1988 Retro Game Tycoon - Chapter 115



Only Noblemtl

Episode 115 – Two Fists

A few days after returning home, I received a fax from Sega.

This was a design draft for various promotional materials such as rompack and package, magazine advertisement, and poster.

“If there is anything that particularly bothers you or that needs to be revised, please let me know. I will do my best to reflect it.”

There was no internet, but it wasn’t too bad to work there since there was no time difference with Tokyo, Japan.

Since Sega was in charge of publishing, all decisions regarding package design and promotional methods were theirs.

If they had just notified us later that it would be like this, we would have nothing to say, but fortunately, Director Nishikawa was there, so we were able to look into it in advance before proceeding.

Looking at the images, it seems that they were in such a hurry that they didn’t have time to draw anything new, so most of the images we gave them were used as is.

The title of the Japanese version was also confirmed as without any changes. Only the Japanese title was redesigned.

The poster had a black frame to give it a Mega Drive feel, and the two logos, “SEGA” and “STARbit,” were prominently displayed at the bottom.

The moment I saw the poster design, my heart suddenly sank.

It was just a logo printed on a fax image, but my emotions were instantly stirred.

It’s really happening now. This isn’t a dream.

He spent his entire life struggling to make a console game, but ended up getting hit by a truck and dying without ever accomplishing anything.

After waking up again, a year later, we joined hands with Sega to release a game.

It was just a fax, but it was full of my dreams.

“What’s going on with our MSX ?”

In Japan, is scheduled to be released on Mega Drive, but unfortunately, it cannot be officially released in Korea.

It is not compatible with the Geumboy imported by Oseong Electronics. Korean gamers will have to wait a few more years to play on Mega Drive.

It’s an ironic situation where Korean games can’t be enjoyed in Korean homes, but instead, the 8-bit team is porting them.

“I’ve gotten to Stage 1. I’m really working hard, but it’s still lacking compared to arcade games…”

Even before 8-bit team captain Jeong Byeong-cheol showed the game, he was sweating profusely.

“Shall we take a look first?”

I sat down in front of the MSX computer for the first time in a long time. There was still only one character, Kim Do-kwon.

Since the intro screen and such hadn’t been created yet, the game started right away in a bar.

I played the game by connecting a Gemix pad to my MSX computer, but since there were only two buttons, I had to press them simultaneously to jump.

“Hmm? The movements are better than I expected.”

“Last time, when I was making a Mario game, I almost had a headache because of the movement… What Ji-seok left behind helped me a lot at that time.”

Captain Jeong said, scratching his head.

It seems like Jiseok has sown his seeds here.

It was easy to make mistakes when jumping, but this is unavoidable due to the structure of the Gemix. The new Gemix Mega V also only had two buttons on the pad.

“The graphics are a bit disappointing, but considering it’s 8-bit, it’s still great.”

“Oh, really? That’s great. But I think the number of enemies that can appear at the same time will only be half that of the original.”

“That’s a structural limitation, so there’s nothing we can do about it. Please exaggerate the action scenes a bit more so that they don’t look too empty. I’ll refer to what I did for the Mega Drive and polish it up a bit to fit this.”

As the game took a step down to an 8-bit platform, it was inevitable that it would deteriorate in many ways.

The most disappointing thing about the graphics is the background.

The original was able to use two overlapping background images to express the distant and close-up views separately.

It was possible to achieve a natural look by leaving the wall as is and only moving the trees and clouds in the background, but it was difficult to express this feeling on MSX, which just laid down background tiles.

“But the bigger problem is the capacity. I only made Stage 1 for Kim Do-kwon, and it’s already filling up an entire ROM pack… I think I’ll have to shorten the game somehow.”

When I made it for Mega Drive, I had a hard time cramming it into 5 mega, so you can imagine how much harder it must have been.

“You can do up to 3 megabytes, so try to make it as similar as possible. You might have to raise the price a bit, but you can’t release a half-baked game, right?”

There are some things that had to be given up when porting to 8-bit, but the fun of the original game had to be preserved as much as possible.

The background graphics could have been a lot better if the art team had just a little more work done, but the character designs and animations were honestly so good that there wasn’t much to improve on.

It’s to the point where you wonder if this team was originally this good.

“It’s a lot easier now that I have the original source code. The monitor is bigger than before. And most of all, I feel more comfortable. I really enjoy working these days. Ah, making games is this much fun. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve had that thought.”

The 8-bit team members were still somewhat timid. They were cautious in their actions and even looked around when asking questions to others.

It will still take some time for them to fully integrate into our company, but at least in terms of performance, they are doing their part.

The problem, however, was the price of the game.

As game capacity increases, more ROM chips must be used, which increases production costs and game prices.

Even if you get 30,000 won for a 3-mega ROM pack, it won’t be enough. No matter how much Accounting Manager Song calculated on his abacus, he couldn’t come up with an answer below 20,000 won.

The price of the Gemix Mega V is not cheap. If the price of the game is also expensive, it would be difficult to guarantee success for not only Gemix Mega V but also MSX .

Although 8-bit porting is more about service than business, it still hurts if you work hard on something and it doesn’t sell.

“Then there is only one way.”

I went to Zeu Electronics with a game that was still unfinished.

And he showed the game and suggested a bundle game.

“As requested, we are making on MSX 2+, but because of the large capacity, it is difficult to lower the price. If it continues like this, both Gemix Mega V and us will not be able to avoid difficulties. I think the only solution is a bundle game.”

“But the 25,000 won per unit you suggested is a bit of a burden. We also spent a lot of money on research and development for Mega V…”

“That’s why you should bundle even more. If this game isn’t included in the bundle, it will be very difficult for Gemix Mega V to succeed. We won’t be able to properly recoup all that research and development money.”

“Hmm···.”

“The most popular game in arcades nationwide right now is . I still get postcards every day asking when it will be released on Gemix. I can guarantee that Gemix Mega V would be much more effective if it were bundled with than if it were advertised on TV. Of course, it would be better if they did both.”

“That is certainly true, but···.”

None of the people at Jewoo Electronics could refute what I said.

I could see the suffering of office workers in them.

They wanted to do it too, but the pressure of the budget, the pressure of reporting, and the pressure of approval were baring their teeth in front of them.

“Then, please give me a discount of just 10%…”

“Buy 100,000 copies or more in a bundle. Then I’ll give you a 10% discount.”

For me, it was more profitable to make sales through a bundle contract than to take a risk on the unknown future of the Gemix Mega V.

Jewoo Electronics seemed to have a hard time making a decision, but eventually accepted my proposal.

“Sir! I’ll buy 100,000 bundles! But please hurry up with the development so that we can release it by November at the latest. Before the end of the year, we need to spread out the game consoles all over the country and compete with Oseong and Hyunmyeong.”

“Okay, we’ll try our best to get things done.”

The deadline is November.

Then it would almost overlap with the time when was released in Japan.

I relayed the decision to the 8-bit team to bundle Gemix Mega V and gave them a deadline.

“Until November? Then there are only a few weeks left?”

“Yes, so we have to hurry. We will prepare the package work in advance to save time. From now on, I will also look at the code, so we can check it while making it.”

The deadline was tighter than expected, so I decided to get involved with the 8-bit team’s work. I should have done code reviews like the other teams anyway, but I couldn’t do it because I was busy porting the Mega Drive.

I conducted an interview with a gaming magazine that I had scheduled in advance.

Big news about the export of to Japan and news about the development of MSX 2+.

From the magazine’s perspective, it was like two bombs had gone off at once.

“Huh? You’re selling it in Japan? You mean our Korean games?”

“Yes, it may be hard to believe, but we are planning to export to the United States next year.”

I showed the fax from Sega to the magazine reporter, who looked like he could not believe it.

How could I not be surprised? In 1989, Sega published a Korean game and sold it in the gaming kingdom of Japan.

I told the reporter the story, edited appropriately, from the story of a Sega executive who visited Korea and proposed a port to the company, to the story of going to Sega to give a demonstration, and developing a port in a month.

The fact that was sold in Japan was already shocking, but the story of its release was as if it was made up, just like a movie.

“Ha… I was anxiously waiting for the special feature because they said it was big news, but this is really really big news! The special feature title is perfect. , taking down the Japanese archipelago!”

The reporter was so excited that he was spouting off words in a flurry of dialects, and his hands were busy scribbling notes.

While I was interviewing an excited reporter, almost as if trying to appease him, I received a call from Sega.

– Japanese release date confirmed: Saturday, November 25th

And by some coincidence, I received a call from Jewoo Electronics at almost the same time.

“Sir, the release date for the Jemix Mega V has been set for Friday, November 24th. Please make sure it goes smoothly.”

It really is like this.

On November 24th and 25th, 1989, the console version of was released in Korea and Japan, one day apart.

But, what a twist of fate.

If I remember correctly, Capcom will release Final Fight on November 25th, the Japanese release date.

We’re going to end up clashing, but I didn’t know it would be this head-on.

The day has come when the game I made will not only receive favorable reviews from people, but will also go head-to-head with the games of my memories.

Actually, I never thought I would definitely win .

Because I’m not making games to eat up my memories.

The fact itself is overwhelming, and it is an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to avoid the fight.

I can only look forward to a wonderful showdown with my memories.

***

Magazine editorial department located in Tokyo.

Editor Kato was extremely annoyed.

Because Sega made ridiculous demands.

“No, the November issue is due soon, and you’re suddenly asking if you can change the cover? What are you talking about? Didn’t you say anything at the beginning of the month?”

“That’s a bit of a problem. We have a game coming out at the end of November, and it’s really great. If you try it, I think you’ll understand why we’re doing this.”

Although he said he understood and hung up the phone, Kato’s anger did not subside.

It seemed like Sega was ignoring him too much.

It is a magazine recently created by a Japanese software company, which is far removed from Japan’s representative publishing groups such as Kodansha, Shuiesha, and Shogakukan.

Compared to other famous magazines, there was nothing to boast about, such as the group’s history or tradition.

But that was also an advantage for them. In the rapidly evolving video game industry, not having a history or tradition to uphold meant they could change quickly without worrying about their own identity.

It is in the same context that, amidst all the video game magazines devoted to Nintendo games, it was possible to launch a magazine specializing in Mega Drive along with the release of Mega Drive.

If it’s a magazine owned by a traditional publisher, it’s hard to change course arbitrarily, even if it’s a video game magazine. However, Eun was able to do so at will.

When Sega released the Mega Drive, hoping to shake up the console market where 8-bit games were still the norm, Editor Kato felt a thrill of shock.

‘This can be done! It has to be done!’

Confident of success, Kato took a bold gamble to break away from being just another, nondescript magazine.

They transformed into a Mega Drive specialty magazine, but their performance has so far been lackluster.

This is because, let alone being a huge hit on the Mega Drive, the game itself was just a dud.

Maybe it was too hasty. After all, it was Nintendo that was the console.

Kato, who was regretting his decision, became even more excited when he suddenly received a call from Sega asking if he could change the cover.

Although they are a Mega Drive magazine, they are by no means a Sega publication.

It’s not like you can just flip the cover, which is the face of the magazine, over like the palm of your hand.

Even if we were part of a traditional publisher, I couldn’t help but wonder if Sega would treat us like this.

Still, Kato couldn’t help it.

If the relationship with Sega also goes wrong after he strongly insisted on changing the magazine’s direction, the magazine’s fate will be in jeopardy.

I couldn’t say no in front of Sega, the most important news source.

‘Let’s pretend to see what kind of game it is, but let’s say it can’t be done because of the deadline.’

Editor Kato, who had made up his mind before even meeting him, greeted the Sega Marketing Manager with a big smile when he showed up with game-related materials.

“Oh my, how did you come here in person, Manager?”

“It was so urgent that it had to be like this. Please forgive the rudeness, Editor-in-Chief.”

“No. But what game is it? Isn’t it a game that wasn’t in the original lineup?”

“Yes, but this was decided rather suddenly. Of course, it wasn’t completely sudden, but it was decided suddenly anyway. It’s not a game we developed, but a port of an arcade game for game centers.”

“An arcade game? What kind of game is it?”

“It’s a game called .”

“? , … I’m sorry, sir. I have no idea.”

“It can’t be helped. It’s a game developed in Korea.”

“Huh? Korea? Are you talking about the Korea across the sea?”

“That’s what happened.”

Looking at the manager’s laughing face, Editor Kato cursed inwardly.

‘No, there’s a limit to teasing people! You suddenly asked if I could change the cover and brought me a Korean game?’

Although he was furious inside, Editor Kato barely maintained a poker face and asked.

“But, do they make games in Korea too? This is the first time I’ve heard of that.”

“I just found out about it this time. But if you try it, you’ll probably be surprised.”

“Okay, then let’s give it a try first.”

Kato wondered if it was really necessary to try it, but since the manager had brought it himself, he couldn’t just send it back and say he would try it later.

Even if it was just a manager level, I would have just told him to go and tried calling him, but it was hard to do that when he became a manager or something.

“Then where···.”

Kato put the ROM pack into the Mega Drive sitting in the editorial office and turned it on.

The company logo and title screen appeared.

Up until here, everything was normal.

“There are four characters?”

I was about to start playing the game, listening to the game’s explanation in one ear and letting it go out the other, when I was a little surprised to see that there were four characters.

Kato chose a female character.

It was interesting that there was a female character in an action game, not a shooting game.

“oh?”

Kato, whose indifferent heart had turned slightly curious, let out a sound without realizing it as he watched Suzy tearing her skirt and taking out an umbrella as soon as she started.

As the game began in earnest, his eyes grew wide, his fingers became busy, and his heartbeat and pulse began to quicken.

“This game…? Why is it fun?”

While playing the game, Kato unknowingly confessed his true feelings to President Sega.

“That’s right. We still wonder how they made such a fun game in Korea.”

The Sega vice president rubbed his thick chin and watched the play with eyes that seemed to be looking at one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Behind them, magazine reporters began to gather one by one.

“Editor, what game is this? Has there ever been a game like this?”

“It looks so much fun.”

“Could it be a secret weapon that has been carefully hidden?”

Even though I kept dying, Kato was so much fun that I couldn’t stop playing and ended up watching it all the way to the ending.

Kato looked around at the gathered reporters and said.

“What game is this? This is the special game for this November issue. We’re going to change the cover. Get ready, everyone!”

“Huh? There are only a few days left until the deadline, Editor-in-Chief? From now?”

“Okay, from now on. There’s no time. Everyone, gather in the conference room right now!”

has no history or tradition.

This means that there is nothing that must be strictly observed and that it can be changed as needed.

The magazine’s direction is changing, so why can’t the cover and special features be changed?

From that night until the day the November issue was finalized, the office’s lights were always on late into the night.