Amazing Revelations! Nintendo Is Actually Using This Technology in Games!
August 1984 issue of FAMI-MAGA magazine.
This issue featured a dedicated column describing the changes Nintendo made after the Famicom re-entered the market, as well as a new "pathfinding function" implemented in an upcoming title.
As one of the only two game magazines currently in circulation, Kobayashi Tetsu naturally subscribed to both. That very day, he received the latest issue by mail.
But the moment he opened it and read the article, he was completely stunned.
Before he even had a chance to write an article for Kadokawa Game Guide, Nintendo had already bought the publicity slot!
Flipping through the newly released issue, Kobayashi Tetsu realized that this edition was clearly modeled after Kadokawa Game Guide's earlier interview with Kitagawa Tsuyoshi, where Atlus Studio had been reviewed.
The format was almost identical—except this time, it was the magazine interviewing Nintendo's Fourth Development Division and Shigeru Miyamoto.
"Why haven't I heard of this game before? Devil World?"
Kobayashi Tetsu frowned deeply.
But on second thought, that wasn't too strange. His impression of Famicom games mainly came from early bundled discs that included a hundred repeated titles. In reality, many Famicom games with solid sales were never included on those discs.
Reading the article carefully, he had to admit that the editors at FAMI-MAGA knew exactly what they were doing. The piece lavishly praised Devil World's newly implemented pathfinding program, claiming it made enemy behavior far more intelligent and significantly increased the level of interference against players.
Just as Kobayashi Tetsu was flipping through the magazine, Yuji Naka suddenly exclaimed from the other side of the room.
"President, look at this!"
Kobayashi Tetsu leaned over—and was even more shocked.
A massive Game Gear commercial was playing on television. A long, lavishly produced ad, starring a currently very popular actor, demonstrating the game live on screen.
"Sanada Hiroyuki?! Damn, isn't this a bit too much? Since when did Nintendo start spending money this aggressively?"
For a moment, Kobayashi Tetsu felt completely at a loss.
Normally, Nintendo was famously frugal. Yet this time, not only had they bought magazine coverage, they'd even hired a top actor to film a TV commercial.
By his estimate, before the game was even released, they had already poured in tens of millions of yen.
Sanada Hiroyuki's endorsement alone would cost at least hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of yen, and running long-form commercials repeatedly on television was definitely not something a mere one or two million yen could cover.
"Devil World, a Shigeru Miyamoto game. No—Teacher Miyamoto, are you crazy? You're spending this much money just to beat me?"
Kobayashi Tetsu's first reaction was disbelief.
He simply couldn't believe Miyamoto would have such an intense competitive streak.
Turning off the television, Kobayashi Tetsu sat down, interlaced his fingers, and fell into deep thought.
Regardless of what Miyamoto was thinking, the fact remained that the game had already received a massive promotional push, which would definitely boost sales.
Even though the wager was only a verbal agreement and could be denied at any time, Kobayashi Tetsu had no intention of backing out over something like this.
If he lost, all he'd be giving up was a game Miyamoto himself had made. But if he won, he'd gain Miyamoto's game design expertise.
Letting the wager slip away without trying—and losing by default—would be truly embarrassing.
"Tch… what a pain."
Rubbing his temples, Kobayashi Tetsu let out a helpless sigh.
He hadn't placed much importance on Off-Road Motorcycle. But now, he had no choice but to think seriously about promotion.
He glanced at Yuji Naka.
"How about you go outside and dance the hula in a grass skirt? Might boost sales."
Yuji Naka panicked. "Is that… okay? I mean, if it really helps sales, it's not impossible, but I'd probably need some time to practice."
"You're actually going to do it?!" Kobayashi Tetsu nearly punched him.
Jokes aside, Yuji Naka still couldn't help but look deeply worried.
Nintendo had spent so much money on promotion. Atlus simply couldn't afford to do the same.
Spending tens of millions to promote a game that would only earn tens of millions—Kobayashi Tetsu wasn't stupid enough to do that just to win a contest.
In the evening, after seeing off the anxious Yuji Naka and the other staff, Kobayashi Tetsu put his hands in his pockets and went to Old Dixie for dinner.
There was an old saying in Osaka.
Who cares about koban coins or not—just enjoy yourself!
Nintendo's current distribution really was ferocious. TV commercials and magazine coverage had fully saturated the target audience. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that crushing one or two Off-Road Motorcycle titles wouldn't be a problem.
Yet Kobayashi Tetsu wasn't in a hurry at all.
Heaven and earth could wait—eating came first. Once seated, he greeted Anezaki Nene as usual and waited for his delicious dinner.
It was summer vacation, so there were quite a few high school students in the family restaurant. Even if they only ordered cheap drinks and hung around all afternoon, the manager didn't chase them away.
On the television, after the program ended, that all-too-familiar commercial played again. Sanada Hiroyuki sat cross-legged in front of a TV, wearing a costume from a recent film, playing Devil World and explaining its mechanics and improved AI.
Kobayashi Tetsu was baffled.
"How much did Nintendo pay you to wear your Legend of the Eight Samurai costume and come out here playing games?!"
So what if it's Sanada Hiroyuki! Push him far enough and he'd go find Akira Furuya instead!
Nearby, several high school students pointed at the TV and chatted excitedly. Kobayashi Tetsu tilted his head slightly, listening in.
"As expected of Nintendo!"
"Sanada Hiroyuki is so cool. I want to be an actor someday too!"
"Can't afford it—guess I'll rent it from the game shop."
"FAMI-MAGA said Devil World's AI was specially optimized. Way better than Pac-Man and stuff!"
It was obvious.
Nintendo's promotion was incredibly effective, easily capturing these clueless passersby.
Kobayashi Tetsu rolled his wrists.
Fortunately, he'd just received some very important news.
If Nintendo could run commercials, then he could too.
No actors—but stronger than any actor.
"Tetsu-kun."
Anezaki Nene brought over his food on a tray. Seeing that his gaze was still fixed on the TV, she assumed he was bothered by the commercial.
"Should I turn the TV off?" She hesitated, unable to find the right words to comfort him, and gently added, "Nintendo is a big company, after all. It's normal if you can't beat them for now. Um… if you don't mind, if customers come in during this time, I can help promote your game."
As she spoke, she pressed the remote and turned off the television.
Luckily, there were only a few students drinking soda in the shop, and no one really cared whether the TV was on or off.
"I'm not upset. And honestly, this isn't dangerous at all," Kobayashi Tetsu said with a smile, spreading his hands. "I already have a plan. Nintendo will be completely under control."
Anezaki Nene returned a gentle, restrained smile.
It wasn't that she didn't believe him—rather, at times like this, she could only assume he was putting on a brave front and try her best to support him emotionally.
One look at her expression told Kobayashi Tetsu she didn't believe him at all. He shook his head slightly, feeling a bit helpless.
He was telling the truth—why did no one believe him?
Spend a little money to accomplish big things. Atlus wasn't going to throw tens of millions at promotion, but as long as they found the right person, it would be worth far more than tens of millions.
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