This autumn, Kobayashi Tetsu continued methodically uploading various game development updates for *Bomberman* and *Super Dimension Fortress Macross*. Progress on both projects advanced steadily, but he remained silent in the face of Tanimura Masahito's doubts, allowing them to fester unchecked.
Setting aside the newspaper controversy, Kobayashi Tetsu was now focused on preparing for *Super Dimension Fortress Macross*.
"There must be a clear distinction between the two forms—it's not just about changing the shape!" Kobayashi Tetsu emphasized. "The mecha and fighter forms differ not only in speed but also in firepower. Don't worry about the original work's settings; we just need to ensure the visuals stay faithful to the source!"
He tapped the whiteboard, repeating his point. "The mecha form's attacks should have a wider range, but its slower speed should be compensated for by other capabilities. The fighter form, with its narrower attack range, must compensate with speed. The enemy can't rely solely on numbers; their strategies must also incorporate the environment."
Kobayashi Tetsu casually sketched out a rough layout of the game scene on the whiteboard.
"For example, if we have fixed mechanisms here and here that attack players, monsters can spawn from this area to coordinate with the turrets. This forces players to make strategic choices instead of simply spawning everything at once and handing them an easy win."
Level design was crucial; moderate difficulty ensured players would keep playing. While modern games didn't prioritize performance—after all, even if players bought the game and never played it, that was beyond Kobayashi Tetsu's control—he still aimed to keep the difficulty neither too high nor too low whenever possible.
Under Kobayashi Tetsu's guidance, the employees of the First Development Department were gaining valuable experience. They began pouring their brains into studying level design.
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't rush to act. He preferred to see what the team came up with first, then weed out any "unreasonably cruel" designs while preserving those with well-balanced difficulty.
Someone knocked lightly on the glass door. Kobayashi Tetsu looked up to see Iwasaki Daisuke, the building's janitor.
"President Kobayashi, the Atlas newspaper has arrived."
Kobayashi Tetsu casually thanked the messenger, took the paper, and flipped through it briefly.
Apart from *Kadokawa Game Magazine* and *FAMIMAGA*, the only other newspapers covering video games at the time were those under the *Asahi Shimbun* umbrella, specifically *Asahi Entertainment News*. Video games occupied a single section, sharing a page with the film and television industry.
As Kobayashi Tetsu casually leafed through the pages, he immediately noticed a particular news item:
*Namco is planning to develop a new game soon, produced by Masanobu Endo, the creator of the FC game "Iron Plate Formation."* Mr. Endo stated that the new game's gameplay would closely resemble an older title, but Namco would obtain the necessary licenses to develop it, promising players an updated and improved experience.
Kobayashi Tetsu set the newspaper down.
*Case solved. It's Namco causing trouble.*
He folded his arms, lost in thought.
*Namco isn't a small company. I just don't understand.*
"When did I ever offend Namco?" he muttered.
Naka Yuji looked up, a tickle in his throat as he hesitated, words catching in his throat.
"How haven't I offended Namco? Didn't we offend them back when we developed Tank Battle?"
Namco had developed Tank Battle in 1980, and Atlas's Smoke Mountain Tank Battle used a similar gameplay concept.
Of course, there were design differences, so even if Namco had taken them to court for copyright infringement, Sega's legal team could have argued that it was a separate creation.
At the time, Namco protested, but Sega's legal team easily suppressed the complaint. With the game's subsequent commercial success, Sega would have been even more determined to protect it.
Kobayashi Tetsu clicked his tongue.
"Alright, maybe I did offend Namco a little. Now that the case is settled, things should be easier."
Kobayashi Tetsu glanced at Development Division 2.
"How's progress on Bomberman?"
Iwata Satoru replied promptly, "The basic gameplay mechanics are complete, including movement, bomb explosion ranges, item placement, and we've improved the AI to make it flank players to some extent. The only thing left is to finish designing the levels. We estimate we'll be finished by October!"
Kitagawa Tsuyoshi chimed in, "All the materials are ready on our end."
The graphics team, including him, only had three members, but that was sufficient for the current development pace of the game.
Kobayashi Tetsu nodded.
"Then let's package a simple cartridge first. I need it."
Iwata Satoru acknowledged the request.
Kobayashi Tetsu glanced around, noticing everyone was busy.
Naka Yuji kept subtly signaling with his eyes: *Look at me! Look at me—I'm useful!*
Kobayashi Tetsu cleared his throat. "Takahashi-kun, come here. I have an additional commission for you."
Takahashi Kazuki pointed to himself, surprised. "Huh? Me?"
He still couldn't believe it.
He wasn't an official Atlas employee; he was just a part-time worker who happened to be working at Atlas!
Naka Yuji felt a pang of disappointment.
*It's over.*
*I'm no longer the President's favorite!*
Kobayashi Tetsu led Takahashi Kazuki into his office and casually asked, "How's your writing, Takahashi-kun?"
"Not bad!" Kobayashi Tetsu said. "You should be able to handle simple articles without any problem."
"That's good." Kobayashi Tetsu cleared his throat and suddenly turned away, facing the window and looking down at the first floor of the building.
"Takahashi, make a note of this. Here's how I want to proceed."
Takahashi Kazuki: ?
Kobayashi Tetsu turned back. "Did you write it down?"
"Oh! Right away!"
Takahashi Kazuki picked up his pen and focused intently.
"Publish an invitation in the name of Atlas. Say that at the end of September, Atlas will invite all media friends, players, and industry partners to our Akihabara retail store for a hands-on demo of our new game!"
"The game will be called Bomberman!"
"Also, under the same name, create formal invitations and send them separately to Namco and other industry partners."
Takahashi Kazuki gasped inwardly, thinking of Maki Anna.
*Why is Namco being singled out?*
*So Namco is the real target, and the others are just window dressing.*
Takahashi Kazuki felt he was starting to grasp Kobayashi Tetsu's strategy.
But Takahashi Kazuki wasn't foolish. After all, fools couldn't draw manga.
Except for Gege Akutami.
Gege Akutami was the only manga artist who managed to draw despite being half-witted. His constant mutterings of "Sukuna-dono," "Sorry," "Not enough," and "I'm beating Sukuna" were hilarious.
Though Takahashi Kazuki understood the implications, he kept his thoughts to himself, swiftly jotting down the instructions.
The newspaper announcement should have a slightly sharp tone, while the invitations need to be formal, using proper written language.
As for what the invitees might be thinking... Takahashi Kazuki didn't dare consider it.
*They must already be prepared, right?!*
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