389 Long game

The recent release of KiShin's highly anticipated PC games, "Counter Strike" and "Diablo," had everyone buzzing. Their soaring popularity wasn't surprising, with reports of hundreds of thousands of units sold within weeks. The games captivated players of all ages, drawing in even elementary schoolers like Shinichi's classmates and friends.

Shinichi, however, felt an unexplained shift in his friends' behavior. While their friendship remained intact, he couldn't help but notice their increased kindness towards him. He brushed it off, attributing it to their friendly nature.

Unbeknownst to Shinichi, his friends were quietly spreading a secret within their class: Shinichi was the son of Shinro Suzuki, the industry leader behind the hugely popular KiShin. This revelation, unknown to Shinichi.

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In the bustling internet cafes of Tokyo, high school students eagerly occupied seats to dive into the latest gaming phenomena. "Diablo," with its captivating RPG world, had stormed the genre, offering deep immersion and endless customization. Alongside it, "Counter Strike" redefined the FPS landscape with its innovative team-based gameplay and intense tactical challenges.

Both games transcended popularity norms. They weren't just popular; they were intensely, almost obsessively played. Whether it was salarymen seeking post-work relaxation or students indulging in a lunchtime escape, PC cafes witnessed a growing trend fueled by "Diablo" and "Counter Strike."

The surge in popularity of "Diablo" and "Counter Strike" at internet cafes didn't escape the media's watchful eye, particularly those with pre-existing concerns about video games. Morning news programs in Japan, particularly, took notice of the growing number of salarymen and students frequenting internet cafes instead of their usual routines, raising concerns among "experts."

News hosts and invited commentators addressed the perceived negative impacts of video games, focusing primarily on PC titles. They also drew attention to the rapid expansion of internet cafes, particularly those owned by corporate giant KiShin.

Critics expressed concerns about KiShin's growing monopoly, arguing that the corporation wasn't just dominating the video game market but also venturing into the cafe business, potentially squeezing out smaller, independent establishments. These smaller cafes, primarily concentrated in Tokyo, complained about KiShin's entry into their market, fearing the loss of their customer base, which primarily consisted of students and salarymen.

While media outlets critical of video games expressed concerns about the escalating trend of internet cafes and their impact on productivity, the general public seemed less alarmed. For instance, salarymen and students, the primary user base of these cafes, remained largely unfazed. However, older generations, with pre-existing reservations about video games, echoed the media's anxieties.

This surge in interest towards video games and internet cafes undeniably benefited the industry as a whole. KiShin, in particular, played a significant role in this growth, solidifying its position as a market leader. Major publications like Forbes, recognizing KiShin's central role, featured the company extensively in their articles on the video game industry.

This positive media coverage, coupled with his achievements, cemented Shinro Suzuki's legendary status among gamers. It wouldn't be surprising if established magazines like Forbes once again considered featuring him in their publications, underscoring his impact on the industry.

Adding to KiShin's dominance, industry experts widely predicted their KS2 console to shatter previous sales records. Initial sales figures seemed to confirm this, suggesting the KS2 may be the fastest-selling console in history.

Meanwhile, the runaway success of PC titles like "Diablo" and "Counter Strike" on the KP Software platform cast a long shadow over competitors like Steam, Netscape Online, and Retis Software. These rivals weren't idle, however. They diligently studied KiShin's strategies, implementing significant improvements in their own platforms' games, features, and functionality. Notably, some even surpassed KP Software in specific areas.

However, the undeniable success of recent KP Software games like "Diablo" and "Counter Strike" undeniably gave KiShin Plays Software a significant edge in the competition, leaving its rivals scrambling to catch up.

While KiShin was basking in the success of the KS2 and KP Software titles, another major player was quietly making its move. Microsoft, already established in the PC gaming space, announced its intention to enter the console market with its highly anticipated "Xbox" platform.

Unlike traditional consoles, the Xbox aimed to bridge the gap between personal computers and dedicated gaming hardware. It leveraged readily available components like Microsoft Windows and DirectX for its operating system, Intel CPUs, and NVIDIA GPUs, offering a familiar yet powerful platform for gamers.

This unique approach presented a significant challenge to the dominance of KiShin's KS2. The Xbox's PC-like architecture promised greater flexibility and potential for customization, potentially appealing to a different segment of the gaming audience.

Behind Microsoft's decision to enter the console market with the Xbox were key players like Vanguard Inc. and BlackRock, two major investment giants.

Despite KiShin's influence on the console, these investment giants were aware that KiShin still held significant power. The KiShin practically owned the company behind DirectX and powerful GPUs, NVIDIA, a key technology for the Xbox, and KiShin held a substantial share in Microsoft itself.

However, Vanguard and BlackRock's long-term strategy wasn't solely focused on the immediate competition. They aimed to reduce KiShin's influence across various industries, potentially paving the way for a future public offering of the company. By investing heavily in KiShin after its IPO, they could gain even more control.

While KiShin's current position seemed unassailable, these giants believed in playing the long game. Their silent efforts focused on gradually weakening KiShin's grip on the market, anticipating a future opportunity to acquire significant shares in a publicly traded company.