Itori Tanaka was greatly surprised when Shinro Suzuki revealed that their meeting was about a business discussion, sparking genuine curiosity in him.
Intrigued, Tanaka inquired, "Business with me? Could you elaborate, Mr. Suzuki?"
As the server placed dishes on the table, Tanaka expressed gratitude before Shin remained silent, diving into the details. "It seems Tora-Suzuki is facing challenges in the video game production for their latest console, TSX Fusion," he stated while savoring a bite of the cut steak.
Itori Tanaka's expression soured slightly upon hearing this, and he responded, "So you were aware... Indeed, we're facing some challenges." After a brief pause, he continued, "Unlike the KS1 with the VG Engine, we lack advanced video game development toolkits for the TSX Fusion. This means a longer production time and fewer games this year."
Shin acknowledged this, saying, "Our VG Engine has proven invaluable for us."
Itori sought clarification, asking, "Is this related to the business discussion you wanted, Mr. Suzuki?"
With a nod, Shin affirmed, "Exactly."
Observing Itori's perplexed expression, Shin explained, "My proposal is for KiShin to expedite video game production for Tora-Suzuki's TSX Fusion."
Surprised, Itori exclaimed, "What!? You can expedite the video game productions for our TSX Fusion!?" He struggled to compose himself.
Shin nodded with a subtle smile and explained, "Indeed. It's a relatively straightforward process, actually."
Itori, wearing a serious expression, pondered Shinro Suzuki's intentions, thinking, 'What is he planning?'
Shin clarified, "While I understand you're not the sole decision-maker for the Tora and Suzuki alliance, you play a key role. I'm proposing an idea, and whether the Tora-Suzuki alliance accepts it is entirely their choice."
Itori nodded in comprehension.
Shin continued, "In my proposal, I suggest allowing Tora-Suzuki to utilize our game engine software..."
Itori, taken aback, thought, 'Allow Tora-Suzuki to use the game engine software!?' Unable to contain his astonishment, he exclaimed, "You'll permit Tora-Suzuki to access KiShin's advanced video game development!?"
"That's correct." Shin paused to sip his wine before adding, "Upon Tora-Suzuki's agreement to our terms and conditions, they gain access to our video game engine, the VG Engine. Additionally, the video game entertainment companies currently using our software can extend their capabilities to develop games for the TSX Fusion. Moreover, those companies exclusively offering games for the KS1 platform can also utilize the VG Engine for TSX Fusion compatibility."
Upon hearing this, Itori felt a temptation to agree immediately. However, he restrained himself, recognizing the need for caution, especially without knowing KiShin's specific terms and conditions. Even if he did know and agreed, discussions with Tora-Suzuki were essential.
Observing Itori's inclination, Shin opened his suitcase, revealing prepared documents. Placing them on the table, he invited Itori to inspect them with evident curiosity.
"This document outlines all the benefits of my proposal, along with the terms and conditions," Shin explained as he handed the documents to Itori Tanaka.
Itori nodded and began reading the document. It detailed the advantages of accepting KiShin's proposal, including access to the same level of video game toolkits and the VG Engine. However, it stipulated that Tora-Suzuki needed to provide hardware documentation for the TSX Fusion. This would enable KiShin to update their VG Engine, ensuring compatibility with the TSX Fusion for games developed using the software.
As Itori read through this requirement, he weighed it against the substantial benefits KiShin's proposal offered, realizing that providing hardware documentation was a reasonable trade-off given the solutions it presented for their video game production challenges.
Making the video games developed in the VG Engine compatible with the TSX Fusion would effectively resolve Tora-Suzuki's problems. Given that most video game entertainment companies developing for consoles were already utilizing the VG Engine, this solution would extend compatibility to games initially designed for KS1.
After reviewing the proposal, Itori delved into the KiShin terms and conditions. They specified a small royalty fee for video games produced by Tora-Suzuki using the VG Engine. While Itori found this acceptable, the challenge lay in whether other members of the Tora-Suzuki alliance would agree with it.
The development data from video games created using the VG Engine must also be sent to KiShin for software improvement.
Itori, not well-versed in software development, considered sending development data as a minor concern.
As he delved deeper into the terms and conditions, Itori found nothing objectionable. Viewing it as a mutually beneficial business proposal, he acknowledged the need for legal scrutiny to ensure no traps were set by KiShin.
"This is an intriguing proposal," Itori remarked, "but, as you mentioned, I'm just a key figure in the Tora-Suzuki alliance. I must seek the opinions of other key figures before deciding." He addressed Shinro Suzuki politely, who remained silent, focused on his steak.
"I anticipate an agreement with you, Mr. Tanaka," Shin smiled as he paused, adding, "After all, Tora-Suzuki won't have much of a choice. Within a few weeks or months following the initial success of your TSX Fusion, it may face a decline due to its limited video game library."
Upon hearing Shinro Suzuki's words, Itori Tanaka couldn't help but feel a slight twitch in his mouth.
Observing Shinro Suzuki's smiling face, Itori Tanaka couldn't shake the feeling that the smile held a hint of cunningness.
Itori Tanaka felt a bit helpless hearing those words from Shinro Suzuki, "He's right..." Itori couldn't help but think that if Tora-Suzuki didn't agree, it could only await its own doom.
With the limited video game library of TSX Fusion, it was bound to be a commercial failure. In contrast, the video game library of KS1 was growing daily, destined for commercial success.
The situation presented such a stark contrast, and Itori knew that if Tora-Suzuki didn't agree with the proposal and terms of KiShin, he needed to convince them.
If there were issues with the terms and a potential trap clause in KiShin, Itori hoped to discuss it with Shinro Suzuki for a better outcome.
However, if there were no problems in the clauses, Itori knew that Tora-Suzuki had to agree to stay in the video game industry.
To be honest, Itori knew his father, the chairman of Tora Corporation, didn't have much interest in video games, unlike most board members who saw profits despite some losses. Itori was genuinely interested in the industry, even proposing a game project based on his ideas, with the hope of seeing its finished product.
The reason the Tora video game sector business persisted was that Tora still garnered a modest profit from it. Simultaneously, the surge in TSX Fusion sales in the Japanese market reshaped the perspective of Tora Corporation's board members regarding their video game sector business.
After the meeting with Shinro Suzuki, Itori initiated a conference meeting for the Tora-Suzuki alliance. Shiko, accompanied by Suzuki executives, directed their attention to Itori Tanaka, seated at the head.
"As you all know, the video game production for our TSX Fusion has been notably slower compared to our competitor KiShin's KS1," Itori Tanaka addressed the attendees.
"We've been aware, and this has been troubling us for a few days now. The sales of our TSX Fusion stabilized, but based on the estimated sales of KS1, it seems our TSX Fusion sales have been declining," Nikko Tabata, CEO of Suzuki Electronics, added.
"So, the purpose of this meeting is to discuss how to accelerate video game production for our TSX Fusion?" Seki, current CEO of Suzuki Entertainment, a video game production company, inquired.
"That is correct," Itori nodded with a serious expression.
"But I don't think it's possible. Even if we hired numerous game developers and expanded our team, it still wouldn't considerably accelerate the video game production for the TSX Fusion," Seki stated solemnly. He continued, "Unlike the development of 16-bit video games, where we could produce games quickly with team size and experience, and with a big budget, the 32-bit video games are much more complicated. Even with a considerably experienced team size, it can only slightly quicken progress, but the video game production will still take considerably longer."
The Tora and Suzuki executives agreed, shifting their attention to Itori Tanaka for his response.
Since Itori Tanaka initiated the conference, he must have a plan to expedite the process of video game production for the TSX Fusion.
Itori nodded in understanding and said, "You are absolutely correct." He paused, motioning to his secretary holding files. The secretary nodded and handed Itori the files.
Itori took the files from his secretary, and as everyone looked on curiously, he said, "These files contain documents outlining the solution to expedite the video game production for our TSX Fusion."
Upon hearing this, they were somewhat surprised.
'He actually prepared documents for the solution to video game production for the TSX Fusion? Is it a genuine solution?' Shiko thought with a hint of surprise, a sentiment shared by the other executives.
Subsequently, Itori Tanaka distributed the documents to each person, prompting immediate scrutiny.
Seki, possessing some experience in video game production, examined the document and, as he read on, displayed clear astonishment.
Similar reactions echoed throughout the room.
"What is the meaning of this, Mr. Tanaka!?" Shiko exclaimed, tossing the documents back onto the table. He continued, "This is KiShin's proposal!"
Seki also directed a gaze at Itori Tanaka, saying, "Are you suggesting we turn to KiShin?" Initially considering Itori Tanaka a smart individual, he hadn't anticipated involvement with KiShin.
"This isn't very wise, Mr. Tanaka... KiShin is our competitor, and the purpose of the Tora and Suzuki alliance was to defeat them. Now..." Nikko Tabata looked at Itori Tanaka with a solemn expression.
"Don't worry, everyone. This is for the best, and I also have lawyers examining the terms and conditions provided by KiShin; they found no trap clause in it," Itori began to explain, but he was interrupted by someone from Suzuki.
"It's not about the terms and conditions! It's about having to seek KiShin for help!?"
Itori Tanaka and the Tora executives remained silent as the Suzuki executives pointed their fingers at Itori Tanaka.
"Resorting to KiShin's help? Don't you have any pride in you!?"
"Why do we have to lower our heads to the company we vowed to defeat!?"
With clasped hands and a serious expression, Itori Tanaka interjected in the midst of accusations, "We don't have any other choice. If we don't agree, then we can only expect the TSX Fusion to be a commercial failure." He paused as he noticed the Suzuki executives becoming considerably silent after he said this, then he continued, "Besides, the one who initiated this proposal was Shinro Suzuki himself."
This surprised the Suzuki executives. "Shinro himself?"
"The youngest son of Chairman Shiro Suzuki..."
"The so-called genius, according to Suzuki board members..."
Hearing the Suzuki executives' opinions of Shinro, Shiko and Seki frowned slightly.
"Why did he propose to help us?" Nikko Tabata asked with a hint of confusion.
Itori Tanaka replied with a faint smile, saying, "I don't know..."
"Maybe he's planning something nasty..." Some Suzuki executives thought so, a sentiment shared by the Tora executives on Itori Tanaka's side.
Hearing more unconventional opinions from the executives about Shinro Suzuki, Itori Tanaka couldn't help but chuckle as he said, "I don't know for sure why he proposed this to us—to help with the video game productions for our TSX Fusion, whether it's for profits or some other reasons, but..." He paused and continued, "In my opinion, I think he is willing to provide help to us, so that KiShin won't feel lonely in the video game industry."
When everyone heard this, they looked at Itori Tanaka strangely.
"Lonely? That is an interesting view..." Seki smiled as he said.
Itori Tanaka looked at Shiko, as Shiko would be the one to decide whether to agree with KiShin's proposal on the Suzuki side.
As Itori Tanaka looked expectantly, Shiko calmed down to think of the situation further before finally saying, "Looks like we don't have much of a choice, huh... alright, I'll agree... We don't have much choice anyway."
Upon hearing that, the Suzuki executives felt a bit reluctant to agree.
"Yeah, we just need to improve our video game sector development so we wouldn't have to resort to KiShin's help," Itori Tanaka smiled as he said.
"During the alliance of Tora and Suzuki, we can strive to improve our technology and video game development together, but after the alliance ends, Tora will return to being our competitor..." Shiko added with a smile.
"You're right..." Itori Tanaka nodded with a faint smile.
With that, the Tora and Suzuki executives saw that their boss had come to an agreement, and this time, they didn't have a choice but to accept KiShin's proposal. After some contemplation, they realized it might not be too bad, considering that their video game productions would benefit from the advanced video game toolkit and VG Engine software.