"The Jupiter development toolchain has already iterated to its third version," Takuya Nakayama continued to up the ante, showcasing Sega's technical foundation. "We provide comprehensive graphics interfaces and mature underlying logic libraries. Your producers only need to focus their energy on numerical balancing, plot arrangement, and level design. As for the specific code implementation, these outsourcing teams can complete it efficiently and at low cost using Jupiter's tools."
By integrating small and medium-sized teams on the verge of bankruptcy, Sega had not only cultivated a prosperous technical ecosystem for itself but had also turned it into a strategic bargaining chip to attract top-tier publishers.
Keiji Honda put down the document and re-examined the young man before him.
"I have seen Sega's sincerity," Keiji Honda said, pressing both hands onto the tabletop. "Executive Director Nakayama has not only brought a hardware platform, but also a complete solution to the dilemmas in our internal development system."
"If 'Dragon Quest' is released on Jupiter, Sega will provide top-tier promotional resources."
Takuya Nakayama offered his final commercial commitment. "We can sign the royalty ladder deduction plan according to the highest-spec exception."
"If 'Dragon Quest' is released on Jupiter, Sega will provide top-tier promotional resources," Takuya Nakayama offered his final commercial commitment. "We can sign the royalty tier reduction scheme according to the highest special case standards, guaranteeing the maximization of Enix's profits."
The office fell silent.
Only the sound of the second hand ticking on the wall clock could be heard.
This was a negotiation packed with information.
Keiji Honda needed to digest all the conditions Takuya Nakayama had thrown out.
"This matter is too significant," Keiji Honda gave a rational reply. "I need to convene the board of directors and discuss it in detail with the shareholders. Additionally, the development department also needs time to evaluate Jupiter's hardware architecture, as well as the actual technical level of the outsourcing teams on that list."
These were standard commercial words of evasion, but they were also reasonable.
No one would make a decision on such a strategic partnership that would determine the fate of the company during the first meeting.
Takuya Nakayama stood up and buttoned his suit jacket.
"It should be so." Takuya Nakayama extended his hand. "Sega welcomes Enix's technical team to Ota Ward for a visit at any time. Our development support team will provide around-the-clock assistance."
Keiji Honda shook his hand.
"I won't hide it from you, Executive Director Nakayama," Keiji Honda said candidly, while still leaving room for business maneuvering. "Next week, General Manager Ken Kutaragi from Sony will also be coming here. As a business operator, I must listen to offers from all sides and make a side-by-side comparison."
"Comparison shopping is standard business practice." Takuya Nakayama withdrew his hand, his tone steady. "I trust that after comprehensively considering hardware install base, development ease, and compatibility with your company's operational model, Enix will make the decision that best serves its own interests."
Leaving the Enix building, the cold Shinjuku wind blew through the streets.
Takuya Nakayama sat in the back seat of the car.
Sony had money; Ken Kutaragi could offer an astronomical exclusivity fee.
But what Sega was offering was the ecosystem soil upon which Enix relied for survival.
This battle for the national-level RPG had only just begun.
Minato Ward, Tokyo. Sony Headquarters.
The glass curtain wall reflected the pale winter sunlight.
Inside the president's office on the top floor, the low hum of the heating system filled the space.
Norio Ohga sat behind his spacious desk, holding an internal briefing that had just arrived.
The edges of the paper were slightly wrinkled from being gripped by his rough fingertips.
Ken Kutaragi sat on the leather sofa opposite him, his tie loosened, the leather creaking with his movements.
Nobuyuki Idei stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the traffic moving like ants below.
The room was quiet; no one spoke first.
The news that came back from their intelligence network had shattered Sony's original rhythm.
They had planned to take half a month to slowly test Enix's bottom line and polish their offer to be attractive enough before making a formal approach.
The news that Takuya Nakayama had single-handedly entered the Enix building had pulverized that composure.
Sega was moving too fast.
Norio Ohga tossed the briefing onto the desk; it slid a short distance and stopped at the edge. "Takuya Nakayama went to Shinjuku yesterday. Keiji Honda from Enix received him personally."
Ken Kutaragi shifted his sitting position. "We underestimated Sega's appetite. With Square already in their grasp, they want to swallow up 'Dragon Quest' as well. If they manage to pull that off, half of the Japanese RPG market will be in Jupiter's hands. PlayStation's install base in the domestic market will be completely locked down."
Nobuyuki Idei turned around and walked over to the coffee table to pour a glass of water. "Enix is different from Square. Hironobu Sakaguchi is a technology fanatic; Square needs massive amounts of capital to pile up its CG, and the entire company is heavily influenced by him. Even the president, Masafumi Miyamoto, has had to make compromises for this, and the scale of the company has grown again and again. Enix follows an asset-light model; their demand for capital isn't as high. What could Takuya Nakayama possibly be using to win over Keiji Honda?"
"Whatever he's using to win him over, we can't wait," Norio Oga said, tapping his fingers on the table. "The dividends from the DVD standard have just materialized, and internal tolerance within the group for the Electronic Entertainment Division is at a peak. The budget approved by finance must be spent where it counts most. Go to Enix and put our terms on the table. Be quick."
Nobuyuki Idei put down his glass. "I will go myself. General Manager Kutaragi will be responsible for hardware and technical integration, while I will handle the business negotiations."
Norio Ohga agreed to this plan. "The budget cap can be relaxed by another 20 percent. We need to secure enough stake to have a say. In addition, put the channel resources of the home appliance division and Columbia Pictures on the negotiating table. Sega has global game distribution channels, and we have an industry-wide promotional network. This is Sony's unique bargaining chip."
The following afternoon.
Shinjuku Ward.
Nobuyuki Idei's car pulled up downstairs at the Enix headquarters.
He did not bring any extra aides, only one legal assistant responsible for recording the terms.
Keiji Honda received the Sony representative in the same office.
Two cups of hot tea were placed on the coffee table.
Nobuyuki Idei did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point. "President Honda, Sony has extremely high expectations for the future of 'Dragon Quest'. PlayStation needs such a national-level title, and Enix also needs a next-generation platform with greater potential."
Keiji Honda sat with his hands crossed in front of him, listening to the other party's opening remarks.
Yesterday, Takuya Nakayama was sitting in this seat; today, it was replaced by a Sony executive.
The anxiety of hardware manufacturers was vividly reflected in these visits.
"Sony is willing to provide comprehensive support," Nobuyuki Idei said, pulling out a letter of intent. "First, there's the funding. Sony Computer Entertainment just recovered a large amount of royalties from the consumer season at the end of last year, so our cash flow is currently quite abundant. We have prepared a special development fund. For all of Enix's projects on PlayStation, Sony will cover 70 percent of the initial R&D expenses. In addition, the Sony Group intends to make a strategic investment in Enix. We would like to acquire a 15 percent stake in your company at a 30 percent premium."
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