"Before we start making the game, we first need to establish its overall tone. Shin Megami Tensei tells the stories of adults, whereas Persona tells the stories of high school students."
"Therefore, the style needs to be more lighthearted and lively, showcasing the school life aspect. Because of this, the game will be divided into two concepts: the Main World and the Other World. In the Main World, we carry out various daily activities, much like the towns in a typical role-playing game. Here, we can meet teammates, buy equipment, improve abilities, and so on."
"The Other World, on the other hand, represents the dungeons in a role-playing game. We will explore, fight, and complete missions there."
"Within the Main World, the part involving companions can be called 'Social Links.' Depending on the functions of different Social Links, interacting with them can bring players various benefits—for example, obtaining stronger Demons, which are also Personas, or gaining more advantages in battle and daily life."
Kobayashi Tetsu spoke enthusiastically, explaining the various design elements of Persona.
The Persona series upholds a tradition of Japanese RPGs: town life is filled with numerous NPCs, and the associated interactions and side quests consume a significant portion of the game time.
The average completion time for Persona is over 100 hours, but if players only focus on the main story, it takes less than 10 hours. The unique appeal of the Persona series lies in how it fills the remaining 90 hours with character development, side quests, and various charming Social Links.
For example, in Persona 5, players can see what other players are doing each day when playing online. The game then takes the top three most-interacted-with activities and recommends them to other players.
Kobayashi Tetsu had tried this feature several times. From the moment he unlocked the Social Link to the very last day of the game, he found that every single day, people were doing the exact same thing:
"Looking for Tae Takeminami."
Tae Takeminami is a doctor in the game who provides healing items as support. She also has a complete side story and can be romanced as a love interest.
A combination of these factors meant that during the game's one-year timeline, almost every day—except for those when she was unavailable—someone was seeking out Takeminami Tae.
It was fair to say that playing Persona 5 was all about Takeminami Tae.
Because of this, she became the only character outside the main party in Persona 5 to have a figure released.
"You're wasting your lives if you don't date Takeminami Tae!"
Kobayashi Tetsu coughed twice, snapped back to reality, and continued.
"Before we start production, I have only one request: spend a week interacting with people as much as possible. Look for unique individuals around you and use them as prototypes for NPCs with distinct styles. Even if an NPC only interacts with the player once or twice, they must possess a unique personality and charm. My requirement for this game is simple: the player's playtime must exceed one hundred hours!"
Koji Okada's expression turned solemn with respect.
One hundred hours! The console will be smoking!
Kobayashi Tetsu actually had a few candidates in mind for the game's NPCs.
For instance, Shimayose Yosuke or Black Flame Dragon—these people could all be used as prototypes for characters in the game.
Even with just a line or two of dialogue, interacting with such a distinct and memorable character would leave a lasting impression.
It had been a while since Tetsuya Kobayashi had visited the Shimayose Game Store. Today, he went incognito, pulling a baseball cap low and donning a disguise to avoid being recognized. He crept toward the store, hoping to go unnoticed.
Before he could even find Shimayose Yosuke, he ran into a player outside the shop, completely absorbed in a handheld game.
"President Kobayashi! You're President Kobayashi, aren't you?!"
Tetsuya tugged his brim lower. "You've got the wrong guy. I'm not him. I'm just a passerby."
The player remained utterly convinced. "No way! You're definitely President Kobayashi! Even with the sunglasses, mask, and cap, I can tell by your one-of-a-kind aura. And that handsome face... it's like a beacon in the night, impossible to miss—"
Tetsuya sighed.
Fine, I'll let it slide.
He removed his cap and stepped inside, greeting Shimayose Yosuke.
"Well, well, if it isn't President Kobayashi! What a rare treat. It's been ages since your last visit," Shimayose said with a smile, gesturing for Tetsuya to take the seat opposite him.
Kobayashi Tetsu briefly explained the purpose of his visit, and Shimayose Yosuke was stunned.
"Put me in the game? Oh, I couldn't possibly!" Shimayose Yosuke ran a hand through his hair.
I mean, why would a simple game shop owner suddenly be featured in a game?
But President Kobayashi had already decided it would be him.
Shimayose Yosuke spat twice and smoothed his hair.
"So, what kind of character am I in the game? A hero who saves the world? An uncle returned from another world? Or some kind of invincible expert?"
Kobayashi Tetsu said, "None of the above. You're the owner of a game shop."
Shimayose Yosuke: ————
He ran a game shop in real life, and if he went into the game and still ran a game shop, wasn't that a complete waste?
Although the game shop would display the sign of his real-life store, he'd still hoped to play a slightly different role!
Kobayashi Tetsu said, "In the game, you will provide equipment for the protagonist's party. Of course, there will also be side quests exclusive to you. Interacting with you more often will also bring benefits."
Shimayose Yosuke nodded repeatedly.
Well then, I'll accept it.
If I turn down an opportunity like this, it'll be gone forever!
Jokes aside, he knew that being chosen for this was a real honor.
Kobayashi Tetsu had brought a camera and snapped a few photos of Shimayose Yosuke right then and there.
For some reason, seeing Shimayose Yosuke's earnest expression gave Kobayashi Tetsu a strange sense of déjà vu—he looked just like a beastman.
"Uncle, you—"
"What is it?"
"Nothing, I just feel like you're the kind of merchant who'd fit perfectly in a game."
Shimayose Yosuke couldn't help but run a hand through his hair.
Is that a compliment or a roast? I'll just take it as a compliment!
Shimayose Yosuke turned around and announced the good news to the crowd of players.
"Your uncle is going to be in the game!"
Kobayashi Tetsu had spent a long time identifying and recording all the people he was interested in adding to the game, and he had obtained their permission, of course.
He was genuinely surprised to hear that Black Flame Dragon was also planning to make a game, but he could only offer encouragement and respect.
If a game wasn't well-made, he wouldn't take the lead in publishing it. Even for an acquaintance, quality was the bottom line.
After all, Black Flame Dragon wasn't going to let him sleep with him.
Even if Black Flame Dragon were to sleep with him, it would be a no-go. Kobayashi Tetsu refused!
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Kobayashi Tetsu organized the characters reported by the Megami Group one by one. Certain specific characters could be expanded into Social Links, while others could only be simple NPCs.
As October approached, Naka Yuji came to report a piece of news to Kobayashi Tetsu.
"President," Naka Yuji said solemnly, "The computer we sent yesterday was signed for by that Matsuoka Satoshi-kun!"
Kobayashi Tetsu shot to his feet.
He had finally signed for it!
Matsuoka Satoshi was a typical intelligent person who planned his life in meticulous detail. If he decided to accept Kobayashi Tetsu's gift, it meant that Matsuoka Satoshi had finally made a decision.
Kobayashi Tetsu couldn't help but straighten his collar.
It was time to go get Matsuoka Satoshi. If he could bring this man into the Atlas Technical Development Department, Atlas could become the kind of company that could add enhancement chips to cartridges!
Konami had its own enhancement chips, and Nintendo had its own enhancement chips. On some Super Famicom cartridges, the enhancement chips were even more powerful than the Super Famicom's own display performance.
This area had always been Atlas's weak point. Research and development required money, and when Kobayashi Tetsu had money, he had no one.
By securing Matsuoka Satoshi today, Kobayashi Tetsu could finally address the shortcomings of the Technical Development Department.
But just as Kobayashi Tetsu was about to leave, Naka Yuji scratched his head.
"You probably don't need to go!"
Because Matsuoka Satoshi had already shown up at his door.
Kobayashi Tetsu looked outside. Sure enough, Matsuoka Satoshi walked into the office, dressed formally in a suit.
As soon as he entered, he bowed deeply to Kobayashi Tetsu.
"I am profoundly grateful for President Kobayashi's kindness. His care for me during this time has been truly meticulous. As a mere novice student, to receive such favor—it would be utterly ungracious of me to refuse. I am willing to join the Atlas Technical Development Department and do my utmost to complete the development work!"
Kobayashi Tetsu stepped forward and shook Matsuoka Satoshi's hand firmly.
With Matsuoka Satoshi and Iwata Satoru—the "Crouching Dragon and Hidden Phoenix"—he now had both. How could he worry about his grand plans failing?
He glanced at Naka Yuji.
Ah, of course, there was also Naka Yuji. He wanted to make the Sonic game.
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