Atlas's Technical Development Department was located in Adachi City, the northernmost ward of Tokyo. Overall, this area was considered a suburb of Tokyo, where housing and living costs were relatively low—much like Daxing in Beijing. The Technical Development Department leased space here to carry out its research and development work.
Currently, Iwata Satoru was also here, overseeing the operations.
"President!"
Seeing Kobayashi Tetsu appear, Iwata Satoru immediately bowed and reported on the development plan.
Kobayashi Tetsu nodded but still offered a brief suggestion.
"When creating this engine, you could actually find a way to establish separate developer interfaces in each module. This would allow the developers using the game engine to add new features themselves, while our engine only provides the most basic functions for development work."
High EQ version: "To highlight the differences between various developers."
Low EQ version: "To save on development time."
When it came to 2D game engines, Kobayashi Tetsu was most familiar with the later RPG Maker series.
He had even used RPG Maker XP to create an adult game back in the day.
The hallmark of the RPG Maker series was that it provided only the most basic features, leaving everything else to the developers themselves.
As a result, it had a very high floor and an even higher ceiling. It could be used to create high-quality indie games, as well as adult games by those with a vivid imagination.
Though it was a compromise to save on development time, the results were actually quite impressive.
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't delve too deeply into the topic, merely sketching out the general idea. He trusted that Iwata Satoru could figure out the rest on his own.
After all, Iwata's name literally meant "Satoru," which means "enlightened" or "wise." He was brilliant!
Besides, Iwata had already organized this kind of Game Developers Conference before.
Kobayashi Tetsu's goal was simple: this conference should at least rival BlizzCon or even E3.
Of course, E3 didn't even exist yet!
After a quick survey of the area, Kobayashi Tetsu casually reminded Iwata Satoru to get in touch with Capcom more often, then prepared to leave.
Iwata Satoru held back, but eventually couldn't resist asking Kobayashi Tetsu in a low voice.
"President, what about Matsuoka-kun—"
Kobayashi Tetsu smiled. "Oh, Matsuoka-kun. Don't worry, I've already taken care of him."
Iwata Satoru immediately felt that this smile was strangely terrifying.
No way.
Taken care of him how?! Did he arrange for someone to drag Matsuoka Satoshi away?
Take him to a warehouse in Minato City and force him to film a snuff film, then use it to blackmail him?!
Matsuoka Satoshi had just returned from class at Tokyo Tech. He was someone who couldn't cook for himself, so he naturally bought his meals out.
Outside Tokyo Tech, there was a small street with a ramen shop. Although the ramen there wasn't particularly outstanding, Matsuoka Satoshi really liked it.
Doing scientific research was a job that consumed a huge amount of both mental and physical energy!
Matsuoka Satoshi especially loved to eat a bowl of Jiro-style ramen, rich with grease and large slices of meat, after a busy day.
Today was no exception.
After taking a seat, Matsuoka Satoshi ordered a set meal as usual. Once he had eaten and drunk his fill, he got ready to pay.
"If I recall correctly, that's 540—"
Matsuoka Satoshi reached into his pocket and froze.
He'd left in such a rush that he'd forgotten his wallet. All he had were a few coins.
"Oh, Matsuoka-kun, there's no need to pay," the shop owner said with a polite bow and a beaming smile. "We look forward to seeing you again."
"Huh?"
Satoshi blinked in surprise.
Why don't I have to pay?
Though puzzled, he didn't press the issue. He figured it was a perk for being a regular—a free meal on the house. He returned the bow, promising to bring enough money next time, and then headed out.
As he walked, Satoshi couldn't help but marvel at his luck.
This is why you stick to the same spot! Free food, just like that!
Of course, it wasn't like he was short a few hundred yen. He could just pay for it next time.
He made his way home and greeted his parents as usual.
"Satoshi," his mother called out, stopping him. "Isn't it strange? I've never heard of anything like this happening."
Matsuoka Satoshi asked in surprise, "What good thing? Did an old friend you haven't seen in a long time get in touch?"
His father blurted out, "Your mother went to buy groceries today, and they said at the market that she didn't have to pay."
Matsuoka Satoshi froze.
He had encountered the exact same thing today.
His father added with a hint of amazement, "What a stroke of luck. I was thirsty on my way home today and wanted to buy a bottle of water at the convenience store. To my surprise, they also said I didn't have to pay and could just take it. Maybe it's some kind of promotion!"
Matsuoka Satoshi's mind raced like a supercomputer.
This is definitely no promotion!
If it had happened once, it could be a promotion. But if all three family members experienced it, there had to be someone behind it!
Just as the thought flashed through his mind, a knock sounded at the door.
"I'll get it."
Matsuoka Satoshi strode to the door and opened it. Standing there was a face that looked familiar. In an instant, he remembered seeing it on television. This was Naka Yuji.
"Mr. Naka," Matsuoka Satoshi said, bowing slightly. "I've heard much about you. I never expected to meet you here."
Naka Yuji nodded and gestured to the two assistants behind him, who brought forward a large box.
"Please, don't refuse," Naka Yuji said. "The President specifically instructed that we choose the best model on the market."
Matsuoka Satoshi saw the product name on the box. It was a computer, and not just an ordinary home PC. Judging by the size of the box, it was a workstation—a professional-grade tool for productivity, not a home toy.
While such a computer might not have the highest specs for gaming, it would be top-of-the-line for writing.
Matsuoka Satoshi took a deep breath, his instinct to refuse kicking in. He was starting to understand why today had been so strange.
"I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid I can't accept such a generous gift," he said.
As he spoke, Naka Yuji had the assistants set the box down. Then, he produced a baseball bat.
Matsuoka Satoshi flinched. What is he doing? Is he going to knock me out?
Naka Yuji brandished the bat. "If Matsuoka-kun won't accept this computer, then it has no reason to exist. We might as well smash it to pieces and throw it in the trash."
Matsuoka Satoshi was truly stunned.
"No! Wait!"
He hurriedly spoke up to stop them. "Please wait! I'll take it!"
What a waste it would be to smash such a wonderful piece of equipment!
Even though the average household income in Japan was very high—high enough to allow a wife to be a full-time homemaker—a computer like this was still incredibly expensive!
After Naka Yuji and his men set down the equipment, they left. Matsuoka Satoshi clutched his chest, his heart pounding.
His parents walked over, startled by the large box in the living room.
"Satoshi, what is this?"
"Uh, a computer."
"It must be very expensive! Tokyo Tech is wonderful to give such a valuable gift."
"Tokyo Tech didn't give it to me," Matsuoka Satoshi said, hesitating.
He really didn't want to work at Atlas. It wasn't that he disliked the company; it was simply that his career plans were in a different direction.
But now, with such a massive box and a professional-grade computer sitting right in front of him, he simply couldn't refuse.
In the end, Matsuoka Satoshi could only look up and instruct his parents.
"Mom, Dad, if you're offered anything for free when you go out lately, don't agree to it. You have to pay them. Tell me where you went today, and I'll pay them back right now."
After speaking, Matsuoka Satoshi took the tape and sealed the box, preparing to send it to the Atlas office in the Mitsui Building.
He couldn't bear to owe too many favors like this. If he accepted just once, he would never be able to leave.
Matsuoka Satoshi knew this all too well.
As the tape ripped with a loud shrrrk, his thoughts drifted, inevitably returning to the handsome young man he had met that day—Kobayashi Tetsu.
"President Kobayashi, they all say you're like Ishida Jibu-no-shō, who gave half his salary to Shima Sakon. But the Western Army lost in the end! They were left with nothing but a reputation for righteousness, utterly defeated. Even if you want to be Ishida Jibu—could I ever become that Shima Sakon?"
Matsuoka Satoshi was truly afraid.
He was terrified that one day he wouldn't be able to resist the temptation and would simply be bought out.
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