Afterwards.
Nishi Kazuhiko, the president of ASCII Corporation, took the initiative to call Nintendo's president, Yamauchi Hiroshi, and invited him to dinner together.
Although he was extremely dissatisfied with the actions of "Famitsu" under their banner, Yamauchi Hiroshi still accepted his invitation.
During dinner, Yamauchi Hiroshi kept a sullen face the entire time, neither touching his chopsticks nor drinking, just sitting there, making the atmosphere extremely stiff.
Seeing his expression, Nishi Kazuhiko couldn't help but smile bitterly inside.
President Yamauchi truly lives up to his reputation as the tyrant of the gaming industry; this sense of atmosphere is truly terrifying. It seems that "Famitsu" giving "Patema Inverted" a perfect score this time has really, thoroughly angered this formidable president.
Because of changing "Famitsu" from "Famicom Tsūshin" to its more commonly used abbreviation "Famitsu" previously, the relationship with Nintendo was already very tense, and this time it is estimated to have directly hit rock bottom.
The reason for angering Hiroshi Yamauchi by changing the name was this: The original Famicom Tsūshin was clearly equivalent to reporting on Nintendo's console games, but after changing it to Famitsu, the magazine began reviewing many games for Sega and NEC platforms. For Famitsu, expanding the scope of their reviews also expanded their influence, but for Nintendo, it meant that not only were they promoting Nintendo, they were also promoting Nintendo's enemies. Hiroshi Yamauchi was very sensitive to this, which is why he had previously expressed his dissatisfaction with Famitsu many times. Fortunately, Famitsu later gave many Nintendo games high scores, and with their influence gradually increasing, Yamauchi did not make an issue of it. This was not the first time Kazuhiko Nishi had dealt with someone of Yamauchi's stature; he had also had many dealings with Bill Gates, and he basically knew all the giants of the major game companies in the Japanese industry. Kazuhiko Nishi put on a smiling face, yet his expression remained composed. "President Yamauchi, I have come to explain the matter regarding this perfect score in Famitsu to you."
Hiroshi Yamauchi scowled, his chin tilted upward. "There's no need. How your publication decides to rate games is your business, but whether that rating is objective and fair is for the players and the market to judge."
"President Yamauchi."
Kazuhiko Nishi smiled. "Objectivity and fairness are the cornerstones of Famitsu. For us, credibility is more important than life itself. Precisely because of this, I respect the judgments of our editors."
"Although our editors are individuals with their own ideas, they have a deep understanding of games, and their aesthetic sensibilities are closer to those of the average player. Since Famitsu launched the 'Platinum Hall of Fame' section, we have treated almost every game with the utmost seriousness. It is precisely because of this that our players trust us."
Hiroshi Yamauchi felt a nameless rage boiling inside him, but he had nowhere to vent it. He just stared intensely at the young man in front of him.
Good grief, he thought. I expected that since you invited me to dinner, you were here specifically to apologize and make amends. To think you could be so unyielding—refusing to admit you were wrong at all, right?
In fact, that was exactly what Kazuhiko Nishi was thinking.
"President Yamauchi, if I may speak frankly, it is precisely because the first perfect-score game was not produced by Nintendo that it better reflects your value, and it also helps establish Famitsu's image as impartial in the eyes of the players."
"Nintendo's games are there for all to see; you are leaders in the industry, practically sweeping the sales charts every year. This shows that players recognize your company's games."
"But even so, if we were to give the very first perfect score to Nintendo, there would inevitably be some negative rumors. Players might think that we are influenced by Nintendo, or that there was some sort of deal, which wouldn't be good."
Yamauchi Hiroshi was stunned, his eyes wide.
What kind of logic was this?
"So, Nintendo's games don't deserve it? As long as our game gets a perfect score, it will be criticized by players?!"
Yamauchi Hiroshi sneered.
"President Yamauchi, please let me finish," Nishi Kazuhiko explained in a gentle tone, "Once the first perfect-score game appears, if Nintendo's future games are of high enough quality, receiving a perfect score will naturally be accepted by the players."
"Currently, the game 'Patema Inverted' is quite excellent in terms of its own quality and various other aspects. Players have their own yardstick in their hearts."
"Giving it a perfect score would at least set a fine milestone, while also avoiding awkwardness between us and your company. It would further highlight the impartiality and fairness of Famitsu and Nintendo. In terms of public reputation, it's actually a win-win-win result."
"What do you think?"
Kazuhiko Nishi asked tentatively.
Hiroshi Yamauchi remained silent, his face gloomy.
Since you've put it this way, what else is there for me to say?
Who wants a "win-win-win" with Pokeni?
Nintendo is Nintendo, unique and unparalleled, the absolute pinnacle of the entire gaming industry.
Actually, Yamauchi didn't care all that much about whether the first perfect-score game was Nintendo's; at least if it were a game from Square or Namco, that would be fine.
As long as it wasn't Sega, Sony, or Pokeni, Yamauchi wouldn't be this furious about any other game company.
He was certainly angry, but for Famitsu to bestow the honor of the first perfect-score game upon his enemy made Yamauchi feel humiliated.
It was no different from a hard slap in the face.
However, one thing was certain: once he returned, he would thoroughly experience this Pokeni game to see if it was truly as good as they claimed.
"If it fails to live up to its reputation, I doubt Famitsu's ratings will be enough to convince the players, will they? In that case, I'll come back and settle this score with you!"
Since Nishi Kazuhiko had explained things clearly, there was no need for Yamauchi Hiroshi to keep things so tense with them. Since they were both already there, they calmly finished their meal.
Just as they were about to stand up and leave, Nishi Kazuhiko called out to Yamauchi.
"President Yamauchi!"
"Hm?" Yamauchi turned back. "Is there something else, President Nishi?"
"Well..."
Nishi hesitated, leaving his words unsaid.
In reality, he wanted to warn Yamauchi that, as the hegemon of the gaming industry, he might have become somewhat detached from reality. If he failed to see the potential dangers and understand the future market, it was quite possible that he could lose his dominant position.
Moreover, Nishi had an incredibly strong premonition that Nintendo's era of dominance would not last much longer.
But he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
After all, President Yamauchi didn't have a very good impression of him at the moment, and continuing to say such things would only cause him trouble and anger Hiroshi Yamauchi, with no apparent benefit.
Furthermore, for some reason, deep down, Kazuhiko Nishi felt a faint sense of anticipation.
He was anticipating the day Yamauchi would step down, or rather, anticipating the day he would see the future king.
The gaming industry is ever-changing; it really is quite fascinating.
For a gaming magazine like Famitsu, having news might be an even better thing.
Since that was the case, he had nothing more to say.
So, Kazuhiko Nishi smiled and gestured with his hand, "No, it's nothing. Have a safe trip, and please don't forget your personal belongings."
Hiroshi Yamauchi was taken aback. Just that?
However, he still gave a slight nod and said expressionlessly:
"Oh, thank you for the reminder."
***
And the facts were indeed as Nishi Kazuhiko had said.
Because of Famitsu's impartial rating, coupled with the massive sensational effect caused by the fact that the first perfect-score game was not from Nintendo, it directly triggered an earthquake in the gaming industry.
Famitsu's sales volume also doubled directly.
Many people who were originally not very concerned about games started to get in on the gossip.
"What?! The first perfect-score game is actually not Nintendo's?"
"This shouldn't be, does Famitsu not want to stay in business? Wouldn't this offend Yamauchi Hiroshi?"
"Who knows? Is there a possibility that President Yamauchi isn't that petty and doesn't care about this kind of thing at all?"
"But no matter how much he doesn't care, gamers will still question it, right? The first perfect-score game isn't from Nintendo."
"What does it matter? As long as Nintendo can have a perfect-score game in the future, it'll be fine."
"What kind of game is so amazing? It's simply jaw-dropping. I really have to experience it for myself."
"Go buy a copy of Famitsu; it's not expensive. Let's see how they rated it."
Quite a few people gave Famitsu very positive and enthusiastic reviews.
"That's great, I really didn't misjudge this magazine. Famitsu truly lives up to its reputation as our spokesperson for gamers."
"To be able to withstand the pressure from Nintendo and the fury of Nintendo fans, Famitsu is truly remarkable."
"By comparison, Tokuma Shoten's 'Fami-Maga' is a bit soft. It always reports positive news about Nintendo—not that Nintendo's games aren't good, but it gets tiresome after a while. 'Fami-Maga' acts like a mouthpiece for Nintendo."
"I originally thought Famitsu was the same kind of magazine, too afraid to offend Nintendo, which is why I used to prefer reading 'Gorotsu'. But this time, I was truly, genuinely shocked by the integrity of the Famitsu editors. Their impartial actions have given me a whole new perspective on Famitsu."
"Indeed. A gaming magazine that can judge fairly and impartially, genuinely filter out good games from the players' perspective, and is uninhibited, refusing to be swayed by capital or power, is truly rare."
"Mm-hmm, I'm going to go buy a copy right now."
"Honestly, I'm completely convinced by Famitsu giving Pokeni's new title a perfect score this time. I've played 'Patema Inverted', and it deserves the accolade. I even think that after this game was awarded a perfect score, it effectively set a benchmark for the entire gaming industry. That standard is incredibly hard to reach, and any future game hoping for a perfect score will be compared to it. Personally, I'd love to see more and more perfect-score titles. At the very least, it means there will be more exciting and stunning games in the future."
***
Yamauchi Hiroshi truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this result.
On one hand, Famitsu's sales had surged. Regardless of whether "Patema Inverted" had reached the heights Yamauchi had envisioned, it at least proved one thing: players accepted Famitsu's scoring.
Furthermore, precisely because the first perfect score didn't go to a Nintendo game, the magazine's credibility had increased significantly.
Based on this, Yamauchi could infer that Nishi Kazuhiko hadn't been exaggerating.
What made him even more uncomfortable was that players' favorable impression of Nintendo had actually increased. They didn't think President Yamauchi was a stingy person, nor did they believe Nintendo was a terrifying company that would exert its power and influence over gaming magazines.
Instead, it had improved Yamauchi's image in the eyes of the public.
This was something he hadn't foreseen and even found quite embarrassing.
But well...
Yamauchi smiled wryly.
It was a mix of joy and sorrow, but from the results, it wasn't as bad as he had imagined. As for whether Pokeni's "Patema Inverted" was truly a perfect game, that no longer seemed so important.
***
It was bittersweet. From the results, things weren't as bad as he had imagined, and as for whether Pokeni's Patema Inverted was a perfect score or not, it didn't seem that important anymore.
***
Meanwhile, at Pokeni, the office was absolutely buzzing. The scene was incredibly heated.
"Huh?! A perfect score?!"
"That's just too amazing, isn't it?"
Upon seeing the latest Famitsu new game review scores, the colleagues at the company looked at Mikami Shinji and Gen Urobuchi with newfound respect.
"Mikami-san, Patema Inverted got a perfect score! You guys are too good, aren't you?"
"Exactly, exactly. I never imagined that the first Famitsu perfect score game would come from our company."
"I have to say, it really was made exceptionally well."
"Although Mikami is still quite young, he's already quite an incredible producer. Who knows, maybe many big companies will try to poach you in the future," Akanishi Ken joked.
"No, no. That's impossible." Mikami Shinji blushed from all the praise. "This time was just good luck. Besides, no matter what, this game was actually the President's idea; we just followed his instructions to make it."
"Not to mention..." Mikami Shinji frowned. "Akanishi-senpai, please don't say things like that, okay? I've intended to dedicate my entire life to Pokeni from the very beginning..."
"Furthermore..."
Mikami Shinji frowned. "Akanishi-senpai, please don't say such things, okay? I have intended to dedicate my life to Pokeni from the very beginning. As long as the President still needs me, I will continue to work for this company."
"Hahaha, just kidding, just a joke."
After praising Mikami, Akanishi Ken turned around and showered Gen Urobuchi with compliments as well. "Wada-san, you too. This game... if any link had been missing, or if there had been even a single weak point, it wouldn't have been able to achieve a perfect score. Your script, Gen Urobuchi, has certainly made a name for itself. It really is a perfect game. You are all amazing!"
Gen Urobuchi stood there, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Naturally, he was happy to be praised.
However, this game was almost too perfect, to the point of feeling imperfect. After all, the creative concept for the game script hadn't come from him, and every time he was praised for it, he couldn't help but blush.
***
"Hmm, the company's atmosphere is really quite nice." Little HR, Ayase Akane, couldn't help but smile knowingly as she took in the scene.
She glanced at Aoki Haruhi inside the president's office and said happily, "President, we got our first Famitsu perfect score."
"Hmm." Aoki Haruhi nodded, looking quite calm on the outside, but panicking on the inside.
Damn it, getting a perfect score is a good thing, but doesn't this just make us a target?
We'll definitely be envied in the future, and Yamauchi Hiroshi will look at me even less favorably.
"Ayase-san?"
"Hmm?" Ayase Akane blinked.
"Help me book a restaurant," Aoki Haruhi said.
"Got it." Ayase Akane felt a surge of excitement, "Something this important definitely calls for a celebration, right?"
"Huh?" Aoki Haruhi paused, "Not really. If the members of the Patema Inverted project team want to have a celebration banquet, they can charge it to the company account. But I have something else I need to do right now."
"Eh?" Ayase Akane blinked, completely confused.
"Help me call Famitsu's Editor-in-Chief, Hamamura Hirokazu, and tell him I'd like to invite him to dinner."
What is this called?
It's called returning the favor.
Since Famitsu gave us a perfect score, we naturally can't keep giving them the cold shoulder; we need to strengthen our relationship.
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