When the television advertisement for the KS1 version of 'Mortal Kombat' aired, viewers were pleasantly surprised. The game, akin to 'Street Fighter,' distinguished itself through its narrative. According to the commercial, the storyline revolved around the clash between Earthrealm and Outworld.
The graphics, along with the character sprites showcased in the advertisement, created a lifelike impression of real people brought to animated existence.
The gameplay mirrored the fighting dynamics of 'Street Fighter' on KES and SKES, with the key distinction lying in superior graphics. Whether the fighting experience surpassed 'Street Fighter' remained to be seen, as players had yet to engage with the game themselves.
When 'Mortal Kombat' debuted at Akihabara KiShin Store, a considerable number of eager buyers had already formed a line. While the queues didn't match the length seen during the KS1 sales, there was still a substantial crowd demonstrating keen interest in the new video game.
Following the lineup of KS1 video games, 'Mortal Kombat' emerged as the sole new release after approximately a month and two weeks. Days later, as enthusiastic video game fans purchased and played it at home, they found themselves pleasantly surprised by both the graphics and gameplay.
Initially, the menu presented a variety of options, including tournaments and battles with player 2. Opting for the 'Tournament' feature, players selected their characters and engaged in battles against computer opponents, reminiscent of 'Street Fighter.' However, this time, the standout differences were the enhanced graphics and 2D rendering featured in the game.
Notably, 'Mortal Kombat' distinguished itself as a fighting video game with elements of blood and gore. Adding to its allure was the presence of a more hype-inducing announcer compared to 'Street Fighter.'
In the video game 'Mortal Kombat,' upon selecting the 'Tournament,' a cinematic intro unfolded, so convincingly crafted that had it not been a video game, it could easily be mistaken for a KiShin film. Following the film-like intro, character selection ensued, accompanied by the announcer's declaration before the battle commenced, unveiling the battle plan. As the player's battle initiated, the announcer's iconic proclamation echoed, "Round 1, Fight!"
In moments of close victory, the announcer intensified the excitement with phrases like "Finish her!" or "Finish him!"—with "Fatality!" being a favorite among video game fans. These lines, including "Animality" and more, added an extra layer of hype for players, amplified by the enhanced sound effects accompanying every punch and kick.
While 'Mortal Kombat' garnered player approval, the film-like intro sparked widespread discussion among video game enthusiasts. Many felt that the intro possessed cinematic potential comparable to scenes in films like 'Resident Evil.' The zombie head-turning scene from 'Resident Evil,' though not filmed in real life, served as a benchmark. However, the cinematic execution and acting in the 'Resident Evil' story intro failed to impress players.
Diverging from the cinematic story intros of 'Mortal Kombat,' featuring the game's announcer as the narrator, players perceived it not merely as an introduction to the video game but as a serious cinematic piece. The gravity of the actors' performances and actions in the fighting scenes conveyed a level of seriousness that, if not for the awareness that it was a video game, could be mistaken for a genuinely serious film scene.
Despite not being avid film enthusiasts, players found themselves compelled to discuss their observations with friends. A 30-year-old man, recently acquiring the 'Mortal Kombat' video game, remarked to his colleagues, "Hey, didn't you notice how seriously the 'Mortal Kombat' story intro was filmed? It's unlike the 'Resident Evil' story intro... I find it intriguing. If KiShin ever plans to make a film adaptation of 'Mortal Kombat,' I hope it maintains the same quality as that 'Mortal Kombat' story intro."
"I agree, but simultaneously, I doubt that if KiShin decides to adapt one of their video games into a film, it might not achieve the same quality, not even matching the level of their KS1 video game story intros," one of them remarked.
"I'm specifically referring to the 'Mortal Kombat' story intro," clarified the 30-year-old man.
"I understand, but what I'm emphasizing is that a full-length film, stretching to an hour or so, may struggle to maintain the same quality seen in that brief story intro of the 'Mortal Kombat' video game," the individual added, shaking his head.
"Well, maybe you're right," the 30-year-old man nodded and added with hope, "I'm just interested to see the result if it ever gets filmed, you know."
"The story intro of the video game 'Mortal Kombat' was good as a story intro, but I don't think we could expect much from a full-length film," another guy remarked.
"That's true."
Following that, the colleagues delved into discussing the intriguing combos they could execute in 'Mortal Kombat.'
"I'll be honest, I prefer the fighting gameplay style of 'Mortal Kombat' over 'Street Fighter,'" a man said with a smile.
"Yeah, 'Mortal Kombat' just conveys a sense of violence and brutality compared to 'Street Fighter,'" someone agreed.
"Well, maybe 'Street Fighter' was geared towards kids, and the new fighting video game from KiShin, 'Mortal Kombat,' is more for adults who appreciate the visceral elements," another speculated.
"It wasn't restricted beyond 7," chimed in another.
"Not so surprising... The blood looks fake and all."
"It should at least be restricted, right? Or is KiShin just too influential now?" a man couldn't help but question.
"You're only realizing that now?" another said with a chuckle.
"Hahaha!!!" They couldn't help but laugh.
Little did the new 'Mortal Kombat' fans know that KiShin had actually incorporated scenes from their upcoming film 'Mortal Kombat' into the video game itself.
In Hollywood, the film project went by the name 'Fighter's Destiny.' Surprisingly, no one knew that the film project had already been adapted into the video games before its official release.
The 'Mortal Kombat' film project began when Shin observed that the Marvel 'Spider-Man' film faced delays due to casting issues, with Stan Lee being particularly selective. After Shin granted Stan Lee the authority to cast the main actors, Lee took the task seriously, displaying a meticulous approach. During this time, Shin invested in studios equipped with green screens and film production resources.
Given the nature of Marvel's requirements, many scenes would likely involve costly CGI.
After the release of KS1 in Japan, video game enthusiasts in the United States were just discovering its existence.
"Damn it! Why didn't the media cover the release of KS1, the latest video game console from KiShin?" A blonde man slammed his hand into the wooden table in frustration.
"Well, I'm not really blaming the media, but rather KiShin... They only decided to announce now that their latest console has been released in Japan," another person said, trying to calm his blonde friend.
"Actually, a friend of mine mentioned that KS1 and its video games were featured in some gaming magazines. Although I enjoy video games, I rarely buy gaming-themed magazines; I prefer the more matured ones," added a black-haired man.
"I feel the same way," their chubby friend chimed in, bringing a moment of silence.
Later, one of the guys broke the quiet by saying, "Even if we were aware of KiShin's latest video game console, the KS1, it wouldn't have mattered since it wasn't available in the USA yet."
"That's true," everyone agreed. Perhaps KiShin delayed announcing the KS1 in the USA to prevent disappointment among American gamers.
"Well, let's just play 'Chrono Trigger'..." suggested one of the guys, and everyone nodded as they headed to their hub.
This time, the once-proud group of video game players looked somewhat miserable as they played on SKES.
While they still enjoyed the game, the knowledge of another console, the KS1, being out there left them feeling a bit dissatisfied.
After all, they'd have to wait a few months, probably until November or December, as KiShin didn't provide an exact date but mentioned it would be a few months after the release in Japan.
Before KS1 becomes available in the USA and other parts of Asia...
Meanwhile, in New York, a man with thick, naturally wavy black hair parted on the left side of his head—specifically sporting a short-back-and-side style—was en route to the president's office.
Employed at D.E. Shaw Co, a hedge fund company, the man held the position of vice president.
Initially, he worked as a computer engineer at the hedge fund company, focusing on designing and developing algorithms used by D.E. Shaw Co for trading stocks, bonds, and various financial instruments. Additionally, he was responsible for maintaining the training system.
Impressed by his skills, the higher-ups were satisfied, leading to a salary raise. Over the years, the man ascended through the ranks, ultimately reaching the position of vice president.
However, the man sensed that something was missing. Although his current role at the company involved easier tasks than before, focusing on strategizing for the company, he harbored personal ambitions and dreams.
With the advent of the internet, the man foresaw its potential, sparking a compelling idea that consumed his thoughts.
As the idea lingered in his mind, he found it difficult to sleep at night. Despite jotting down his thoughts on paper, he initially believed it would suffice to bring him peace. Yet, after a few days, the idea persisted, and he couldn't ignore it any longer.
Realizing that his subconscious mind was signaling something crucial, he understood that a mere plan on paper wouldn't be enough. Actions were required to bring his idea to fruition.
Hence, he found himself on the way to the president's office, intending to submit a resignation letter.
After knocking on the door and entering his boss's office, the president, named David E. Shaw, was in the midst of organizing the company's portfolio.
David looked up and identified his talented employee, furrowing his brows but asking, "Oh, Vice President Jeff, what brings you here?"
Jeff, holding a paper, walked to the front of his boss and stated, "Mr. Shaw, I am here to submit my resignation." He placed the paper on his boss's desk.
David frowned and questioned, "You're resigning?"
Jeff nodded in affirmation.
David furrowed his brows and inquired, "Is it because you're uncomfortable with the company, or perhaps you're dissatisfied with the salary?"
Jeff shook his head and replied, "No, not at all. The workspace is fine, and I've learned a lot here. The salary is also quite good."
Confused, David asked, "Then why? Why are you resigning?"
Jeff smiled and said, "I want to pursue my own dream."
Upon hearing this, David was slightly surprised. He looked at Jeff, chuckled wryly, and remarked, "I can't stop a man's dream, can I?"
Jeff just smiled as David patted him on the shoulder.
"Just remember, if you fail, you can always return to this company..." David said this, but deep inside, he felt a twinge of regret that his company would be losing a skilled individual. Filling Jeff's role as vice president, given his four years of expertise as a computer engineer and his proven success in the company, would undoubtedly be challenging.
After resigning, Jeff headed to his house in Upper West Side Manhattan. Upon arriving home, he shared his plan to start a company with his wife.
His wife, currently juggling various part-time jobs despite being an experienced novelist and researcher, had some of her books published by a bookstore named Ruki, which offered better deals than most others.
"I'm thinking of building a website, specifically an online bookstore," Jeff explained to his wife.
Scott nodded, furrowing her brows, and responded, "Okay, but I don't think it's such a unique idea. There have been several online shopping platforms, and that isn't limited to books alone."
Jeff smiled and explained, "I know, but that's not the point. The goal is to gather data on customer preferences—whether it's their information, preferred books, or even their ideal prices, etc. My plan isn't just to create an ordinary online bookstore; rather, it's to build a framework with a data algorithm that predicts customer preferences. With that, we could enhance the overall customer experience."
Upon hearing her husband's ideas, Scott felt that his concept was innovative and unique. While online shopping was already established on the internet, she doubted whether other companies had incorporated such a sophisticated data algorithm into their frameworks.
"What do you plan to name your company?" Jeff's wife inquired. Jeff responded, "Cadabra... Cadabra, Inc." Pausing to explain, he added, "Cadabra is a magic word that signifies 'appearing out of nowhere,' much like our online bookstore where books will magically find their way to customers through delivery."
His wife posed a critical question, asking, "Should we reach out to book publishers to have their books sold on our Cadabra? Will anyone be willing to participate?"
Pausing at her question, Jeff returned with his own inquiry, stating, "I heard that you've already published some of your books with a bookstore named Ruki?" Observing his wife nod, he continued, "While they offer better terms compared to other publishers, they're experiencing financial losses. Most of their books, primarily novels from Japan, aren't generating enough revenue. Even though Ruki is owned by KiShin, a renowned company, they aren't providing any promotion for the bookstore, resulting in financial setbacks."
His wife nodded in understanding.
Jeff proposed, "This seems like a bookstore that deserves attention, right? Why don't we negotiate with Ruki and make their books available on our future site, Cadabra?"
After Jeff resigned a few days ago, he established a company called Cadabra, Inc. with the support of his wife. He reached out to friends, forming a group of angel investors to potentially fund his venture. Following this, they initiated discussions with Ruki Bookstore to explore the possibility of featuring their books on the online platform they envisioned. Jeff and his wife visited the Ruki Bookstore in Manhattan.
While the bookstore appeared typical at first glance, it stood out with its exceptional cleanliness and a Japanese word, 'Ruki,' displayed on the board.
"This bookstore seems to embody the precision and orderliness of Japanese culture..." Jeff remarked.
His wife agreed with a nod as they entered, perusing the new releases, best sellers, and staff picks on display. Inside, a central aisle connected various sections throughout the store.
After Jeff resigned a few days ago, he established a company called Cadabra, Inc. with the support of his wife. He reached out to friends, forming a group of angel investors to potentially fund his venture. Following this, they initiated discussions with Ruki Bookstore to explore the possibility of featuring their books on the online platform they envisioned. Jeff and his wife visited the Ruki Bookstore in Manhattan.
While the bookstore appeared typical at first glance, it stood out with its exceptional cleanliness and a Japanese word, 'Ruki,' displayed on the board.
"This bookstore seems to embody the precision and orderliness of Japanese culture..." Jeff remarked.
His wife agreed with a nod as they entered, perusing the new releases, best sellers, and staff picks on display. Inside, a central aisle connected various sections throughout the store.
At the checkout counter, a blonde woman sat engrossed in a book as Jeff and his wife approached.
Upon noticing their approach, she lifted her head and greeted them, "Is there anything I can assist you with?"
Jeff nodded, saying, "This is my wife, Scoff Mackenzie, a novelist who publishes her books in Ruki bookstores."
The woman acknowledged with a nod, prompting Jeff's wife to introduce herself. Following this, the woman asked, "How may I assist you?"
Expressing their desire to meet the manager, the woman at the counter seemed slightly surprised and inquired about the reason. Jeff and his wife simply explained it was for business purposes.
The woman inferred that their intention was likely to discuss matters related to Jeff's wife's books with the manager.
Following their meeting, Jeff and his wife engaged in discussions with the stout manager of the bookstore regarding Jeff's business proposal. Despite the initial inclination of the manager to dismiss the idea, recognizing his role as a mere manager within the larger framework of Ruki Bookstores—a publishing company under a substantial corporation—he opted to seek approval from higher authorities.
Deciding to inform the higher-ups about Jeff's proposal, the manager relayed the information to the executives of Ruki Publisher Company, who then reported it to Ruki Suzuki, the CEO of Ruki Publisher Company.
--
In Tokyo, Japan, at the Ruki Publisher Company Headquarters in Minato Ward, the building stood modestly amidst its surroundings.
Within the CEO's office, Ruki Suzuki received a report from the U.S. executives of Ruki Publisher about Jeff Jorgensen. The report detailed Jeff's suggestion to sell Ruki books online through a website he had created.
She found Jeff's idea intriguing, yet concurrently believed it prudent to consult with her fourth brother.
Considering that Shinro Suzuki's company was the parent company of Ruki Publisher Company and also provided funding for her own company, her decision to discuss the matter with him was logical. Notably, Shinro Suzuki had founded Ruki Publisher Company and appointed her as CEO, a decision that had initially left her perplexed.
Dialing her fourth brother's number, she scrutinized the information on her computer sent by the executives via the internet—the file being Jeff Jorgensen's proposal.
--
At KiShin Rules Headquarters, Shin conveyed his ideas on a whiteboard to a group of attentive game developers seated around a round table, diligently taking notes on Shin's words regarding the video game direction plan portfolio. Midway through this discussion, Shin's phone interrupted the meeting with a ring.
"Oops... Excuse me, guys," Shin said, retrieving his phone from his pocket. He distanced himself before answering the call.
"Hello, sister Ruki?" Shin inquired as he picked up the phone.
"Fourth brother, I called you regarding..." Ruki began, explaining the situation to Shin.
Listening attentively, Shin became somewhat astonished as he learned about a man proposing to feature Ruki Bookstore books on a website for online sales. It wasn't the concept of an online store that surprised him, but rather the man's name and his company.
The man shared the same name as someone from Shin's previous life—the founder of Amazon, if his memory served him right.
Without hesitation, Shin instructed his second sister, Ruki, to endorse the man's proposal.
After the call concluded, Shin gazed at the phone for a moment, deep in thought.
"I should be ready to secure another round of funding... I need to seize the opportunity immediately," Shin contemplated. Drawing from his knowledge of his previous life, he recalled that, apart from Jeff, The Vanguard Group, Inc. was the largest shareholder in Amazon.
Shin also entertained the idea of acquiring Jeff's company. However, considering that Jeff's venture wasn't widely recognized or successful yet, and factoring in Jeff's ambitious goals, it seemed unlikely that Jeff would be willing to sell even if the company faced initial challenges.
Shin recognized that Jeff possessed a long-term vision. From Shin's perspective, Jeff prioritized the development of the algorithmic data over immediate profitability, aligning with a broader plan he was formulating.
Had Shin not known better, he might have perceived Jeff as merely a crazy and overly optimistic individual. However, Shin understood that the man was highly calculated, optimistic, and driven by a clear purpose. A person with such qualities would not easily part with their company.
"If he were to sell, he wouldn't be Jeff Jorgensen," Shin pondered.
--
Meanwhile, with anime series like Pokémon, Dragon Ball, EarthBound, and Yu-Gi-Oh gaining popularity not only in Japan but internationally, KiShin Merchandise seized the opportunity. On July 30, 1994, the company organized an event in Akihabara, capturing the attention of anime fans.
It was a 'Kosupure' event, centered around participants donning anime character costumes, embodying the characters through both attire and mannerisms. Those who excelled would be eligible for awards and rewards from KiShin Merchandise.
KiShin Merchandise had been selling anime character clothing for some time, but it was only now that Shinro Suzuki's idea was set into motion. In Akihabara's Electric Town, where thousands of square meters had already been cleared for construction, work came to a halt to accommodate KiShin Merchandise's event. The flat area was transformed with stages and vendors to create the necessary space.
This marked the beginning of KiShin's strategy to elevate Akihabara's prominence, starting locally in Japan. By associating the event with anime, the aim was to attract not only a domestic audience but also foreign visitors to the area.
This marks the beginning of KiShin's initiative to elevate Akihabara's status, aiming for recognition, at least within Japan initially. By associating the event with anime, it also intends to draw in foreign visitors.