Twenty-two thousand units.
Half a month after the launch of Street Fighter, domestic sales figures had advanced from 8,000 units to this level.
Arcades that had initially been waiting and watching also began to waver.
"People are playing Street Fighter in so many places; if you don't have it here, they won't come to play at your place next time!"
These arcades had wide connections and didn't rely specifically on any single arcade manufacturer, so naturally, they would play whatever made them money.
As this group of wavering vendors began to change their minds, sales figures naturally continued to rise further.
Atlas Office.
Naka Yuji and Takashi Nishiyama could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"In this way, we've managed to break through the initial blockade!"
Kobayashi Tetsu was not in the office at the moment, and the whiteboard was blank. Naka Yuji looked at it, decided not to write anything, and just waved at everyone, making a celebratory gesture.
"Gentlemen, you can cheer! As our first officially released arcade game, Street Fighter is even more outstanding than we imagined! Even in the face of some unfavorable factors and external issues, we have still met our predetermined goals!"
While domestic numbers are steadily increasing, overseas sales, facing no obstacles, have already been booming for some time.
Unlike the lukewarm reception of the original Street Fighter, Capcom at the time had significant shortcomings in both reputation and production capability, so of course, it was impossible for the game to become an instant hit.
And even though the first game had a lukewarm reception, Street Fighter was very popular overseas.
It was precisely because the first Street Fighter was popular overseas that Capcom had the planning to produce the second one.
And this time, because of Kobayashi Tetsu's guidance to avoid pitfalls, they saved themselves a lot of trouble. By adding many heavy-hitting systems from the very beginning, such as the V-Trigger/burst-like insurance mechanics, the overall playability is naturally more than a degree higher than the original.
Although Naka Yuji didn't have a whiteboard, he still quickly made a few gestures.
"According to reliable intelligence, we have already broken through one million game coins domestically! Although it cannot be compared with the achievements of Demon Tower, Demon Tower had its own special reasons. But as a regular arcade game, we can confidently say: we have succeeded!"
Takashi Nishiyama also showed a joyful expression.
"Demon Tower" was due to the event combined with a massive amount of pre-launch marketing; many people didn't play "Demon Tower" for the game itself, but for Sonic.
However, "Street Fighter" is different; it's a game that is inherently very difficult to pick up!
The local game coin sales volume can basically represent the players' attitude.
Even while being surrounded and intercepted, it still managed to break through and achieve these results, which is already enough for everyone to celebrate.
Kobayashi Tetsu was not around, so naturally no one could talk about bonuses, but Naka Yuji quickly pondered the situation.
"Come to think of it, the President's actions this time were somewhat unexpected."
Takashi Nishiyama also nodded: "I thought we would have to go to Sega."
"That's what I initially thought too," Naka Yuji said. "But then I realized, perhaps there were other ways. The President chose to target game stores and convenience stores for the game console sales this time. These are quite common; game stores already have services for playing games, but game stores are, after all, a small number, and convenience stores are also a small number. But once the quantity adds up, and it's all combined, the number of games sold increases."
"And then there are the dance halls—that was something nobody could have anticipated!"
Who would go to a dance hall to play arcade games?
Yuji Naka couldn't imagine it, and neither could Takashi Nishiyama, but Tetsu Kobayashi had arranged it precisely that way.
What's more, those dance halls in Roppongi were huge drivers of sales! Not only did they purchase many game machines, but plenty of people were actually playing them there!
Yuji Naka racked his brains, but he still couldn't figure out why.
Neither could Takashi Nishiyama.
The two of them were stunned. Over on the side, Satoru Iwata was also pondering the matter. He couldn't quite wrap his head around it either, though he had a rough theory that it might be because there were more young people in the Roppongi district.
But if it were him, he'd go to a dance hall to sing and dance, not to play video games.
Satoru Iwata couldn't figure it out either.
Noriyoshi Ohba scratched his head beside them.
What should they do? Should they report this news to Hayao Nakayama?
The old man was still eagerly waiting for Tetsu Kobayashi to come and beg him for help, but it turned out the guy had already solved the problem himself. So what now?
While they were debating, the office door opened, and Tetsu Kobayashi walked in. Everyone looked up, Noriyoshi Ohba included.
"Is everyone here? Let's keep this brief."
Kobayashi Tetsu raised his hand, gesturing for silence.
"I just got back from Capcom's headquarters in Osaka. This collaboration was perfect, and Capcom's name has been put on the map. Nishiyama-kun, you all did a great job this time."
Takashi Nishiyama bowed deeply.
This quantity was enough to be proud of.
"Of course, this is inseparable from our production work, and also from Capcom's self-developed CPS1 motherboard. So this is a success for all of us. As a long-running arcade game, I dare say that Street Fighter will continue to generate coins for at least two to three years. After finishing one development cycle, take half a month off, you'll get two months' salary and bonuses—get some good rest!"
After a brief celebration, Yuji Naka suddenly asked a question.
"President, I can understand all the other decisions, but why place the game machines in dance halls?"
Not only Kobayashi Tetsu, but everyone else also looked up at him.
Because this huge surge in sales was indeed something they had never expected.
Even Iwata Satoru and the others looked towards Kobayashi Tetsu.
Kobayashi Tetsu spread his hands.
"Because there are many young people in the Roppongi district."
"Of course, that's not the main reason. The point is that many people don't just go to karaoke bars to sing, dance, or hook up."
"For example, you, Naka Yuji, would you go to a karaoke bar alone?"
Naka Yuji, of course, shook his head.
Who goes alone!
"Exactly. And because no one would go alone, it implies something else: going to such a place inherently carries a social aspect. And when people gather together, they need something to do. Putting arcade machines in karaoke bars just fits the definition of a gathering. For them, it's just something to play casually before singing and dancing; they won't spend all day there like they would in an arcade."
"But even if it's just casual play, given the foot traffic in those places, the combined total is not a small number."
Kobayashi Tetsu spread his hands.
So, that's really all there is to it.
At the end of the day, it was about using unconventional channels because the regular ones were blocked.
As for the game stores, that was just a secondary perk.
For nearly a month, Kobayashi Tetsu had been throwing money around, spending quite a bit to subsidize those game stores, all just so they would put an extra Street Fighter cabinet out front and promote Atlas game cartridges a bit more inside the shop.
Naka Yuji nodded repeatedly and started the applause.
Well said, President!
Iwata Satoru, meanwhile, lowered his head, lost in thought.
Social gatherings—that's also a rare kind of definition.
Party games are important, too!
This, it seemed, was also a kind of design philosophy.
So far, Iwata Satoru hadn't led many game projects himself; usually, Kobayashi Tetsu would provide an idea, and he would be responsible for leading the Development Division 2 in its production.
But now, Iwata Satoru felt something growing deep within his heart.
He felt as if something was about to emerge.
Please Support me by becoming my Patreon member and get 15+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon