"What about the story?" Takuya pushed the proposal back across the table. "No matter how impressive the graphics, an RPG's soul lies in its narrative."
"Don't worry about that," Rieko Kodama said confidently, raising her chin as she tucked the heavy document into her bag. "I've been refining the script outline for six months. This time, the theme is 'choice' and 'continuation'—a multigenerational saga of debts, grudges, and entanglements."
Takuya nodded with a smile, then turned serious. "Now that the plan is set, let's move forward. The development kits for the new console won't be ready for a while, so start creating assets on high-spec PCs. Once the hardware team sets up the development environment, I want to see the first playable demo."
"No problem," Rieko Kodama agreed.
Takuya set down the proposal for Phantasy Star III without even touching his red pen to mark it.
In a company like Sega, dominated by steel-skulled men, it was no small feat to have a female producer like Rieko Kodama, who understood both technology and aesthetics.
Trying to micromanage at this stage would not only be unnecessary, but downright foolish.
"You've truly brought this team together," Takuya Nakayama said, returning the proposal with a relaxed tone. "This team is now a well-oiled machine."
This wasn't mere politeness.
From the stunning debut of Phantasy Star II, to the steady progression of the Golden Sun trilogy, to the Chrono Trigger project that earned them the title of "RPG Dream Team," this group had shed their skin and forged themselves into a steel-hard unit.
The original team of dozens had grown through continuous recruitment, yet instead of diluting their combat power, they had honed an astonishing level of cohesion.
Rieko Kodama took the document but didn't hurry to leave. Instead, she stepped aside to reveal the young man who had been standing behind her.
"Managing Director, for the script and direction of Phantasy Star III, I'd like to entrust it to Nagoshi." She patted the young man's shoulder. "This kid is a proper graduate from Tokyo Zokei University's film program. Even on Chrono Trigger, I noticed his mastery of visual storytelling and narrative pacing far surpassed ours."
Takuya looked up, his gaze settling on the young man named Toshihiro Nagoshi.
At this time, Toshihiro Nagoshi wasn't yet the "Yakuza Father" from his past life—the man with the sun-tanned skin, gold chains draped around his neck, and a look that made him seem more like a gang boss than a game designer.
Instead, he wore a slightly ill-fitting, cheap suit, his hair was a bit messy, and his face showed the sallow complexion of someone who had been working long overtime hours. When the big boss stared at him, he didn't know where to put his hands or feet.
"A high-achieving film student?" Takuya asked with keen interest, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk.
"Yes... yes, Managing Director," Toshihiro Nagoshi replied, straightening his posture, his voice slightly tense from nerves.
"Kotama says you're good, so you must have some real talent. Her eye for talent is legendary." Takuya smiled, leaning back in his chair. "This Phantasy Star III project will be your final exam. Put all those film school skills you learned to good use in the game."
Rieko Kodama interjected at the right moment: "If he can handle the pressure this time, I'd like to request that after the project is completed, we let Nagoshi lead his own team. Sega's RPG lineup is still too thin. We need a second, even a third, RPG development team that can stand on its own."
"Approved."
Takuya answered without hesitation, so quickly that Toshihiro Nagoshi blinked in surprise.
"Nagoshi," Takuya said, standing up and walking around the desk to stand face-to-face with the younger man.
He was slightly taller than Nagoshi, and the imposing presence made the younger man unconsciously hold his breath.
"Sega isn't short on coders. What we lack are people who can tell great stories. Kotama wants you to strike out on your own, and I happen to be short on manpower." Takuya straightened Nagoshi's slightly crooked tie, his gesture that of an older brother, but his tone was an unyielding command. "Make this project shine. Don't embarrass your team leader. When the time comes for the victory banquet, I'll personally approve the budget for your next project. By then, don't just ask for an RPG—want to tackle something more... exciting? I'll go all out with you."
Toshihiro Nagoshi's head snapped up, the flicker of ambition igniting in his previously hesitant eyes.
"Yes! I won't fail you!"
Watching the two figures disappear down the hallway, Takuya stroked his chin. The current Nagoshi was still a well-behaved child who only knew how to make RPGs. Who could have imagined this guy would one day create Yakuza, a brutally hardcore game where players would smash faces and snatch bicycles all over the streets?
It's quite amusing to think that the future "Yakuza Game Godfather" is currently honing his skills in a fantasy RPG.
After seeing Rieko Kodama out, Takuya Nakayama barely had time to take a sip of water before the office door swung open again.
This time, a group of people entered, led by a young man with a buzzed haircut and bright eyes—Tetsuya Mizuguchi.
These were the elite team under Yu Suzuki, the core members who had created Virtua Racing.
"Sit." Takuya pointed to the sofa and casually poured his cold tea into the trash. "Didn't Mr. Suzuki assign you a task?"
"The boss hasn't been back to the development team for three days," Tetsuya said with a wry smile as he sat down. "He said if the Model 2's polygon processing doesn't meet his expectations, we won't be able to achieve the skin texture quality for Virtua Fighter 2. Now half the development team is swarming around the prototype of this new motherboard, while we racing guys have become 'deadweight'."
Takuya understood the unspoken implication.
Yu Suzuki was the technical idol of Sega's arcade division. Working for him was both an honor and an immense pressure.
Especially when this great master becomes fully immersed in fighting games, the racing team risks becoming nothing more than mere technical support if they don't find their own path.
"Idle hands could never have created a groundbreaking game like Virtua Racing," Takuya said, leaning back in his chair and studying the young team eager to prove themselves.
"While Virtua Racing 2 is a safe choice—just pile on the polygons and the graphics will be stunning," Tetsuya Mizuguchi said, rubbing his hands together nervously, his eyes burning with stubborn determination. "But that's Mr. Suzuki's creation. He's a genius, and no matter how far we follow in his footsteps, we'll always just be imitators. Since you've given us creative freedom this time, we want to make something—something that's ours."
Takuya chuckled and tossed him a cigarette.
These young techies are all full of ambition.
"It's good that you don't want to be imitators. While it's comfortable to stand in the shade of trees planted by others, it lacks a sense of accomplishment." Takuya lit his lighter, watching the flame flicker. "If you don't want to race on Formula 1 tracks, what do you have in mind? Mud-splattered rally races? Or neon-lit street brawls?"
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