"TSX Fusion, huh..." muttered Shin as he gazed at the Tora-Suzuki console displayed on the TV screen.
The console boasts a sleek black and gray color scheme with a compact size and curved edges.
Its controller features two analog sticks, buttons, a directional pad, shoulder and bumper buttons, along with triggers. Surprisingly, the features and functions, as well as the buttons, appear to be similar to the KS1 controller...
However, the design is distinct, with the controller embracing a comforting ergonomic grip.
Tora and Suzuki appear determined to surpass the comforting design of the KS1, but their attempt only results in a shape similar to KS1 controllers, reminiscent of the Xbox controller from Shin's previous life.
Following the TSX Fusion announcement, Tora-Suzuki also showcased their games for a TSX Fusion preview.
Gamers were intrigued and somewhat excited as they observed the gameplay of TSX Fusion video games. Among them, a game from Tora's 'Happy' series took the spotlight.
The 'Happy' series was already a popular franchise for Tora, with profitable sequels. In this particular game, Happy, the in-game character, embarks on an adventure on a mythical island inhabited by monsters and legendary creatures.
As the main character, Happy, is composed of the element of fire, his rival and initial enemy named 'Gloomy' is made of the element of water. However, as the 'Happy' video game sequels were released, Gloomy evolves into a troublesome antagonist, gaining the power of the element of ice due to his persistent gloominess and depression stemming from repeated defeats to Happy.
Gloomy subsequently seized control of the once-peaceful mythical island, transforming it into a realm of wrath and depression. The island's inhabitants, influenced by Gloomy's instigation, began causing trouble in the world, prompting Happy to step in and save the day.
The gameplay involved solving puzzles, engaging in combat, and outsmarting enemies, all of which were previewed for eager gamers. The excitement among players was palpable, fueled not only by the captivating gameplay but also by the well-crafted graphics reminiscent of the third-person perspective seen in KiShin's 'Resident Evil.'
However, Tora-Suzuki's development of such a visually impressive video game took a significant investment of time— a year and a half, to be exact. It's worth noting that even before KiShin released the KS1 and its accompanying video games, Tora-Suzuki had been gradually advancing their video game technology since KiShin introduced the SKES and Gameboy in 1992.
During that period, prior to the release of SKES and Gameboy, Tora and Suzuki, who had not yet formed an alliance, believed KiShin was on the brink of obsolescence due to their outdated 8-bit video game console. Seizing the opportunity, Tora and Suzuki decided to focus on their rivalry in the video game competition.
Upon KiShin's release of SKES and Gameboy, Tora and Suzuki's video game sector realized the folly of assuming KiShin's demise. Consequently, they were compelled to form an alliance and began collaborative efforts in advancing video game technology. Their joint ventures included developing third-person perspective games and experimenting with the emerging 2.5D technology.
However, KiShin outpaced them by releasing Doom for the PC platform, and the surprise launch of KS1, featuring a competitive low price, caught Tora and Suzuki off guard.
Despite the setbacks, the early release of KS1 provided Tora and Suzuki with valuable insights. They swiftly incorporated these ideas into their own console development, accelerating the process. Three games emerged from this endeavor: 'Happy: Mythical Island,' 'Thriller V,' and 'Mech-O-Battle: Season of Legends.'
Attempting the first-person shooter genre, 'Thriller V' plunged players into a world of shooting zombies, showcasing Tora and Suzuki's ambition to explore new gaming experiences.
'Mech-O-Battle: Season of Legends' featured a third-person perspective, immersing players in duels with mechs opposing the kingdom of the in-game character.
Despite the collaborative efforts of Tora-Suzuki, the development of all three games spanned several years, highlighting the time-intensive nature of game development, comparable to the intricacies of console research.
The previewed advertisements for these video games on TV channels around Tokyo generated considerable excitement within the video game community.
It became the most discussed topic among the Japanese gaming community on the KiShin website.
'ImAPokèmonMasterInSeclusion': Even as a dedicated KiShin fan, I found myself growing intrigued by the TSX Fusion video games...
'ItadoriKeji128': Same here. They seem really captivating. Plus, we haven't seen as many new games released for KS1 lately, so trying out TSX Fusion and its games might be worth it...
'IAmNotOda': And the fact that its price is lower than KS1 makes it even more appealing. It's bound to gain popularity.
'ToraAndSuzuki': Absolutely! Considering KiShin hasn't reduced the price of their KS1, it's possible they might be compelled to do so soon in response to the TSX Fusion's competitive pricing.
'BadEgg': It's only about a thousand yen difference in price... I doubt it will make much of a difference.
'ToraAndSuzuki': Still cheaper...
--
The KS1, with an initial price of 29,800 yen in Japan, is already operating at a loss due to the low pricing strategy. Tora and Suzuki recognized that KiShin's intention was to generate profits from video games later, a strategy they had successfully employed before.
In response, Tora-Suzuki lowered the price of their TSX Fusion to $280, while KiShin's price remained around $290. The KS1's initial price was $299, indicating minimal reduction over the past few months.
With competitive video games in their arsenal, Tora-Suzuki aimed to challenge KiShin. After Tora-Suzuki's announcement, the release of their latest console and video games drew lengthy queues at stores and malls, reminiscent of the hype surrounding SKES or KS1.
This surge in demand demonstrated that KiShin's competitors in the video games sector were gradually gaining ground.
Slowly but surely, on the very first day of TSX Fusion's release, KiShin found itself no longer dominating the video game market, at least in Japan.
In response, Tora and Suzuki swiftly took action, promoting their latest product, TSX Fusion, in the USA market just a few days after its Japanese release.
While the USA release was still months away, the generated hype and anticipation proved to be advantageous for their business.
In the USA, mainstream magazines promote the Tora-Suzuki TSX Fusion. Readers who purchased these magazines saw images of the TSX Fusion console and controller, accompanied by written praise and evaluations. Opinions varied among readers as they encountered this promotional content.
"I had almost forgotten about Tora and Suzuki... Did they really form an alliance and develop their video game console?"
Others who had forgotten about Tora and Suzuki's presence in the video game sector slowly began to recall.
"It's about time..."
"I've been waiting for this!"
"Yeah, me too. I always felt that KiShin would not be enough to satisfy my thirst for video games..."
Those who read about it felt quite excited as they learned that Tora and Suzuki were catching up.
--
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Japan, gamers who recently acquired the TSX Fusion and its video games had the chance to experience firsthand the gameplay of 'Happy: Mythical Island.' They found the gameplay and plot of this particular game more interesting compared to the other two equally captivating TSX Fusion video games.
The sales of TSX Fusion in Japan didn't see a significant decline within the first few days of its release. In fact, it was already surpassing KS1 in daily sales in the country.
This achievement was a result of Tora-Suzuki's successful marketing in Japan, despite the considerable cost. Tora and Suzuki considered it worthwhile due to the profits generated from their video games.
In a meeting room organized by Tora-Suzuki, Itori Tanaka, alongside Tora executives, convened with Shiko, Seki, and the Suzuki executives. Seki wore a confident smile as he examined charts depicting the recent sales of TSX Fusion consoles and video games.
"This is excellent. It seems we are surpassing KS1's estimated sales," Seki exclaimed excitedly. He added, "We are winning!"
Shiko nodded in agreement and stated, "It's only natural. When we compare KS1 to our TSX Fusion, our console outperforms it, making it a superior choice despite both being 32-bit."
The other Tora and Suzuki executives concurred with the assessment.
President Taro Ikeda of Tora, who was also involved in the video games sector and the Tora-Suzuki alliance, nodded and remarked, "Indeed, it won't be long before we overtake KiShin in the USA too."
While most Tora and Suzuki executives agreed, there were some who didn't share the same perspective. This was true for Itori Tanaka, who observed most executives in the Tora-Suzuki alliance aligning with Seki and Shiko's viewpoint.
"I don't believe we should become complacent just because we've achieved a small victory in these past few days," Itori Tanaka cautioned, pausing before adding, "It will still require much more effort from us to truly reach the same level as KiShin in the video games sector."
Seki and Shiko reacted to Itori Tanaka's words, and the sentiment echoed among Tora and Suzuki executives who sided with Seki and Shiko.
"Mr. Tanaka, we're not expressing this out of complacency. I say this because, even if it's as you described, a 'small victory,' it's still a triumph worth celebrating," Shiko explained with a faint smile. He continued, "Moreover, it's meant to boost our morale after the prolonged struggle with KiShin."
Upon hearing Shiko's explanation, most Tora and Suzuki executives also nodded in agreement.
Itori Tanaka nodded in understanding and remarked, "I comprehend. However, asserting that we'll overtake KiShin in a short time is presumptuous." He paused, letting the executives absorb his words before continuing, "We must stay vigilant against KiShin, innovate to genuinely surpass them, be more creative than KiShin, and only then can we truly overtake them. I must emphasize that achieving this won't be easy."
Upon hearing Itori Tanaka's words, the executives maintained silence, particularly Shiko and Seki.
Seki perceived Itori Tanaka as presumptuous for considering himself the sole leader of the Tora-Suzuki alliance.
Shiko, although feeling uncomfortable, along with Seki and the Suzuki executives, refrained from outwardly expressing much response. Their appearances suggested attentive listening, although a subtle sense of annoyance gradually surfaced.
"It won't be easy to overtake KiShin. It might take time, perhaps even months or years, before we secure the number one position in the video games industry from KiShin," Itori Tanaka concluded with a serious expression.
"I agree. KiShin, especially its leader, is quite cunning. They might be preparing something to disrupt our ongoing sales success with our TSX Fusion," added another Tora executive, who had been monitoring KiShin since 1992, with a serious tone.
"That's why we need to stay constantly aware of KiShin's video game development," Itori Tanaka stated, pausing for emphasis. "Fortunately, our spy successfully infiltrated the KiShin Rules Headquarters as the secretary of one of their most influential figures."
The excitement was palpable among the executives, whether from Tora or Suzuki, including Shiko and Seki.
--
Inside the Chairman's Office at KiShin Rules Headquarters,
Shin, reviewing the sales report brought by his secretary, examined the sales figures for KS1 and the estimated sales of TSX Fusion.
"Based on these sales figures, the executives believe we need to take swift action to maintain our dominant position in the country's market," Shin's secretary, a person of striking beauty, reported to him.
Shin, resting his head in his hands, lazily perused the report and yawned, saying, "There's no need to worry. Besides, we are ahead in video game development."
The beautiful secretary, Hana, appeared slightly concerned as she gripped the documents. She pondered, 'I initially thought Shinro Suzuki was an upright and diligent individual, but now he seems carefree.'
From her perspective, she witnessed Chairman Shinro engrossed in playing unreleased KiShin PC video games on his computer, followed by attending important meetings. Despite Hana's insistence on accompanying him, Shinro politely declined each time.
'How can I provide information to Tora if it continues like this?' Hana couldn't help but wonder.
She was one of the fortunate Tora spies who managed to infiltrate the company, securing a position as the chairman's secretary at KiShin. Her hiring was attributed to both her professional skills and appealing appearance, earning her a spot on the KiShin Rules executive support team.
Throughout her tenure as a secretary, she didn't come across much information worth reporting to Tora, except for the unreleased KiShin PC video games frequently played by the chairman.
The unreleased PC KiShin video games proved to be genuinely valuable, sparking interest from Itori Tanaka and the executives when the information was relayed to Tora. KiShin's expansion into PC game development, alongside their console endeavors, served as inspiration for both Tora and Suzuki.
Motivated by this, they decided to incorporate additional development in their video games, specifically focusing on PC gaming.
Observing the sales report indicating that TSX Fusion was surpassing the daily sales of KS1, Shin remained indifferent. He was aware that a considerable number of video games for KS1, developed by various entertainment companies, would flood the market in the near future. Consequently, not only would KS1 experience a surge in its daily sales, but KiShin would also reap profits from the royalty fees generated by the video games developed by these entertainment companies.
And naturally, Shin believes that Tora-Suzuki was aware of this as well; that's why, prior to the TSX Fusion release, Tora-Suzuki had already engaged in discussions with the video game entertainment companies...
However, there's a slight hitch in the negotiations for video game development for the TSX Fusion console...
--
While the video game entertainment companies were eager to create games for the TSX Fusion console, they couldn't overlook the fact that Tora-Suzuki's provided video game development toolkits were noticeably inferior to KiShin's, notably the highly valuable VG Engine...
This software significantly aided the video game entertainment companies in developing games more efficiently, and some of their games were already nearing completion.
However, the video game toolkits provided by the Tora-Suzuki alliance appear quite outdated when compared to KiShin.
"Nippon Video Games," a video game entertainment company that also has an agreement with KiShin, is currently in discussions with Tora-Suzuki regarding the ongoing development of video games for the TSX Fusion.
"What do you mean you couldn't develop video games for the TSX Fusion console in a few months?" Kenji Tanaka asked during discussions with the CEO of Nippon Video Games, Hiro Sagawa.
"I've heard that your development for KiShin KS1 video games will only take a few months, and some of the KS1 video games developed by your company are already in the final stages of testing," Kenji Tanaka remarked with a frowning expression.
"I have to be honest with you, Mr. Kenji Tanaka, but developing video games for your TSX Fusion console takes much longer compared to KS1 video game development, for very obvious reasons," Hiro Sagawa explained as he sipped his coffee.
"A very obvious reason?" Kenji Tanaka was quite confused, as he didn't have much knowledge about the agreement between KiShin and the video game entertainment companies.
"I get the feeling that your company prefers to lean on KiShin rather than Tora-Suzuki," Kenji Tanaka remarked with a furrowed brow.
"That's not the case, Mr. Tanaka," Hiro Sagawa chuckled, thinking, 'To be discussing business with this inexperienced young man... I wonder what Tora-Suzuki is thinking...'
"The obvious reason is that the video game development toolkits provided by KiShin are far superior to those of Tora-Suzuki," Hiro Sagawa explained. Seeing the slightly darkened expression on Kenji Tanaka's face, Hiro Sagawa chuckled again, saying, "And the most obvious one, so Mr. Tanaka can understand more clearly, is the KiShin VG Engine."
"VG Engine?" Kenji Tanaka said with a confused expression, having focused solely on discussions about video game development for the TSX Fusion with the game developers. He was unaware of the VG Engine, except for his brother, who stayed updated on KiShin's movements.
"That's correct. It's a valuable software that significantly helped us cut down the time needed for video game development on KS1. It proved to be an efficient tool, reducing our time-consuming development process by at least a few months," Hiro Sagawa said with a more serious expression before taking a sip of his coffee.
"Reduced the time to develop video games by a few months!?" Kenji Tanaka exclaimed, expressing his surprise.
Hiro Sagawa nodded somewhat helplessly and continued, "Indeed. KiShin's VG Engine proved to be exceptionally efficient, cutting down the time-consuming development for KS1 video games." He paused and added, "In fact, just recently, KiShin provided us with an update to their VG Engine software. Now, the VG Engine can also develop video games for KES and SKES, the older console platforms from KiShin."
Kenji Tanaka maintained a serious expression. As he observed Hiro Sagawa, he didn't doubt the man's honesty.
To be honest, Hiro Sagawa was one of the individuals who felt excitement when contacted by Tora-Suzuki for video game development on their upcoming console set to be announced in the market. Nippon Video Games began as a company producing games exclusively for KiShin. However, when Tora and Suzuki expanded their platforms, Nippon Video Games prioritized profits and made their initial KiShin exclusive games available to Tora and Suzuki.
When initially approached by Tora-Suzuki for video game development on their latest console, Hiro Sagawa vividly recalled saying, "This is it! If Tora-Suzuki provides us with a video game toolkit, including a software for game creation like the VG Engine, KiShin wouldn't have such a tight grip on us with their neutral offer!" Nippon Video Games was among the companies that found it unfair for KiShin to provide them with a neutral offer, while other video game entertainment companies with exclusive games for KiShin received more favorable terms.
Hiro Sagawa, along with his other co-founders at Nippon Video Games, eagerly anticipated a more advanced software game engine from Tora-Suzuki.
However, when they initiated contact with Tora-Suzuki, Hiro Sagawa was disappointed to discover that Tora-Suzuki was providing inferior video game development toolkits, a stark contrast to the advanced video game development toolkits offered by KiShin.
--
Itori Tanaka, along with the Tora executives, had just received a report from his younger brother and the team that handled the initial complaints from some video game entertainment companies.
"I knew this would happen..." Itori Tanaka sighed somewhat helplessly.
"Mr. Tanaka, this VG Engine that these video game entertainment companies are talking about... It could efficiently develop video games," President Taro Ikeda, stroking his chin, remarked. "From the looks of it, it won't be long before more KS1 video games are released in the market. Until then, we, along with the video game entertainment companies, won't be able to keep up with the development pace of video games for KS1."
Most of the executives wore frowning expressions upon hearing this, prompting one of them to suggest, "Can't we just develop our own VG Engine?"
Some executives entertained the same thought.
Itori Tanaka chuckled helplessly, saying, "It won't be possible to develop our own such advanced software. In fact, creating such a software may be much more time-consuming than developing our video games. And until then, KiShin will likely remain out of reach for us."
Upon hearing this, some who held onto hope became a bit disappointed.
Currently, their TSX Fusion console surpassed KS1 in terms of superiority, but the challenge lay in the speed at which video games would reach the market. Obviously, KS1 video games would hit the market before TSX Fusion's. It would likely take several months or even a year for a simple video game for TSX Fusion to appear, not to mention higher-quality video games that might take several years.
During the discussion with the executives, Itori Tanaka's secretary suddenly entered and whispered something to him, leaving Itori Tanaka genuinely surprised.
"Shinro Suzuki wants to meet me!?" Itori Tanaka exclaimed, surprising the executives around him.