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Chapter 93: Starting Lineup Preparation (5)
🕑 Added 2025-09-29 11:31:28 +0000 UTCTakuya keenly sensed the lingering doubts in the expressions of Development Team 9.
Shifting his tone, he began to elaborate on the deeper considerations behind choosing Ace Attorney.
“I know that Team 9 has accumulated extensive experience in developing games for home consoles,” he said.
“Compared to many teams focused on arcade games, you have a deeper understanding of home console users’ habits and preferences.”
His affirmation was like a warm current, soothing the hearts of Team 9’s members.
“Moreover, a visual novel-style game like Ace Attorney, which centers on compelling storytelling and text-based expression, has significantly lower development costs compared to triple-A titles chasing top-tier graphical performance.”
“The development cycle is also relatively more manageable.”
“More importantly,” Takuya’s voice carried an unshakable confidence, “this type of game doesn’t demand extreme hardware performance or push technical boundaries to the limit.”
“By launching a cleverly designed, unique, and highly successful example like this, we’re sending a clear signal to the entire industry.”
“That is: even third-party developers without cutting-edge 3D graphics technology or vast resources can absolutely create critically and commercially successful games on our new console platform.”
“This will greatly encourage them, attracting them to join our new console’s ecosystem more actively, rapidly enriching our game library and fostering a thriving, diverse environment.”
The developers in the room, especially the seasoned team leaders, exchanged knowing glances as realization dawned.
So that was the plan.
This wasn’t just a game—it was a “gateway” to attract third-party developers, a showcase of the new console’s inclusivity.
“Secondly,” Takuya raised a second finger, his tone reflecting a keen grasp of market trends, “think about this: how many devoted mystery novel readers are there across Japan?”
“And how many fans tune in to prime-time suspense and mystery TV dramas?”
“This is an enormous, untapped potential market that current console games have yet to fully explore!”
His voice brimmed with persuasive energy.
“Most home console games on the market today focus on action, shooting, or role-playing genres.”
“But Ace Attorney will precisely target this niche market, appealing to those who love mysteries and suspense stories but may not be traditional hardcore gamers.”
“What we’re aiming for is to ‘break the mold’ of our audience.”
“We can’t just focus on familiar core gamers.”
“Families, casual players, female players, and even those who rarely play games but are drawn to gripping courtroom drama stories—all of them could become potential users of our new console.”
With a playful smile, he added, “As for why we’re not prioritizing a game about dating girls…”
“That’s because I believe the developers who specialize in that unadvertisable genre have an uncanny knack for sniffing out opportunities.”
“Those themes offer them more creative freedom and ignite their passion.”
“Sega’s mission is to carve out a new battlefield, establish a differentiated advantage, and lead a new trend.”
A wave of knowing laughter rippled through the meeting room.
Executive Director Nakayama’s humorous yet incisive analysis deepened everyone’s admiration for his business acumen and strategic vision.
Team 9’s members no longer showed any trace of their earlier confusion or dejection.
Instead, their eyes blazed with determination.
They finally understood.
This seemingly “niche” and “unconventional” Ace Attorney carried the significant strategic weight of attracting third-party developers and expanding the console’s audience.
From being a nearly forgotten team on the sidelines, they had been transformed into a key unit wielding a “secret weapon.”
This dramatic shift swept away their accumulated frustration.
A sense of exhilaration and a profound mission filled their hearts.
The Team 9 leader stood up, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.
“Executive Director Nakayama, rest assured!”
“We, Development Team 9, will not let you down. We’ll make Ace Attorney a masterpiece that will stun everyone!”
Yuji Suzuki, who hadn’t been assigned a specific original flagship project, watched as Takuya seemed to have finished outlining all the major projects. A flicker of subtle surprise passed through his eyes.
Clearing his throat, he asked with a touch of the stubbornness typical of a tech enthusiast, “Executive Director Nakayama, what about me and Development Team 2?”
“Are we just stuck overseeing those porting projects?”
Takuya burst into laughter, casting a teasing glance at this technical titan of Sega.
“Mr. Suzuki, you’re one of Sega’s top—no, one of Japan’s top—game development masters.”
“With your talent and creativity, do you really need me to spoon-feed you a project?”
“I’m more excited to see you draw inspiration from the new console’s powerful capabilities and come up with an original masterpiece that will once again define the era.”
A spark flashed behind Suzuki’s glasses, and a challenging smile curved his lips.
“Hmph, you said it.”
“I, Yuji Suzuki, will deliver a game that surpasses all your ideas today and leaves you speechless!”
“I’ll be watching with great anticipation,” Takuya replied, his smile unwavering, his eyes filled with trust and expectation for this legendary producer.
He turned back to Team 9, his tone growing serious and focused.
“Regarding the development of Ace Attorney, there are a few key points I want you to keep firmly in mind.”
“First, the story is the soul. Every case must be meticulously crafted, with airtight logic, gripping suspense, and thrilling twists.”
“Second, character development must be vivid. From the protagonist’s legal team to the distinctive prosecutors, and even every witness and culprit in each case, they need to leave a lasting impression.”
“Third, the thrill of courtroom debates. The satisfaction of inching closer to the truth and decisively crushing opponents with evidence is the core of the gameplay experience.”
“So, the script is of utmost importance. If you need support from mystery writers, just let me know!”
Team 9’s members listened intently, committing every word to memory.
With that, the lineup of flagship launch titles for Sega’s new console, along with several key arcade porting projects, had been fully assigned.
The meeting room buzzed with an unprecedented sense of determination.
Every team had received weighty tasks and felt the company’s immense investment and boundless expectations for the new console.
As soon as the meeting concluded, the developers, brimming with enthusiasm and armed with their various proposals, dispersed like soldiers heading to battle, ready to dive into intense development work.
Takuya, however, allowed himself no moment to rest.
He strode toward the marketing department’s office area.
Upon arriving, he sought out Masao Suzuki, the marketing department head responsible for external licensing and legal affairs.
The smile on Takuya’s face faded, replaced by a serious and focused expression.
“Mr. Suzuki, time is tight.”
“We have a game that requires securing licensing for several anime IPs. We need to act immediately.”
“I knew your meeting would bring big moves. I’ve been ready for this,” Masao Suzuki replied, downing the now-cool coffee in his hand. He grabbed his notebook and followed Takuya into a nearby small meeting room.
