Masanobu Endo, a 26-year-old employee of Namco, was a video game developer.
We've already briefly covered Endo's debut work: he took over the abandoned project of porting *Iron Plate Formation* to Namco's system and successfully completed the port, earning him recognition as an independent game producer within the company.
Truthfully, Endo had no intention of working on *Bomberman* or getting involved in this project. However, Namco's higher-ups still harbored resentment over the *Tank Battle* incident and were using this as an opportunity to settle the score.
"You're never your own boss when you're at work," Endo lamented, echoing a sentiment often heard in Hong Kong.
Today marked the day of the *Bomberman* offline experience event at the Atlas Offline Experience Store. For reasons he couldn't quite explain, Endo had specifically requested a day off to come observe.
To be fair, Endo actually held Atlas in high regard. It was Atlas's publication of the technical details for implementing scrolling on home consoles that had allowed him to successfully complete the *Iron Plate Formation* port and elevate his standing within Namco.
However, he felt powerless to do anything about this situation.
He had no choice but to comply with his superiors' orders. After all, he worked for Namco, not Atlas.
"We're here: Akihabara, Atlas Offline Experience Store."
Masanobu Endo could see a crowd already gathered outside the two-story building, its Atlas-branded sign hanging above the entrance.
He immediately recognized some familiar developers, such as representatives from Taito Corporation and Hudson Soft. Journalists mingled indoors, while players waited outside.
"Going all out like this... isn't Atlas worried about stirring up trouble?" Endo muttered under his breath as he slipped into the crowd.
Whispers buzzed around him, but Endo focused his attention on the room's interior. His gaze immediately locked onto a familiar figure: Kobayashi Tetsu.
Endo couldn't help but feel a pang of envy as he watched Kobayashi confidently stride across the stage, his commanding presence reminiscent of his television appearances. He didn't recognize the man beside him, Hideo Kojima.
The room had been stripped bare, leaving only a central display table and a game console connected to a TV.
As the clock approached 10 PM, Kobayashi finally began to speak.
"Thank you all for joining us on this special day at the Atlas Offline Experience Store. Let me clarify: this is an officially licensed Atlas store where you can experience Atlas-developed games, purchase MS cartridges, and acquire compatible game consoles."
"Today, we're introducing the game that was recently featured in the newspapers—*Bomberman*, developed by Atlas! Next, Hideo Kojima, or Kojima-kun, will demonstrate the game for us."
Hideo Kojima stood tall, his face glowing with excitement. He loved being the center of attention!
In front of the camera, Kojima-kun spoke animatedly before inserting the MS Cartridge and launching the game.
Masanobu Endo watched the entire demonstration, his mind racing.
Though it was only a demo, Endo was impressed by the game's high level of polish. To truly gauge the gameplay experience, he'd have to try it himself.
Amid the sound of camera shutters, Kojima-kun paused the game after completing a level. "Anyone want to come up and try it themselves?"
Masanobu Endo suddenly raised his hand. "I'd like to give it a go."
A wave of eager voices rose and fell, and Endo felt swallowed by the crowd.
Before Kojima-kun could respond, President Kobayashi Tetsu suddenly pointed at Masanobu Endo.
"You there, come on up."
Endo's heart tightened momentarily, then relaxed. He'd never been on TV before, so President Kobayashi couldn't possibly recognize him. It was probably just a random choice.
Without hesitation, Masanobu Endo stepped forward to try the game.
In just a few minutes, Masanobu Endo had formed a general impression of the game.
The mobile controls felt remarkably smooth, and laying bombs required a high level of precision. The game featured various power-ups that could enhance the player's speed, bomb capacity, and more.
What struck him most was the subtle pressure he sensed from the game's monsters—they seemed to possess actual strategies!
This was what had intrigued Masanobu Endo the most since he first played the game.
In *Bomberman*, the monsters appeared to exhibit intelligence.
As the demo concluded, Masanobu Endo suddenly stood up.
"I have a question. *Bomberman* actually had a predecessor released in 1983 for the NEC platform, with identical gameplay mechanics. Can we conclude that Atlas simply repurposed that earlier game?"
Endo's phrasing was tactful, but his implication was clear.
Instantly, the cameras swiveled toward him.
Even the spectators on the sidelines craned their necks forward.
It wasn't just Endo; they were all curious about this question!
Ever since Tanimura Masahito's scathing article, Atlas had never directly addressed this issue, choosing only to run routine advertisements in newspapers instead of issuing a proper response.
Amidst the faint murmurs of discussion among the players on the outskirts of the crowd:
"Shouldn't be, right?"
"Hard to say... there's Tank Battle, after all—"
As the scene grew slightly chaotic, Kobayashi Tetsu finally stood up and approached the podium.
"That's a good question, friend. We specifically invited you all to the Atlas Offline Experience Store today to address this very issue."
He casually pulled out a rolled-up scroll of paper.
"Please look at this. I'll hold it up higher so everyone can see."
"This is a personally signed authorization from Tanaka Yuji, the developer of NEC. Atlas acquired the rights to Bomberman from Mr. Tanaka Yuji for one million yen *before* development even began. Atlas now holds all rights to Bomberman; the only reason it hasn't been officially transferred is because I purchased it personally and hadn't yet transferred it to the company."
"Since acquiring all rights to this game, Atlas has innovated and made massive changes to the old NEC version, resulting in the current MS Game, *Bomberman*! As the President of Atlas, I guarantee that despite the average MS Game price now reaching 4,000 yen, this game will not increase in price. It will remain at the original 3,480 yen!"
After a brief silence, the crowd erupted in a deafening roar of approval.
"Hooray! Atlas!"
"Everyone else is raising their prices, but you're not!"
"You know, Nintendo games are already up to 4,500 yen!"
Cameras flashed red lights, and shutters clicked incessantly.
Kobayashi Tetsu had personally set the price at 3,480 yen, so of course there were no issues with that.
Masanobu Endo's expression, however, turned sour.
No one at Namco, inside or out, had anticipated this situation!
As the media interviews continued, Kobayashi Tetsu spoke eloquently, while Endo suddenly realized something.
"Even if they initially purchased the rights without transferring them, the transfer should have been completed months ago. In other words, this was deliberate—using Namco's channels to promote Atlas's games!"
Endo had been played, but instead of anger, he felt a mix of surprise and admiration.
He hadn't wanted to handle this matter in the first place; he was just following orders. Now that he understood the full picture, Endo felt a genuine sense of awe.
While no one was looking, Endo slipped off the stage and quietly left.
Kobayashi Tetsu continued answering questions, but his gaze shifted toward where Endo had been standing.
"Don't think I don't recognize you just because you're wearing a hat, Masanobu Endo!"
Kobayashi Tetsu shook his head slightly, clicking his tongue in amazement.
It was precisely because he recognized Masanobu Endo that Kobayashi Tetsu had allowed him to come forward.
By leveraging Namco's smear campaign and attacks on Atlas's Bomberman, they could generate publicity. Then, just before the game's release, they would launch a massive whitewashing campaign, conveniently promoting Atlas's Offline Experience Store.
Kobayashi Tetsu had planned this strategy long ago, though at the time he hadn't known Namco was behind the attacks.
Now, he was prepared to spend a substantial sum on "travel expenses" as a bribe.
On one hand, they needed the media to loudly whitewash and promote their cause. Relying on Atlas's good reputation over the past few years, they didn't care about a little pressure. On the other hand, this would also give them a chance to smear Namco in return.
*You thought we didn't buy the license, but we did! You're the ones who didn't!*
A player from the crowd shouted a question, interrupting Kobayashi Tetsu's thoughts.
"President Kobayashi! Is it really 3,480 yen?!"
"Yes!" Kobayashi Tetsu replied. "The Bomberman MS Cartridge will remain at 3,480 yen—never changing!"
The cheering intensified.
Namco.
Masanobu Endo stood in Department Manager Nakamura's office, enduring a torrent of verbal abuse.
"Look! Look! You actually went to the event? 'Masanobu Endo' in big letters on the newspaper! The reporters recognized you! And look at this—how could you develop it without a license?!"
***
Nakamura was on the verge of losing his mind.
Not only had his revenge failed, but Namco had also been publicly ridiculed by Atlas's article, both directly and indirectly.
Masanobu Endo felt wronged.
He hadn't wanted to develop *Bomberman* in the first place! It was Nakamura who had demanded it.
In truth, Endo had another idea, but Namco wasn't supportive at the moment, and he lacked the clout to persuade them otherwise.
Nakamura ignored all that. He stared at Endo and said, "In any case, this matter ends here. There was a major mistake in decision-making, and someone must take responsibility for this failed decision, Mr. Endo."
Endo froze, then pointed at himself in disbelief. "Me?"
Nakamura retorted sarcastically, "Unless you think it was me?"
"But I never wanted to do this!" Endo protested. "Weren't you the one who told me to go ahead with it, Manager?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Department Manager Nakamura refused to take the blame. "You don't want to do it anymore, is that it?"
A surge of anger coursed through Endo. He wanted to slam his employee badge on the table and shout, "Yes! I quit! You can't fire me—I'm firing you!"
But Endo couldn't bring himself to say those words.
*Living in Tokyo is no easy feat!*
Masanobu Endo could only bow his head and silently bow.
Bitter about being sold out by his superior and furious at this workplace scapegoating, he quietly left Nakamura's office.
Back at his desk, Masanobu Endo let out a heavy sigh.
With development work temporarily concluded, his elevated status, bolstered by his role in the Iron Plate Formation porting project, had been stripped away.
He didn't mind continuing to work as a developer, but Masanobu Endo felt deeply disgruntled.
To think he'd be made to take the blame for his boss's mistakes.
Masanobu Endo casually glanced at the newspaper.
*Atlas's new game, Bomberman, is scheduled for mid-October release at 3,480 yen!*
*Producer: Iwata Satoru of Atlas's Second Development Department!*
Below was a parenthetical note:
*Full licensing rights obtained from the original Bomberman creator!*
Masanobu Endo rubbed his temples.
He'd only heard of Iwata Satoru recently. Rumor had it that he'd worked on several games with Atlas but never received official credit. Recently, his fame had skyrocketed alongside Sonic, earning him the nickname "God's Right Hand."
Another figure mentioned was Naka Yuji, dubbed "God's Left Hand."
As he flipped through the newspaper, a bold idea suddenly struck Masanobu Endo.
*Now that we're talking about it...*
*Does God need a right and left foot?*
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