A faint, synchronized chorus of mouse clicks echoed across the office floor.
Posted by: Yu Suzuki, Second Development Department.
The moment that name appeared, everyone drew a sharp breath.
It was Yu Suzuki!
If it had been anyone else, people might have watched with detached curiosity. But when his name showed up, hearts leaped into throats.
This was Sega's ace—the god of technology. The fact that even he had stepped into the fray changed everything.
Eyes turned nervously to the content of his post.
[Executive Game Discussion]
"Executive Nakayama, regarding your earlier proposal to develop an F1-themed game on the Model 1 board: During our technical pre-research, the team has encountered an obstacle. The highly integrated paddle-shift steering wheel you mentioned—we currently have no physical reference available, making accurate simulation of force feedback and handling feel impossible. Does the company have any channels through which we could access the relevant hardware for development reference?"
The post was concise, no wasted words, cutting straight to the core technical issue.
Understanding dawned on everyone.
So that was it!
As expected of Yu Suzuki.
There was no room in his mind for workplace intrigue or politics. He cared only about one thing: making the game as perfect as it could possibly be.
If an ordinary employee had asked this, it might have seemed wildly ambitious. Coming from Yu Suzuki, it felt entirely reasonable.
Now the ball was in the executive's court.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for Nakayama Takuya's response.
This wasn't just an answer to a question—it was a declaration of intent to every developer in the company.
Would he deflect with vague assurances, or actually solve the problem?
As speculation swirled, the page refreshed automatically once more.
A new reply appeared—less than three minutes after Yu Suzuki's post.
Reply by: Nakayama Takuya, Executive Office.
"Excellent question. Force feedback and handling feel are the core of any F1 game experience and must be perfected. Regarding physical references, I already have a preliminary plan in motion."
That opening line alone eased half the tension. The executive's attitude was clearly proactive.
But the next paragraph detonated the entire development floor.
"I will ask Director Yoshikawa to contact Honda. Through their connections, we can interface directly with the McLaren team. If things go smoothly, I will arrange for your core development staff to enter McLaren's pit area during this year's Japanese Grand Prix in the second half of the season for zero-distance observation. Additionally, this can serve as a promotional tie-in with the McLaren-Honda team. Further details will follow from the Executive Office assistant."
Boom—!
If the earlier mood had been frozen silence, now the whole building felt as though a depth charge had gone off.
"Did I read that right? McLaren?!"
"Into the pit area? Zero-distance observation? Holy hell!"
"The executive's connections are insane!"
Takahashi shot up from his chair, seizing a colleague by the shoulders and shaking him frantically. "Did you see that? Did you see that?!
McLaren—the team with Senna and Berger!"
After the initial shock, the BBS reply section spiraled out of control.
[Executive Game Discussion] "Suzuki-sama, does your team need someone to fetch tea? The kind who'll buy their own ticket to Suzuka!"
[Executive Game Discussion] "Please let me tag along +1! I'll do anything—tighten bolts, change tires. Worst case, I'll hand gloves to Senna!"
[Executive Game Discussion] "Executive, our Third Development Department is making a cops-and-robbers chase game. Could you contact the Metropolitan Police so we can experience real firearms—"
"The guy above is suspicious! If you want real gunfire, just rob a bank—immersion guaranteed!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The day's pent-up tension ignited in an instant. The once-stiff "Sega Academy" BBS transformed from a dour notice board into a boisterous wishing well and comedy hub.
All the earlier whispers of "showmanship" or "trap" evaporated.
Having replied to Yu Suzuki, Nakayama Takuya watched the forum erupt into celebration and smiled with satisfaction.
This was precisely the vitality he wanted—the spark to shatter the stagnation.
Of course, promises made publicly were not empty.
He printed the exchange with Yu Suzuki, compiled it into a concise requirements document, then rose and headed directly to Director Yoshikawa's office.
Yoshikawa's office sat on the opposite side of headquarters, offering a panoramic view.
When Nakayama pushed the door open, Yoshikawa was just ending a call, a shrewd businessman's smile still on his face.
In recent years, as Nakayama-led cross-industry projects flourished, Yoshikawa—once a minor shareholder handling only public relations—had seen his influence and standing soar.
From the Fatal Fury animation tie-ins to the proliferating brand collaborations, nearly every major external initiative relied on his networking prowess.
These expanding partnerships not only boosted Sega's brand but also brought Yoshikawa substantial rewards and an ever-widening web of contacts.
"Takuya, come in," Yoshikawa said, motioning to the opposite chair with a half-joking tone. "Your BBS post has my phone ringing off the hook. Several department heads have already come asking whether the company is planning something huge."
"Just stirring the pot a little," Nakayama replied with a smile, sitting and handing over the document. "Though I do have a genuine favor to ask today."
"Oh?" Yoshikawa accepted the papers and adjusted his glasses.
One glance at the title raised his eyebrows.
By the time he finished reading the request for "zero-distance observation of the McLaren team pit area," even the seasoned Yoshikawa removed his glasses and rubbed his temples.
He looked up at the young man before him, expression caught between amusement and exasperation.
"Takuya, do you think my office contains Doraemon's fourth-dimensional pocket?" He waved the sheet. "Direct contact with McLaren? Access to the pit area? Do you realize what you're asking?"
"It means our racing game will have the world's finest development reference," Nakayama answered calmly and confidently, as though stating the obvious. "It means the name 'Sega' will appear alongside 'Senna' and 'Honda' in Japanese Grand Prix promotions."
Yoshikawa fell momentarily silent.
He had to concede—the kid always pinpointed the single most irresistible angle.
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