Chapter 65: And So, the Legend Begins...
A few days later...
Having completed our schedule in the United States, Gunpei-san and I boarded a flight to Japan. Ellis and Yamashita bid us farewell until the very end. Even Wilson-san waved with a bright smile until we left the departure area.
"I thought we had a month to spare, but it passed by so quickly," Ellis remarked.
"Well, the response from gamers in the US was quite positive, wasn't it? I have high hopes for the official release," Gunpei replied.
"Didn't you mention that to Gunpei-san? The release date for Psych Battle is set," I added.
"What? When is it?" Gunpei asked.
"It's on February 10th."
"What?! We arrive in Japan just three days later? No, even more importantly, if it's on February 10th..."
The subtitle of Dragon Warrior 3 was "And So, A Legend Begins..." It was a title that would truly devour the sales of Dragon Warrior 1 and 2.
"No matter how much we've promoted it, it seems unrealistic for Psych Battle, a new IP, to compete. It's bound to affect the sales," Ellis said.
"It's fine. Mass production isn't possible due to the special chips in Psych Battle. But that also brings some advantages," Gunpei explained.
"Advantages in not being able to satisfy consumer demand?" Ellis asked.
"It's like a desire for something you can't have, even if you have the money," Gunpei replied.
Indeed, instead of selling something that anyone could play with money, why not sell something that people couldn't obtain even if they had the money, just like the "Honey Butter Chips" that shook the entire country before the time slip to 1983.
February 10, 1988, Wednesday. Inside the subway heading to Akihabara, Tokyo...
To ordinary people, it was just another day, but for gamers, today was a very special day, eagerly awaited for the release of Dragon Warrior. Among the children going to school, one or two out of ten concealed their presence on their way to school, and even the diligent office workers had taken the day off on February 10.
Even the company employees who looked like they were on their way to work had been glancing at their wristwatches repeatedly and checking the route map, appearing to be deep in thought.
"Should I go to Akihabara right now and buy Dragon Warrior 3?"
"What if I go after work and it's sold out?"
"No, the quantity should be sufficient."
"But didn't 2 sell out on the first day of release?"
"Maybe they prepared more for 3?"
"What if I go to Akihabara right now, buy the game, and then go to work?"
"Can I buy it as soon as I arrive?"
I chuckled as I watched the men on the train, lost in their thoughts, and leaned back in my seat. Then, Shige, who was sitting next to me, spoke up.
"Hey, aren't you nervous at all?"
"About what?"
"Your game, Psych Battle, is also being released today."
"Oh, right."
"Is that all you've got to say? Why are you so indifferent? Have you already given up on competing with Dragon Warrior 3?"
"Of course not. Psych Battle has a rather unique promotional approach, so I'm not expecting much in terms of sales on the first day."
Kumamoto Shige's Super Marigi 3 had been delayed until the autumn of 1988.
I had declared a sales competition between my Psych Battle and Dragon Warrior 3, but it seemed there were quite a few issues on the technical side due to my peculiar artisan spirit. Anyway, I hadn't really cared about Shige's bet from the beginning, so it didn't matter either way. It was a bit of a lackluster ending, though.
So, I decided to advance the release date of Psych Battle to coincide with Dragon Warrior 3. Of course, there was some opposition initially, but my pride as a game developer kicked in, and I wanted to challenge the legendary title of Japan's national RPG game.
A little later, as the train that carried us arrived at Akihabara, something strange happened.
There were no schools nearby, yet boys in school uniforms were pouring out. As the open train doors closed, one of the salarymen, who had been pondering in front of the open train doors, squeezed through as they were closing, and a few others followed him before quickly descending the stairs.
"Could it be that everyone is here for Dragon Warrior 3...?"
"Should we go down and see?"
With a sense of wonder, we exited Akihabara Station, and the square in front of the station was teeming with a massive crowd.
"Wow... isn't today a weekday? Why are there so many people!?"
"Y-Yeah."
Long lines stretched in front of the game stores around the station. The title music of Dragon Warrior continued to play from the store's speakers, creating a festive atmosphere.
At that moment, a female reporter, who looked like a news journalist, was reporting on the current situation in Akihabara while pointing a camera at herself.
"The release date of Dragon Warrior 3, which was released as a family game for Mintendo and gained great popularity, is approaching. Right now, Tokyo's Akihabara is bustling with many people, even though it's a weekday. Many students in school uniforms are waiting in front of the stores for the game to be released. Moreover, you can see many office workers as well. Let's try to have a brief interview with someone."
However, it seemed that no one wanted to be on TV, as they were avoiding the microphone like criminals. Why would anyone be embarrassed to buy a game? Oh, maybe they played hooky from school or work, and they're worried they'll appear on the news?
The female reporter, finding no one willing to be interviewed, began to look around awkwardly. Then, she suddenly spotted Shige and me and stared in our direction. At that moment, Shige, who had been standing by my side, muttered to himself.
"Wow... that reporter is really pretty. She's my type."
"Excuse me! You two are office workers, aren't you!?"
Huh? Is she trying to interview us right now?
My prediction was right on the money. The reporter waved to the cameraman filming her and started running towards us.
In an unexpected turn of events, Shige blushed and yelled at me.
"Hey! Let's run away!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Huh? Well, you see, that camera is trying to film us."
"What's wrong with being filmed?"
Actually, it's a great opportunity for us, isn't it?
"Hello. I'm Katsuragi Misato from Fuji TV. Could you please spare a moment for an interview?"
The moment I heard her name, I almost burst into laughter.
With looks like that, your name is Katsuragi Misato... If it's 1995, you might become immensely popular...
"Excuse me? Could you do the interview..."
"Yes? If you want an interview, my colleague right here..."
As I turned my head, I noticed that Shige had somehow blended into the crowd far away and was looking at me.
Hey, is this Dragon Ball or teleportation or something?
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