384 Anticipating the Dot-com bubble burst

The gaming industry witnessed a significant shift as studios gradually transitioned from 32-bit to 128-bit consoles, with KiShin leading the charge with their powerful new engine. This opened up new possibilities for developers, but it wasn't the only story brewing.

Meanwhile, a different kind of inspiration took root. The unexpected success of "Undertale," a charming yet deceptively simple 8-bit indie game, proved that captivating storytelling and innovative gameplay could thrive outside the realm of high-end graphics.

This success emboldened smaller studios and independent developers, offering them a chance to chase their creative visions.

Enter Unreal Engine, a versatile game development software that, was accessible even for smaller players. KiShin, recognizing the potential, made the software available for personal use, further fostering the independent spirit. However, there was a catch: for games developed on Unreal Engine with sales below 100,000 units, KiShin wouldn't claim any royalties. This generous move, a testament to their long-term vision, provided a platform for budding developers to experiment, innovate, and potentially achieve success.

The impact was undeniable. Smaller studios and independent creators flourished, and they can potentially unleash a wave of diverse and unique games onto the market.

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As February 2000 dawned, the world had dodged the much-feared Y2K bug, leaving behind a sense of relief and cautious optimism. In this timeline, the video games industry presented a different picture compared to Shin's previous life. While KiShin maintained its dominance, competitors Tora and Suzuki managed to carve out their niches, supported by a loyal fanbase.

However, Tora's latest 128-bit console wasn't performing as expected, leading to financial losses. Itori Tanaka, the head of Tora's video game division, along with key executives, faced a difficult decision. The intense competition from KiShin and Suzuki was proving insurmountable, making it hard to compete in the high-end console market.

While Tora could still find success with its cheaper handheld console, thanks to the higher price points of KiShin's KSP and Suzuki's Ultimate, it wasn't enough to sustain their entire console division.

After careful deliberation, Tanaka made a strategic shift. Tora would transition into a dedicated video game production company, focusing on developing games for other platforms. While they wouldn't completely abandon the handheld market, they would operate on a smaller scale, avoiding direct competition with the industry giants.

This move, though a retreat from the high-end console market, allowed them to maintain their competitiveness by leveraging their cost-effective handhelds.

This decision marked a turning point for Tora Electronics. While they surrendered the console battle to KiShin and Suzuki, they pivoted their focus to carve out a successful niche in the handheld market, ensuring their continued presence in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.

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From his opulent KiShin Rules chairman's office, Shin's gaze scanned the horizon, his prescient eyes witnessing the impending dot-com bubble's burst. Armed with his future knowledge, he discreetly advised trusted individuals and entities holding internet company stocks to short them. However, meticulous caution guided his actions.

Shin meticulously targeted companies unlikely to survive the coming storm, their fate sealed in his memories of the future. The transactions were conducted through carefully chosen intermediaries, ensuring KiShin and himself remained untraceable. This intricate web of maneuvers aimed to mitigate risk and avoid drawing unwanted attention.

However, not all internet companies were destined for oblivion. Shin, recognizing the future potential of certain giants like Amazon, opted not to sell their stock. In fact, he strategically considered acquiring more shares if their prices dipped in the coming market turbulence.

Google, however, already belonged to KiShin. Their acquisition remained a quiet secret, as Google's 2000 presence was far from the behemoth it would become. Only a select few, including the investment giants BlackRock and Vanguard, that probably care of KiShin's ownership of Google.

Initially, Shin underestimated these investment firms. But as his experience as an industry leader grew, he recognized their significant influence. He even became aware of their support for Tora and Suzuki in the video game sector.

This knowledge informed his decision to release the KS2 console earlier than planned. He anticipated the "low-key giants" behind his competitors would leverage their resources to match KiShin in the high-end console market. Shin's early release aimed to secure KiShin's position before their rivals could fully mobilize.

Shin's keen strategic mind recognized the need to carefully navigate the complex landscape of the American market. While KiShin, as a private company, wasn't directly beholden to the whims of Wall Street, he couldn't afford to underestimate the influence of powerful investment firms like BlackRock and Vanguard.

These giants, particularly BlackRock, wielded immense power across various industries, and Shin was aware of their past opposition to KiShin's early expansion in the US. Their ability to influence media narratives and sway public opinion presented a potential challenge.

However, KiShin's private ownership shielded it from direct influence through stock ownership. BlackRock and other investment firms couldn't directly dictate KiShin's direction. Nevertheless, Shin acknowledged the indirect influence they exerted through their sway over banks, companies, and other entities that KiShin partnered with. These partnerships, crucial for KiShin's operations and growth, could be indirectly impacted by the investment giants' decisions.