The Computer Chronicles featured the KiShin World Championship and even got to interview each representative of KiShin and Tora-Suzuki.
The American representative of KiShin talked about how good and innovative their video games are, while the Tora-Suzuki American representative talked about their new and latest game on the PC.
As that was occurring, the game tournament taking place in the KiShin World Championship, racing games such as The Need for Speed and KiShin All-Stars Racing! were also getting hyped.
And then the Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter championship was also getting hyped from the gamers competing.
And so, the KiShin World Championship continues with the different kinds of game tournament competitions taking place.
Doom, Doom II - they were the current most popular FPS video games for PC, and some gamers felt that they were the most awesome video games in the world.
Even in the KiShin forum, there will be discussions like:
It's my first: "I think there are no games to surpass Doom series in terms of the FPS genre."
Good morning: "I agree; even other companies can't copy its graphics and so on..."
Eleven Bitches Good morning: "Well, KiShin made it. And yeah, I agree, no FPS video games could really compare to the Doom series. After all, the Doom series has already pushed the 3D boundaries and level designs..."
Such discussions were unanimously agreed to by each other; the other FPS games that were able to match Doom II graphics were because of the KiShin software VG Engine.
And at the same time, KiShin gradually finished the development of a video game that will surpass Doom II, and it was called Quake.
This video game Quake was developed through the Unreal Engine.
Quake is a video game that will really introduce gamers to true 3D movement and physics, along with more advanced lighting and texture effects. This is considered a significant leap forward in graphical fidelity.
PC gamers were not yet aware of the video game Quake that the KiShin will introduce.
--
While Quake was still not yet released, Shin gave the beta of the game to Steve Jobs and Will Gates.
In Will Gates' office, inserting the CD of Quake into his PC, and after finishing the installation, he opened the game.
To be quite honest, Will Gates was somewhat expectant of the video game. It was developed by the number one video game company in the world, after all. Simultaneously, Shin had just informed him that the Quake video game surpassed the Doom series in graphics.
So, Will Gates was quite curious. Having already played Doom and experienced its graphics, he knew that the Doom series' graphics were currently quite advanced.
"Let's see if the graphics really surpassed the Doom series..." Will Gates muttered as he started the game.
Will Gates is deeply passionate about technology, and now, having the chance to play the new video game from KiShin, he's a bit excited. The video game may feature advanced 3D technology.
Although KiShin and Microsoft are developing the Unreal Engine together, and the software can already produce true 3D movement and physics for video games, Will Gates is still quite interested in the new video game developed solely by KiShin.
And besides, Microsoft was still in the progress of production for developing a video game with 3D movements and physics, so Will Gates wanted to see the results of the video game featuring these aspects.
To run a video game with true 3D movements, physics, texture effects, and sound effects like Quake in smooth gameplay, one still needed an application or an API, such as OpenGL, the commonly used API for PCs.
However, KiShin, aiming for a smooth gameplay for Quake, also provided an alternative along with the CD of the Quake game, and it was called Direct3D.
After the game started, Will Gates saw that the game begins in a dimly lit, obsidian-walled tunnel, deep beneath the surface.
Will Gates was a bit astonished as the texture effects were really superior to the Doom series. Not to mention, as he controlled his in-game character, he could feel that it truly had 3D movements and physics, which were superior to Doom's 2.5D.
The sound effects with echoing tremors sounded, and Will Gates couldn't help but smile wryly, "I should have expected this kind of thing... It's made by KiShin after all..."
After that, he controlled his in-game character and saw a broken bridge, and beneath was flowing lava.
Then, text appeared on the screen.
[THIS HALL SELECTS HARD SKILL.]
Will Gates controlled his in-game character to jump across the bridge, and as he did so, his in-game character's voice sounded, "Hmph!" as he jumped.
After getting across, Will Gates still saw the text, and the wall that was actually the door opened. Will Gates entered the area.
A new text appeared.
[THIS IS THE FIRST EPISODE: DIMENSION OF THE DOOMED. THE MYSTICAL PAST COMES ALIVE...]
As soon as Will Gates saw this, he knew the game had finally begun, and he continued to play.
As he played the game, the gameplay of Quake was much smoother compared to the Doom series. Unlike Doom series, which has a more straightforward corridor-shooter with brutal close-quarters combat, focusing on raw power and aggression against demonic hordes, Quake's gameplay was faster-paced and more strategic. It placed a heavy emphasis on movement, strafe jumping, and resource management, featuring a wider range of weapons and encouraging exploration.
The Doom series' world and atmosphere are claustrophobic and oppressive, filled with industrial hell landscapes and grotesque monsters. The soundtrack, characterized by heavy metal and industrial tones, adds to the gritty atmosphere.
On the other hand, the Quake world and atmosphere are dark fantasy with gothic influences, featuring medieval-inspired architecture and Lovecraftian horrors. The soundtrack is ambient and unsettling, building tension and suspense.
In Will Gates' opinion, both the Doom series and the new video game from KiShin called Quake have their own charm, but he can confidently say that the Quake game he is currently playing is much better than the Doom series.
As he plays it, he just knows for sure that the video game will become a hit as soon as it is released.
"Sigh. I wish I owned KiShin, and if I did, I would truly lead the computer industry..." Will Gates couldn't help but mutter.
To be honest, he was quite uncomfortable with a company like KiShin having a software, Unreal Engine, with the capabilities for animation, 3D animation, and special effects. For game development, it was truly enviable.
Unfortunately, KiShin owned the software, and the source code of the software was also licensed by KiShin.
Microsoft didn't have a choice but to partner with KiShin to use such advanced software for 3D rendering, 3D development, animations, and so on.
After that, Will Gates also installed the Quake game on another PC and this time used the API OpenGL. He wanted to see the difference between OpenGL and KiShin Direct3D, and after a while, he was a bit shocked by the result, such as the performance being much better when the API used was Direct3D.
Will Gates couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed again.
"Damn KiShin. Was this Direct3D still in development when it was already better than the OpenGL platform?"
Direct3D, it was the NVIDIA API, and it was designed to support games, especially 3D games.
And Direct3D was much better than the OpenGL platform, and KiShin really wanted to assist NVIDIA in making Direct3D the major platform to support games.
Why?
Well, if Direct3D became the primary 3D graphics API for PC, especially Windows, the operating system of Microsoft, KiShin's partner, and by having Direct3D supporting it, NVIDIA can become the de facto standard for PC gaming, like in Shin's previous life. Direct3D will really help NVIDIA gain a significant market share and establish themselves as a major player in the graphics card industry.
And Direct3D will open doors to new markets. Direct3D's popularity extended beyond PC gaming, finding applications in other areas like simulation, visualization, and design. This enabled Nvidia to expand its reach and tap into new markets beyond just games.
And through KiShin's existing partnership with Microsoft, KiShin will propose to work with Microsoft to optimize Direct3D for NVIDIA GPUs, leading to smoother and faster gaming experiences.
And with these NVIDIA-driven innovations, with the API, NVIDIA may surpass other graphics card companies such as ATI (later AMD), etc. Direct3D provided a common platform for showcasing these advancements, leading to faster, more powerful GPUs for everyone.
In short, with Direct3D, NVIDIA may elevate its position in the graphics card market, and Direct3D is also one of the reasons why NVIDIA became the key player in the PC gaming industry in Shin's previous life.
As Direct3D also fueled innovations and performance improvements for NVIDIA GPUs development, and Direct3D will also contribute to NVIDIA's financial success and brand recognition...
--
Shin already informed Will Gates, for the development of Direct3D.
As Microsoft currently dominates the computer industry with their operating system and software regarding office work or something.
And after a few days, Microsoft agrees to collaborate with KiShin regarding Direct3D support for Windows.
Since Direct3D will significantly enhance the Windows operating system's gaming performance, it would be foolish for Microsoft to disagree. With the Direct3D platform, improvements in PC game performance will make a noticeable difference. Moreover, KiShin and Microsoft are already partnered in the development of Unreal Engine.
Through Unreal Engine, Microsoft has produced high-quality games that have made a mark in the PC gaming market.
Upon completing the production of video games through KiShin's collaboration, KiShin and Microsoft are currently working on a video game that is nearing completion.
The video game is titled "Civilization."
The game instantly became Will Gates' favorite.
Designed by Shinro Suzuki and other Microsoft designers, the game revolves around kingdom building. Given Will Gates' childhood dream of becoming a king or ruler, the game "Civilization" is truly entertaining for him.
Having played its beta, Will Gates spends his free time enjoying "Civilization," feeling that the game has enhanced his management skills. The gameplay involves turn-based strategy, resource management, a technology tree, and elements of diplomacy and war.
Although "Civilization" was supposed to be released, Will Gates, who became its beta tester, delayed its release as he suggested to KiShin and the Microsoft team to enhance the game further. The game is finally about to be released after Will Gates was satisfied with the results.
--
In California, USA, in a certain household, Jomar was currently browsing the internet.
Yahoo! had gained attention among his friends, as they could email each other through Yahoo Mail and the like.
Jomar became an internet user when his school initiated a program to spread awareness of internet technology.
Supported by the WorldCom and KiShin Foundation programs, KiShin Foundation even provided computers to their school equipped with internet from WorldCom.
Because of this, Jomar also got accustomed to the internet while using computers in the school library equipped with internet.
As a result, his friends or classmates also had the opportunity to have a Yahoo! account and register on the KiShin website.
It was because of KiShin that there were computers equipped with internet in their school, so KiShin would also promote their website.
Not to mention, Jomar and his friends loved video games, so they didn't hesitate to register on the KiShin website to stay informed about the latest updates regarding KiShin video games.
On the forum, there is a small banner with the text: "New PC game! Let's welcome another KiShin FPS video game that is much superior to the Doom series, Quake!!!"
With just the text and a low-quality image of the video game title "Quake," Jomar was already quite curious about the game.
Considering it's a PC game, and he has the latest computer equipped with the latest Windows operating system, he really wanted to see what the video game is like.
Not to mention, the KP Software that offers video games a way for online multiplayer. People felt that PC gaming was much more superior than console gaming with its online capabilities.
Unlike consoles, which were not yet equipped with online gaming, it was more like solo gaming, except for two players with another controller connected to the same console. There was really no way for multiplayer options online like PC gaming.
Console gamers argued that console gaming was superior because of the quality games released on consoles, such as Resident Evil, Tomb Raider, Crash Bandicoot, and sequels of Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog, and so on. With the latest video games made by other video game companies, console gaming was also entertaining enough.
"Looks like I'll have to use my remaining allowance..." Jomar sighed. As a high school student, he only gets a modest monthly allowance, and now, it seems that he has to save money to buy the video game called "Quake."
--
Meanwhile, in the Tora-Suzuki conference.
"We can see in the report that we are playing catch up with the KS1 estimated sales. We were only able to dominate the market with our TSX Fusion for a few weeks before being left behind once more in Japan," Taro Ikeda said with a solemn expression.
"Well, it's because we have fewer attractive games to offer for our TSX Fusion while KiShin is taking advantage of their famous and established IPs such as Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Donkey Kong to attract customers for their KS1," Itori Tanaka said.
"The only way to surpass KiShin in sales is to release better video games than what we are releasing now," Nikko Tabata said.
"A better video game, huh..." A Tora executive nodded as he stroked his chin.
"At least in a particular genre, we could slowly surpass KiShin's video games in that specific genre," Seki said with a smile.
"Yeah, and that's when our horror genre video game comes in, which is about to be completed..." Itori Tanaka said with a smile.
"That video game is a horror genre aiming to surpass KiShin's Resident Evil, right?" Shiko said with a smile.
"Yeah, and it's called 'Religion of Nightmares.' I have high hopes for it," Itori Tanaka nodded as he spoke.
In Tokyo, Japan, around November, new lists of upcoming video games were listed in the video game magazines publishers.
Gamers were excited for the latest video games about to be released, featured in magazines. The video games by KiShin, Tora, Suzuki, Kuma Games, Shinroads, and surprisingly, an emerging Japanese video game company named Konami.
Konami video games became really popular with console gamers, especially with their side-scrolling games for SKES and ToRaKi. After a while, they also started to develop games for KS1 and TSX Fusion. Their latest release was called "Uprising," and its storyline was about a group of terrorists rebelling against a powerful organization that controlled most of the human minds.
The rebellion started when a soldier named Number 714, or Gilbert Jr., accidentally awakened, and the control device in his head malfunctioned. As a result, Number 714 gained control of his mind and realized his name was Gilbert Jr. Until then, Gilbert Jr.'s mission was to pretend to be in control, slowly finding a way to awaken his friends still under the organization's control.
With that, Gilbert Jr. and his friends fought against the organization called the "QS Organization." That is the story manual, and many gamers who read the story manual in a magazine were already curious and felt like playing it.
Another video game from Shinroads, titled "Riders Guild," was a racing game with all kinds of designed motorcycles. And another video game from Kuma Games, called "Labyrinth of Souls."
It was an RPG game with 2D rendered pixel graphics, featuring a third-person perspective similar to Resident Evil.
Tora and Suzuki then collaborated on two video games. The first was "Gloomy: Land of Happiness," and the second one was "Religion of Nightmares."
The first Tora-Suzuki game was a sequel to Tora's famous IP Happy. Its story revolved around the fact that Happy had finally created a land of happiness. However, due to Gloomy's absence, there was no sadness anymore, and the living creatures of the land were still happy despite hurting each other.
As a result, Gloomy became the protagonist of the game, and his mission was to fight against Happy and defeat him. This video game served as one of Tora-Suzuki's trump cards against KiShin.
When gamers read about this new Happy sequel, they felt refreshed, as Tora-Suzuki introduced a game where players would take on the role of an antagonist.
Although Gloomy became the protagonist to defeat Happy, the supposed main character, Gloomy still served as the antagonist.
Even though Happy successfully created the Land of Happiness, he himself was concerned about people lacking empathy.
Despite these complexities, gamers remained intrigued about playing as an antagonist in the game.
Finally, the second Tora-Suzuki game, "Religion of Nightmares," was a horror game. The protagonist, named Ward, a journalist, would explore the mystery behind a cult for his news project. However, he was discovered during his investigations and taken by the cultists. Locked in a basement, Ward had to find a way to escape, exploring the surroundings for hints and obtaining information about the cult along the way.
From the video games about to be released by Tora-Suzuki alone, it's evident that Tora and Suzuki were making significant strides in their game production.
Gamers, especially Tora and Suzuki fans, were eagerly anticipating their upcoming video games.
Meanwhile, KiShin was set to release several video games according to magazine information.
When gamers saw this, they were somewhat surprised by the mass release of KiShin video games. Simultaneously, the lack of astonishment prevailed, given that KiShin was the current leader in the video game industry, and such a feat was expected.
PC game releases included "Quake," "Civilization," "Warcraft: Tides of Darkness," and for KS1 games, "Metal Gear Solid I," "Silent Hill," "GTA III," and the two sequels for "Final Fantasy V VI."
Each game would be released separately, and console gamers were already getting excited about playing KiShin video games.
Given KiShin's established reputation for consistently delivering high-quality video games, gamers didn't doubt the excellence of KiShin's productions.
However, one thing that confused them was "GTA III" being labeled as part 3. Where were the previous versions?
It turned out that "GTA I and II" had been quietly released for SKES and KS1 recently by KiShin. Most gamers, reading magazines, only noticed these releases after reading about "GTA III." While some were aware of "GTA I and II," released by KiShin several weeks ago, these games weren't as famous as others due to their simple gameplay with a high-in-the-sky camera.
"GTA I and II" were initial versions, experimental developments by KiShin's game development department. These versions paved the way for the real deal, "GTA III" for KS1.
The readers were then informed by the magazine that they could play "GTA III" without playing its previous versions, as each game was inherently different.
As readers delved into the "GTA III" storyline and expected gameplay, gamers, especially KiShin followers, were shocked to discover that the game revolved around gangs and crimes. This realization sparked discussions among gamers on the KiShin forum.
The video games are set to be released separately, with some KiShin games scheduled for release in a week or so before others. As for "GTA III," it is expected to be released around December, creating a one-month gap before its launch.