Chapter 180: Brachio- Saurus~
"I won't beat around the bush. Our next Mintendo console will utilize a 64-bit architecture. And we will present an entirely new form of gaming to all of you."
"Wowwww!"
The users erupted into cheers that made it seem like the chairman might leave due to Yamashita's statement about surpassing a generation. For those who had already experienced Real Fighter on the 32-bit generation, Yamashita's statement about showcasing more had an immense impact.
"What's this? Is Mintendo going back to an independent path?"
"They gave up the joint development project with Sensony for the 64-bit console, right? So, it seems like that."
It might not just be because of the 64-bit; it's more accurate to say they abandoned the storage medium of CDs. However, to the users gathered here, that decision was somewhat welcome. In fact, until now, there hadn't been a successful console using CDs, and due to the colossal failure of the NEGA CD, there was a widespread distrust of optical disc media. So, some users felt that Mintendo's choice of ROM cartridges was the right move.
Even the American friend standing in front of me, presumably here to see CES, was cheering with an excited expression towards Mr. Yamashita.
"That's right. I tried the next-gen medium they talked about, and it took like 10 seconds for a single game to load. It's not even the time for a leisurely cup of coffee..."
"Seriously? That bad?"
"No kidding. I was playing some Sonite on the NEGA CD, and I got so frustrated that I just turned it off..."
"Indeed, Mintendo is on point when it comes to games."
"Anyway, I'm all for sticking with cartridges."
Project 64, smoothly presented without even a single word of apology to Sensony, introduced after Senso... ni without any apologies, projected a bold ambition. After its release, it promised to introduce 3D in every game, displayed alongside a giant face of Super Marigi on the screen set up behind the stage.
At the sight, the onlookers let out exclamations bordering on screams.
"Whoa... Jesus Christ!"
The Italian man with a red hat turned upside down, sporting a bushy mustache, stared at the users with round eyes and shouted "Mamma Mia!"
Unlike the crude textures seen in Real Fighter, Marigi's face, almost as if alive and moving, depicted even facial expressions.
Witnessing the users' reactions, Mr. Sige added with a satisfied smile in his explanation.
"As you can see, this is the completely 3D-rendered face of Marigi. And I can confidently say that this is just a part of the performance of Project 64 that can even convey the character's emotions."
"This is amazing."
The appearance of the 3D-rendered Super Marigi instantly erased the lukewarm memory of NEGA's conference.
And the face of President Yamataka turned red almost immediately at the presentation of Project 64, showcasing performance significantly superior to their own next-gen model.
From NEGA's perspective, Mintendo was always the annoying presence that seemed to flee whenever they thought they were catching up. And that pattern remained the same this time as well.
"Mr. Junpei... why does it feel like the atmosphere is getting too heated?"
Representative Kawaguchi spoke with a perplexed expression, observing the enthusiastic reactions of the users.
And I understood Representative Kawaguchi's feelings perfectly well. Even though our conference hadn't started yet, the chairman's mood was already at its peak.
"Don't worry too much. Since Mintendo had to scrap the project they were developing, the Project 64 announced by Mintendo won't be able to launch anytime soon."
And shortly after, my prediction turned out to be accurate.
After finishing the promotion for the new Super Marigi series, Chairman Yamashita announced that Project 64 was scheduled for release at the end of 1995.
Although the announcement of having to wait for over a year left some users slightly disappointed, perhaps due to the exceptional quality of Super Marigi? The users, to some extent, accepted it within a resigned atmosphere and concluded the next-gen model's unveiling.
However, Mintendo's conference didn't end there.
Following that, they announced a game titled 'Pocket Monster Ball' and simultaneously unveiled the smaller and lighter 'Portable Gameboy Pocket.'
This was clearly an alternative strategy after the release of Project 64 was pushed back.
The new 'Gameboy Pocket' transformed from its previous bulky form into a lighter, slimmer form.
The screen also changed from yellowish to black for better readability. In appearance alone, the new 'Gameboy Pocket' didn't show much difference in size and weight compared to Laon. Of course, there was a considerable difference in internal performance, but...
Taking over from Chairman Yamashita, Gunpei listed the advantages of the new Gameboy, smoothly capturing the users' attention.
Especially, the game announced alongside the new model, 'Pocket Monster Ball,' drew tremendous excitement from the kids.
"At that looks fun..."
"It looks similar to Tamago Monsters, but you can enjoy it with just the Gameboy without a separate terminal..."
"There are 151 types of monsters, so there's plenty to collect, right?"
Even though the release date for Project 64 was far off, upon the announcement that the new Gameboy and Pocket Monster Ball would be available from next month, the users sent waves of applause and cheers.
Having satisfactorily finished the presentation, Gunpei, the presenter, who had disappeared backstage, sent a slight wink and a smile in my direction from quite a distance.
It felt more like a gesture of gratitude toward my former colleague, with no negative connotation.
Clap, clap, clap, clap~!!
Despite the presenter, Gunpei, having vanished backstage after a rather satisfying conference, the applause didn't die down.
'I wonder if we'll continue to hear this applause even two years from now in the future?'
With a light nod, I moved away from the Mintendo booth.
The next conference would be for the 3DO, right? But the 3DO wasn't particularly expected to be a promising model.
Of course, it was an epoch-making console that opened the door to the 32-bit gaming market, but was that all it had to offer?
In truth, the 3DO had initially garnered significant attention in its early development stages.
Gunpei and Mintendo had experience creating the portable game 'Atari Lynx' in the early 90s, which led to the inception of the first console equipped with a 32-bit CPU and CD-ROM based on their expertise.
The company they initially approached with the crumpled napkin idea of the new model was none other than NEGA, where the USA branch head viewed Gunpei and Mintendo's proposal positively and contacted the Japanese headquarters.
However, President Yamanaka's response was to reject their proposal, given the NEGA Drive was selling well in North America and Europe due to 'Sonic,' not wanting unnecessary rumors about a new console to affect sales.
Also, during the time when Sega was adopting CD-ROM technology and planning Saturn, hindering the conditions for their idea.
Failing to find favorable circumstances, the two innovators sought AE Corporation, the leading game company in the United States. There, meeting with Trip Hawkins, the president of AE at the time, the duo's pitch convinced Hawkins to leave AE and establish 3DO.
The development of 3DO took an unconventional path, involving subcontracting to companies specializing in home appliances, intending to distribute profits after production, unlike traditional gaming consoles.
Each manufacturer had varied designs for 3DO, and even 'Eunhae' from Korea participated in console production under the name '3D Alive' (although their design was among the worst).
Trip Hawkins firmly believed his 3DO venture would revolutionize the gaming market, not just as a gaming console but also enabling video playback using VCDs, anticipating the shift from VHS to VCDs with the demise of the VHS market.
Considering 3DO as a multimedia device for households, Hawkins announced it at $699, but unfortunately, no one bought it; consumers were wise enough not to purchase an expensive device that was neither a gaming console nor a straightforward video player.
A year after the release, Hawkins had to make a decision. Despite the launches of Saturn and Nintendo's Project 64, 3DO's fate seemed sealed. Nevertheless, he prepared for 3DO's conference with a last-ditch effort.
"Look at his expression; it's as if he's carrying the weight of the world's misfortunes..." observed Hayashi while checking the stage and microphone before the conference.
"Understandably so. He left a thriving position at AE, and now things are terribly tangled," Kawaguchi nodded in agreement.
"There are rumors of a radical price drop at this CES. However, whether that will resonate with users remains uncertain," speculated Kawaguchi.
"Recently, due to 3DO's low distribution, AE is reluctant to release exclusive games. If that happens, it's like getting betrayed, even by the child one raised," lamented Hayashi.
"It's a stark example that high specs alone don't ensure success," concluded Kawaguchi.
Moments later, Trip Hawkins cleared his throat, signaling the start of the 3DO conference. However, after Nintendo's conference, attendees dispersed for a late lunch, leaving 3DO's conference desolately commenced, already shunned by users.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Trip Hawkins, representing 3DO. While 3DO opened the gateway to the 32-bit gaming market last year, it received much love from core gamers. However, due to a somewhat high device price, it seemed daunting for light users to enter... Therefore, this time, with a bold pricing revolution, we..."
However, Hawkins' misfortune didn't end there. An announcement about a new console conference from Sony disrupted his presentation.
"Sony is starting a conference for a new console device!!" a user's exclamation diverted the attention of the 4-50 users gathered in front of the booth.
"What!?"
"Sony making a game console!?"
"Wow~!!"
Amidst the sudden rush towards Sony, Hawkins seemed flustered and started stuttering.
"T-This... is a bold... pricing revolution..."
However, no one paid any heed to him. Despite reducing the price of 3DO to $499, the concept had already faltered, facing the later releases of Saturn and Gear Station and fading into history's sidelines.
Sony's surprise announcement of the next-gen console was abrupt and garnered a multitude of users in front of their booth.
The curiosity stemmed from Sony, a newcomer to console gaming, attracting numerous users, backed by their international brand power and the jointly developed 'Gear Station' with Nintendo.
Kawaguchi couldn't attend due to preparing for the next conference, but Morita and Hayashi were bewildered by the explosive user reactions.
"Was Sony this popular among gamers?" asked Morita.
"It's more about their brand power. In terms of home appliances, Sony is a much larger global company than Nintendo, which solely manufactures consoles," Hayashi explained.
Nodding in agreement, I shifted my gaze towards the stage.
Under the spotlight, a man held a gray device. "Could that be!? Has the next-gen console already been completed by Sony?"
Nodding in response to Hayashi's query, I nervously bit my nails, contemplating Sony's technical prowess, which could likely swiftly create a device even with moderate expertise.
Kurakagi, smiling at the users, held the gray device, undoubtedly the Gear Station I knew.
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