Shortly after Kobayashi Tetsu left with Naka Yuji, a guest arrived at the suite.
It was Michael Katz, the president of Sega of America.
Bruce Lowry had been removed from his position, and Michael had taken his place.
Michael had originally been in the marketing and distribution department. Due to his outstanding performance in driving sales, he succeeded Bruce Lowry as the new president of the branch.
Hearing that the Atlus Studio team had arrived in San Francisco to assist with the promotion, Michael Katz specially brought a translator to meet with the president of Atlus.
Unlike Bruce Lowry's more conservative personality, Michael Katz was a president with a stronger offensive mindset.
In the original timeline, after Bruce Lowry stepped down, Michael Katz had launched a "Cartridge Sharing" campaign in an attempt to help the Mega Drive capture the North American market, but the results were not very good.
Nintendo had already secured third-party developers thanks to its first-mover advantage, leaving the Mega Drive with a console but no games. Although the idea behind the campaign was good, it ultimately failed to play a decisive role.
Overall, Michael Katz's personality was different from Bruce Lowry's—he was more pioneering and aggressive.
Of course, he wasn't the best person at the North American Branch—the best person hadn't even started working there yet.
Michael still admired Atlas, a veteran company that had been established for over five years.
Besides.
Man, this was Sonic the Hedgehog! It had sold like crazy in the US when the first generation was released!
And then there was Street Fighter.
When Street Fighter landed in the US market, not only did it become an instant hit, but it also became a staple in American arcades and bars.
Many people were passionate about this kind of fighting game that consumed a game coin in just a few minutes, and as they played, it turned into real-life offline PK.
It was just like the dueling cowboys in the Old West.
Instead of Street Fighter, it might as well be renamed Mortal Kombat.
"Ahem—"
Michael cleared his throat, deliberately knocked on the door, and then walked into the suite before him.
The translator beside him faithfully translated his words into Japanese.
"Good afternoon, everyone from Atlas. It must have been a long journey. I am Michael Katz, President of Sega of America."
After a brief moment of astonishment, the employees finally reacted and bowed one after another in greeting.
Kobayashi Tetsu had mentioned the composition of the personnel at Sega of America, so they knew who Michael Katz was, but they had never met him before.
Michael was very pleased with this attitude.
"I heard Atlus Studio will be cooperating with the promotion for this press conference. I'm so excited! You won't believe this, but I'm actually a huge Sonic fan. I'm thrilled to hear you'll be releasing Sonic the Hedgehog 2 simultaneously with the Mega Drive."
The staff members exchanged glances.
Uh, we don't have a copy of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 here right now.
Michael Katz's eyes widened.
He looked at the translator, who seemed unsure and asked again. Only after receiving a definite answer did the translator respond: "Mr. Katz, they said that due to some unforeseen circumstances, they don't have a Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cartridge on hand. They are currently contacting their Japan Headquarters and Sega of America's cartridge factory, hoping to coordinate the delivery of one."
Michael Katz's hand trembled. He nearly pulled out his revolver and shot the Atlus staff dead.
"Are you insane?! Coming to America without a cartridge at a time like this! The press conference starts in just one day! You have no idea how passionate North American players are! They're already saying that the plumber and the alien hedgehog saved the American market! They'll go crazy if there's no Sonic demo to play! There's only one day left—even if you get a cartridge from the factory, it won't arrive here in time!"
Michael Katz tugged at his tie and finally sighed.
He knew that losing his temper with the staff was pointless. This was a problem they couldn't solve.
"Damn it all..." Michael Katz muttered. Suddenly, he looked up. "Where is your boss? I mean, where is your president?"
Jun Funabashi answered, "The president and Manager Naka have already gone out to prepare the restaurant for tonight's welcome dinner."
Michael Katz felt his world spin.
Fuck!
At a critical moment like this, the president and manager had both run off. Could anyone at Atlas be trusted!
How could this bunch of unreliable people create games that Americans loved so much!
Final Fantasy! Street Fighter! Sonic the Hedgehog!
The only words left in Michael Katz's heart now were:
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
You bunch of beach-bums!
Just as he was about to let it all out, the door was pushed open again. A sweat-drenched Naka Yuji burst in, clutching a computer system.
Michael Katz: ??
Where did this madman come from!
"Oh, you must be Mr. Michael Katz. I know you. The president of the North American branch."
Kobayashi Tetsu's voice came from behind the computer.
Michael was momentarily stunned.
The computer was talking?
"No!"
Michael wanted to smack his own forehead.
He'd been driven half-mad by these people! Of course, the computer wasn't talking.
Kobayashi Tetsu instructed a few people to take the items from Naka Yuji and set the computer down. Then, he turned to Michael Katz.
"Mr. Katz, you've arrived at the perfect time. I'd like Sega of America to help coordinate getting a Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cartridge brought over from the factory."
Michael Katz's head throbbed. "I can certainly do that, but there's no time! President Kobayashi, you must understand how crucial this is for the press conference! We can't have the conference without Sonic!"
"I know you're anxious, but please, calm down," Kobayashi Tetsu said. "I will resolve this issue."
Michael Katz's headache intensified, the vein in his temple nearly bursting. "President Kobayashi, do you not understand what I'm saying? This is critical!"
Kobayashi Tetsu touched his ear.
"I hear you perfectly. That's why I've already told you: I will resolve this. Now, are you going to help me get a cartridge, or are you going to keep standing there losing your temper with me? You'll have to choose one or the other."
Michael Katz fell instantly silent.
After Michael Katz was appointed President of the North American Branch, Isao Okawa had specifically emphasized this point.
Atlas was different. Kobayashi Tetsu was born in Brazil and raised in the United States; he couldn't be viewed as a typical Japanese person.
As it turned out,
He was indeed nothing like the submissive Japanese people I'm used to.
But Michael Katz just couldn't wrap his head around it.
"You bought a computer? Don't tell me you're planning to code Sonic in a single day! No one can do that, not even if you're an octopus!"
"Haha," Kobayashi Tetsu said. "Haha, I'm laughing. You're quite the comedian, so I'm laughing."
Kobayashi Tetsu returned a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to get busy. I hope to see the Sonic 2 cartridge immediately after the first day of the press conference. Please don't disturb me any further; I'm starting work now."
Michael Katz's headache worsened.
Before coming here, he had been full of hope for Atlas. But now, all he wanted to say was that Atlas was a bunch of fucking lunatics, fools, and psychopaths from top to bottom!
Even the President seemed to have a screw loose.
It was obvious he wouldn't be able to produce the Sonic cartridge at the press conference. Yet, under these circumstances, he had still confidently declared he could solve the problem.
How exactly was he going to solve it?!
In any case, Michael Katz couldn't imagine how.
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