1988 Retro Game Tycoon - Chapter 66



Only Noblemtl

Episode 66 – Mario’s Counterattack

In April 1989, AD Choi Han-il gradually adapted to the company and the development project progressed smoothly.

A tremendous storm was coming to the gaming world.

“Hey… Namjoon?”

“Oh, Geun-seok hyung. Did you bring it?”

“Yeah, here. It’s so popular that I barely managed to get it.”

“Thank you. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get it.”

Late in the afternoon, Yang Geun-seok came to the company and delivered some stuff. I called everyone in the company together.

“What is this, sir?”

I covered the box with a cloth. People were wandering around and wondering.

“Mr. Ancient Dragon, please take off the cloth.”

At my words, the most senior member of the developer group, the ancient dragon, pulled away the cloth like a magician.

There was a silver box. The box had a handheld game console drawn in bold lines.

“Nintendo Game Boy?”

“Nintendo has a new console?”

“It hasn’t been that long. It was only released in Japan, so I bought a few and brought them over.”

On April 21, 1989, Nintendo released the Game Boy, a handheld game console, in Japan. It was a handheld game console that left a huge mark on gaming history.

“Nintendo is very strong with the Famicom, but before that, they had the handheld game console ‘Game&Watch’. Nintendo is an absolute powerhouse in handheld game consoles as well. The Game&Watch is even still in production.”

I took out a few Game & Watches and placed them on the table together.

They were all different games and looked different.

The Game & Watch, which first came out in 1980, could only play games built into the device. So if you wanted to play other games, you had to buy another Game & Watch device.

“This is a Game & Watch port of Donkey Kong from 1982. Do you see the cross keys? The cross keys, which became the standard for game pads, were first developed by Nintendo in 1982.”

Before the advent of analog sticks that allowed you to move your thumb freely in any direction, cross-shaped directional pads were ubiquitous on gamepads back in the 16-bit console era.

Nintendo also implemented the cross keys into the Famicom, and the Famicom became a huge hit, and the cross keys became the standard thereafter.

Of course, it was Nintendo that first developed the analog stick that later replaced the cross keys.

Although the Nintendo 64 is remembered as a failed game console that was overshadowed by the PlayStation, it took game controllers to the next level by developing the analog stick.

Nintendo’s influence on the gaming world is this great.

Whether you’re a game maker or a gamer, you owe Nintendo a lot of technology and memories.

“Okay, so now let’s open the Game Boy box?”

I put on white cotton gloves as if I was filming a YouTube unboxing video, carefully opened the box, and took out the contents.

People were looking at it with reverence, as if they were viewing a sacred relic.

“This is the Game Boy···!”

I took the Game Boy, a light gray body with a green screen, out of the Styrofoam box and showed it to everyone.

The size that fits perfectly in your hand, the solid body, and the gently curved lower right corner make it easy to hold and are a design point.

The Game Boy was built to be so tough that it could survive being dropped from a moving truck, and it became a beloved console for a very, very, very long time.

With versions ranging from Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color, new games were released until 2003. It was a platform that lasted for over 10 years in the 90s, a time when technological advancements were rapid and competition was at its fiercest.

The Game Boy alone sold approximately 120 million units worldwide. It was the absolute powerhouse of portable gaming consoles that no one dared surpass until the Nintendo DS later broke this record.

“Okay, then let’s try playing the game ourselves?”

I put batteries in my Game Boy and played Super Mario Land, the first Mario title for the Game Boy. People crowded around me like a wall, looking at the tiny screen that was barely a hand’s length away.

Mario, as small as a fingernail, jumped around on the screen with soothing background music. The green screen had some afterimages, but it was easy on the eyes and good for playing the game.

Mario, controlled by the D-pad and the two A and B buttons, felt like one with me. Mario’s intuitiveness of jumping low with a short press of a button and jumping high with a long press remained unchanged even on a portable game console.

“Wow, even though they made such a small game console, Mario is still Mario.”

“That’s right. The background is a bit simple, but it’s just like Mario.”

“But why did you make it black and white? The screen is visible, but it’s a bit boring because it’s black and white.”

“That’s because of the batteries. Color LCDs are still too expensive and power-hungry. The Game Boy can run for over 35 hours on four AA batteries.”

Nintendo’s decision to release the Game Boy in black and white was never a matter of technological prowess. Rather, it was a confident strategic choice.

They’ve built a perfectly balanced portable gaming console that’s built to last, is durable, and isn’t too expensive, all based on thoroughly tested technology.

And the reason Nintendo was able to make that choice was because it already had so many popular game titles.

From the beginning, they were confident that they could release a game like , so they could release it in black and white as well. In addition, the Game Boy’s killer game was released in June.

Nintendo has had its ups and downs, but the reason they’ve been able to reign supreme in the video game market for over 40 years has always been because of their games.

And when Nintendo’s hardware matched Nintendo’s gaming philosophy exactly, they were invincible.

Now that I’m back in the 80s and playing Game Boy, it really hits home how scary Nintendo is and who I have to compete with now.

“Oh, there’s a baseball game too?”

“Want to play a baseball game? Take out another Game Boy over there.”

I took out another Game Boy and connected the two Game Boys using the communication cable that was in the box.

“Okay, this way two people can play a duel game.”

“Yes? It’s a portable game, but can two players play it?”

“Nintendo is really great.”

I played the Game Boy Baseball game with the Ancient Dragon Agent on the Game Boy connected by a communication cable. There were two teams, the American team and the Japanese team. The Super Mario characters, Mario and Wario, appeared as pitchers.

Because the Game Boy screen was small, baseball could only be played with minimal play, but the game was neat. It was more than enough to kill time with friends as a battle game.

We took turns playing the Game Boy and had serious discussions about it.

“How do you feel about playing the Nintendo Game Boy?”

“It’s a bit shocking. Even though it’s in black and white on such a small screen, it’s still so much fun.”

“I never imagined that a battle would be possible on a portable game console.”

“I’m so excited to think that I can carry this in my pocket and play games anywhere. I thought I could only play decent games at home.”

“While making , I kept thinking about how to make it more flashy, but when I saw the Game Boy, my mind was completely blown. I kept thinking, “Would it be fun to put what I’m making into a Game Boy?”

“ and Game Boy have different goals. However, I think it’s a good idea to assume that it’s being ported to Game Boy. Then, only the most basic aspects of the game should be left.”

“But, we don’t make portable game consoles?”

As soon as class was over, Ha Ji-seok, who was running to the company, asked me while listening to people’s conversation.

“We should. But not yet. We still don’t have enough games. We should start with arcade systems and consoles. Portables will come later.”

“Why? Nintendo started with Game & Watch, right? Instead of waiting until we’ve made the arcade and console, why don’t we just make a baseball game first?”

“huh?”

Ha Ji-seok gave a look of incomprehension through his thick glasses.

In his hands he held a Game Boy and a Game & Watch.

“We also have a baseball game, right? I think it would be good to make like a Game & Watch and sell it. If we also make it possible to play against each other by adding a communication cable, wouldn’t it sell well?”

“what?”

When I heard Ha Ji-seok’s words, it felt like sparks were flying out of my head.

Yeah, that was definitely a possible story.

In my head, the strategy I had organized was like a formula: arcade -> home console -> portable game console.

I didn’t think about a Game & Watch style that only supports built-in games. I thought it was an ‘outdated’ game console made in an era where you couldn’t switch between games.

But now it’s 1989. The Game Boy hasn’t even been introduced in Korea yet.

is now known to everyone in Korea, but only a few people have the mix. If we prepare quickly, it seems like we can expand the popularity of even further.

“There’s some truth to what Jiseok said, sir?”

“Make like a game & watch, and make it possible for up to two players?”

Programmers began discussing how to make into a game & watch format.

Next to him, AD Choi Han-il drew something in a sketchbook and handed it to me.

“It’s just an idea sketch, but what if we made the product like this?”

“Wow···!”

“Isn’t it great?”

It was shaped like a fan, resembling a baseball field, with a cross key on the left, an A/B button on the right, and a game screen in the middle.

It was a design that any baseball fan would want to have, and it reminds you of a baseball stadium the moment you see it.

“Ah···, really. Then I can’t not do it, right?”

People simultaneously burst out laughing at my grumbling, which wasn’t really my grumbling.

After having a good laugh, we started to think more seriously about developing the portable game console.

“But who should we ask to develop this game console? Our lab director is busy making the A1 board right now, right?”

“Don’t worry. We have the perfect partner for you.”

I think it’s time to start bringing Myeongseong Electronics into the gaming market in earnest.

***

Hyunmyung Electronics executive conference room.

Hyunmyeong Electronics CEO Jeong Song-hyeon was trying out a Game Boy.

“Ha~, this is so desirable. How can this palm-sized game console work so well and be so fun? Huh?”

“I think Nintendo has proven once again that it’s not the best gaming company in the world for nothing, sir.”

“Okay. So when can we start selling this?”

“It’s currently only available in Japan, and they say it will be available in the US this summer. It’s selling so well right now that we’re running out of stock, so it looks like it’ll have to be next year at the earliest before it’s released in Korea.”

“Until next year? That’s taking much longer than I thought.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, but sales of the Comboy are worse than expected right now… It might be a little difficult to ask for the Gameboy sooner.”

“What are you talking about? That’s for home use, and this is for portable use. And if the Comboy doesn’t sell well, they should think about selling the latest Gameboy to make up for the shortfall. Isn’t Nintendo thinking too much of themselves?”

“Because they are a company that basically sells millions or tens of millions of units, in the current situation, it is not easy to expect that they will supply to Korea quickly no matter how much we ask.”

“So, in order to get the new product quickly, we need to prove that we are good at selling it, and then we can start talking?”

“I’m ashamed, sir.”

“Ha~, I was already having a real headache because of the commotion at Dongdaemun Stadium with Golden Sun and all.”

“However, since then, people have become more interested in video games, and sales of Comboys have also been increasing.”

“So? You want me to say, ‘Thank you for organizing this great event~’ and say hello to Seo Nam-joon? Thanks to you, people are starting to learn more about games. Like that?”

Jeong Song-hyeon clicked his tongue.

“I’m already so pissed off because I feel like I’m being pushed around by that greenhorn. Are you adding fuel to the fire? I’m already so pissed off because I’m being compared to that tiny Starbeat.”

“I···, but Starbeat’s CEO Namjoon Seo is the eldest son of Chairman Seo of Myeongseong Group. Even though it may look small on the outside, it’s a company with a lot of support.”

“Oh, who doesn’t know that? I heard everything that my father said to Chairman Seo at Daegyeonghyeop. Does that mean that I should be pushed around by that greenhorn right now?”

“That’s not what I meant… I’m sorry, sir.”

The conference room became quiet.

Jeong Song-hyeon sighed and picked up the Game Boy again. The exciting sound of the baseball game created a strange contrast in the uncomfortable silence of the conference room.

“Ah! Why is this so fun?! Huh!”

Jeong Song-hyeon slammed his fist on the desk as if he was angry.

“I can’t do this. I can’t live like this, I’m so angry. Money is money, business is business, but now it’s a battle of pride. Tell me, Director Jeong. Is Nintendo really the best game company in the world?”

“Yes, sir, that is absolutely true.”

“Then the reason we’re doing so poorly is because people still don’t know much about Nintendo?”

“There’s that, and also because there are so many pirated Famicoms scattered around Seun Shopping Mall, it’s not an easy situation.”

“When I see Seo Namjoon, he always lets people play games to their heart’s content when he has an event. Let’s do that every day.”

“Yes, every day?”

“Yes, we’re opening a Comboy experience store at Apgujeong Hyunmyeong Department Store where you can try out Comboys to your heart’s content. I’ll talk to the Hyunmyeong Department Store president, so get ready right away.”

When Jeong Song-hyeon made the announcement, the employees were shocked.

“Instead of people who are looking for a few thousand won cheaper, we’re going to thoroughly target the people who already have it. Starting from Apgujeong, we’ll expand nationwide. When families come, the kids can drop off their toys at our Comboy Experience store, and the parents can shop. When they go home later, they can buy a game and take it home with them. What do you think?”

“The picture… seems to fit perfectly!”

“Okay, then you should know that and prepare to open a store in the department store within a week. The name is…, Comboy World. No. That’s a bit old-fashioned. Oh, this is ? Let’s call it Comboy Land. Put an article in every newspaper! Get ready as quickly as possible!”

“Yes, sir!”

Since the president declared that it was a battle of pride, no one dared say that it was urgent for a week and that we should consider whether department store-focused marketing was appropriate.

I hope the president decides.

“Oh, and those cockroaches. What’s going on with them?”

“Yes, we are currently considering criminal lawsuits and civil damages against several representative and malicious companies, including Jeminan.”

“What is the amount of compensation?”

“500 million to Gemini, 200 million to a company called Umjisoft, and 100 million each to three other companies···.”

“Why did you catch him so plainly? Even if you hit him with 500 million, it’ll probably shrink after going through the trial. Do you think you can set an example with that? Hit him with 1 billion first. Find the evidence later. First, you have to kill him in the beginning so that people will be alert and prevent similar incidents. Got it?”

“Yes, then I will prepare a lawsuit for damages of 1 billion as you said.”

The officer’s head almost hit the conference room table.

The Comboy game console business was not Hyunmyung Electronics’ main business.

However, in a situation where expectations of taking over the market overnight were dashed, the young CEO appeared on TV and the installer, Jeong Song-hyeon, felt hurt in his pride.

Jeong Song-hyeon was determined to win first place and restore her wounded pride.

Business is not a battlefield where cold competition takes place as you might think. Sometimes it is a battle of heated emotions.