Kobayashi Tetsu's two-week overseas vacation had come to an end.
The Great Barrier Reef had been wonderful, and the swimsuits were too. It had been a trip well worth taking.
Back at his post, Kobayashi Tetsu resumed his usual routine.
Naka Yuji was reporting on the latest developments.
"The sequels to Final Fantasy and Megami Tensei are both complete. We're now pushing forward with the promotional campaigns. One is primarily targeting overseas markets, while the other will focus on Japan. Kojima-kun is still working on Metal Gear, with an estimated completion time of about two months."
At this point, Naka Yuji paused, stealing a glance at the deadpan Kobayashi Tetsu and Takamine Aika, who stood at attention behind him.
Her women's suit was clean and crisp, yet Naka Yuji sensed an unusual atmosphere.
Sigh.
Naka Yuji sighed inwardly.
Poor Koyakawa was completely at the mercy of her wicked President.
He shook his head slightly and continued, "The recruitment preparations are complete. We can start hiring whenever needed. At the very least, candidates must have a degree from a top university in Japan."
Kobayashi Tetsu raised his hand in a downward press. Before he could even speak, Naka Yuji seemed to understand: "Are you saying we should keep them grounded? It's true, graduates from top universities can easily become arrogant."
"I'm not saying we should keep them grounded! I'm saying you can lower your requirements a bit," Kobayashi Tetsu said. "Making games is all about creativity, but what we need to do next requires obedience. Ability is more important than academic credentials. After all, you yourself are a high school dropout."
Many famous game producers had only a high school education, or even failed to complete high school—just like Naka Yuji.
If the recruitment standards were set so high, they would likely never find people like that.
Naka Yuji nodded repeatedly. "President, you're truly far-sighted! I never considered such a long-term perspective."
Kobayashi Tetsu resisted the urge to punch him.
Stop with the awkward flattery! He praised everything the President did, just like a mindless compliment machine.
"Enough with the pleasantries," Kobayashi Tetsu said. "It's been two weeks. Have you chosen a successor for First Development Division?"
Naka Yuji's expression immediately turned serious. "Actually, I think Kojima-kun is a good fit. He's creative, he has a vision, and while he's not the best at playing games, he has a track record of success. That gives him the authority to lead Department 1. More importantly, while he has a reputation, it's not yet solidified. He needs Department 1 to continue developing Metal Gear. This means he lacks the clout to completely dominate the staff, yet he's also dependent on the division's cooperation."
Naka Yuji had thought this through carefully. Hideo Kojima had a history of jumping ship! What if he finished Metal Gear and then ran off the moment Konami said a few words to him?
Kobayashi Tetsu considered this. The candidate was acceptable. After all, First Development Division had been formed after Second Division, but it had still produced many well-known titles. Someone with too little experience wouldn't be able to command full respect from the staff.
On the other hand, precisely because he couldn't command absolute authority, the stability of Department 1 could be ensured. He wouldn't be so easily poached with a few well-placed words.
But Kobayashi Tetsu didn't plan to let Hideo Kojima hold onto Development Division 1 for long.
Hideo Kojima's personal style was too unique. Whether it was P.T. or Death Stranding, which he would later produce, they were styles that simply didn't fit into the mainstream. It would be best to kick Kojima out and form a separate studio, completely severing ties with Atlas headquarters to prevent any confusion in production styles.
"We'll discuss Kojima-kun's matter later. When you leave, remember to call Iwata Satoru in."
He didn't need to explain much to Iwata Satoru; he had already mostly sorted out the situation within Division 2.
"Endo-kun has already returned from his collaboration with Sega. With works like Demon Tower and Final Fantasy under his belt, coupled with his considerable tenure at Atlas and his experience working with Division 2, I believe Endo-kun is suitable to take over the development work for Division 2."
Kobayashi Tetsu nodded.
This candidate was much more suitable than Hideo Kojima. Masanobu Endo did have the ability to manage a game development department.
At this point, Satoru Iwata suddenly lowered his gaze submissively and presented the documents he had prepared. Takamine Aika stepped out from behind the desk, took the documents, and handed them to Kobayashi Tetsu.
Kobayashi Tetsu flipped through them casually and set them aside.
"I won't bother reading this. Just tell me what it's all about."
"Yes, sir. I would like to recommend someone for the future Atlas Technical Development Department. But this person is a bit special; if we try to recruit him directly, he won't come. He is currently pursuing his PhD at Tokyo Tech. He is an alumnus of mine from there, and he has made significant achievements in both hardware development and software programming."
Iwata continued, "His name is Satoshi Matsuoka. Back when Development Division 2 was still the HAL Laboratory, he helped us out a few times. Although our interactions became less frequent later on—and we no longer relied on his help due to the confidentiality of our development work—the two of us have maintained a personal relationship."
Kobayashi Tetsu's hand jerked, and he nearly threw the documents straight out the window.
Satoshi Matsuoka, Iwata's junior at Tokyo Tech... Doing the math, when Matsuoka graduated from Tokyo Tech, Kobayashi Tetsu had only taken over HAL for less than a year.
Matsuoka Satoshi had many impressive achievements, such as being a visiting professor at Tokyo Tech and holding a PhD in information engineering.
But his most brilliant achievement was serving as the chief architect and director of Tokyo Tech's supercomputer, "TSUBAME." This supercomputer ranked among the top in the world.
Later, Matsuoka Satoshi participated in a national-level project in Japan, overseeing the construction of the "Fugaku" supercomputer. For several years after its successful completion, Fugaku was the fastest supercomputer globally, firmly ranking first among the 500 supercomputers involved in the testing.
It could be said that while Matsuoka Satoshi was not a game producer, he was indeed a technical genius.
A truly exceptional one at that.
"Wo Long and Feng Chou" had later become a derogatory term, but now, if Kobayashi Tetsu were to say it, the two Satorus—Matsuoka Satoshi and Iwata Satoru—together were the true Wo Long and Feng Chou.
The kind of talent that, if acquired, could bring peace to the entire world.
One would later become the head of the giant company Nintendo, while the other became a national treasure-level scientist of Japan.
Kobayashi Tetsu stood up.
He had to recruit this SSR-tier talent—immediately, right now. If the man refused, Kobayashi Tetsu was prepared to use force.
He would beat Matsuoka Satoshi to his knees and drag him back to Atlas as a happy slave!
After finishing his report, Iwata Satoru couldn't help but lean back in surprise. He never expected Kobayashi Tetsu to show such an insatiable eagerness for talent!
In truth, Iwata Satoru had only made an internal recommendation and hadn't fully expected Kobayashi Tetsu to secure the candidate. Yet now, Kobayashi Tetsu was pursuing him with such blatant intensity.
"President, Matsuoka-kun is still working on his doctoral degree. If we want to recruit him, we must act quickly. Based on my experience dealing with him, he will likely complete his degree and then be hired. If we're a step too late, he'll probably choose to work at Tokyo Tech."
That's a given, Kobayashi Tetsu thought.
Because after Matsuoka Satoshi earned his doctorate, he was hired directly by Tokyo Tech as a researcher. In fact, it was highly probable he had already been unofficially promised a position there.
Kobayashi Tetsu wasn't certain he could secure the man, but even if it was just a chance, he had to make contact! If he truly managed to sign Matsuoka Satoshi, the possibilities for the future would be endless!
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