Traveling through the Tokyo bubble era

Chapter 869: Sony and Nintendo's collaboration comes earlier than expected
What Hideki Hanyu didn't expect was that after arriving at Elf Communication, he would see Elf Entertainment's president Satoshi Iwata in Kitahara Eri's office.

"I didn't expect Iwata-san to be here too."

Iwata explained, "The chairman mentioned Sony and Nintendo before, so I started paying special attention to the news about them. Then I asked President Kitahara to help me investigate from the distributors. When I got the news, I came to find out in person."

When Hideki Hanyu heard that it was about Sony and Nintendo, he immediately put Sanrio aside and hurried to inquire.

"What news have you got? Tell me about it."

Kitahara Eri replied, “According to what I heard from the distributors, Sony and Nintendo were in contact earlier than we thought.

Before Sony established Sony Interactive Entertainment, Nintendo's 16-bit SFC console had already been sold through Sony's channels, probably in June last year."

After Kitahara Eri finished speaking, Hanyu Hideki immediately frowned.

The index finger of his right hand tapped unconsciously on the armrest of the sofa.

Looking at this, people who are familiar with him know that he is thinking seriously.

Therefore, Kitahara Eri and Iwata Satoshi did not interrupt, but just waited quietly for Hanyu Hideki to speak.

After a long time, Hanyu Hideki, who had thought about many possibilities, asked Iwata Satoshi, "Have you checked the registration for this month's E3 exhibition? What are the situations of Sony and Nintendo?"

Iwata replied, "We have investigated and found that Nintendo has registered for the exhibition as usual, and the newly established Sony Interactive Entertainment has also registered."

After hearing what Iwata said, Hanyu Hideki spoke slowly.

"It seems that things are a bit troublesome. If Sony and Nintendo had already begun to deepen their cooperation before the establishment of Sony Interactive Entertainment, then the establishment time of Sony Interactive Entertainment was just a smokescreen released by both parties to the outside world."

Iwata seemed to have realized something, and his expression was intriguing as he was thinking about something.

Kitahara Eri asked directly, "What did you think of Hanyu-san?"

"There is a possibility that the establishment of Sony Interactive Entertainment was done for show to the outside world, or more precisely, for us, in order to create the illusion that they had just started cooperation, in order to cover up the real cooperation and let us relax our vigilance."

As soon as Hanyu Hideki said this, Iwata Satoshi immediately echoed him.

"The president means that their cooperation may have already produced results, which will be announced at this month's E3 Expo."

Hanyu Hideki nodded, "Yes, whether it is Nintendo or Sony, their technical strength should not be underestimated, especially Sony, which has accumulated technology and engineering teams over the years, which is stronger than ours.

If they deepen their cooperation, I wouldn’t be surprised if they develop some products in a short period of time.”

Kitahara Eri was stunned for a moment, then asked carefully, "Is it possible that they have developed a 32-bit host?"

Hanyu Hideki said, “It is not ruled out.”

"We have been developing our second-generation PS console for more than two years. Even if they only started cooperating with us in June last year, how could they come up with a mature product so quickly?"

Kitahara Eri's tone was somewhat incredulous.

Iwata shook his head and said, "Sony and Nintendo both have sufficient technological accumulation, so even if they really cooperate to develop a 32-bit console, it would not be surprising.

But one thing is certain, their 32-bit console is definitely not on the same level as our second-generation PS console project.

If we were just developing a 32-bit console, it wouldn't take us that long.

But what we are developing is not just the second-generation PS console, but a huge, comprehensive, systematic R&D project for next-generation 3D games.

We develop not only the console, but also a series of R&D projects including the supporting Elf Scepter development platform, 3D game engine, handle hardware and software, audio and video output system, supporting peripherals, dedicated game storage discs, etc.

During the development of the console, we need to continuously coordinate and optimize these projects to maximize the advantages of each system, which is why it takes so long. "

When Iwata said this, he deliberately lowered his voice and said, "We even built and developed the second-generation handheld while developing the second-generation PS console.

So, does President Kitahara still feel that two years is a long time for us to complete this task?"

Kitahara Eri expressed surprise, "According to what President Iwata said, more than two years is indeed not a long time."

After that, Kitahara Eri asked, "So, after the second generation of PlayStation, our second generation of Phantom handheld will also be launched?"

Iwata shook his head and said, "Not so fast, there are still many technical problems that have not been solved, and the biggest problem is battery life.

Although we have cooperated with many battery companies, their technology still cannot meet the requirements of the new generation of handheld game consoles.

To be precise, some cutting-edge battery technologies can actually meet this requirement, but the relatively high cost of batteries will push the price of handheld game consoles to a level that consumers cannot accept.”

Hanyu Hideki then said, "There is no need to worry about the handheld game console. The upgraded first-generation Phantom handheld game console can still meet market demand, so there is no need to worry about the possibility of replacement in the short term.

After all, we can't do it, and it's difficult for other manufacturers to do it either.

Even if they manage to do so, the cost will not allow them to succeed.”

After saying that, Hanyu Hideki continued tapping the armrest of the sofa with his fingers. "Now it seems that there is a high possibility that these two companies will do something at the E3 Expo. After all, they were able to keep it secret for so long and only revealed their true intentions recently. Obviously, they have a big plan."

Kitahara Eri asked, "So what do we need to prepare for?"

“For now, it seems that there is nothing we can do.

But there is actually no need for us to do anything. We should remain unchanged in the face of ever-changing circumstances. As long as we do our own things well, we don't need to worry about Sony and Nintendo.

After all, if they can overturn our years of research and development and efforts with just a few months of planning, then we deserve to lose."

Hideki Hanyu said this with great confidence, and didn't seem to be worried at all about Sony and Nintendo joining forces to deal with Pokemon Entertainment.

And this confidence is not without reason.

The years of preparation he mentioned is one aspect, and the other aspect is that so many well-known games were snatched up by him in advance, making the game copyright defense wall of Elf Entertainment extremely solid.

In the past, Nintendo relied on its advantage in game content and used the 8-bit FC to suppress Sega's 16-bit MD and gain market dominance.

There is no reason why Genie Entertainment, which now has greater gaming advantages and better console performance, should not perform as well as Nintendo from another time and space.

there is always a solution to a problem.

Competition in the business world is often an open and honest showdown, and the so-called conspiracies and tricks can actually play a very limited role.

Otherwise, he would have arranged for people to go to Kyoto and water the money tree at Nintendo's headquarters with boiling water.

Well... the premise is that Yamauchi Hiroshi also likes to plant money trees.

After hearing what Hanyu Hideki said, Iwata Satoshi and Kitahara Eri were also inspired with confidence. After all, in the past, as long as Hanyu Hideki made a decision, it would never go wrong.

But after feeling relieved, Iwata sighed and said, "Now that Sony and Nintendo have confirmed their cooperation, it seems that our previous plan cannot be implemented."

Hideki Hanyu knew that the plan that Iwata was talking about was naturally proposed by Eiichi Kambo, who wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to take over Nintendo.

Now Nintendo has the support of Sony, and in order to deepen cooperation, it even sold shares to the newly established Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Under such circumstances, if Elf Entertainment still wants to seize Nintendo as before, the chance of success is obviously close to zero. After all, Sony, a large and powerful company, will not watch its partner being swallowed up by its rival.

But at this time, Hanyu Hideki smiled and said, "The original plan may not be implemented, but it does not mean that we have no other opportunities."

"What other plans does the president have?" Iwata asked humbly.

“What is the purpose of this collaboration between Sony and Nintendo?”

Hanyu Hideki looked at Iwata Satoshi and Kitahara Eri and asked this question first, but without waiting for the two to answer, he gave the answer immediately.

“It’s simple, for profit.

The scale of the electronic game market is exciting to everyone today, but Elf Entertainment has an advantageous position and has built a huge supply chain and industry platform through EGP arcade machines, Elf handheld game consoles, and PS consoles.

In this case, if you don't want to cooperate with us, want to occupy a dominant position, and want to intervene in the game market, you have to find a way to subvert our platform.

For this goal, for the benefits after success, and for the carrot dangling in front of it, Sony is naturally willing to cooperate with Nintendo.

But once the goal is not achieved, when all they get is losses and no gains, then there will be a big question mark as to how long their alliance can last.

Think about it, it's only been a few years since Bandai and Nintendo's failed collaboration on a handheld game console, and we can still vividly remember how they fell apart.

Even though Sony is stronger than Bandai, they are even less knowledgeable about the gaming industry than Bandai, so don't think that their cooperation will definitely be successful.

This time, even if Sony and Nintendo really have new products coming out at the E3 expo, as long as our second-generation PS console is successful, their alliance will collapse.

Until then……"

When Hanyu Hideki said this, he revealed an unfathomable smile.

An example was given with a profound meaning in the words.

"In the early days of World War II, although Germany and the Soviet Union were hostile to each other and guarded against each other, it did not affect their joint efforts to divide Poland."

Kitahara Eri and Iwata Satoshi are both top elites in Japan, so they naturally understood the meaning of Hanyu Hideki's words instantly.

Kitahara Eri immediately revealed a smile worthy of you and said, "We always say that Hanyu-san has a long-term vision that others can hardly reach, and now it seems that what we said is really true.

While we are still worried about the cooperation between Sony and Nintendo, Hanyu Hideki is already considering how to join forces with Sony to divide Nintendo. "

Iwata seriously considered, "What should we want then? I have always admired Mr. Yokoi Gunpei and Mr. Miyamoto Shigeru of Nintendo, and I like them very much..."

Seeing that Iwata had already started to divide up the spoils, Hanyu Hideki said helplessly, "Mr. Iwata, this is just an idea of ​​mine. Whether it will happen in the future is still unknown."

Iwata laughed and said, "To prepare for a rainy day, I think I can try to contact President Kutaragi Ken of Sony Interactive Entertainment now."

Hanyu Hideki spread his hands and said, "Okay, I'll leave this matter to you."

After saying that, he turned to look at Kitahara Eri, "Now that we have finished discussing Sony and Nintendo, let's talk about the purpose of my visit."

Kitahara Eri asked, "Hanyu-san, you are talking about Sanrio, right?"

Hanyu Hideki said, “Of course.”

Kitahara Eri said, “This matter is actually over.

Mr. Hanyu has acquired shares through fund traps and the secondary market, plus the shares lost to Elves Communications in accordance with the contractual bet. Our shareholding ratio has reached 56%. Sanrio has actually changed hands.

It’s just that I don’t want to push too hard, and I still need Sanrio’s top management to continue to work and cooperate with us to delist Sanrio from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, so I have never forced control.”

Hanyu Hideki frowned and asked, "So, the Sanrio executives are still unwilling to cooperate?"

Kitahara Eri shook her head. "They also understand that their struggles are meaningless, but Tsuji Shintaro has expressed his desire to meet you. I have booked Ono Ryotei for tonight. Would you like to meet him, Hanyu-san?"

Hanyu Hideki frowned a little irritably, thinking that people from the four general trading companies also wanted to see him, and now even Sanrio's founder Shintaro Tsuji wanted to see him.

These people are really incomprehensible. Can they change their decision just by meeting him?
However, it is now officially April, and in order to avoid any further complications, he does not want to continue to fight with these guys indefinitely.

So, he finally agreed to Kitahara Eri, "Then I'd like to trouble Kitahara-san to meet Tsuji Shintaro with me tonight."

"Okay, I'll send someone to contact him right away."

Kitahara Eri started contacting after she finished speaking.

Iwata Satoshi stood up and said goodbye, "President, I still have work to do at Elf Entertainment, so I'll take my leave now."

Upon hearing this, Hanyu Hideki also stood up and said, "I have nothing to do at Elf Communication now, so it's a good opportunity for me to go to Elf Entertainment with you to see the game development status of the game department."

"Ok."

Iwata would naturally not obstruct Hanyu Hideki's decision.

After saying goodbye to Eri Kitahara, Hideki Hanyu went to Elf Entertainment in Shinagawa District with Satoshi Iwata.

After Hideki Hanyu arrived at Elf Entertainment, he plunged into the game development department of Elf Entertainment to inspect the current game development projects.

Whether it is a 2D game or a 3D game prepared for the next generation PS console, he will use his experience and understanding from his previous life to guide and correct the development of the game project.

It was rare for him to devote himself to his work so hard that he forgot about time. It was not until he saw the staff of the game development department leaving get off work that he remembered that he had an appointment with Kitahara Eri and Tsuji Shintaro in the evening.

After hurriedly leaving Elf Entertainment, Hideki Hanyu rushed to Ono Ryotei in Chiyoda Ward.

Chiharu Ono seemed to have known from Eri Kitahara that Hideki Hanyu would come, so she was waiting in the front yard early.

When Hanyu Hideki walked in, the pretty widow in kimono immediately stepped forward to change Hanyu Hideki's shoes, hang up his coat, and ask if anything else needed to be done, just like the most traditional wife in Japan.

Hanyu Hideki ordered, "Please prepare a bathrobe for me. I need to take a bath to meet the guests."

"it is good."

Chiharu Ono, who was well prepared, took Hideki Hanyu to the backyard, where she usually lived.

Hideki Hanyu sits in a hot spring bath made of rocks.

Chiharu Ono, wearing a yukata as thin as gauze, stood by, wiping Hideki Hanyu's body carefully and gently, and helping him take a bath.

However, as the gauze dress on Chiharu Ono was wetted by the steam, the material became more transparent, and Hanyu Hideki's eyes became more and more passionate as he looked at her.

Hideki Hanyu, whose desire was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress, soon lost control and turned his original plan of taking a bath into another activity.

Chiharu Ono struggled shyly, "I have to receive guests tonight."

"It's still early, I'll hurry."

After Hanyu Hideki finished speaking, he started to take action.

(End of this chapter)