As September approached, the SF Convention drew near.
The games for each section were still in production, but Kobayashi Tetsu remained unhurried. After all, Final Fantasy was an RPG, a genre known for its long development cycles. As for Street Fighter, they were waiting for Capcom's main console, which wouldn't be ready until late 1986 at the earliest—the console itself wouldn't be successfully developed until late 1987.
For now, Kobayashi Tetsu had left Iwata Satoru in charge of Final Fantasy and Naka Yuji working with Capcom's assistants on Double Dragon. He himself focused solely on preparing the SF Convention.
This year's SF Convention would be held in the conference hall of the Mitsui Building. As the saying goes, "Those who are close to the water tower get the moon first." The hall could accommodate at least a thousand attendees.
Based on past conventions, the SF Convention typically followed a few key stages: the opening ceremony, the opening ceremony's style varied depending on the organizers. For example, DAICON4 featured a medley of sci-fi works, entirely animated by the organizers themselves.
This was one of Toshio Kazeta's more notable achievements. Although DAICONFILM never won any awards, they did produce the opening animation for an SF Convention, and it was quite well-received.
After the opening ceremony, there was an exhibition of works, merchandise booths similar to those at a comic convention, the Nebula Award ceremony, special events hosted by the organizers, and finally, the closing ceremony.
The exact order of these events might vary, but the general content remained the same.
Kobayashi Tetsu chewed on his straw and casually drew a circle on the whiteboard.
Since the special events were organized by the hosts and Atlas was a game company, it made sense to use the convention to showcase their games.
"It seems the conference room won't be enough. We might need to rent two or three floors temporarily?"
Kobayashi Tetsu pondered, noting that the only title they could currently showcase was Final Fantasy.
Invitations to KBYCON1 had already been sent to the members of the Science Fiction Convention, along with a summary of this year's submitted SF works and the convention's schedule.
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't make a big show of it on TV. While the Science Fiction Convention was influential, it remained a niche gathering, unsuitable for a large-scale public spectacle.
Of course, beyond the members, certain special individuals also received invitations to this year's SF Convention.
In the offices of Kadokawa Game Magazine, Editor-in-Chief Tofuya Fami-bo examined the invitation in his hand.
The invitation was exquisitely crafted, with a striking red and black color scheme and sharp, angular lines that exuded an indescribable coolness.
Though he didn't understand fashion trends, he recognized the red and black color scheme as a bold and effective symbol.
Of course, this was later revealed to be Persona 5's color palette. From Megami Tensei to Persona, Atlas's main titles had always been known for their daring color choices.
"The SF Convention is inviting our game magazine?"
After a quick scan, he understood the reason.
This year's KBYCON1 included a special event featuring a game exhibition by Atlas.
"Game Exhibition: Project FF!"
With a swish, Tofuya Fami-bo shot to his feet, his swivel chair behind him wobbling precariously.
Atlas had been remarkably tight-lipped about Project FF since its announcement. If Kobayashi Tetsu hadn't recently invested in Capcom, Tofuya might have assumed Atlas had absconded with the funds and emigrated to America.
Wait, Kobayashi Tetsu is American?
Never mind then.
"Project FF! We absolutely have to cover this! We need to get the first scoop!"
Tofuya Fami-bo immediately designated Black Flame Dragon, an assistant editor at Kadokawa Game Magazine, to attend the convention.
"Me?" Black Flame Dragon pointed to himself. "I'm happy to go, but I'll need a special assistant."
His finger landed on the water cooler in the corner, where Koyakawa was pouring water for the others.
After graduating high school this year, Koyakawa had chosen not to continue to university. Instead, she'd applied to Kadokawa Game Magazine.
In Japan, it's quite common for high school graduates to enter the workforce directly without attending university.
Kobayashi Tetsu hadn't pulled any strings or used any connections. Koyakawa's position at Kadokawa Game Magazine was entirely due to her own abilities.
Tofuya Fami-bo, the editor of the Tofuya Fami-bo magazine, thought for a moment and didn't make a big deal of it. After all, it was just a matter of bringing a new recruit along. If she wanted to go, she could go.
Seeing the Editor-in-Chief agree, Black Flame Dragon instantly clenched his fist.
With Koyakawa helping out, they were guaranteed to get the scoop! He'd definitely get first-hand information!
The mention of this still rankled Black Flame Dragon.
Kobayashi Tetsu from Biyang had been playing him like a fool! No wonder he was so good at playing Atlas games—he was the president of Atlas!
Back then, Kobayashi Tetsu had used the alias "Blue-Eyes White Dragon," and Koyakawa's pen name was also "Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Even a fool could see the connection.
That's why Black Flame Dragon absolutely had to bring Koyakawa along.
As for whether he had any ulterior motives toward her, that was impossible.
How could a woman ever be as fun as a game?
While there were many game-related magazines like Kadokawa Game Magazine, Kobayashi Tetsu hadn't sent invitations to everyone.
Yet the news still leaked out.
Mid-September this year, at KBYCON1, Atlas would exhibit Project FF!
No one knew where the rumor started, but within a week, it was almost common knowledge.
If he could just get a ticket to KBYCON, he could finally see the game codenamed Project FF!
However, the SF Convention wasn't selling tickets to the public. There were only two ways to get in:
First, obtain an invitation letter from the organizers.
Second, SF members could bring guests—friends, family, or even a dog.
Not all magazines and reporters were as lucky as Kadokawa Game Magazine, which had received an invitation from Atlas. Osaka Game News reporter Ando Takashi wasn't so fortunate.
Though the newspaper had a grand-sounding name, it had only been founded less than two months ago, so it was only natural he wouldn't receive an invitation.
But that didn't matter. Ando Takashi had already learned through personal connections that there was an SF Convention member in Osaka!
After waiting for several days, he finally cornered a member one morning—someone who hadn't slept all night and was out buying breakfast.
"Excuse me! I'm Ando Takashi, a reporter for Osaka Game News. I heard you're an SF Convention member—"
Before he could finish, the member cut him off: "No way!"
Ando Takashi was shocked. "I haven't even finished speaking!"
"No means no. I'm taking my girlfriend this year and won't be bringing anyone else. You're not the first to ask me."
Ando Takashi quickly said, "But I heard you can bring someone other than your girlfriend?"
The member shrugged. "Then it has to be a pet."
A pet...
Ando Takashi pondered this for a moment, then suddenly shouted:
Woof woof woof woof woof!
He was a dog!
He had to get into this year's SF Convention somehow!
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