Traveling Through the Tokyo Bubble Era

Chapter 331 Cautious Marco
Mieko Harada’s engagement.

It is not a big news in the entertainment industry.

After all, Mieko Harada is recognized as one of the best actresses among neon actors today.

But unfortunately.

The news of her engagement coincided with the breaking news that Haruki Kadokawa was arrested for possessing drugs.

The front foot was ousted by the younger brother United Board of Directors.

Only a few days later, he was arrested again for drug possession.

According to the quantity of drugs disclosed by the police.

Many experts have publicly analyzed that Kadokawa Haruki is likely to face a sentence of more than one year.

Of course, a lean camel is bigger than a horse.

As long as you are willing to spend the money, you will definitely get a reprieve in the end.

But even so.

The former president of Kadokawa Bookstore, he led Kadokawa Pictures to kill all the big shots in the neon movie market.

It's sad to see such an ending.

At this moment, Kadokawa Bookstore issued another announcement.

It stated that because Haruki Kadokawa's personal behavior had caused damage to the reputation of Kadokawa Bookstore, it was decided to revoke Haruki Kadokawa's director title.

This news can be called adding insult to injury.

Why don't the people in the industry understand that this is Kadokawa Harihiko trying to kill his brother without giving him any chance to make a comeback?

At the same time, some people couldn't help but connect this incident with the previous conflict between Kadokawa Haruki and Hanyu Hideki.

I thought that Hanyu Hideki seemed to have nothing to do with this matter.

Even when attending Mieko Harada's engagement ceremony, she acted uninformed.

But secretly, this operation of killing people with a knife and gaining both fame and fortune is simply chilling down the spine.

Kadokawa Haruki is completely finished. Even if he doesn't have to go to jail, he won't be able to make any big waves in the future.

Noriko Watanabe, who was finally trained, moved to Yunshang Performing Arts.

His younger brother, Kadokawa Rihihiko, who was not interested in Kadokawa Films, even gave many of the projects he had prepared to Yunshang Entertainment.

But from the perspective of ordinary people, this matter has nothing to do with Hideki Hanyu.

Even if some media people guess something.

Even if they had the guts, they wouldn't dare to report it.

joke.

Big guys like Kadokawa Haruki can be sent in.

With a salary of several thousand dollars a month, what are they trying to do with their lives?
Exposing gossips and scandals about ordinary artists will at most result in scolding in public, or a fight at home.

But if you offend Hideki Hanyu, you might actually get in.

Hideki Hanyu probably wouldn't care what they said.

But no one dares to bet on that tiny chance.

……

After Hideki Hanyu showed up at Mieko Harada’s engagement ceremony.

At noon the next day, I had lunch with Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, the head of Seibu Group, as scheduled.

After the meeting, Hideki Hanyu first expressed his thanks, "Thank you very much for Tsuisang's support of Yunshang Satellite TV."

"President Hanyu is too polite. It's the end of the year and I don't know what benefits to give to employees, so I'll just send pay TV to everyone."

"Tisang is so generous and it is such a blessing to be your employee."

"It's not as good as Hanyu-san. I've heard about the treatment of Elf Entertainment for a long time."

……

The two chatted politely for a while, and Yoshiaki Tsutsumi changed the subject and guided the topic to cooperation.

"Chairman Hanyu, our people have been talking about cooperation for a long time. I don't know what Chairman Hanyu's opinion is."

Hanyu Hideki said, "Since we are still talking, it is not too late to wait until there are preliminary results."

"There is one thing we can say in advance, and that is what we talked about before, the name of the amusement park project."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi didn't want to beat around the bush with Hideki Hanyu, so he said it directly.

When Hideki Hanyu heard this, he realized that Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's attitude was still the same as last time, and he wanted the amusement park to bear the name of Seibu Group.

But his attitude also didn't intend to change.

“Tisang, I want to ask you, are you planning to cooperate with Elf Entertainment in an amusement park that only has Neon influence?

Or is it an amusement park with influence all over the world like Disney? "

"Of course it is an amusement park that has influence all over the world like Disney."

Tsutsumi Yoshiaki said it as a matter of course.

How could the ambitious Tsutsumi Yoshiaki be satisfied with just the neon market.

Today's Seibu Group also has the strength to support his ambitions.

"Can Tisang tell me whether the success of Disneyland is because of the amusement park itself or because of Disney?"

As soon as Hanyu Hideki said this.

Tsutsumi Yoshiaki suddenly fell silent.

Little does he know that the success of Disneyland relies on the influence of Disney’s IP.

Hanyu Hideki ignored the silent Tsutsumi Yoshiaki and continued to speak.

“Although Elf Entertainment is young, the copyrights it owns are well-known around the world.

This is why I use the name Elf Entertainment.

Using the name of Seibu Group, I am afraid it will be difficult to promote it in Neon, let alone overseas. "

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi asked, "But if you can't even own a name, what's the point of Seibu Group's investment?"

Hanyu Hideki spread his hands indifferently, "Then it depends on whether Tsutsumi-san wants fame or fortune."

Fame or fortune.

Hideki Hanyu doesn’t need to explain at all, I believe Yoshiaki Tsutsumi can understand it himself.

When the topic of cooperation came up, the two of them stopped continuing.

Hideki Hanyu stated his conditions.

He actually didn't care whether Tsutsumi Yoshiaki agreed.

For the Seibu Group, he only wanted to use it.

After all, the other party's glory was too short-lived.

Of course it would be good to use it.

It doesn’t matter if you can’t use it.

After a lunch with Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, Hideki Hanyu returned to his original schedule.

At this time, the PS console has also entered the countdown stage before sales.

Various more specific propagandas have also begun to be exposed.

For example, seven games were released at the same time.

And a disk drive that will not be bundled with the PS console.

There is also the question that all players who want to buy a PS console are most concerned about.

The final selling price of the PS console in Neon.

Without any peripherals, Elf Entertainment priced the bare metal PS console at 19999 yen.

As soon as the news came out, the players were overjoyed.

Although it is higher than the 15000 yen price of the Nintendo FC console.

But it was lower than what many relevant media expected.

In their previous speculation, the price of this console should be around [-] yen.

Because only at this price can the PS console be profitable under the current production costs.

The price is 19999 yen.

For a 16-bit console, this is a surprise.

After all, in numerous evaluation reports, it has been determined that the PS console is much better than the FC console in terms of console performance and game screen performance.

While consumers are happy, some people are not so happy.

Kyoto city.

Nintendo headquarters, in the president's office.

On the table in front of Yamauchi Pu, there is a copy of the latest "Game Base" magazine.

The cover is a picture related to the PS console.

In addition to the console, there are also peripheral light guns and disk drives, as well as seven game cartridges and disks placed in sequence.

Especially those seven games gave Hiroshi Yamauchi a deep sense of powerlessness.

This is basically relying on the strong game library to break into the market.

It doesn’t matter if players don’t like one or two games.

I launched seven models at once.

And these seven games don’t even include “Duck Shooting” which comes with the purchase of light gun peripherals.

With so many games, there is always one that can impress players.

There is also a disk drive.

This is what Nintendo plans to use to temporarily extend the life of the FC console before the launch of the [-]-bit console.

It was originally planned to be launched at the Tokyo Electronic Entertainment Show next year.

Now, Elf Entertainment has taken the lead.

Although Hiroshi Yamauchi also envisioned many functions for the disk drive, such as erasing games and uploading score rankings.

But falling behind means falling behind.

After being taken advantage of by Elf Entertainment, the impression given to the outside world will only be that of others.

There is no sense of surprise at all.

What dazzled Hiroshi Yamauchi the most was the bright “price 19999 yen” on the cover.

Nintendo did a cost calculation on the [-]-bit console it was developing and came to a conclusion after the group.

Sixteen hosts want to make a profit and be accepted by consumers.

The best retail price is between [-] yen and [-] yen.

Now Elf Entertainment directly announced a floor-breaking retail price of 19999 yen.

According to Hiroshi Yamauchi's estimation, even if this pricing does not result in loss of money, after removing various costs, it is impossible to make money at all.

Elf Entertainment has made it clear that it relies on price wars to open up the market.

However, Nintendo is powerless to stop this kind of conspiracy.

Suppressing the voices of dissatisfaction within the First Heart Association has exhausted Yamauchi Hiroshi.

I really don’t have the energy to use other small actions to affect Elf Entertainment.

Seeing the price war of PS consoles is not the most uncomfortable thing for Hiroshi Yamauchi.

The most uncomfortable thing is that Elf Entertainment brought the 16-bit console to this price.

After Nintendo's subsequent 16-bit console is successfully developed, it can only be launched at this price.

Otherwise, with the same performance, why would Nintendo let consumers abandon PS consoles and choose Nintendo consoles again.

Even to offset the advantage of Elf Entertainment’s game library.

Nintendo also wants to keep the retail price lower than that of Genie Entertainment.

If I don’t make money from Elf Entertainment, you shouldn’t try to make money either.

Pu Yamauchi was so angry that his teeth itched with hatred.

Your Elf Entertainment has a rich game library. Even if the console doesn't make money, you can still make money by selling cassettes.

What's more, even if Neon Market loses money, Elf Entertainment still has a stable European and American market.

Thinking of America Market, Hiroshi Yamauchi gritted his teeth.

The failure of the FC console in America had a huge impact on Nintendo.

This caused Nintendo to lose important strategic space.

And Sega!

This man was beaten by Nintendo in the neon market and was defeated by his subordinates.

After America relied on low prices for a wave of advertising, it actually made a false move and focused its main energy on emerging markets.

It happened to sell quite well.

Sega recently announced that the total global sales of the SG1000 console have reached 200 million units.

The vast majority of sales are in the two markets of South America and South Africa.

Naturally, Nintendo also wants to get involved.

However, Sega was able to prosper in emerging markets mainly by relying on the sales network left behind by its original acquisition of Atari.

In this regard, even Elf Entertainment cannot compare.

It seems that in these two markets, Elf Entertainment has only dabbled in the market and has no intention of deepening its development.

Today, the world’s video game landscape.

Genie Entertainment's products are rooted in North America, then radiate to Europe, and then compete with Nintendo for the market in Asia.

Sega took a different approach and established a foothold in several emerging markets.

As for Nintendo, which originally dominated Asia, it is the most embarrassing.

It failed to enter the American market and was defeated by Elf Entertainment in the European market.

Emerging markets lack channels.

The most stable neon and Asian markets were first replaced by handheld consoles by Genie Entertainment.

Nowadays, even the host share is facing unprecedented challenges.

Nintendo, there is no way back.

Since Nintendo was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, its stock price has been rising.

LoginAmerica's stocks tumbled after a setback in the market.

If Elf Entertainment captures Neon's local market again.

I'm afraid the stock price will be cut in half.

dong dong dong-

When Yamauchi Pu was worried, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Yamauchi Pu's voice fell, and three people filed in.

The leader is Masayuki Uemura, who is responsible for the development of Nintendo's sixteen-bit console.

He was followed closely by Gunpei Yokoi, the head of the First Development Department.

Finally, there is Minoru Arakawa, the son-in-law who was recalled from America by Hiroshi Yamauchi.

After the three of them said hello, Hiroshi Yamauchi didn't mince words and said directly, "You have seen the news about the PS console."

The three nodded.

Hiroshi Yamauchi first looked at Uemura Masayuki and said, "Uemura-san, I want to know when can we see a prototype of Nintendo's [-]-bit console?"

Hiroshi Yamauchi understands that if the FC host has the advantage, even if another [-]-bit host appears.

There is no need to be too anxious about Nintendo's development of [-]-bit consoles.

But the problem is that now, except for the Asian market, FC consoles no longer have an advantage.

The sales of PS consoles in America and Europe in less than ten months are almost catching up with the sales of FC consoles in more than two years.

At this time, they were even killed at the doorstep.

Under this situation, Nintendo continues to stand on its own laurels. No matter what method it uses to extend the life of the FC console, it is just hanging on.

The only way to fight back is to launch Nintendo's [-]-bit console as soon as possible.

"This..." Uemura Masayuki looked confused.

"Uemura-san, you said before that the development time is only six months, and now it's almost five months."

Looking at Hiroshi Yamauchi who looked unhappy, Masaichi Uemura gritted his teeth and said, "The prototype is not expected until June next year."

"What? Why does it take so long? Is there something wrong with the graphics processing chip provided by Elf Vision?"

When Hiroshi Yamauchi heard this, his first reaction was that Elf Vision was causing a stumbling block for Nintendo.

Hearing this, Uemura Masayuki hurriedly explained.

"No, the Nitor0130 chip provided by Genie Vision was debugged very smoothly and performed very well. It helped us shorten a lot of the development cycle."

"If it's not the reason for the elf's vision, then what's the reason? It still takes half a year!"

Yamauchi Pu said somewhat dissatisfied.

Facing Hiroshi Yamauchi's question, Masayuki Uemura bowed deeply and said, "I will do my best to improve the development time of the console." He said that I have tried my best and you can scold me if you want.

As for why Uemura Masayuki didn’t explain the specific reasons.

Very simple.

Because the research and development speed is slow, it is because of the president's order.

In fact, before, Masayuki Uemura found that it was much more difficult than expected for new consoles to be backward compatible with FC console games.

PS consoles have no concerns about backward compatibility, so when choosing a processor, you can choose whatever you want.

But Nintendo’s new console should consider being backward compatible with FC console games.

Therefore, when purchasing a processor, you must choose a processor with the same architecture.

What's terrible is that the manufacturer that provides processors for FC hosts is still developing [-]-bit processors.

After realizing the problem, Masayuki Uemura reported the problem to Hiroshi Yamauchi.

However, Hiroshi Yamauchi, who did not want to give up the FC market, asked Masayuki Uemura to overcome the difficulties on his own.

Masayuki Uemura can only develop an emulation mode that is backward compatible with FC console games on existing processors.

But it is easy to say, but very difficult to do.

The time required to develop the console itself is tight enough.

The result is so many more problems.

It would be damned if the R&D cycle is not lengthened.

Because of this, Masayuki Uemura couldn't explain it.

You can't just say that your request, boss, is unrealistic. If you want to launch [-]-bit consoles as quickly as possible, the best way is to abandon the FC market.

But he is just a research and development staff.

He is not qualified to make such decisions involving market strategy, nor can he bear the responsibility for making decisions.

With Masayuki Uemura looking like this, Hiroshi Yamauchi couldn't get angry even if he wanted to.

Removing Masayuki Uemura will only make console development slower.

"Okay, I see, you go to work."

"President, goodbye."

Uemura Masayuki left.

Yamauchi Hiroshi looked at his son-in-law Minoru Arakawa again.

This time I called the other party back mainly because I wanted to ask one thing.

"How is our channel construction in new markets going?"

The new market mentioned by Hiroshi Yamauchi is naturally the South American and South African markets where Sega is flourishing.

Elf Entertainment focuses on the European and American markets, and is preparing for Neon to open up a new battlefield. It cannot take care of these two emerging markets for the time being.

Nintendo failed to land in America, so it could focus on emerging markets.

Sega has helped everyone mature the market.

The FC console cannot beat Elf Entertainment, but it is not afraid of competing with Sega.

After all, give yourself more basic territory.

There will be more capital to compete with Elf Entertainment.

Arakawa Minoru replied, "The progress is pretty smooth. The situation in these two places is very complicated. It may take some time to completely gain the upper hand."

"It doesn't matter, just follow your plan."

"Yes."

Yamauchi Hiroshi chatted with his son-in-law for a few words and then asked him to leave.

After he and Yokoi Gunpei were the only ones left in the house.

Hiroshi Yamauchi asked, "How is the progress at Bandai...?"

Yokoi Gunpei replied, "After solving the battery problem, the progress is going smoothly."

Hiroshi Yamauchi continued to ask, "Where is Shigeru Miyamoto's software progress?"

Gunpei Yokoi replied, "He said he would not delay the test."

"very good."

Yamauchi Pu nodded with satisfaction.

Then he looked to the north and said something meaningful.

"If you want to compete with Elf Entertainment, just relying on the console is not enough..."

……

December NO.19.

For ordinary people, this is not a special day.

But it is very important for Elf Entertainment.

Elf Entertainment’s iconic tall and short twin towers headquarters.

In the lower building.

Copyrighted image sculptures, posters, and large dolls can be seen everywhere in the hall.

A press conference is being held to announce the launch of the PS console.

Hosting the press conference was former Yuan Zhensheng.

This person in charge of the sales department is ordinary in appearance but elegant in temperament and very approachable.

Because he often hosts external speeches, he is already one of the most familiar people to Elf Entertainment supporters.

Although the PS console is being promoted, a lot of relevant information has been released.

But at the reception.

The reporter still asked many interesting questions.

Just when former Yuan Zhensheng was being interviewed in the hall.

On the corridor platform above the hall, a group of people walked over from the high-rise building.

Wearing a blue suit, gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, Hanyu Hideki has an upright posture.

Walking at the front with great momentum.

Behind him, Iwata Satoru, Kusamura Juntada, Aragaki Tetsuya, Kurohara Arima and other high-level elf entertainment executives followed closely.

Everyone stopped in front of the metal handrail of the cantilevered platform in the hall, and stood spread out to both sides with Hanyu Hideki in the center.

Together they observed the press conference in the hall from a high position.

After a while, Hideki Hanyu commented, "Maemoto-san is very suitable for this kind of scene."

"Yeah, when I first met him, he was a eloquent guy."

The head of the production department, Junchu Kusamura, said with a smile.

As a whole Elf Entertainment, Hanyu Hideki is recognized as a "dog leg".

Hanyu Hideki spoke, and of course Kusamura Junchu was the first to support him.

Besides, before Hanyu Hideki acquired the "glasses factory", he was old friends with Kurohara Arima and Maemoto Shino.

Naturally, he is qualified to tell such a joke.

"If Kusamura-san's words are heard by Maewon-san, he will treat me to drinks again."

Hanyu Hideki also made a joke, and then said to Satoru Iwata, who was standing on his left hand.

"Iwata-san, I am leaving for America tonight. The sales data of PS consoles in Neon will be reported to me in time."

Hideki Hanyu originally planned to wait for the first-day sales of the PS console to be released before going to America.

Unfortunately, the yen has appreciated too quickly.

As of this morning, the exchange rate has reached 1 yen per US dollar.

Jinbo Eiichi called him to tell him.

In three days at most, the yen exchange rate will rise to the bottom line agreed upon in the Plaza Accord.

In order to avoid unnecessary complications and attract other people's attention, the finishing work needs to start immediately.

At this time, Hanyu Hideki was of course going to stare.

After all, there is too much money on the books.

He wouldn't be at ease if he didn't stare.

"Yes, President." Satoru Iwata agreed.

There was some helplessness in his eyes.

At the critical moment when Neon and Nintendo were fighting for the PS console, Eri Kitahara escaped first.

Seeing that it will be officially launched tomorrow, Hideki Hanyu also disappeared.

Such an important matter all fell on him.

Satoru Iwata, who is still young, is somewhat under a lot of pressure.

Of course Hideki Hanyu could guess Iwata Satoru's mentality.

But he didn't intend to interfere.

Because this is the only way for the other party to take the position of president.

The conference is over.

Qian Yuan Zhensheng met with everyone.

Hanyu Hideki looked at all the executives of Elf Entertainment and said.

"The success or failure of the PS console is up to you. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he waved to the distance amidst the farewells of the senior executives.

Yasuko Sawaguchi, who was wearing a white woolen skirt, ran over.

The girl came with Hideki Hanyu today.

Because after leaving Elf Entertainment, they would go directly to the airport.

But in order not to affect Hideki Hanyu’s work.

The girl just followed from a distance.

At this moment, Hanyu Hideki was summoned, and he came over nervously and asked, "Hanyu-kun, are we leaving?"

"Yes, we're leaving."

Hanyu Hideki took the girl to the underground parking lot of Elf Entertainment.

After the two got on the elevator, Yasuko Sawaguchi saw that they were the only two people in the elevator, so she reached out and hugged Hideki Hanyu.

He said with admiration on his face, "Hanyu-kun, you were so majestic just now."

"prestige?"

"There are so many people who want to follow you and listen to your orders. It's so majestic."

Yasuko Sawaguchi sounded excited.

"Really? Was it just majestic? Was it no longer majestic last night?"

Hideki Hanyu joked.

"Oh..., this is different."

Yasuko Sawaguchi shyly punched Hideki Hanyu with her fist.

However, that weak little fist did not pose any threat to Hanyu Hideki.

All it got was a few "crazy" laughs.

The two left Elf Entertainment and took a car to Haneda International Airport.

There is no need to wait for the flight or anything.

The biggest advantage of private jets is that you no longer have to wait for a flight.

VIP room, security check, VIP shuttle bus all in one place.

From arriving at the airport to boarding the plane, it didn't take even 15 minutes.

"Dear Mr. Hanyu, and all passengers, the plane will take off immediately, please fasten your seat belts and..."

Fasten your seat belt with the help of the beautiful flight attendant.

Then listen to the captain's announcement in English.

Looking at the luxuriously decorated cabin, she, Hanyu Hideki, and three silent bodyguards were sitting there.

At this time, Yasuko Sawaguchi was still a bit out of his mind.

Because before Hanyu Hideki came, he didn't tell her at all that he was taking a private jet.

Feeling the plane slowly climbing, Sawaguchi Yasuko couldn't help but ask.

"Does this plane belong to Hanyu-kun?"

Hanyu Hideki spread his hands and said, "Of course it is, otherwise why would we be sitting here."

"Did Hanyu-kun buy a plane?"

Even though she had received the answer, Sawaguchi Yasuko was still surprised.

"I have bought it for a while. If Jingzi wants to travel overseas in the future, he can take this plane."

Hanyu Hideki finished this sentence.

Suddenly he felt that a private plane was not enough for him.

After all, apart from himself, something would be bad if his woman crashed into a car with a plane.

Ok……

It seems that we need to discuss with Boeing again to see if we can get some discounts if we order another plane.

When Hanyu Hideki was thinking about it, the aircraft's attitude had gradually stabilized.

The captain then announced on the radio that they could move freely.

Hideki Hanyu unbuckled his seat belt, stretched and said to Yasuko Sawaguchi.

"I'm going to take a shower and go to bed."

After that, he explained, "We are going to the east coast of America this time, and we will stop in Hawaii to replenish fuel. It will definitely take more than twenty hours."

Yasuko Sawaguchi didn't care about wasting time.

I just asked in surprise, "Can I take a shower on the plane?"

"Of course, do you want me to take Jingzi to experience it?"

Hanyu Hideki said deliberately.

Yasuko Sawaguchi glanced at the stewardess walking by and said sheepishly, "I don't want it."

"No? It's up to Bu Jingzi to decide."

After Hanyu Hideki finished speaking, he bent down to unbuckle Yasuko Sawaguchi's seat belt, and then picked up the petite girl from the seat.

Under the girl's shy beating, she laughed and strode towards the bathroom.

then……

That’s naturally a “thousand miles a day”.

……

The Spirit carried Hideki Hanyu across the Pacific and briefly stopped in Hawaii for a few hours to complete supplies and inspections before taking off again.

When the plane arrived at the New York Airport, despite the time difference of more than ten hours, the date still arrived in the early morning of December 20th.

Get on the shuttle vehicle sent by the St. Regis Hotel.

Hanyu Hideki and his party first went to the hotel to rest.

Nine in the morning.

Hanyu Hideki asked Sawaguchi Yasuko to rest in the hotel.

He rushed to Wall Street with several bodyguards.

After entering the floor where the operation room is located, Hanyu Hideki was stopped by Marco with his hand as soon as he got out of the elevator.

"Boss, wait a moment."

After Marco finished speaking, he winked at his two men.

The two men immediately took out the newly purchased Glock pistol from the armpit holster and inspected it before use.

Then they walked together towards the operation room where Jinbo Eiichi was.

"Boss, too much money can sometimes make people irrational."

It was rare for Marco to say so many words.

Hideki Hanyu remained silent and waited quietly.

After all, Marco was thinking about his safety.

The wait didn't take long before a bodyguard returned.

To Hideki Hanyu and Marco.

"no problem."

　Thanks for the reward from Roaming Books
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(End of this chapter)