In 1991, a Japanese game company released a game that properly showcased the concept of a fighting game for two players to the public for the first time.
This game sold 30,000 arcade boards, amassing a whopping 2 million yen, completely changing the paradigm in the gaming industry.
People learned the control keywords for numerous characters,
practiced combos,
and fought tirelessly against someone met in the arcade.
This game, which stimulated the desire to prove strength, became a super hit worldwide, coinciding with the arcade culture.
It sold so well that it sparked the fighting game boom of the 90s,
leading to the emergence of countless fighting games like “The Legend of the Wolf” and “Dragon King’s Authority” and ushered in the golden age of arcade culture.
This legendary game,
“Street Fighter II,”
ranked as the number one fighting game in the world,
selling 6.3 million copies in its single series,
4 million in its expansion,
and a total of 15.5 million copies globally, generating revenues of 10.6 billion yen.
During my elementary school years, I, lacking money, spent time in arcades watching the game with my orphan friends.
Although I couldn’t play it myself, I built skills by imagining countless battles in my head, and on days I struck it lucky with coins, I endured and employed all sorts of tricks just to survive chair shots for more gameplay.
Oh, those chair shots hurt…
Anyway, the important thing is that this is the only game that can solve this problem.
A game that is fun while pursuing “strength” and demonstrating “violence,”
the kind of game the people in this other world are yearning for as the arcade culture began to flourish,
is none other than a fighting game like “Street Fighter II.”
I went on to explain this game to Minister Herness, and once I finished, he spoke up.
“So, if we create that game, can it strengthen the empire’s image?”
His words were loaded with multiple meanings.
‘Do you really think that’s possible?’
I didn’t think that just by creating a game like “Street Fighter II,” the empire would instantly have a strong image.
But…
“Honestly, it’s difficult with just the game. However, if we ‘utilize’ it, it can work.”
“We’ll utilize it?”
I shared my plan regarding “improving the national image using a fighting game.”
Honestly, it’s a funny situation for me to plan such things, but I had no choice.
It’s best to avoid getting involved in high-ranking matters, but once you do, you can’t back down.
That was a lesson I learned from getting caught up in political struggles in my past life.
As I spoke, the expressions of Minister Herness and Sylvia began to shift from admiration to disbelief.
Once I finished, Minister Herness incredulously said,
“Do you really believe that could work?”
“I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t. Just look at how Super Thomas succeeded.”
The minister’s face turned into that of a businessman crunching numbers.
After about three minutes of weighing my plan against the talents of the entire empire, the minister made a decision.
“Alright, let’s proceed with this.”
After finishing his calculations, the minister issued us a mission.
“In four months, the second prince of the Kingdom of Ra will be visiting as a state guest, he’s the most belligerent prince of Ra.”
Ah, that crazy dragon,
I had heard of the infamous reputation of the second prince of Ra.
He was a lunatic who personally led troops to provoke our empire’s borders.
What a bizarre thing to send such a lunatic as a diplomat, the Kingdom of Ra must be filled with oddballs.
“During that state visit, I want you to use the game you mentioned to make our Zers Empire feel like a not-so-easy target. Can you do it?”
“I can do it, but I can’t do it alone.”
As I spoke, I began to sketch out development and service plans in my mind.
Everything sounded good, but I needed a few types of support.
My words made the minister dismissive as he sipped his tea.
“Well, what do you need? Money? Manpower? Whatever the minister’s office can support, we’ll provide it.”
Talents from the minister’s office, the best in the empire?
That’s pretty tempting.
But more than that, what I needed was something else.
That I can save for later utilization.
“I need ‘reputation’ more than that.”
“Reputation?”
I elaborated on what I needed for this plan.
Upon hearing it, the minister raised a truly incredulous expression, but simultaneously mirrored a look I’d seen frequently in my past life.
It was the look that said, ‘Could that crazy guy actually…?’
When someone has that expression, it usually meant my plans are about to pass.
“Indeed, you seem to be either a genius or a guy with two lives.”
The minister handed me a black communication crystal similar to Sylvia’s.
As I took the crystal, he continued,
“Try this. If you contact here, my subordinate will assist with what you need.”
After finishing his words, the minister stood up.
Sylvia and I also got up, and he bid us a warning farewell.
“Let’s meet in two months; I will decide what to do after seeing the results.”
Two months… a long yet short time, he closed the door and disappeared.
After the door closed, Sylvia and I took a while to release the tension we had been holding.
“Phew… oh my!”
“Yuren! Are you alright?”
I almost toppled over from relaxing too much.
Meeting a high-ranking official was always stressful, whether in this life or the last.
“I’m fine, Sylvia, just a bit relieved.”
Sylvia kindly brought me water as I relaxed.
Making a lot of money is nice, but getting tangled in such events just reminds me that nothing in this world comes for free.
While I thought about what to do next, Sylvia wore a worried expression.
“Yuren… can you really do it?”
“It’s not a matter of whether I can or cannot, I just have to.”
I also felt a sense of responsibility for this matter.
A country’s image is important.
Weaker nations face cruel invasions; that’s the logic of the international community.
And they mentioned a 50% tax reduction! I have to pull this off, even if it kills me!!
“More importantly, are you okay, Sylvia? It seems like this is escalating politically.”
“It’s the destiny of the Consortium. It can’t be helped.”
I had heard from Sylvia before.
All members of the Consortium had sponsors within the ruling class.
Thanks to their support, they could safely conduct their business, but at the same time, they sometimes had to get involved in unwanted conflicts because of it.
Indeed… thinking about it like that makes sense.
The success of Super Thomas certainly brought great results to the Edward Consortium.
The credit would reach Minister Herness, and if forces that disliked him used this issue to undermine him, it would all align perfectly.
Having grasped the situation, Sylvia looked genuinely sorry.
“I’m sorry for getting you mixed up in this.”
Lately, Sylvia had been showing more and more expressions.
But why is she apologizing?
This isn’t just someone else’s business, right?
“What are you talking about? We’re friends!”
A friend’s affair is my affair.
And Sylvia is my friend.
A friend I can trust with my back.
“…That’s right. We are ‘friends.’ Hehe♡”
Upon hearing my words, Sylvia brightened up and laughed cheerfully.
Then, suddenly, I noticed the sun was setting outside.
How time flies; it’s already getting late.
“Speaking of which, it’s already late, and we still need to discuss plans, so please stay for dinner.”
Sylvia said as she tidied up the room.
Using teleportation magic back and forth in a day is definitely exhausting.
Plus, I need to hurry home and start developing that ‘fighting game.’
“No, I can’t impose too much.”
At my words, her expression turned disappointed.
“Oh really? But we still have that ‘West Wine’ you said was delicious…”
That wine is here!?
I couldn’t forget the taste of that West Wine I tried at the last party.
I was just about to purchase it separately, but it’s sold only to VIPs, and they made it impossible to acquire without an introduction, so I had given up. But to see it still here, shows the Consortium’s might.
“Well… if I’m refusing a friend’s invitation, that wouldn’t be right. Maybe I’ll accept some help.”
“Hehe♡ Great choice.”
That evening, I lifted my tired spirits with the West Wine and took some well-deserved rest.
Catching glimpses of Sylvia’s peculiar glances here and there might have just been my imagination.
With rough plans set, I returned to the Irene School the next day.
Alright… let the fun game development time begin!
