Kobayashi Tetsu certainly couldn't write a Sonic game in just one day.
No one could.
Not even a transmigrator.
So, Kobayashi Tetsu had no intention of writing Sonic at all.
After the dinner gathering that night, Kobayashi Tetsu called Naka Yuji to get to work.
"Americans like high difficulty, so let's crank up the intensity for them. Naka-kun, I need an electronic synth track right now. Can you do that?"
Naka Yuji nodded. "There's plenty of music like that. If we need something to use right away, we can use music with expired copyrights, like 'Ode to Joy' or 'Fate Symphony' or something."
"Let's go with 'Ode to Joy' then."
Kobayashi Tetsu tapped his keyboard and added, "It doesn't need to be the full piece. Just make a complete loop."
"Loop music, I got it." Naka Yuji hurriedly ran over to another computer to start working.
Time was tight, and they didn't have a professional recording studio or soundproof room, but that was better than having no equipment at all.
He was actually more curious about something else.
"So... what exactly are you going to write?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm just going to crank up the intensity for the North American players."
Kobayashi Tetsu turned back to his work without a second glance.
With time running short, he would spend a single day creating a super, super simple casual game, but one that used Sonic as its core material.
He would wipe a Metal Slug cartridge clean and then re-burn this temporary little game onto it.
The game might be crude and rushed, but Kobayashi Tetsu believed its difficulty would be more than enough. Western players loved a good challenge—they'd eat this up.
The day of the press conference arrived.
Lin Dengfang showed up with his girlfriend.
That's right—he hadn't broken up with her yet. In fact, their relationship seemed to be stronger than ever.
"Lin En!" his girlfriend complained, tugging at her hair accessory. "Why did you make me wear this in public? It's so embarrassing."
"It's not embarrassing at all! Not in the slightest! Look over there!" Lin Dengwan pointed casually. "Everyone's wearing them."
His girlfriend followed his finger and saw that, sure enough, many people were wearing blue, spiky hair accessories, pretending to be alien hedgehogs.
Sonic the Hedgehog, the first game, had truly stunned the American gaming industry.
Along with that alien hedgehog's image, the plumber had completely revitalized the once-stagnant American gaming market.
Sonic is just so damn fun! Playing it is a completely different experience from Mario!
Mario's running speed is just Sonic's walking speed!
And then there are those uniquely designed BSSs.
Lin Dengwan absolutely loved it, but unfortunately, Sonic never released a sequel. Rumor has it that Atlas can't count to two.
This time, he heard that besides the Mega Drive itself, the launch event would also feature its launch titles, including a game from Atlas.
Lin Dengfang, of course, rushed to join the excitement at the very first opportunity.
The launch event was held in a rented arena in San Francisco, with a considerable number of people in attendance.
Lin Dengwan had bought his ticket early and secured a seat in the very front row—a spot that would be caught directly on camera.
After settling in, Lin Dengwan greeted the people next to him. The three other strangers were just like him, all wearing blue-furred wigs.
His girlfriend adjusted the wig on her head, unable to hide her slight annoyance.
"Alright, honey, it's about to start. I promise it's going to be incredibly exciting."
Lin Dengwan reassured his girlfriend with a few words. The lights in the arena dimmed, and everyone knew the launch event had officially begun.
Michael Katz, the head of the North American Branch, took the stage. He began with a few warm-up anecdotes before the spotlight finally descended, illuminating the Mega Drive console.
It was a black, industrial-looking machine with a rugged, bold design.
"Here it is! Here it is! He's finally brought us the latest technology! This is our newest console, and also the world's first 16-bit home console—the Sega Genesis! (Known as the Mega Drive in Japan, and the Sega Genesis in North America.)"
"As the world's first 16-bit home console, this machine is equipped with two processors—one main and one auxiliary. The main processor is the Motorola 68000, and the auxiliary processor is the Z80!"
"It supports stereo sound and an upgraded, higher-quality PCM music system, powered by the SN76489 chip from Texas Instruments. You can even choose to pair it with an optional CD-ROM drive!"
"The resolution reaches an astonishing 320x480!"
"So, how much will such an incredible console cost?"
"Just 189 US dollars!"
Lin Dengwan was ecstatic.
An insanely powerful console for only 189 dollars! This is absolutely mind-blowing!
Unable to contain his excitement, Lin Dengwan leaned forward, his fist clenched.
This is exactly what we wanted! This is absolutely perfect!
This is exactly what everyone's been waiting for!
Beside Lin Dengwan, the other three men were equally thrilled.
His girlfriend glanced over, completely baffled by their intense reaction.
Michael Katz continued his presentation. "Of course, a console is nothing without games! Our launch lineup includes several ports from the MS, as well as Sega Corporation's latest release, Phantasy Star!"
Lin Dengwan and the three strangers slumped back into their seats, their expressions turning flat and disinterested.
That's not what we wanted to hear!
Michael Katz introduced several more games, but the audience's reaction remained lukewarm. No one seemed particularly impressed.
He scanned the crowd, seeing a sea of blue-haired fans, and took a deep breath.
Those sons of bitches at Atlas! How are they going to explain this to the players without Sonic?
"And now, for today's event, we have a very special guest and the launch title they've brought with them!"
"Atlus!"
Lin Dengwan shot to his feet, fists clenched, his face alight with excitement. The three people beside him were equally thrilled.
Yes, man, this is exactly what we wanted!
The spotlight swept across the stage as Kobayashi Tetsu stepped out.
Young, and... unconventional.
That was Lin Dengwan's first impression.
Though he had an Asian face, Kobayashi Tetsu was a remarkably striking figure, even by the standards of someone like Lin Dengwan, who had been immersed in North American aesthetics for twenty years. His hair was streaked with a bold, rebellious color, and his entire demeanor radiated confidence.
"Oh, it seems you're not very familiar with me, so the welcome isn't quite enthusiastic enough," Kobayashi Tetsu said. "Should I take another lap?" He then continued, "Let me introduce myself first. I'm Kobayashi Tetsu, the boss of Atlus Studio. I'm thrilled to see everyone so fond of Atlus's work, especially Sonic the Hedgehog."
Thunderous applause erupted, lasting for a long time.
Kobayashi Tetsu walked off the stage and then back on again, waiting until the applause finally subsided. Only then did he raise both hands, as if he were the one controlling the volume of the crowd's cheers.
"Yeah, that was much more enthusiastic."
Kobayashi Tetsu said, "Actually, I was really nervous before coming here. I kept thinking, 'Wow, I'm going to give a speech in America.' But then I remembered, 'Hey, I grew up in the US! What's there to be afraid of? After all, I'm bringing the North American players—who have been eagerly waiting—exactly what they want most. Everyone, what is it?'"
Kobayashi Tetsu pointed the microphone toward the audience.
Lin Dengwan raised his hand.
Sonic! It has to be Sonic!
Someone must have shouted it out first, because within a few breaths, a wave of voices spontaneously erupted from the crowd.
Sonic! Sonic! Sonic!
Kobayashi Tetsu said, "You guessed it! It's Metal Slug!"
Lin Dengwan: Fuck my ass!
But since it's an Atlus game, I guess I can grit my teeth and watch.
Lin Dengwan crossed his arms.
I'll see what this 'Metal Slug' is all about!
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