The executive spoke as he turned on the conference room television, which was connected to a PlayStation console.
"This is a game whose exceptional quality can only be truly appreciated through experience. You'll understand once you try it yourself. Seeing is believing."
Ken Kutaragi picked up the controller, his expression still grim.
Ten minutes later.
Kutaragi's fingers moved rapidly and rhythmically over the buttons. On the screen, Lara completed a sequence of running, jumping, and climbing with extreme fluidity.
He said nothing, but his eyes remained fixed on the fully 3D environment, his pupils slightly constricted.
The intelligent camera tracking, the terrifyingly precise polygon collision detection, and the motion capture that was as smooth as a real person's movements.
Ken Kutaragi came from a background in low-level hardware technology. He knew all too well: to achieve this level of smoothness in a fully 3D sandbox action game on existing 32-bit console hardware would require immense low-level technical expertise and god-tier code optimization.
This was absolutely not something an ordinary, third-rate studio could produce!
This was a hidden gem, a masterpiece waiting to be discovered!
"Its gameplay is incredibly pure, hitting all the right notes," the executive explained, standing by Kutaragi's side. "Players don't need to struggle with complex plots or systems. They just buy it, pop the disc in, and instantly get a top-tier 3D action experience. It perfectly fills the void for players who've just finished a heavy RPG like Final Fantasy VII."
Ken Kutaragi took a deep breath, set the controller down, and turned, his gaze sharpening.
"What's Eidos's financial situation?"
"Terrible," the executive replied bluntly. "Their last few releases flopped. Tomb Raider is their last-ditch effort to survive. But because their initial marketing was so poor, the revenue is trickling in far too slowly. They're likely tightening their belts just to get by."
Kutaragi shot to his feet, sharply adjusting his suit jacket. A hunter's glint flashed in his eyes.
This is the bombshell Nobuyuki Idei has been waiting for!
Sega's Jupiter might have already taken a bite out of the first game's sales, but if Sony could secure the rights to all future titles in this IP, they would have the ultimate trump card to challenge Sega head-on in the action-adventure genre.
"Book the fastest flight," Ken Kutaragi commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "To London. Contact Eidos's top brass. I want to see them."
"Are we going to discuss an acquisition?" the manager asked.
"No, the acquisition process is too slow and would likely trigger a nationalist backlash from the Brits," Kutaragi sneered, picking up a report from his desk. "We're going to throw money at them! Offer a price they simply can't refuse to secure the exclusive rights to Tomb Raider, along with priority partnership with Core Design. They're being wasted at Eidos. As long as the PlayStation logo is the only one on this dual-pistol-wielding woman, it's worth any price!"
Meanwhile, in Ota Ward, Tokyo.
Sega Headquarters Building, Managing Director's Office.
Oguchi Hisao hurried in and placed a report on Takuya Nakayama's spacious desk.
"Managing Director, Tomb Raider's sales in Europe and the US are skyrocketing—it's like a frenzy. Shipments in Japan are also steadily increasing, and the player response has been fantastic," Oguchi said, pointing to the data in the report, his voice tinged with excitement.
Takuya Nakayama was signing a document regarding the expansion of Battle.net servers. Without even looking up, a predictable smile played on his lips.
"I know. A good game always shines, especially when players are in need of some 'electronic side-dish' like this to cleanse their minds." Takuya signed his name with a flourish, tossed the gold pen aside, and leaned back in his chair. "Any word from Eidos?"
"I heard Ken Kutaragi went to London," Oguchi Hisao's tone turned serious. "He flew out yesterday. Sony is moving fast—they've brought a massive legal and financial team, and they're not holding back. From the looks of it, they're definitely going in to throw money around for an exclusivity deal."
Takuya clasped his hands behind his head, his posture completely relaxed.
"Managing Director, should we intervene?" Oguchi asked urgently, leaning over the desk. "Tomb Raider's potential is obvious. If Sony secures exclusivity, it'll be a major threat to our market share in Europe and America!"
"Stop them? How?" Takuya Nakayama burst out laughing, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Go out and outbid Sony? Nobuyuki Idei is desperate. He's opened the entire Sony Group's treasury to Ken Kutaragi, clearly ready to throw money around like a philanthropist. Sega might not be short on cash right now, but we need to save our resources for the real battles. We have to manage our global Battle.net rollout on PC, not to mention the R&D for our next-gen console and handheld. Engaging in a war of attrition with a gambler who's lost his mind is beneath us, and it's just not cost-effective."
Oguchi Hisao froze, falling silent.
"Let Sony buy it. Let them be the suckers," Takuya said, rising and walking to the floor-to-ceiling window. He gazed down at the Tokyo skyline, his voice dripping with absolute confidence. "Oguchi, you need to see the bigger picture. We've already won this console war. A single Tomb Raider exclusive won't save PlayStation. Besides, the first Tomb Raider is a multi-platform release. If Sony wants exclusivity, they'll have to wait for the sequel. That's a long way off, and it won't help them now."
Takuya Nakayama turned his head, the smile on his face taking on a playful, even slightly gleeful, edge.
"Besides, do you think Eidos is some kind of pushover? Those Brits are notorious for their insatiable greed. If Sony wants them to give up the multiplatform profits for Tomb Raider, they'll have to pay through the nose. Who knows how much drama will ensue or how many humiliating clauses they'll have to sign. Don't underestimate the British knack for stirring the pot—it's practically in their DNA."
In his past life, Takuya remembered how Eidos would constantly churn the Lara Croft IP for profit. Sony wouldn't be able to swallow this prize without breaking a few teeth.
Seeing the Managing Director's smug, almost expectant expression, Oguchi Hisao immediately understood and felt his tension ease.
"I see. We have several major projects lined up throughout the year anyway. Let them mess around with Tomb Raider all they want," Oguchi said, nodding with a smile.
"Exactly," Takuya replied, returning to the table and taking a sip of his coffee.
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