Nakayama Takuya raised three fingers.
"Team leader: Marco Rossi. A man who wears a white headband and specializes in heavy firepower. His punches should feel like artillery shells being fired."
"Team member: Tarma Roving. Sunglasses, a flippant personality, excels at close-range combat and throws."
As he spoke, Takuya was already sketching out, in his mind, the classic figures that would one day devour countless coins in arcades. These names meant nothing to the developers standing before him—but to Takuya, they were seeds being planted for a legendary series yet to be born.
"There's also a female character," Takuya said, turning to Shimizu. "An explosives and assassination specialist. Her name is Eri Kasamoto."
"Executive Director, then their moves—" Shimizu pressed on, his brain struggling to keep up. Three characters appearing out of thin air, without even concept art—how were they supposed to design that?
"That's exactly what I'm getting to." A smile curved Takuya's lips. "Didn't we reserve a full action design set for the Falcons Team? The one for the female soldier—give that to Eri Kasamoto for now."
Shimizu froze. That was a combat plan they had designed for the Falcons Team's core female character: a taciturn military descendant, sharp movements, ruthless techniques.
"Especially that super move." Takuya traced a V shape in the air with his hand. "Dash straight up to the enemy, carve a huge V-shaped slash across them, then detonate the energy—clean, decisive, one-hit kill!"
His vivid description made the motion designers' eyes light up. The image formed instantly in their minds.
"That move—that move is basically tailor-made for an assassin!" one of them blurted out.
"Exactly." Takuya snapped his fingers. "Give it to her. It has to be there. That'll be her signature."
Shimizu's heart raced as he listened. This wasn't some spur-of-the-moment idea—this was clearly premeditated!
By perfectly grafting a reserved design plan onto a brand-new 'parachuted-in' character, not only did it avoid feeling forced, it made the character instantly stand out.
"And one more thing. Since she's an explosives expert, take Kamen Rider Black RX's 'kidney stab sword' and turn it into a super move where she plants a detonator at the opponent's waist. When it explodes, use the same finishing pose as a little homage. That'll be fun."
At that point, everyone in the development team wore the same expression: omoshiroi.
"Then—then Executive Director, the background story for this Metal Slug Team—" Shimizu's mind raced, trying to keep up with Takuya's freewheeling ideas.
Three new characters, crossing over from another hit game—this was no small task.
"Background story?" Takuya waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing something aside. "Let the Star Ring Children deal with that headache. They're not main characters anyway. While they're at it, they can plant a few hints for Metal Slug's sequel."
With a single sentence, he kicked the ball neatly to the creative department he had personally founded.
The surrounding developers couldn't help but laugh.
The executive director's ability to pass the buck was simply too smooth.
Shimizu finally relaxed. What he feared most was Takuya dropping a stack of dozens of pages of detailed character settings on him.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, he looked at the screen where super-move effects were being tested and proactively reported, "Executive Director, all characters' basic moves, special moves, and super moves are complete. We're now in the final phase of single-machine performance and presentation testing."
"Once this round is done, we can integrate all characters and move into the most critical stage: full-scale testing and balance adjustments."
Takuya nodded, his gaze lingering for a moment on the dazzling flame effects before turning back to Shimizu.
"Make me a special version."
"A special version?"
"Yes." Takuya raised a finger and laid out his requirements clearly. "A demo version where only the Japan Team is selectable.
"Fixed progression. First match: the Art of Fighting team from Kyokugenryu Karate. Second match: the Fatal Fury team.
"After those two teams, it ends."
Shimizu froze. "Executive Director, do you mean—we're taking this out for external testing?"
"Not just testing." Takuya's lips curled upward. "I'm taking it to Chicago, at the end of May, to the Consumer Electronics Show—CES—and giving the world a surprise."
"CES?!"
The moment the word left his mouth, Development Team Three exploded!
That was the world's largest and most high-profile consumer electronics exhibition!
The dream stage for every tech company and game developer!
"But Executive Director, the timeline is too tight! And with only two opponents, won't it feel too limited?" Shimizu said urgently, torn between excitement and worry.
"That's exactly the point." Takuya explained with confidence. "First, we put Kyo front and center as the original protagonist—this announces the birth of a new series. Second, by using Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting as sparring partners, we're telling veteran players: yes, all your favorite stars are here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime dream matchup!"
"We only reveal the tip of the iceberg to whet everyone's appetite. Let them speculate, discuss, and go crazy with anticipation. When the game officially launches, we release all teams at once—that's how we ignite the market!"
His words sent the entire development team's blood surging. They could already imagine the looks on players' and journalists' faces at the Chicago show—utter shock and awe.
What a spectacle that would be.
"I understand!" Shimizu no longer had any doubts. He slammed his fist into his palm, fire blazing in his eyes. "Mission guaranteed! Even if we don't sleep, we'll deliver the most perfect version to you!"
"That's the spirit." Takuya patted his shoulder in satisfaction and turned to leave Development Team Three.
Just as he reached the door of his office, his assistant approached, holding a freshly printed fax—still warm—with the CES booth layout for late May.
"Executive Director, Mr. Tom Kalinske from the North American branch contacted us earlier. He said there's an urgent matter regarding CES participation that he needs to discuss with you."
Nakayama Takuya took the paper, nodded, and pushed open the office door.
He sat down behind his wide desk, casually set the fax aside, picked up the phone, and directly dialed the trans-Pacific line.
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