Anyone can put up that sign.
Frank's mind raced, his thoughts crystallizing quickly: "I see. Since browsers are the gateway, we need to secure that entrance. I'll negotiate with Netscape—not just to patch security holes, but to have Webdir included in their default bookmarks, even set as the browser's home page. We'll approach every browser on the market to establish partnerships and plant our flag on their territory."
"This serves as a moat, but it's only our first line of defense. After all, cooperative relationships can unravel at any moment." Takuya Nakayama set down his coffee cup, his gaze drifting to the vibrant Tokyo cityscape beyond the window. "Do you remember the 'Portal' plan I mentioned earlier? It's time to prioritize that now."
"You mean that hodge-podge of news, weather, and stock quotes?"
"Exactly. A simple URL directory won't keep users engaged; it's just a passing stop. But what if we transformed Webdir into a massive department store?" Takuya's voice carried a persuasive quality. "Instead of just pointing the way, we'd provide content: news, celebrity gossip, sports scores, financial data—even the best posts from the Silicon Valley Online BBS and trending blog articles—all aggregated on the homepage."
"We need to increase the user's 'sunk cost'."
"When a user gets accustomed to reading the news on Silicon Valley Online every morning, checking their email on our server, and arguing on our forums, even if another browser recommends a new Navigation Station, they'll feel anxious about missing out on what's happening if they don't come to us. Even if the content itself can be replaced, when massive amounts of content are bound to a user's daily habits, that inertia becomes the strongest adhesive."
The sound of a pen forcefully scratching paper came through the phone. Frank's voice ignited with the exhilaration of a soldier heading into battle, the cold sweat caused by the "Operating System Threat Theory" now transformed into fuel.
"Turning passersby into residents—now that's a fucking sexy idea." Frank scribbled a fierce circle in his notebook. "I'm going to have the Development Team set up the portal framework right now, then I'll get in touch with those Netscape guys. Since buying them isn't feasible, let's at least get a foothold in the discourse on network security."
"Good. Go for it, Frank."
Takuya Nakayama hung up the phone with Frank but didn't rush to leave his seat. Instead, he casually opened his browser and navigated to the "Industry" section of the Silicon Valley Online BBS.
On the screen, a bold and red headline caught his eye: [ Goldman Sachs Issues Astonishing Valuation! Silicon Valley Online P May Create History ].
Thousands of comments had already flooded the thread, the fervor palpable.
[ - A billion dollars? Did those Wall Street sharks misplace a zero? How can a website be worth that much? ]
[ - The guy above you probably hasn't seen the 1CQ Game Hall at night. It's not just a game hall—it's a money-printing machine! I spent $2 just yesterday on a virtual tie! ]
[ - I don't care about the valuation. I just want to know where to buy the initial public offering shares. I'd sell my Toyota to get them! ]
Watching the screen overflow with frenzied posts, Takuya Nakayama simply shook his head slightly and closed the browser.
The capital markets' madness was just beginning, but this fire couldn't reach Sega headquarters yet. There were still matters to attend to here, and the pace needed to be steady.
"Mr. Koguchi, come here," he said, pressing the intercom button on his desk.
Less than half a minute later, someone knocked on the office door. Oguchi Hisao entered, carrying his usual black notebook filled with to-do lists. His suit was impeccably pressed, and his hair was combed with military precision.
"Managing Director, you summoned me?"
Takuya Nakayama pointed to the chair opposite his desk, gesturing for him to sit. "How's the situation with the Mega Drive going?" he asked casually. "Even though the company's focus is shifting towards Jupiter, is there anything left in the Mega Drive platform's back pocket that hasn't been released yet?"
Oguchi Hisao, clearly prepared, flipped open his notebook and quickly scanned the densely packed entries.
"There is. SPG's major release, Light Force 2: Ancient Seal, came out last week, and the market response has been even better than expected. First-week sales have already surpassed 300,000 units. Players still have tremendous loyalty to these large-scale tactical RPGs. Even though the console is nearing the end of its life cycle, the software-to-hardware ratio remains strong."
He paused, then flipped to the next page. "The remaining highlight is the action RPG Tale of Thor: Light Inheritance. Development is nearing completion, and the quality is exceptionally high. We expect to start shipping units by late September."
"Heirs of Light" is nearing completion, with exceptional quality. We expect it to be fully stocked by late September."
Takuya Nakayama's mind immediately conjured images from the game.
Yuzo Koshiro's epic soundtrack combined with 2D graphics that pushed the 16-bit console to its limits—this was undeniably one of the swan songs of the Mega Drive era.
"This is a gem," Takuya Nakayama said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "How's the marketing budget looking?"
Oguchi Hisao hesitated before being blunt: "The Public Relations Department has allocated most of the budget to Jupiter's upcoming flagship title. As a result, Heirs of Light only received 60% of the standard budget. After all, the Mega Drive is about to be relegated to second-tier status."
This was an unwritten rule in the industry.
With a new king about to ascend the throne, the relics of the old era naturally had to step aside. Even a sip of soup would be considered generous.
"Nonsense," Takuya Nakayama frowned, his tone light but carrying weight. "Restore the budget. Not only that, but fully fund it. Promote it as a top-tier AAA title."
Oguchi Hisao paused, instinctively cautioning, "Managing Director, that's a Mega Drive platform game. Investing heavily at this critical juncture might not yield a favorable R01 (return on investment)."
"Mr. Koguchi, you can't calculate it that way," Takuya Nakayama countered, rising and walking to the display case. He gazed at the black Mega Drive console inside, the very machine that had helped Sega conquer half the gaming world.
"Jupiter is indeed our future, but the Mega Drive is our current foundation. The developers who are still pushing the console's limits, squeezing every last drop of performance out of it, are Sega's most precious asset."
He turned, his eyes burning with conviction as he looked at Oguchi Hisao.
"If we treat our old love with indifference just because we have a new flame, what message will that send to the development teams still fighting on the front lines? Even if it's the last game, we must release it with all due pomp and circumstance. We must never dishearten a single hardworking employee. At least in our Development Department, we will never commit the sin of killing the donkey after grinding the mill."
These words struck a chord deep within Oguchi Hisao.
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