Game Market 1983

November 1995, second week...

With just three weeks left before the world's first-ever gaming expo, online gaming communities buzzed with festive excitement.

And rightfully sothis expo marked a pivotal moment, recognizing the gaming genre, previously seen as a mere sideline exhibit at international electronics expos, as a full-fledged "cultural content."

Following the closure of last year's electronics expo in the US, Japan's Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) proposed a new gaming expo to expand Japan's gaming industry, catching the attention of Nintendo, Sony, and Pentagon.

Behind this initiative stood Japan's governmental body, the Economic Industrial Agency, supporting CESA to promote "games" as content to attract foreign tourists.

However, due to Nintendo's unexpected absence, the Tokyo Game Show faced ridicule even before its commencement.

The impact of Nintendo, known as the gaming industry's emperor at this time, was truly tremendous.

Despite Nintendo's absence, numerous companies were ready to fill the void.

Among them were Sony, rising swiftly in the gaming industry like a comet, showcasing the potential of games with Virtual Idols and Full Metal Gear. Also, there was Complete Laon, which revealed a new avenue for gaming possibilities involving idols.

Even the formidable NEGA, ruling the arcade centers, further heightened anticipation for the Tokyo Game Show.

The expo was set to feature not only these companies but also around 84 small and third-party businesses, solidifying it as a global gaming celebration destined to be one of the top three gaming shows for years to come.

Tap, tap...

Glancing over the event plans for the conference, I lightly tapped a stack of documents on my desk, neatly arranging them one by one.

Perhaps it was from the numerous conferences held at Pentagon, but the event plans before me were brimming with brilliant ideas.

Especially noteworthy were the concepts involving Virtual Idols, which had garnered significant attention lately. Just going through the proposals filled me with a sense of satisfaction at the fascinating ideas.

At this conference, Pentagon planned to unveil not only Dragon Emblem but also the latest works from various development teams. Furthermore, given that several third-party games in collaboration with Complete Laon were postponed for the Tokyo Game Show, our anticipation for this event was palpable.

In the absence of Nintendo...

Perhaps this TGS could be a significant opportunity to seize the reins of the future...

&

Until the official pamphlet for TGS was released, the seat assignments for Sony, NEGA, and Pentagon were fiercely contested.

While Nikkei, the co-host of TGS alongside CESA, suggested a random draw for seat assignments among the three companies, disagreements between Sony and NEGA, fueled by recent extreme marketing strategies, left the seating arrangement in a deadlock.

Consequently, Sony and NEGA wanted their booths as far apart as possible, which made inserting Pentagon between them out of the question.

However, that wasn't the only problem. With major gaming companies struggling to secure booth spaces, even the third-party companies faced delays in their booth assignments, significantly slowing down the overall event organization. So, I proposed a triangular seating arrangement among the three companies in the conference room.

"Well... there's no choice. We'll have to accept this level of compromise."

Mr. Kurakagi, the father of Gear Station, seemed reluctant to acknowledge my suggestion, but with no alternative, he eventually nodded. At the same time, Mr. Yamanka, the president of NEGA, folded his arms and nodded in agreement.

Although considering each other rivals, these two companies strangely paid attention to each other, and I wanted to get out of this situation as quickly as possible.

"So, Sony and NEGA want to be as far apart as possible."

Mr. Kishimoto, responsible for booth assignments, wore an exhausted expression.

He had a distinctively Japanese appearance, with particularly prominent front teeth sticking out. We seemed around the same age?

"Of course. NEGA always seems to follow our marketing strategies, so please cooperate."

President Yamanka directed an authoritative look towards Mr. Kurakagi, who was visibly uncomfortable.

"Now, someone new to the gaming industry is being bold..."

"Mr. Yamanka, what did you just say?"

"Mr. Yamanka...? Do you lack even basic manners!?"

As the voices grew louder in the office, I sighed deeply. If only I could have asked Mr. Kawaguchi to come instead.

I glanced at the two squabbling representatives for a while, who seemed to see me merely as a game director who had attained a high position at a young age.

I scratched the back of my head and spoke up, concentrating my gaze on Mr. Kishimoto.

"Well, earlier, both of you agreed to keep a distance from each other, right?"

"Y-yes."

"In that case, there's only here and here."

Pointing at the interior layout of the Big Sight's exhibition hall, I specified the positions for Sony and NEGA, addressing Mr. Kishimoto.

"I have meetings with other companies afterward. I'll take my leave now. I don't want to waste time over one seating arrangement, do I?"

Upon my words, both of them stared at me with baffled expressions.

"What did you say!?"

"What authority do you have to decide the seating at your whim!?"

"."

Oh, if only I hadn't regressed to '83, I'd practically be the same age as you guys... I thought, but to them, I probably only seemed like a young game director.

With a determined look, I glanced at the two intensely staring individuals, then scratched the back of my head.

"Um, I'll leave now."

As I loosened my tie, stepping away from the office, I made my way toward the parking lot where my car was parked.

Suddenly, Kishimoto rushed out from the office, catching up to me.

"Um... Excuse me, Mr. Junhyuk! Kang Junhyuk~!!"

"Oh, hey there, Kishimoto-san. Is something the matter?"

"Well, it's... uh..."

"Hmm? Do you have something else to say?"

"Well, you see... Do you happen to have the heroines from Virtuoid attending the TGS?"

"Of course, that's part of our Pentagon Soft's main content."

"Oh!!"

"But why do you ask?"

"Um, personally, I'm a fan of Erica from Virtuoid. So, I was curious if there were any plans for an event at TGS."

Oh, that's an unexpected angle. A planner who's a fan of Virtuoid within the event staff?

Internally chuckling, I replied, "Thank you for your interest, Kishimoto-san. It seems you also admire Erica's voice actor. While reviewing the event plans, you'll see we've prepared a small concert as well. Please look forward to it."

"Oh, really...!!"

Satisfied with my response, Kishimoto nodded with a pleased smile.

"I'll definitely look forward to the concert."

"By the way, Kishimoto-san, I have a small request regarding the Virtuoid event."

"Yes?" fr(e)ewebn(o)vel

After hearing about the Virtuoid event in the corridor, Kishimoto clenched his fist and exclaimed, "That's amazing! Even without MinTendo, I believed Pentagon would come up with a fantastic plan."

"What do you think? Can you relay my thoughts to the higher-ups?"

"Well, I'm not in a position to confirm your proposal definitively. Moreover, the event venue will likely be bustling with booths from other companies and visitors..."

Smiling slightly at Kishimoto's slightly flustered expression and sweat-drenched face, I replied, "I never mentioned holding an event at the venue, did I?"

Staring at me with a blank expression, Kishimoto then widened his eyes in disbelief. "Wait, really!?"

"I'll send a separate fax with detailed event information by tomorrow morning."

"Mr. Junhyuk!! Um, wait a moment..."

"Take care, Kishimoto-san."

Shaking hands lightly with Kishimoto and nodding in farewell, I exited the CESA headquarters.

---

A little while later...

Leaving the association and getting into my car, I headed towards the club room of a specialized electronic school near Shinjuku in Japan.

As I opened the club room door, holding a large bag of bread for the students who had waited for me, I felt a rush of heat coming from the PCs inside.

"Hello~!!!"

About ten students sitting in front of computers gathered and greeted me cheerfully.

"If it's this hot, should we turn on the air conditioning?"

"Oh, yeah, it's actually quite warm."

Realizing it just then, the students, previously focused on their computers, gathered around the table, fanning themselves.

"What's this, Teacher?"

"Cream buns. I got as many as I could, not sure if it's enough."

"Oh, I was actually pretty hungry~ I'll enjoy this!"

I raised the classroom's air conditioner using the remote, grinning. fre(e)novelkiss

"By the way, have you all finished your assignments?"

*gulp*

*cough*

*gulp*

Upon my question, the kids hurriedly swallowed their food and drinks.

Guess they won't touch their food when it's time to study...

I chuckled and opened the windows at the back of the classroom for some fresh air.

Feeling the pleasant late-autumn breeze brushing my nose, a smile unknowingly formed on my lips.

Wait, where am I?

This place is a club room at a specialized electronic school in Japan, equivalent to a two-year technical college in Korea.

And... it's where my secret weapons, different from Pentagon, are gathered.

>

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