As the KiShin Wii began to captivate gamers across the spectrum, particularly drawing in those who might not traditionally consider themselves gamers, KiShin made another significant announcement. In collaboration with its subsidiary, Google, KiShin unveiled a new website called "YouTube." Envisioned as a platform for video sharing and a new realm for digital expression, YouTube was set to complement KiShin's expanding digital ecosystem.
Initially, the website didn't capture the widespread attention KiShin had hoped for. In the vast sea of the internet, YouTube struggled to distinguish itself and draw in significant user traffic. The concept of a video-sharing platform was still novel, and many potential users were unsure of its utility or relevance to their lives.
The tide began to shift when Shin, seen by everyone as KiShin's charismatic chairman and founder, decided to personally engage with the platform. Known globally as the "king of video games," Suzuki's influence was undisputed. He uploaded a 360p video, a good resolution by the current standards, but it was the content of the video that made waves. In it, Shin spoke casually about gaming, sharing insights, personal anecdotes, and his vision for the future of the industry. The video was unscripted, genuine, and a stark departure from the polished corporate communications many had come to expect from figures of his stature.
Shin's personal touch turned out to be the catalyst YouTube needed. The video quickly captured the attention of gamers and non-gamers alike, sparking curiosity and driving traffic to the website. News of Suzuki's unprecedented, candid discussion spread rapidly, attracting global media attention. Publications and broadcasters from around the world featured the video, highlighting the KiShin chairman's direct engagement with the gaming community and his innovative use of the new platform.
Even with the unveiling of YouTube and the buzz generated by Shinro Suzuki's engaging video, the reality was that internet speeds hadn't caught up with the ambitions of video sharing on a large scale. Uploading videos or streaming them on YouTube was still a challenge; buffering and slow load times were common frustrations among early users.
Recognizing this bottleneck, KiShin, alongside its subsidiary WorldCOM, dedicated itself to spearheading the advancement of global internet standards. Aware that the potential of platforms like YouTube was directly tied to the accessibility and speed of online connectivity, KiShin committed substantial resources to research and development in the telecommunications sector.
WorldCOM, under the guidance of KiShin, embarked on a mission to enhance infrastructure, laying down more extensive fiber-optic networks and investing in technologies that could improve data transmission rates.
This effort extended beyond mere infrastructure upgrades. KiShin and WorldCOM worked closely with regulators, other tech companies, and international organizations to establish new standards for internet speed and reliability. They championed the adoption of protocols that were more efficient and introduced innovations in data compression and transmission, ensuring that the improvements were not just technical but also accessible and applicable globally.
--
As the school bell rang, signaling the end of another day, Shinichi and his friends gathered, a familiar routine that had woven them tightly together over the months. Ryo, ever the contemplative one, couldn't help but voice the looming uncertainty of their academic futures. "We'll move up to the next grade in April, and I don't know if we'll be in the same class again."
The thought hung heavily in the air. "It will be pretty sad if we're not from the same class next grade," Satoshi added, his tone heavy with resignation.
Shinichi, broke into a light-hearted chuckle, cutting through the gloom that had started to settle over his friends. "Why are you guys so downcast? We can still meet up after class ends, right?" His words, simple yet sincere, offered a sliver of consolation.
Arnold, picking up on Shinichi's upbeat energy, nodded in agreement. "Shinichi's right." He seized the moment to steer the conversation towards a more uplifting topic. "Anyway, guys, did you see that video on YouTube?"
The mention of YouTube immediately sparked interest. "Oh, the one about video game discussions by the founder of KiShin?" Takeshi asked, his spirits visibly brightened by the shift in topic.
The mood among the friends lightened considerably as they delved into the trending topics of January 2003. They eagerly discussed the newly announced KiShin console, the Wii, marveling at its innovative design and the promise of bringing gaming to a broader audience. Then the conversation turned to YouTube, the new platform that was beginning to stir curiosity far and wide.
Arnold, trying to lighten the mood further, shared his own experience with the burgeoning platform. "I've uploaded a video on YouTube, recorded from my iPhone, and guess what? It got three views!"
"Only three views?" Satoshi echoed, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Ryo, chimed in with a grin. "Arnold's lucky to have three views; I couldn't even get two. The only view was from me checking the video myself."
A moment of silence hung as they processed the humor in their unpopular videos. Then Arnold, with a sheepish grin, admitted, "Guys, those three views were all from me too."
The group burst into laughter, the shared experience of their online endeavors serving as a small bond. But then Shinichi, with a more contemplative tone, added, "That site is dead. Besides the first video, which was by my dad and gained thousands of views, other videos barely scratch the surface in terms of viewership..."
Shinichi's words hadn't immediately registered with his friends, but when they finally did, a moment of stunned silence followed. They turned to look at Shinichi with wide eyes and open mouths, a mix of surprise and disbelief written all over their faces. The realization hit them all at once, leaving them dumbfounded. "Wait, his dad?" they thought in unison.
Shinichi caught the bewildered expressions on his friends' faces and couldn't help but ask, "What?"
The friends exchanged quick, knowing looks before Arnold took the lead, "Shinichi... did you just say that the first video on YouTube, the one with thousands of views, was uploaded by your dad?"
"Yeah—" Shinichi started, a slow realization dawning on him as the words left his mouth. But before he could backpedal or clarify, his friends jumped in.
"I knew it, Shinichi! Your dad is the legendary Shinro Suzuki!" Arnold couldn't contain his excitement, pointing at Shinichi as if making a grand revelation.
"You can't deny it this time! Haha!" Ryo joined in, laughter bubbling from him, while Satoshi and Takeshi nodded vigorously, their faces alight with a mix of shock and admiration.
The atmosphere turned electric with excitement. They were not just friends with Shinichi, the quiet and thoughtful boy from class; they were friends with the son of a legend—the very person they all looked up to in the gaming world. The realization brought a new sense of awe and closeness, as they shared in the unique connection to someone who had shaped the very industry they adored.
Shinichi had initially planned to deflect, but the sheer enthusiasm of his friends melted his resolve. With a resigned sigh, he conceded, "Alright, guys. You win. I am indeed the son of the person you all admire so much."
Their reactions were immediate, their faces lighting up as if they'd just been handed the keys to a hidden kingdom. Hearing Shinichi's admission was like a symphony to their ears.
Arnold, unable to contain his excitement, practically leaped from his seat. "Great! Please, Shinichi, you have to invite us to the KiShin headquarters! I've dreamed of visiting there my whole life!"
Ryo, usually more reserved, was equally swept up in the moment. "Seriously, Shinichi? That would be incredible! Just think of all the amazing stuff we could see there!"
Satoshi, whose eyes were now sparkling with anticipation, added, "I can't believe it. We could actually see where all the magic happens! Shinichi, you've got to make this happen!"
And Takeshi, who had been quietly taking it all in, finally spoke up with a grin, "This is unbelievable! Shinichi, if your dad is really Shinro Suzuki, then you're practically gaming royalty. You must have some amazing stories to tell. But yeah, a visit would be epic!"
Seeing his friends' reactions, Shinichi felt a familiar twinge of apprehension. He had anticipated this moment, the instant his identity as Shinro Suzuki's son was revealed. He knew the dynamics of their friendship might shift, with the revelation overshadowing his individuality.
Shinichi couldn't help but wonder if their interactions from here on out would be tinted with a different hue, if his friends would now only see him as the "son of Shinro Suzuki" rather than just Shinichi, their classmate and friend. It was a concern that had lingered in the back of his mind, the fear that his personal identity would be overshadowed by his father's towering legacy in the video games industry.
Shinichi exhaled a weary sigh, the weight of his friends' expectations pressing on his shoulders. "Guys, I can't promise anything, but I'll ask my dad if it's possible for you to visit KiShin headquarters..."
Their excitement didn't wane; instead, it transformed into something even more fervent. Arnold, ever the optimist, quickly chimed in, "It's totally fine if Mr. Shinro Suzuki doesn't allow us into KiShin headquarters. Just getting to meet him and snapping a picture would be more than enough!"
Ryo, usually the quiet one, couldn't hide his enthusiasm either. "Yeah, just meeting your dad would be incredible! He's a legend in the gaming world, and it would be an honor just to shake his hand."
Satoshi, who had been nodding along, added, "Honestly, just being close to you is very good. But meeting Mr. Shinro Suzuki would be a dream come true!"
And Takeshi, usually reserved but now caught up in the collective excitement, said, "I can't believe we might even get the chance. Your dad has been a huge inspiration for all of us. Just a moment with him would be unforgettable."
"You guys are acting so excited, you're hardly yourselves anymore," Shinichi couldn't help but comment, observing the animated expressions of his friends.
"Haha, you can't blame us, Shinichi. After all, we're talking about our idol," Arnold responded, looping his arm around Shinichi's in a gesture of camaraderie.
Their conversation continued for a while, filled with laughter and enthusiastic plans. Eventually, it was time to part ways. Shinichi's friends, still buzzing with excitement, half-jokingly suggested heading over to his house in the hopes of catching a glimpse of his legendary father. Shinichi, understanding their enthusiasm but also seeking to maintain some boundaries, gently declined their proposal.
"Sorry, guys, maybe another time," he said, managing a small smile as he stepped into the waiting car of his chauffeur.
The car pulled away, leaving his friends on the sidewalk, still filled with dreams and speculations about the gaming world and the illustrious Mr. Suzuki. Despite the distance growing between them as he drove away.
"I still find it hard to believe. We've speculated, sure, but hearing it straight from Shinichi... it's different," Ryo mused, his gaze lingering on the car that was carrying Shinichi away.
"Hehe, who would have thought, right?" Arnold chimed in, breaking into a wry smile. "Here we were, thinking Fujio was the big deal with his corporate mogul dad. He never misses a chance to brag, after all."
Satoshi nodded, adding his own thoughts to the mix. "Yeah, but who could have guessed Shinichi tops that list? Having a dad who commands the KiShin empire, reportedly worth between 89 to 100 billion dollars."
Arnold turned to Satoshi with a puzzled look. "Wait, how do you even know the estimated net worth of KiShin, Satoshi?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. After all, they were just elementary schoolers; this level of detail about the business world seemed unusual.
With a chuckle, Satoshi shrugged. "My dad's a business journalist. He talks about his work a lot and takes his time to explain things to me. I get updated on KiShin's net worth almost every week from him."
"Wow, sounds like your dad is grooming you," Ryo observed, impressed by Satoshi's unexpected knowledge.
"Haha, seems like he's prepping you to join KiShin one day, keeping you informed about their financials and all," Takeshi joked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Their conversation continued, each friend processing the revelation about Shinichi in their own way.