thought that what he said, before his sister and Yumi Watanabe could refute, he was hit on the head by his own mother.

"I also like to read this cartoon, can't I?"

Facing his mother's eyes that were "full of fierceness", Hanyu Shuri didn't dare to speak back, and could only sit obediently by the side, watching TV with the three women.

After all, with Watanabe Yumi here, he was reluctant to let him go.

After the simple opening song, the plot begins.

At the beginning of the TV plot, there is not much difference from the comics.

Makino Shancai, played by Yuki Saito, was born in an ordinary family. With the efforts of his parents, he entered the noble school Yingde Academy.

It's just that in the manga, it is described in detail that Makino Shancai's parents tried their best to get their daughter into Yingde College, in order to climb up to the wealthy son and brother, and finally change their fate.

But Makino Shancai, who has a sense of justice, is brave and kind, does not want such a life.

But because of the expectations of his parents, he had to enter Yingde College.

But in the TV series, this process is compressed.

Regarding the character of Makino Shancai, it is only shaped by a memory of helping her girlfriends fight against injustices when she was a child.

The focus of the first TV episode is not actually on the heroine Makino Shancai.

Instead, put it on F4.

The first screen of the four of them.

They are four super sports cars worth tens of millions.

The unprecedented display of wealth left all the audience speechless.

And when the four handsome guys with their own characteristics walked out of the car against the rising sun, amidst the cheers of the students of Yingde College.

The rising sun cast a circle of light on the four of them.

Cooperate with the well-crafted shape and the luxury brand all over the body.

For a moment, all the female viewers watching TV became nympho.

Next, it is to show F4 to the audience from various angles.

Arrogant and domineering, the dictator of the Yingde College, played by Oda Yuji as the 'Daoming Temple Division'.

With medium-length hair and a melancholic temperament, "Hanazawa Lei" played by Hiroshi Abe, who is still in the fresh meat stage.

Long hair shawl, flirtatious, played by Masaya Kato as 'Ximen Zongjiro'.

Gray hair, loving wife, "Misaku Rei" played by Toshiaki Karasawa.

Through the introduction of the characters in the play, with the help of the performance of the screen.

Everyone saw Daoming Sisi's luxurious bedroom and a cloakroom that was bigger than an ordinary person's entire home.

The cabinets are full of famous brand watches, and there are too many high-end clothes to count.

There is also a luxurious life that requires three maids to serve when dressing.

The first episode of the TV series tells the audience all the time how rich and powerful these four young masters are.

The unprecedented sense of reality and details, as well as the excellent production quality, make ordinary viewers really believe that this is the life of the top young master.

Then he described how F4 acted domineeringly in school, and how he used the red note with F4 to punish those students who offended them.

In this case, Makino Shancai hid in the stairwell of the teaching building, complained about F4 bullying classmates, and was heard by Huazelei.

Then when Daoming Sisi bullied his friend, the brave and kind-hearted she offered to help, thus offending Daoming Sisi.

At the end of the first episode, it was discovered that her wardrobe had been pasted with a red note from F4.

With the sound of "Planetarium" sung by Saito Yuki, the first episode of "Boys Over Flowers" ended in the regret of countless audiences.

"What happened behind Makino Shancai? Why did it end suddenly? Is there anything else behind?"

In the house in Chiyoda District, Tokyo, Kamaike Sachiko asked loudly.

"No, if you want to see it, you can only wait until next week." Yasuko Sawaguchi replied.

"Ah! We have to wait until next week."

Sachiko Kawachi looked like I couldn't wait.

"I can't wait to ask Yazawa-san, she is a manga author." Yasuko Sawaguchi said.

"Actually, I don't know. The TV series has compressed and adapted the plot of the manga. Pu Chi-san should wait for the TV series."

Yazawa Ai spread her hands, saying that she could do nothing.

"Waiting for the TV series to air is really painful, Yasuko-chan, why don't you call President Hanyu and ask him to watch it for us in advance?"

Sachiko Kuchichi grabbed Yasuko Sawaguchi's arm and begged.

"How is this possible!" Yasuko Sawaguchi directly refused.

Then, Sister Quanshui put on a mask of pain.

"Okay, if you want to know what happened next, I still have the manga booklet here, and I'll lend it to you first."

"Great, I'll be staying at Jing Zijiang's place tonight, and I won't go back until I finish watching."

"Is the training base okay?"

"It's okay, I'll just give you a call."

"It's so late, don't leave Yazawa-san, by the way, tell us the story of the unpublished manga?"

Yasuko Zeguchi sent an invitation to Yazawa Ai.

Ai Yazawa thought about it, and finally nodded in agreement.

However, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Sister Izumi, and Ai Yazawa, the manga author, answered questions.

Other viewers were not so lucky.

What kind of treatment will the brave and kind Shancai Makino receive after offending F4?
Everyone wants to know.

That night, Fuji TV's phone rang off the hook.

The audience strongly requested that the second episode be broadcast as soon as possible.

Of course, it is impossible for Fuji Station to agree to this request to destroy the plan.

Instead of agreeing to the request, they replayed the first episode again at noon the next day.

Another batch of "Boys Over Flowers" "victims" were created.

Then Fuji TV's phone continued to ring.

On the day when the ratings of the first episode were counted, the ratings were about to break [-].

Everyone at Fuji TV understands that they have created another championship-level TV series.

The first episode of "Boys Over Flowers" caused such a reaction, and Fuji TV is of course the biggest beneficiary on the surface.

But the entire entertainment industry understands that Yunshang Entertainment has also benefited a lot.

Not to mention the co-production of Fuji TV, what benefits and conditions were promised to Yunshang Entertainment.

As long as there are no accidents for the leading actors alone, it is certain that they will become popular with this TV series.

And with the broadcast of the TV series.

Actor-only group 'F4' also officially debuted with the single "Gaining Through Losing".

Immediately afterwards, Yuki Saito, the actor of Makino Sugi, also released the single "Planetarium" to announce his debut.

At this time, everyone discovered that these two excellent songs were written by Hideki Hanyu, who hadn't shown up for a long time.

The performance of the two songs also lived up to Yunshang Entertainment's expectations.

In the first week of its release, it landed in the top ten of Oricon.

"Gaining Through Losing" ranked seventh.

Planetarium ranked sixth.

With the second and third episodes of "Boys Over Flowers" being broadcast one after another.

The TV series "Boys Over Flowers" began to explode with unstoppable momentum.

As the absolute protagonist 'F4' group in the play, with the help of the influence of the TV series, coupled with the excellent appearance, the popularity is out of control.

"Gaining Through Losing", the debut song of F4, even sat at the top of the Oricon chart after the third week on the list.

F4 posters, appearing in the rooms of girls of all ages.

The streets and alleys are playing their singles.

They are all on the TV show.

As long as they participate in offline activities, they will definitely be surrounded by female fans, screaming one after another.

Even because the four of them greeted collectively, some female fans were so excited that they fainted on the spot.

Such a rapid popularity, even Yunshang Yineng did not expect it.

Manufacturers, large and small, are scrambling to cooperate with F4.

Invitations from various announcements flew into Yunshang Entertainment like snowflakes.

At the same time, although Saito Yuki's popularity has also increased, it is far behind F4.

The song "Planetarium" was even more crushed by "Gaining Through Losing" on the Oricon chart.

For this reason, Santomo Iijima also made a special phone call to inquire about Hideki Hanyu who was still staying in America.

"Mr. Hanyu, can Saito Yuki's project about baseball heroes be started earlier?"

On the other end of the phone, Hanyu Hideki thought about it and said.

"Let's wait a bit. Now that TV dramas are becoming popular, Yuki Saito still needs to maintain the label of Makino Sugi, which is not suitable for being associated with a baseball hero."

"I understand."

Sanchi Iijima replied, and then asked, "When will Mr. Hanyu return to Neon?"

"Maybe a few more days, what's the matter?"

"Akimoto Yasushi, who has worked with him before, came to Yunshang Entertainment yesterday, and said that Mr. Hanyu promised him that he would cooperate with the newcomers on their debut."

"Well, I promised Akimoto-san about this matter, you let him make a specific plan first, and I will talk about everything when I go back."

"Yes, I understand."

After finishing the phone call with Sanchi Iijima.

Hanyu Hideki looked at the female secretary who was waiting to report to work, "What's the matter?"

"This is a document sent by the sales department, saying it contains some information about Sega."

Monica Bellucci said, and handed a document to Hideki Hanyu.

Hanyu Hideki took the document and showed a playful smile after reading it.

"Sega... Hayao Nakayama, I really didn't expect that."

　Thanks for the reward of slow travel book sea
　　Thanks to JGreenwich for the reward

　　My friends called me to have an event tonight. Since I wrote the book, I have never participated in group activities. If I don’t show up again, my friends should think that I have an accident, so that’s all I have today. Brothers, forgive me.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)