Kyoto in late autumn, the air was slightly cool.
Inside a conference room at Nintendo Headquarters, the fourth-quarter game release scheduling meeting was underway.
"The initial success in North America is commendable," Hiroshi Yamauchi began, his voice not loud but inherently authoritative. "The popularity of super mario bros. proves that our content-is-king strategy is correct."
He scanned the room. "Our top priority right now is to accelerate the localization of existing games and quickly enrich the game lineup for the North American NES platform. This is our foundation."
He skillfully steered the conversation towards Nintendo's core strengths, attempting to dilute the impact brought by Sega's handheld console.
"As for handhelds..." Hiroshi Yamauchi paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "It's just relying on a single tetris. Other games can't achieve such hot sales, and with only one game on the handheld, it won't amount to much.
He changed the subject, looking at Gunpei Yokoi in the corner, "However, Sega has given us a reminder. If we leverage our strong game software lineup to develop a handheld that can change cartridges, perhaps we can extend the glory of the FC into the handheld market. Gunpei Yokoi, this task is yours. At the next meeting, I need to see a feasibility analysis report."
A hint of excitement flashed in Gunpei Yokoi's eyes, and he immediately responded, "Understood! I guarantee the completion of the task!"
Although the terrifying sales figures of tetris indeed startled Hiroshi Yamauchi, it also stimulated him to generate new ideas—if Nintendo was going to make a handheld, it would be one that could change cartridges, using software advantage to crush opponents.
The meeting's focus quickly shifted to the upcoming winter sales season and the release arrangements for several highly anticipated FC games.
Among them, Namco's highly anticipated arcade-ported masterpiece, pac-man FC version, was one of the key discussion points.
Just then, the Market Department head stood up, his expression slightly grave, and reported, "President, we've received intelligence that Sega is secretly pushing a large-scale arcade project with a huge investment, code-named 'K.' Reportedly, they've even unprecedentedly invited renowned animation directors and famous manga artists for cross-industry collaboration."
"Animation linkage? Manga artists?" Hiroshi Yamauchi frowned, his fingers stopping their tapping. He keenly caught the crucial information. Given Sega's investment scale and this mode of cross-industry collaboration, this was by no means a small-scale endeavor.
"Sega's ambition is not small this time," a senior executive whispered.
"Their target is very likely the winter season, or early next year, wanting to make a big splash in the arcade market," the Market Department head added. "This could divert players' attention and pose a potential threat to our winter FC game sales."
Silence fell in the conference room, and everyone's gaze focused on Hiroshi Yamauchi.
After a moment of silence, Hiroshi Yamauchi looked up, his eyes sharp: "The release plan for pac-man FC version needs to be adjusted."
"Adjusted?" The executive in charge of publishing looked puzzled.
"Delayed release," Hiroshi Yamauchi said calmly, yet with an undeniable force. "Specific date, to be determined."
Several executives exchanged glances, not understanding why such a key product would be delayed, missing the prime Christmas season.
Hiroshi Yamauchi seemed to see through their thoughts, a subtle curve appearing at the corner of his mouth: "We need to first understand the true nature of Sega's 'K' project. Especially their game type, and the specific form and release time of that so-called animation linkage."
He paused, his voice steady and powerful: "pac-man is an important chess piece; it cannot be played easily. We must use it at the most crucial moment."
His gaze swept over everyone: "Closely monitor all movements of Sega's 'K' project. Once the final arcade cabinet launch date for their 'K' project is confirmed..."
A shrewd glint flashed in Hiroshi Yamauchi's eyes, "Namco's pac-man FC version will be released three days before the 'K' project's game."
"Three days earlier?"
"Exactly," Hiroshi Yamauchi affirmed. "Just when their promotional preheating is at its peak, we'll use the FC version of pac-man, this arcade-ported masterpiece, to seize all media space and player attention. Disrupt their promotional rhythm, intercept their potential users, and drastically reduce the momentum of their carefully prepared 'big news.'"
This maneuver was nothing short of ruthless. Silence fell once again in the conference room, everyone secretly admiring the president's cunning. Although it sacrificed Namco's optimal release window, in Hiroshi Yamauchi's business logic, third parties always served the platform strategy. Moreover, they should be burning incense that a console manufacturer was feeding them.
"It's decided then," Hiroshi Yamauchi concluded.
Tetsujin Building, Ota Ward, Tokyo, Namco Headquarters.
President Masaya Nakamura's office.
The market specialist sent by Nintendo, impeccably dressed in a suit, wore a professional smile, but his tone carried a formalized sense of detachment.
He conveyed Hiroshi Yamauchi's decision to Masaya Nakamura using carefully crafted diplomatic language.
"President Nakamura, regarding the release arrangements for your company's pac-man FC version, President Yamauchi, after careful consideration, has some new ideas."
The specialist spoke unhurriedly: "Primarily, it's due to the extremely fierce market competition during the year-end Christmas period, with too many excellent titles, which can easily dilute players' purchasing power. In order to allow a high-quality game like pac-man to receive more concentrated market attention and promotional resources..."
He paused, observing Masaya Nakamura's reaction: "President Yamauchi believes that a suitable delay in the release date, avoiding the peak competition, will have little impact on a game like pac-man, which has a solid fan base and excellent reputation. On the contrary, it will better highlight its unique value and maximize sales."
The smile on Masaya Nakamura's face barely changed, but the light deep in his eyes instantly dimmed, even carrying a hint of chill.
Avoid competition? Highlight value? These words sound so good!
He sneered inwardly, instantly understanding the true intention behind Nintendo's flowery words. Sega's "K" project was so grand in scale, and Namco, also being in Tokyo, naturally had heard about it. This was clearly Nintendo using Namco's core product as cannon fodder without hesitation, just to target Sega in the arcade market!
How important was pac-man to Namco? What did the Christmas season mean for game sales? Would Nintendo not know? Usually, when third parties released games, to control risk, they cautiously estimated game sales, not daring to produce an extra cartridge. They relied on Christmas and New Year, when young people had more pocket money and higher consumption desires, to sell many more cartridges, and Nintendo just casually delayed it with a single sentence! This was clearly hegemony!
"President Yamauchi's considerations naturally come from his strategic high ground," Masaya Nakamura's voice remained calm, but his tone conveyed a restrained persistence, "However, pac-man is the absolute main force for Namco's entire winter season, and the entire company has invested tremendous effort and resources. All our original market plans and promotional preheating were set around a pre-Christmas release. This release window is crucial for us to achieve our annual sales targets."
He tried to make one last effort, hoping Nintendo would consider the vital interests of its third-party allies.
However, the market specialist's attitude was very clear; he merely politely repeated his previous statements, adding: "This is President Yamauchi's final decision, and we hope Masaya Nakamura can understand and cooperate with Nintendo's overall strategic deployment."
The implication was that there was no room for negotiation.
Masaya Nakamura fell silent. His hands, resting on his knees, unconsciously clenched.
He clearly realized that in the face of the "rules" set by Nintendo, third-party developers like Namco had no right to bargain. The arm cannot twist the thigh; resistance might mean getting nothing at all.
He slowly loosened his clenched fists, suppressing the surging anger and humiliation in his heart, and forced a polite smile back onto his face: "Since it is President Yamauchi's decision, Namco will naturally cooperate fully. And thank you, Nintendo, for such thorough consideration for our pac-man."
The specialist nodded with satisfaction, seemingly appreciating Masaya Nakamura's "understanding of the bigger picture," and stood up to leave.
The office door was softly closed.
The smile on Masaya Nakamura's face instantly vanished, his expression so grim it could almost drip water.
He walked to the window, looking at the busy street below, his eyes cold. Nintendo's domineering behavior felt like an invisible chain, choking him.
He, Masaya Nakamura, would remember this debt today. Nintendo... your enemies might not be unable to become Namco's friends. His gaze seemed to stretch towards the distant direction of Tokyo.