Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 175 Final Condition

Faced with the conditions proposed by Xinghai Games, Yamauchi Hiroshi once again convened an emergency meeting of high-level officials.

"Good morning, President!"

"Well, sit down."

"Hi!"

After his subordinates took their seats, Yamauchi Hiroshi slowly lit his cigar and then asked in a natural tone.

"The bottom line over there is 450 yen. What do you think?"

The head of the First Development Department, Gunpei Yokoi, said directly, "I think we can agree to this."

"Soviet Tribe is perfect for handhelds. If we don't buy it, it will be a threat to the company when it is released on any handheld."

Gunpei Yokoi is the inventor of the handheld game console, and because of this, he is more aware of the magic of "Soviet Tribe".

In his mind, this simple little game is the "Super Mario" + "Dragon Quest" of the handheld game console field.

It may even be stronger.

If you can't stop it, it's better to take it.

"That's it."

Hiroshi Yamauchi's expression remained unchanged, and he turned his gaze to his son-in-law.

"Arakawa, what do you think?"

Nintendo's current No. 2 figure, Minoru Arakawa, head of Nintendo's North American division, had a big smile on his face.

"President, I also think that we must win this game."

"I also think that Soviet Cube is very suitable for handheld games. If Xinghai Games enters the market on its own, we may lose a lot of wealth."

Arakawa has a typical Wall Street mentality and pursues profit above all else.

Since Soviet Cube is so important to the handheld, then get it. Even if the cost is high, it is worth it.

This was his strategy for developing Nintendo in North America.

We spend huge amounts of money on game promotion every year, and get more returns from it.

Then he used his normal tone to say something chilling.

"If it doesn't work, we can sign a contract with loopholes."

He had full confidence in his own lawyer, Lincoln.

Due to the copyright dispute over "Donkey Kong", Nintendo has been in an unfavorable situation for a long time.

But Lincoln's first move helped the company achieve a big victory.

In fact, Howard Lincoln’s most famous battle in his previous life took place in the battle for the copyright of "Tetris".

In the early days of game consoles and personal computers, the concepts of the two were actually somewhat confused in the Western world.

Nintendo FC, in particular, is defined as a home computer in the United States.

At that time, Nintendo wanted the console and handheld rights to Tetris.

Fortunately, the handheld copyright was not sold by the Soviet government.

Host copyright is different.

Although the contract signed between the Soviet Union and Stein at the time only covered computer copyright, the confusion between computer copyright and host copyright could easily lead to legal disputes.

This is when Lincoln comes into play.

Lincoln first assisted Soviet officials and tricked Stein into signing a series of contracts while he was dizzy.

Most of these contracts were useless, except for one that clearly defined what a computer was.

In this way, Nintendo's FC game console is completely separated from personal computers.

Even if Stein wanted to sue Nintendo, he would not win.

It can be said that Lincoln has also made an indelible contribution to the growth of Nintendo North America to its current size, even accounting for 70% of Nintendo’s total revenue.

Of course, the person who deserves the greatest credit must be Minoru Arakawa.

Minoru Arakawa is a true pioneer, and the development of Nintendo's North American branch is basically due to his hard work.

If it weren't for Minoru Arakawa, Nintendo's development in North America would definitely lag far behind.

"No, this hole can't be opened."

After hearing his son-in-law's suggestion, Yamauchi Hiroshi immediately frowned and refused.

This is a terrible method.

Nintendo must strive to survive into the 22nd century rather than destroy its reputation in a short period of time.

"Hey, I know."

Arakawa didn't comment, but didn't continue.

The only sun of the company is not yourself.

Yamauchi Hiroshi pressed his forehead with a headache and continued to call on the name of the person and asked, "Takeda, what do you think?"

"I don't really understand this, but since everyone thinks it's important, I think I can buy the copyright."

Genyo Takeda didn't want to get involved in the handheld game console dispute.

The person mainly responsible for this matter was Gunpei Yokoi, and he didn't want to offend anyone.

Immediately afterwards, Masayuki Uemura and Shigeru Miyamoto also chose similar answers.

Yokoi Gunpei didn't care about the neutrality of the other three people. He continued to persuade them, "President, agree to it."

"With the addition of Soviet Cube, our position in the handheld game market will be more stable."

The FC game console is indeed the company's most profitable business now, but handheld game consoles are not much behind.

Losing the handheld market would be a disaster for Nintendo.

"Well, then agree to Xinghai Yugi's request."

Hiroshi Yamauchi does not play games, but he is an expert in controlling people.

Since the two generals he respected most wanted to sign the contract, he might as well agree to it.

After the "Soviet Cube" agenda ended, Yamauchi Hiroshi's expression became very solemn.

"From what I've heard, Sega's 16-bit console will be released next year."

"Everyone, please give us some suggestions. How should we launch our attack on Sega?"

For Nintendo today, neither StarCraft nor Soviet Cube can be considered as rivals.

Sega is different.

This is the old overlord in the gaming field.

If the company didn't have the FC game console, it would definitely not be able to beat Sega in the gaming field.

Now that Sega has also begun to enter the game console market, it cannot be overemphasized.

"With our Fourth Development Department here, Sega will never catch up with Nintendo. Game hardware is important, but game software is more important."

Shigeru Miyamoto is very confident now, even a little arrogant.

But this is normal.

He had just created the groundbreaking game "Super Mario", and his heart was at its most inflated at the time.

As Shigeru Miyamoto's mentor, Gunpei Yokoi did not want him to fall into the trap of becoming complacent.

He reminded with a serious expression: "We still need to pay attention to Sega. Although the game industry pays more attention to software strength, Sega's software strength is also not weak."

"Miyamoto-san, don't be too proud and underestimate the enemy."

Miyamoto Shigeru was annoyed by Yokoi Gunpei's good words, but he did not show it, and remained respectful and humble as usual to Yokoi Gunpei.

"Hi, it's me, Meng Lang. What Yokoi-senpai said makes a lot of sense."

Hiroshi Yamauchi took in everything in front of him.

But he didn't say anything.

If his subordinates were all close to each other, he would definitely launch a purge immediately.

In the company of Nintendo, no one's prestige can surpass that of others.

After discussing for more than two hours, Hiroshi Yamauchi finally made the decision.

The company is going to hold a price reduction campaign on the day the Sega game console is released.

At the same time, the company will also start developing 16-bit game consoles.

But I don’t know if it’s out of disdain or for some other reason.

Nintendo has had almost no discussion about third-party game makers.

……

"President Rogers, we can agree to your terms, but we don't know when the contract will be signed."

Since he had already made the decision, Yamauchi Hiroshi did not delay and invited his friend to the conference room to urge him to do it.

"We are available anytime."

"Oh, then let's do it today." Yamauchi Hiroshi was even more straightforward and decided to sign the contract on the spot.

"No problem, I'll call the lawyer right away."

"Well, let's go."

Rogers came to Kyoto to discuss copyright issues this time, so he naturally brought a special lawyer with him.

And because of their importance to "Soviet Cube", they are all top lawyers in the field of copyright.

Although both parties attach great importance to it, the content of the contract is actually very simple.

After several lawyers carefully reviewed it dozens of times, they gave Rogers a positive answer.

"We can sign the contract."

"Understood, thank you!"

Although a lawyer reviewed it, Rogers still checked it several times for safety reasons.

After feeling that there were indeed no problems, I stamped the company seal.

"President Yamauchi, it's been a pleasure working with you."

"Pleasant to work with."

After the two sides officially reached an agreement, Yamauchi Hiroshi smiled and said, "Would you like to have a couple of drinks together later?"

"No problem. I'll go put the contract away and come back later."

Having a meal with business friends is important, but contracts are more important.

He planned to put the contract in the bank for safekeeping and take it out before leaving to avoid loss.

"Okay, then we'll meet at 6pm."

"See you at 6."

After agreeing on the time, Rogers did not leave Nintendo immediately.

He had to report the situation to his president as quickly as possible.

"President Takeshita, the price is 450 yen each. Thank you for your help."

"Well done. When you come back, I'll give you a celebration party."

Masato Takeshita did not want to break up with Nintendo for the time being, and when he heard that an agreement had been reached, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"The Shinkansen tomorrow morning will arrive around noon."

"Well, that's fine. You take a day off tomorrow, and we'll hold a celebration party the day after tomorrow."

"Yes."

Considering that the journey was tiring, Masato Takeshita decided to postpone the banquet for one day.

This is how you celebrate success, rather than completing the social event with a tired look on your face.

After hanging up the phone, Masato Takeshita murmured to himself excitedly.

"Good, good. I hope tonight's banquet will go as smoothly as this."

Tonight is the day when the three newly established private equity hedge funds of Xinghai Investment will officially start fundraising.

Although it has little to do with the Star Ocean game, Masato Takeshita still feels very comfortable.

At 6 o'clock in the evening, after a simple meal, Masato Takeshita arrived at the venue early.

"Prepare two extra microphones to avoid any trouble."

"Hi!"

"It's too smooth here, add some friction."

"Yes!"

After the conductor completed all preparations, it was 7 o'clock in the evening.

The first guest was an old acquaintance of Masato Takeshita.

He asked casually with a smile: "Hey, you guy, why are you here so early today?"

Haneda Ichiro responded with a smile: "On such an important day, I will naturally support you."

"I think you want more investment shares."

"Hehe, this factor is also a factor."

Although with Masato Takeshita around, no matter how much money is invested, Xinghai Investment will naturally raise less funds in order to create the image of supply exceeding demand.

In this way, investors will be happy about grabbing a share and will cherish this opportunity more.

For an excellent product, you must use hunger marketing to maximize profits.

Ichiro Haneda also held a party, knowing that his friends would be busy today.

He smiled tactfully and said, "Bye, I'll go in first."

"OK Bye Bye."

The first guest was an old acquaintance, and so was the second.

"Brother Yuno, why are you here so early?"

"I had nothing to do tonight, so I thought I'd come over early."

"Oh, that's how it is."

After chatting casually for a few words, Uno Kiyuki saw that there was a new guest, so he tactfully left Takeshita Masato.

My junior will be very busy today, so it would be better to disturb him as little as possible.

Half an hour passed quickly, and the guests gradually became more and more famous.

"Senior Xiao Yuan, welcome, welcome."

"You're too polite, junior. I wonder how much the three foundations raised tonight?"

Although he thought that his junior student would definitely not be so stupid as to not give him a share, since it involved his own interests, Keisuke Obuchi could not help but ask a question.

"The quota is sufficient, please rest assured, Senior Xiao Yuan."

"Ah That's good."

Although Keizo Obuchi did not stand out among the Takeshita Seven Magistrates, he looked like an ordinary uncle.

Those who actually know something about it know that Takeshita Noboru values this junior the most.

As long as he has the idea of becoming prime minister, he will succeed.

This is the power possessed by the Takeshita Society, which inherited the main body of the Tanaka School.

However, even so, Takeshita-kai is still developing rapidly.

Keizo Obuchi inside was surrounded by people, and Masato Takeshita outside was becoming more and more busy.

Every guest is important and no one should be neglected.

"Brother Diyi, why are you here too?"

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's real estate-related projects can make more money than Masato Takeshita's fund.

His fund is for clients who have doubts about the stock and property markets and who seek more stability.

"Junior brother is holding a banquet in our company, so I naturally have to support him a little."

Rich people choose to diversify their investments.

Real estate does make more money, but you can’t rely entirely on it.

"Then I'll let you pay for it, thank you!"

Masato Takeshita also had a vague guess in his mind, but the visitor was a guest.

He certainly wouldn't be stupid enough to expose the hidden content.

"Not really. It's mainly just to find another way to get the funds."

Everyone carries the sedan chair.

Since his junior fellow apprentice gave him face, Tsutsumi Yoshiaki naturally stopped while he was ahead.

"I see. Brother, please rest assured that the funds are absolutely stable with me."

"Of course I'm relieved. Junior brother is a genius."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi believed in the theory of genius, believing that only geniuses could correctly guide the company's direction and make more money.

His ideas are indeed very effective for the time being.

Because under the guidance of the genius Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, the Seibu Group has developed into a well-known small conglomerate in Japan.

Although it is not as good as big conglomerates such as Sumitomo and Mitsui, it can already compete with families like the Nakajima family.

"No way. Compared to my senior brother, I am just average."

"No, no, no, you are too modest. If it were me, it would take me at least 10 years to achieve the same success as you."

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi is very optimistic about Masato Takeshita and thinks that he will be the next big figure.

"Brother, you're welcome."

(End of this chapter)