The first-week sales figures for *Bomberman* had been released. According to Sega's official statistics, the game had sold nearly 100,000 copies, though it fell slightly short of expectations.
Based on this, the first-month sales were projected to reach around 300,000 copies, with lifetime sales expected to reach the million-mark.
Of course, these figures only accounted for domestic sales in Japan; overseas sales were not included.
For a game in its market expansion phase, these results were quite promising. If overseas sales were factored in, the final numbers would at least double.
Kobayashi Tetsu was highly satisfied with these results. After all, Atlas's experience store had contributed over 200 cartridge sales.
In terms of revenue alone, this amounted to over 7 million yen.
Of course, actual profits were far lower. After a month, the earnings barely covered Hideo Kojima's salary and the store staff's wages.
*Kadokawa Game Magazine* also released their latest review, praising the level design and difficulty curve, but criticized the lack of levels. They ultimately scored the game 34 points out of 40.
Atlas Office.
Iwata Satoru and Development Division 2 were on temporary leave, while Naka Yuji and Division 1 continued working on *Super Dimension Fortress Macross* according to Kobayashi Tetsu's specifications. Beyond faithfully recreating the original work, Kobayashi Tetsu had added one specific request:
After the game's conclusion, include a simple pixel art illustration featuring Lynn Minmay and the protagonist in an intimate interaction.
To be precise, a kiss.
Some members of the Atlas team, who hadn't seen the original anime, immediately asked Kobayashi Tetsu, "Did they ever kiss in the anime?"
Kobayashi Tetsu naturally waved his hand dismissively.
*That's not important!*
Even in fan-made games, shouldn't players at least get a kiss after all that effort? Otherwise, what's the point?
Of course, this pixel art would take up more space, necessitating some cuts to the game's overall length.
Development continued, while Kobayashi Tetsu remained in the office, writing.
Having previously promised to host the next Japan Science Fiction Convention, Kobayashi Tetsu decided to take the opportunity to write *Pacific Rim* on the side.
Kobayashi Tetsu's memory of Pacific Rim wasn't particularly vivid, but he still remembered the main theme: giant mechs battling monsters across the Pacific Ocean.
While this premise wouldn't qualify as hard science fiction, it was certainly enough to sell it as soft science fiction.
The office door opened, and Tetsu looked up to see Anegasaki Nene walk in, having changed out of her school uniform into casual clothes. She looked completely different from her usual appearance.
"Tetsu-kun? I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"No, I wasn't doing anything important." Kobayashi Tetsu casually tucked away his manuscript.
Nene often came to tidy the office, and Tetsu frequently made a deliberate mess by leaving things scattered around. It was a tacit understanding between them.
Leaning back in his swivel chair with a slightly exaggerated gesture, Tetsu said, "Without Sister Nene's help, I don't know what I'd do."
Nene sighed softly. "That's a bit much."
"Hey, I'm just doing my best." Tetsu straightened up.
Looking at the clock, he realized it was almost lunchtime.
"Let's go get lunch," Kobayashi Tetsu said. "We won't be going to Old Dixie today."
Anegasaki Nene blinked.
"How about ramen?" she suggested, her hands busy organizing books as she spoke. She didn't look at Kobayashi Tetsu, but her eyelashes trembled slightly, her thoughts unreadable.
Kobayashi Tetsu's head snapped up.
Ramen.
"Hmph."
His smile held a hint of amusement.
Ramen? Perfect! Ramen it is!
Kobayashi Tetsu never imagined he'd ever eat at a Rāmenya Irohachan.
Fortunately, the owner wasn't a fan; otherwise, he'd have been served an extra-large bowl plus a side of rice, and Kobayashi Tetsu could have changed his name to Kobayashi Ryō.
Rāmenya Irohachan wasn't anything special—just plenty of bean sprouts, heavy broth, thick slices of meat, and low prices—a classic worker's lunch.
Still, it had a loyal following who loved the distinctive texture of Irohachan-style ramen.
At the counter, Anegasaki Nene clasped her hands and placed her order with the owner.
"Hard noodles, extra-salty broth, double the pickles, extra garlic, and lots of oil—"
Kobayashi Tetsu hissed.
*Which Nene is this?!*
Kobayashi Tetsu casually teased, "The portions at Rāmen Jirō are so huge—you'll gain weight eating this."
Anegasaki Nene looked at him and shook her head solemnly.
*Indulging once in a while is fine!*
Besides...
Weight gain depends on where it goes. At least hers went to the right places.
Unlike that Koyakawa girl—no one even knows where her weight went.
The large bowl of ramen was substantial enough to give even Kobayashi Tetsu's former appetite pause.
After barely finishing his bowl, Kobayashi Tetsu glanced sideways at Anegasaki Nene and was surprised to see she had also eaten most of hers.
"So it really is because of casting spells," he muttered.
Kobayashi Tetsu was about to say more when his gaze drifted to a familiar figure across the room.
Of course, Kobayashi Tetsu knew him, but the man didn't recognize Kobayashi Tetsu.
Namco, Masanobu Endo.
Kobayashi Tetsu knew two things about this name: First, that Endo became a producer at Namco after porting *Iron Plate Formation* from the FC. Second, that he was one of the earliest pioneers of Japanese RPGs.
Anyone who played Flash games knows about a classic called *Magic Tower*.
The blueprint for *Magic Tower* was a tower-climbing game developed by Masanobu Endo in the 1980s.
Later, the settings of Japanese RPGs were almost all derived from this.
You could say:
Masanobu Endo is the patriarch of Japanese RPGs.
"Sorry, Sister Nene, let's eat first. I see an old friend over there; I'm going to go say hello."
Kobayashi Tetsu ruthlessly abandoned the girl and ran off to find Masanobu Endo.
When Kobayashi Tetsu sat down beside him, Masanobu Endo looked up with a momentary look of surprise.
"President Kobayashi, ah—" Masanobu Endo forced a smile. "That game you made is quite good."
"I didn't make it. It was the employees of Atlas's Development Division 2, with producer Iwata Satoru." Kobayashi Tetsu asked, "Why are you eating alone here?"
Masanobu Endo was silent for a moment, then smiled. "Well, I can't eat here like a dog, can I?"
He finished with a polite yet awkward smile.
Of course, it wasn't very funny.
Masanobu Endo quickly lowered his head.
Kobayashi Tetsu suddenly spoke up.
"How about coming to Atlas?"
Masanobu Endo's head snapped up.
"President Kobayashi, isn't it... a little strange to say something like that at a time like this?"
"Strange?" Kobayashi Tetsu spread his hands. "Come on, give it a try. Atlas is preparing to establish a third development division. I've heard about your achievements—completing the port of an FC game under those conditions demonstrates outstanding skill. Come to Atlas. I believe you're qualified to lead a team and become a producer."
Masanobu Endo kept his head down, his expression blank, his thoughts unreadable.
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't press further. He simply stood up, casually paid for Endo's meal, and was out of reach before Endo could protest.
Before leaving, Kobayashi Tetsu slid his business card across the table.
"Feel free to contact me anytime. I'm always here."
With that settled, Kobayashi Tetsu returned to his noodles.
Masanobu Endo stared at the business card on the table.
*Am I really going to leave?*
Truthfully, he really wanted to.
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