The production of *Super Dimension Fortress Macross* was nearing completion. This time, Kobayashi Tetsu hadn't been involved throughout the entire process, but he had still overseen and made significant revisions to a substantial portion of the content, with Naka Yuji responsible for implementation.
As for right or wrong, he never questioned it.
After working tirelessly for most of the day, Naka Yuji stood up to get a coffee from the break area when the glass door suddenly swung open. The two men exchanged glances, and Naka Yuji immediately recognized the visitor.
"Are you Makoto Yamashina from Bandai? Are you looking for the President?"
Yamashina Makoto replied, "Where's Kobayashi?"
"He's not here." Naka Yuji shrugged helplessly.
A pager message could certainly reach Kobayashi Tetsu, but it would be pointless. Today, he had gone to the campus festival at the neighboring university.
Yamashina Makoto's eyes widened in disbelief, feeling as if he had misheard something. "What do you mean he went to the campus festival for fun?!"
Naka Yuji's expression turned solemn as he nodded slowly.
"You didn't mishear. It was a school festival. Well, to be precise, I went to the school festival to keep my girlfriend company."
Yamashina Makoto couldn't help but curse under his breath.
*Kobayashi Tetsu is a pervert! He can't even leave high schoolers alone!*
Naka Yuji felt compelled to remind him, "Strictly speaking, President, you're still a high school student too."
Who could have imagined that the President of Atlas was just a seventeen-year-old boy two and a half years ago?
Yamashina Makoto fell silent for a moment.
Whenever he was with Kobayashi Tetsu, he always felt as if an older man's soul was hidden within him. They got along surprisingly well, which made him overlook Tetsu's actual age.
After having Naka Yuji notify Kobayashi Tetsu, Yamashina Makoto settled into the office to wait for his return.
"This chair is a bit small," Yamashina Makoto grumbled. No matter how he looked at it, the office felt uncomfortable—nowhere near as luxurious as the one he inherited at Bandai.
Unable to sit still, he stood up and paced. His gaze fell on a book spread open on the desk.
*Pacific Rim*.
He flipped through it, surprised to find that the author was Kobayashi Tetsu himself, using his real name instead of a pen name.
Yamashina Makoto had initially just flipped through the manuscript casually, but as he began to read more closely, he found himself increasingly drawn in by the story of the Pacific Rim mecha battle. By the time he reached the last page, he couldn't help but slap his thigh in excitement.
*What a clever Kobayashi Tetsu!*
*He pretended to be working on the Super Dimension Fortress Macross project for me, but he was secretly writing a science fiction novel—and a good one at that! I almost wanted to help him publish it!*
After waiting a while longer, Yamashina Makoto finally saw Kobayashi Tetsu return.
"Kobayashi-kun, you're in great spirits!"
"Not at all. I'm just doing what any student should do," Kobayashi Tetsu replied, shaking his head vigorously. "I even cut short the campus festival to rush back here. If it's not important, I'm heading back!"
Of course, Yamashina Makoto had something important to discuss.
"The game is nearly complete, and the accompanying toys are being developed intensively. I'm here to discuss the marketing strategy."
Kobayashi Tetsu clicked his tongue, letting out an impolite sound.
*So that's why he specifically called me back? For this trivial matter?!*
"Bandai is so rich. TV commercials, celebrity endorsements—any of those would do. Why even bother consulting me?"
Yamashina Makoto wore an exceptionally serious expression, his arms crossed and his gaze lowered, the very image of a stern commander.
"Kobayashi-kun, I've actually prepared a publicity plan. I intend to have the voice actors for Hikaru Ichijo and Lynn Minmay record a TV commercial. Additionally, I'm planning a game-clearing challenge. Anyone who completes *Super Dimension Fortress Macross* on the day of its release will receive a *Macross* fighter plane toy from Bandai as a reward."
Kobayashi Tetsu hummed. "Sounds good."
Yamashina Makoto bristled at Kobayashi Tetsu's casual demeanor. "You weren't even listening!"
*This attitude is far too dismissive!*
Kobayashi Tetsu sighed.
"I really think it's a good idea, but since you insist on hearing my thoughts, I'll risk sounding foolish."
With a *swish*, Kobayashi Tetsu pulled out a whiteboard.
Yamashina Makoto was startled.
*Where did he get a whiteboard?!*
Ignoring Yamashina Makoto's shock, Kobayashi Tetsu began writing on the board
Your proposed game challenge should be effective. The commercial will likely attract players successfully.
However, there's a problem: the player community and the market for game toys aren't identical. Not everyone who enjoys playing the game will specifically collect *Macross* toys.
"The best approach would be to combine both groups. In other words, transform your imagined game challenge into a family-friendly challenge. Children under eighteen can participate for free, and upon completing the game, Bandai will reward them with toys."
Considering that anyone under eighteen is considered a child, high school students would naturally remain the primary target audience, which aligns perfectly with *Super Dimension Fortress Macross*'s core demographic.
Moreover, parents of high school students are typically in their thirties, an age group with disposable income.
After Kobayashi Tetsu finished speaking, Yamashina Makoto leaned back slightly, showing him due respect.
This was something he hadn't considered.
"I knew coming to you wouldn't be a waste of time!"
Yamashina Makoto silently noted this. The company would proceed with developing the toys and organizing the accompanying event.
"So, Atlas isn't doing anything at all? Didn't we agree to split the advertising costs?"
In response to Yamashina Makoto's skepticism, Kobayashi Tetsu gave him an enigmatic smile.
"Brother Yamashina, just trust me. Atlas has prepared an absolutely brilliant publicity stunt, just waiting to be unleashed after the game's release. Of course, this plan requires a massive investment."
Kobayashi Tetsu had started spouting nonsense.
In reality, this plan didn't cost a cent; it just required a bit of extra effort during production.
Of course, Kobayashi Tetsu wouldn't reveal this to Yamashina Makoto. If he did, it would expose Atlas as slacking off!
And Bandai couldn't foot the entire advertising bill either.
The TV commercial, funded by Bandai, began airing.
The ad featured the anime voice actors, Hase Yuto and Hanamura Shinobu, who voiced the protagonist Hikaru Ichijo and the female lead Lynn Minmay in *Super Dimension Fortress Macross*.
The commercial embodied the era's style, its length a stark contrast to the brief 15-second spots of later years.
The actors conversed in their iconic anime voices, showcasing the game cartridge and its pre-set characters.
Then, mid-ad, they abruptly shifted the topic to another event.
Another competition, hosted by Bandai and sponsored by Atlas, would take place on the game's release day. All were welcome to participate, with one simple condition: participants must have a child and bring them along.
A family game challenge! Held at the first Atlas Offline Experience Store in Akihabara!
***
Finally, the ad announced the release date: December. The *Super Dimension Fortress Macross* game would officially launch.
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