Takuya Nakayama keenly caught the lingering doubts that had not completely dissipated from the Ninth Development Team's brows.
He changed the subject, beginning to elaborate on the deeper considerations behind choosing ace attorney.
"I know that all of you in the Ninth Development Team have accumulated very rich experience in developing console games."
"You understand the operating habits and preferences of console users better than many other teams focused on arcades."
He first affirmed them, like a warm current flowing into the hearts of the Ninth Development Team.
"And visual novel games like ace attorney, which are centered around brilliant plots and textual expression, have significantly lower development costs compared to those AAA blockbusters that pursue top-tier graphical performance."
"The development cycle is also relatively more controllable."
"More importantly," Takuya Nakayama's voice carried a hint of undeniable confidence, "the development difficulty of this type of game, especially in terms of pushing hardware performance to its limits, is not too high."
"By launching such a cleverly conceived, uniquely playable, and highly successful example, we are sending a clear signal to the entire industry."
"That is, even third-party small and medium-sized developers who do not possess cutting-edge 3D graphics technology or vast development resources are fully capable of producing excellent games that are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful on our new Sega console platform."
"This will greatly encourage them, attracting them to more actively join the ranks of our new console, thereby rapidly enriching our platform's game library and forming a virtuous ecosystem where a hundred flowers bloom."
The developers in the conference room, especially the seasoned team leaders, showed a flash of understanding in their eyes upon hearing this.
So that's how it is.
This was not just a game; it was a "stepping stone" to attract third-party developers, a "showcase" demonstrating the new console's inclusiveness.
"Secondly," Takuya Nakayama extended his second finger, his tone reflecting a precise grasp of the market's pulse, "everyone can think about how many loyal readers of mystery novels there are in all of Japan?"
"And how many people are fans of those prime-time suspense and mystery TV dramas?"
"This is an incredibly huge potential market that has not yet been fully tapped by existing console games!"
His voice was full of incitement.
"Most of the console games currently on the market are concentrated in traditional genres such as action, shooting, and role-playing."
"The emergence of ace attorney, however, can precisely cut into this niche market, attracting those who usually love mysteries and suspense stories but may not be traditional hardcore gamers."
"What we need to do is achieve 'breaking the circle' for user groups."
"We cannot just focus on the familiar core players."
"Family users, casual players, female players, and even those who usually don't play games much but are attracted by exciting courtroom debate stories, all have the potential to become potential users of our new console."
He changed the subject, adding with a hint of playful smile.
"As for why we don't prioritize games about dating girls…"
"That's because I believe that manufacturers who are good at 'those types that cannot be advertised' always have extremely keen senses."
"This kind of theme leaves them with more room for free play and can better stimulate their creative passion."
"We, Sega, need to open up new battlefields, create differentiated advantages, and lead new trends."
A knowing laugh echoed in the conference room.
Executive Director Nakayama's humorous yet incisive analysis made everyone admire his business acumen and strategic vision even more.
The members of the Ninth Development Team, at this moment, no longer had any trace of their previous confusion and disappointment in their eyes.
Instead, there was a fiercely burning flame.
They finally understood.
This seemingly "niche" and "alternative" ace attorney actually carried significant strategic importance for attracting third-party developers to the console platform and expanding new user groups.
From an almost forgotten marginal corner, they leaped to become a key team holding a "surprise weapon."
This huge change in identity swept away their previously accumulated sense of frustration.
A sense of excitement at being entrusted with an important task and a strong sense of mission filled everyone's chest.
The leader of the Ninth Development Team stood up excitedly, his voice trembling slightly due to the surge of emotion.
"Executive Director Nakayama, please rest assured!"
"Our Ninth Development Team will certainly live up to your trust and make this ace attorney a masterpiece that will amaze everyone!"
Yu Suzuki, who had not been directly assigned any specific original blockbuster projects, looked at Takuya, who seemed to have finished explaining all the important projects, and a subtle hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He cleared his throat and asked with a stubbornness peculiar to tech enthusiasts.
"Executive Director Nakayama, what about me and my Second Development Team?"
"Are we just responsible for overseeing those porting projects?"
Upon hearing this, Takuya Nakayama laughed heartily, looking at this technical giant within Sega with a hint of teasing.
"Mr. Suzuki, you are our Sega's top-notch, no, one of the entire Japan's leading game development masters."
"With your strength and creativity, do I still need to spoon-feed you projects?"
"I look forward to you drawing new inspiration from the powerful performance of our new console and conceiving original blockbusters that can once again lead the era."
The gaze behind Yu Suzuki's glasses flickered, and a challenging smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Hmph, you said it."
"I, Yu Suzuki, will definitely come up with a game that surpasses all your ideas today and surprise you all!"
"I look forward to it."
Takuya Nakayama's smile did not diminish, his eyes filled with trust and anticipation for this legendary producer.
He turned his head and looked at the Ninth Development Team again, his tone becoming serious and focused.
"Regarding the development of ace attorney, there are several core points that I hope you will keep in mind."
"First, the plot is the soul. Every case must be meticulously polished, logically rigorous, full of suspense, and with brilliant twists."
"Second, character development must be vivid. Whether it's the protagonist lawyer team, the distinctive prosecutors, or even the witnesses and culprits in each case, they must have memorable characteristics."
"Third, the exhilaration of courtroom debate. That sense of accomplishment of gradually approaching the truth and finally completely defeating the opponent with evidence is the core of the game experience."
"So the script is of paramount importance; if you need support from a mystery playwright, you can make a request to me!"
The members of the Ninth Development Team listened intently, committing every word to memory.
At this point, the lineup of Sega's new console launch titles and several key arcade porting projects had all been assigned.
In the conference room, an unprecedented high morale permeated the air.
Every development team received a heavy task and also felt the company's huge investment and infinite expectations for the new console.
The meeting had just been declared over.
The developers, filled with enthusiasm and various project proposals, quickly dispersed like soldiers rushing to the battlefield, ready to throw themselves into intense development work.
Takuya Nakayama, however, did not allow himself even a moment's rest.
Takuya Nakayama stepped out and walked towards the Marketing Department's office area.
Upon arriving at the Marketing Department, he found Suzuki Masao, the head of the Marketing Department responsible for the company's external licensing and legal affairs.
The smile on his face receded, and his expression became serious and focused.
"Mr. Suzuki, time is very tight."
"We have a game that requires quite a few animation copyright authorizations, and we must start acting immediately."
"I knew your meeting would have big moves; I've been waiting," Mr. Suzuki drained his lukewarm coffee and picked up his notepad, walking into the small conference room next door with Takuya.