Yamashina Makoto was almost convinced, and the scales began to tip.
He threw out the last and most tempting bargaining chip.
"Also, if I may be so bold."
"I hear that your company recently successfully acquired Imai Kagaku's Shizuoka Model Factory, and is about to see a huge improvement in model production technology and capacity."
Takuya's gaze swept over the Bandai executives present, who showed a hint of self-satisfaction on their faces.
"After your company's technology integration and capacity ramp-up are successfully completed."
"Would Bandai be interested in designing and exclusively producing a batch of high-quality assembly model toys for Sega's currently popular pokémon series?"
pokémon!
This name exploded in Yamashina Makoto's mind like a thunderclap.
As an industry giant, how could he not know about the global craze it had set off and its terrifying money-making ability.
The model toy market was Bandai's traditional advantageous field and core business.
If this super IP, pokémon, could be combined with Bandai's excellent model manufacturing technology.
What an immeasurable blue ocean market that would be.
This temptation directly hit the softest and most desired part of Yamashina Makoto's heart.
Yamashina Makoto hardly hesitated, his eyes sparkling with excitement and decisive brilliance.
He slammed the table, his voice not loud, but carrying an unquestionable resolve.
"Deal!"
Two words, resounding.
The tense atmosphere in the conference room was instantly replaced by the excitement of a new collaboration about to begin.
Both teams immediately began preliminary, enthusiastic discussions on the basic framework and core terms of the cooperation.
When discussing the pokémon assembly model project, Bandai showed much greater interest and enthusiasm than expected.
An Managing Director in charge of the model business even eagerly proposed.
"Managing Director Takayama, regarding the pokémon models, we Bandai not only hope to accept design commissions and OEM production."
"We hope to obtain official authorization for Bandai to independently design, produce, and sell the products."
Takuya keenly caught the desire in his words.
He smiled and looked at President Yamashina, throwing out a new exchange condition.
"President Yamashina is straightforward, and Sega is naturally willing to show the greatest sincerity."
"If Bandai wishes to obtain deeper cooperation authorization for pokémon models."
"Then, in exchange, Sega hopes Bandai can further lend a hand."
"Utilize the good cooperative relationship your company has established with Toei Animation over the years."
"Help Sega obtain game adaptation authorizations for those equally classic robot animations under Toei, such as mazinger z, getter Robo, Combattler V, and other works."
The IPs in the reference materials were now readily available to Takuya.
Upon hearing this, Yamashina Makoto quickly exchanged a few glances with the executives beside him.
If Bandai could take this opportunity to also purchase a batch of Toei's robot animation copyrights, it would also be of great benefit to enriching its own IP library and strengthening game development content.
It could also deepen the cooperative relationship with Sega.
This deal was not a loss.
A shrewd smile reappeared on Yamashina Makoto's face.
"Managing Director Takayama is indeed watertight."
"Good. Bandai accepts this additional condition."
After a series of verbal sparring and negotiations, Bandai and Sega reached a consensus on a series of cooperation frameworks, and after both parties initialed the framework contract, the Sega delegation left Bandai.
The wheels rolled over the asphalt, making a dull and regular sound.
Inside the black Crown sedan returning from Bandai headquarters to Sega, the invisible scent of gunpowder from the negotiation table seemed to have not completely dissipated.
Suzuki Masao sat beside Takuya, the excitement from the earlier meeting slowly fading, and a hint of unresolved doubt appeared between his brows. He looked out at the fleeting streetscape several times, then turned his gaze back to Takuya's calm profile several times, his lips moved, and finally, he couldn't help but speak: "Managing Director Takayama, just now at Bandai, President Yamashina's willingness to cooperate with us was so strong, why didn't we strike while the iron was hot and directly invite him to partner as a third-party for the new console?"
He paused, then added: "Bandai holds so many robot IPs. If we can get them to develop games for our new console, it would undoubtedly be like adding wings to a tiger for us."
Upon hearing this, Takuya's lips curved into an almost imperceptible arc. He turned his head, his gaze falling on Suzuki's slightly eager face, and his voice was calm: "Suzuki-san, you have to eat one bite at a time, and things are not as simple as they appear on the surface."
"Firstly, Bandai is currently too deeply tied to Nintendo's FC platform, with intricate vested interests. If we rush to win over Bandai to become a third-party for the new console now, if there are people within Bandai who are close to Nintendo and leak information about our new console, it is very likely to cause alarm from Nintendo, alerting the enemy, which would be detrimental to our subsequent plans."
Suzuki Masao nodded thoughtfully; the Managing Director's concerns were indeed valid.
Takuya continued to explain: "Secondly, Bandai's game development capabilities, although we promised technical support, to truly build them into a core third-party force capable of consistently delivering high-quality works for the new console, is by no means an overnight achievement. Their independent R&D strength still needs time to accumulate and improve. We cannot rush it."
"Thirdly, and very importantly." Takuya's tone became slightly more serious. "For the robot fighting game we are collaborating on with Bandai, if it is significantly downgraded in graphics, sound, and even operational feel for porting to the FC, which is far inferior in performance to arcade machines, do you think players will buy it?"
He gently shook his head: "That would not only greatly reduce the game experience, it would be a step backward. What's worse, it could easily create a strong negative contrast with a potentially high-quality arcade version or our new console version that might be released in the future. This would likely have limited benefit to FC sales, and might instead dilute or even damage the hard-won reputation and fan sentiment accumulated by those classic robot IPs. It's not worth the gain."
Takuya's gaze was profound, "Our new console is the most suitable platform for that game. By then, it will depend on whether President Yamashina and his team are willing to board our big ship." This last sentence, with a hint of playful confidence, made Suzuki's previous slight confusion vanish.
The confusion on Suzuki Masao's face gradually dissipated, replaced by realization and heartfelt admiration. Managing Director Takuya's every move was well-thought-out and interlinked.
Just as Suzuki Masao thought the topic was about to end and the atmosphere in the car would lighten, Takuya's tone suddenly shifted, and his eyes sharpened accordingly, carrying a hint of imperceptible solemnity.