The surging enthusiasm from the mobilization meeting, like a summer afternoon thunderstorm, came quickly and left just as fast.
Takuya, however, didn't give himself a moment's rest; he moved swiftly and immediately pulled in Yu Suzuki.
Team leaders from various development groups were also summoned, and a detailed review of arcade games intended for porting to the new console officially began.
On the long table in the conference room, game proposals and data were spread out.
"fatal fury."
Takuya's fingertip lightly tapped, and he spoke first, his tone carrying an unquestionable certainty.
"This one is fine. It's a benchmark for fighting games, and the new console's capabilities can perfectly showcase its unique charm."
Yu Suzuki nodded slightly, his gaze sharp and focused behind his glasses.
"Hmm, the porting difficulty isn't high. The key is that it has a very wide audience."
"tetris."
Takuya continued, a relaxed smile playing on his lips.
"A timeless classic, an essential game for installation, it can make more family users accept our new console."
"Hang-On and Out Run."
He looked at the team leaders responsible for these two games, his eyes filled with encouragement.
"Our immersive blockbusters, if ported to home consoles and paired with newly designed controllers, the experience will absolutely be top-notch."
These few titles passed almost unanimously, without any suspense.
Everyone's faces were beaming with optimism, as if they had already seen the explosive sales of the new console upon its release.
However, as subsequent proposed games were demonstrated one by one on the large screen, Takuya's originally relaxed brows subtly furrowed.
The games demonstrated on the screen were almost exclusively action-packed, level-based games or bullet-hell shoot 'em ups.
The visual effects were indeed impressive, with explosions and light and shadow interweaving intensely, and the combat scenes were exhilarating.
But the game types were too singular, like a concert with only heavy metal music; listening to it for too long inevitably led to some fatigue.
The atmosphere in the conference room, as the screens flickered, gradually shifted from initial anticipation to something more subtle.
"Gentlemen."
Takuya cleared his throat, breaking the brief silence.
His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"These games have achieved quite good results in the arcade market, and their technical strength is commendable."
He first offered affirmation, easing the atmosphere.
"However, as the launch lineup for our new console, if the screen is entirely filled with fighting, killing, and non-stop gunfire, it might make Sega seem like it only knows how to 'flex its muscles' and lacks deeper substance and more diverse choices."
The faces of several development leaders responsible for these action-packed games clearly showed a hint of reluctance.
One of the leaders, with a slightly more impatient personality, couldn't help but interject.
"Executive Director Nakayama, these games have all undergone brutal market testing, and player response has been extremely enthusiastic. Porting them to the new console, with its stronger capabilities, will bring a qualitative leap in visual performance and fluidity, and will definitely capture the attention of core players immediately!"
"I understand what you mean."
Takuya smiled gently, his gaze on the leader, with understanding.
He was very aware of the deep affection these developers held for the works they had painstakingly created, treating them like their own children.
"The successful experience of arcade games is very important to us; it is a valuable asset."
"But we must realize that the user base for home consoles is much broader than arcade players, and their needs are also more diverse."
"If we start with only high-intensity combat games, it is very likely to scare away some potential casual users, and even family users."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone again, his tone becoming more sincere.
"I know that everyone has poured countless effort and sweat into these projects."
"Please rest assured, these accumulated valuable experiences and excellent technologies that have been refined will absolutely not go to waste."
"Subsequently, I will sit down with everyone to carefully discuss how to best utilize these existing technologies, combined with some brand new creative ideas, to develop new games that are better suited to the characteristics of the home console platform and can more fully leverage the powerful capabilities of our new console."
"What we want to build is a vibrant forest, with all kinds of trees, not just a single, seemingly strong tree."
Yu Suzuki also added in a timely manner, his words always carrying technical rigor and authority.
"Takuya makes a lot of sense."
"The advantages of new hardware are not only in faster processing speeds and the ability to accommodate more active elements on the screen simultaneously."
"It also lies in more delicate color expression capabilities, richer sound effect layering, and smoother dynamic visuals."
"Different types of games, precisely, can better showcase these comprehensive strengths of the new console from different angles, bringing players a full range of shock."
Facing Takuya's reasonable analysis and sincere promises, as well as the clear endorsement from Yu Suzuki, the company's technical authority, the development leaders, despite some reluctance in their hearts regarding their own works, could only nod in agreement.
They also understood that Executive Director Nakayama's vision had always been unique and far-sighted.
Moreover, the works of these two great masters were the mainstays of Sega's game portfolio, and their right to speak was unrivaled.
Ultimately, among the action-packed and flying shooter games with explosive visuals, after careful deliberation and intense discussion, Takuya selected four as supplements to the existing lineup, adding them to the list of initial ports.
"Action Fighter."
Takuya announced, his finger lightly tapping on the proposal.
"This game integrates multiple vehicle switches and different combat modes, with relatively rich content and good playability."
"super shinobi."
His gaze fell on another document.
"This brand has huge potential, and the classic ninja theme itself is very popular among global players."
"space harrier."
"A classic 3D flying shooter game, no need to say more."
"Bloody Wolf / Battle Rangers."
"This is a hardcore military-themed game, and the fun of fighting side-by-side brought by the two-player cooperative mode can also be perfectly embodied on the new console."
Takuya put down the materials in his hand and emphasized.
"super shinobi and Bloody Wolf / Battle Rangers are currently in the intense final stages of arcade version development."
"According to the original plan, once the arcade versions are successfully completed, the porting work for the new console versions will be immediately initiated."
"We must ensure the quality of the porting and the development progress; there can be no slack."
With the preliminary list of initial porting games settled, the atmosphere in the conference room relaxed slightly.
However, what followed was an even more exciting segment—brand new, original flagship titles tailor-made for the new console.
This was truly the key to testing Sega's development capabilities and determining the future of the new console.
Takuya's gaze first turned to Yuji Naka, who sat in the corner of the conference table, always a bit quiet, but whose eyes constantly gleamed with thought.
"Naka-kun."
Takuya's voice carried gentle encouragement, like a spring breeze caressing a lake.
"Since you joined Sega, you have been quietly working in the home console department, especially in the hardware adaptation for our new console and very early software compatibility testing. You and your team have put in tremendous effort, helping us solve many critical technical problems. It can be said that your contributions are indispensable."
Yuji Naka, called by name, smiled a bit shyly, habitually adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
His calm demeanor, characteristic of a technical professional, stood out particularly at this moment.
"When we talked privately,"
Takuya continued with a smile, his tone as warm as if reminiscing with an old friend.
"You often come up with incredibly imaginative ideas, and you have many very unique insights into game narration and how to build a captivating world view."
"Nintendo's dragon quest series has proven with facts how immense the potential and appeal of the RPG game genre is in the home console market."
"Now, we have a powerful machine that far surpasses the FC; it's time to create our own national-level RPG for Sega."
He gazed at Yuji Naka, his eyes filled with undisguised trust and eager anticipation.
"I know you've been quietly accumulating various inspirations and ideas."
"Now, I hope you can systematically organize these valuable thoughts, pour all your talent and passion into developing the first milestone RPG for Sega and for our new console."
"You need any resources, the entire company will fully support you, no questions asked."
Yuji Naka took a deep breath, and his face, usually focused on code and technical details, now glowed with irrepressible excitement.
His glasses seemed to tremble slightly from the emotion.
He nodded heavily, his voice slightly hoarse from excitement, yet exceptionally firm.
"Executive Director Nakayama, I... I do have some ideas in my mind. I will do my best to create the finest work and will not let you down!"
He clearly knew that this was a golden opportunity given to him by Takuya Nakayama to make history, and it was also a huge challenge he had always yearned to embrace deep down.
"Excellent!"
Takuya smiled contentedly, his smile radiant.
He knew the immense potential hidden within Yuji Naka; this future father of the famous Mew and Sony series was now standing at the brilliant starting point of his own legendary story.