The S24AC—an older model chip used by SEGA.
The newest one was the S27AC, which supported more simultaneous voices in harmony and had improved handling of noise channels.
By comparison, the S24AC was far weaker when it came to audio capabilities.
The moment Tetsu Kobayashi received the chip, his expression went blank.
"…Isn't this a bit outdated?"
"I know it's outdated," Kentaro sighed. "But what can we do? That damn Hideki Sato…"
Kentaro spread his hands.
"Use this one for now. I'll try to coordinate with other departments and see if I can pull a proper set of hardware."
Even as he said this, he couldn't help exhaling deeply.
Could it really substitute? Of course not.
A creator's equipment defines the limits of the work.
Without the right specifications, you couldn't produce high-quality music. And even if you could, you wouldn't be able to hear it properly during production.
In other words—you needed a chip of equal capability.
"I'll think of something. Oh, right—I've contacted a new hire at SEGA. His self-intro says he's skilled in synth music." Kentaro draped an arm over Tetsu Kobayashi's shoulder and lowered his voice. "If you really can't finish this, just hand it off to me. I'll transfer the project to him and have him take responsibility."
Tetsu Kobayashi was stunned.
That… was kind of too much!
What? The newcomer is the designated scapegoat?
…Well then. Nothing too much about that.
New hires existed to carry blame.
Though ideally, one would avoid that outcome.
"I'd still prefer to finish it myself, as agreed."
Tetsu Kobayashi slipped out of Kentaro's grip and walked him out.
Was it excessive?
Absolutely.
But as a beneficiary of the system, he didn't feel he had much right to comment.
"Well… I'll just do my best and finish it."
He looked down at the phone number written on the note—SEGA's new employee.
There was a name underneath it.
He stared for a moment, expression turning strange.
Yuji Naka.
"…Isn't this the guy who makes Sonic the Hedgehog?!"
---
"Yuji Naka, graduated from Osaka… Light, Sound, and Optics University? It's an honor to receive this assignment. I didn't expect Atlus Studio, that rising star, to have only one person."
And that one person lived in a garage.
Yuji Naka glanced at Tetsu Kobayashi and couldn't help but be impressed.
And so young!
But considering his background, Naka wasn't surprised at all.
Should he believe in the abilities of
"the son of SEGA Consumer Hardware Development's acting department head"?
Or that he was a descendant of the Genji clan?
Of course he believed the latter!
Surely the kid's games were all made using expensive internal SEGA resources!
As an ambitious young man, Yuji Naka instinctively looked down on him.
Nothing was more annoying than a rich kid who got in through connections.
Especially when he himself never even had the chance to use such connections!
With his characteristic 4/6 parted hair, Yuji Naka extended his hand.
Tetsu Kobayashi shook it—while discreetly sizing up this future legendary creator.
Sonic the Hedgehog was one of the very few games capable of challenging Nintendo during its golden era. Sonic even became SEGA's mascot.
But Yuji Naka's words puzzled Tetsu Kobayashi.
"University? Didn't you drop out of high school?"
Yuji Naka:
…? The hell are you saying the truth out loud for?!
Before he could respond, Tetsu stepped forward, draped an arm over his shoulder, and said warmly:
"What a coincidence! I didn't finish high school either. School's boring. Making games is way more fun."
Yuji Naka smiled politely—but cursed internally.
How is that the same?!
I dropped out to pursue my dream of becoming a top game creator!
This brat is just a privileged kid! How is that the same?!
Maintaining the deceptive humility characteristic of Japanese workplaces, Yuji Naka took a breath.
"Well then… What kind of synth track does Atlus need?"
Tetsu Kobayashi gestured with his hands.
"Simple. Hypnotic. Rhythmic."
"Hypnotic. Rhythmic…? Rhythmic I know. What does 'hypnotic' mean?"
"It means—hold on, let me show you."
Tetsu Kobayashi grabbed a pencil.
"I have a pen~ I have an apple~ AH! I have a pen-apple—"
Yuji Naka:
What the hell is THIS?!
The future high-school-dropout game legend was deeply confused.
But after a moment of silence, Yuji Naka slowly nodded.
"So that's hypnotic… seductive—no, not seductive, more like something that normally shouldn't happen? I get it. You want something chaotic, right? I can do that."
He sat at the computer, pausing a moment.
It was a Fujitsu.
The newest model.
Yuji Naka cursed internally.
Damn rich kids! Why didn't this happen to ME?! Somewhere in history, someone must have stolen MY rich-kid life! Return it! Give it back!!
---
"Do-do-da-do-do-DON-da! Do-do-da-do-do-DON-da!"
A synth track mixed with explosive effects blared through the headphones. Yuji Naka pulled out the sound card, looking proud.
"How is it? Is that the feel you want?"
Tetsu Kobayashi didn't answer—just listened thoughtfully.
The beat was filled with explosive sounds bridging the gaps between notes. The rhythm was good, but… it still lacked some polish.
"Let's try putting it into the game."
He pulled over a chair and imported the track, creating loops for in-game events.
Yuji Naka watched, gradually growing surprised.
He thought Tetsu Kobayashi was just a spoiled rich kid with expensive toys.
However—his programming familiarity was far higher than expected.
Yuji Naka shook his head violently.
No! Impossible!
No pampered rich kid could understand what a real game was!
Suddenly, a joystick appeared in front of him.
"Uh… what?"
"Try playing." Tetsu Kobayashi urged. "Put on the headphones and tell me how it feels."
Yuji Naka snapped back to reality, picked up the controller, and began playing.
The graphics weren't finished yet—the upper right corner was blank, and pills spawned directly onto the screen. But the three colored viruses were complete, each with distinct expressions:
Blue — calm
Yellow — exaggerated
Pink — flamboyant
They even reacted when eliminated.
Yuji Naka played—and soon found himself absorbed.
Only when Tetsu Kobayashi slapped the table did he snap out of it.
"Ah—sorry! I didn't expect it to be such a well-made game."
He straightened his back.
"But… the full sound isn't playing. Especially the explosion effect I added—it's missing."
"Nothing I can do. The sound chip isn't powerful enough. And I can't get SEGA's latest model. Damn Hideki Sato's choking me."
Tetsu cursed furiously.
Hideki Sato—evil villain!
Choking the life out of a fellow Japanese!
Yuji Naka stared, stunned.
Hideki Sato, SEGA's hardware division head—being cursed so casually?
Was this still the Japanese corporate culture he knew?!
"If the specs aren't enough, how about trying older machines?" Yuji suggested. "Sometimes older hardware chips actually outperform newer ones. They cost more, but the quality is higher."
"And where am I supposed to find old hardware—wait. I actually DO have some!"
Tetsu Kobayashi sat upright suddenly.
He really did!
There was one place guaranteed to have it.
"Let's go! Check it out!"
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 15+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon