The new Managing Director, whose surname was Nishida, always had a professional smile on his face, completely different from Kazuo Okada's ostentatious and overbearing demeanor. He didn't bang on tables or shout loudly; his words were always polite, yet they made people feel even more stifled.
"Kojima-san, your idea is very creative, very... hmm, unique." Nishida would take a sip of tea and slowly begin, "However, from a market perspective, shouldn't we consider a more... popularized solution? After all, while players' tastes need to be guided, they also need to be catered to, hehe."
He never directly negated anything but instead used a series of "Can it be more..." or "Wouldn't it be better if..." to dismantle your design. Sometimes, he would bring several so-called "player research reports," whose data and conclusions always cleverly pointed towards "simplification" and "popularization." Hideo Kojima suspected the origin of these reports, but Nishida just smiled: "Nintendo has the broadest player base, so we naturally have the most authoritative data."
The development progress of metal gear was slowly dragged down in this invisible tug-of-war. Team members gradually noticed that Kojima was more silent than before, and his brows were always furrowed. Sometimes, for a single detail, Kojima would communicate repeatedly with Nishida. Nishida never got angry; he just slowly wore Kojima down with his "market theory" and "player habits theory" until Kojima was exhausted.
"Kojima-san, isn't this stealth section too much of a test of patience?" Nishida would casually bring up, "Look at those best-selling games on FC; which one isn't fast-paced and easy to pick up?"
Kojima tried to explain the characteristics of the MSX2 platform and the different target user groups. Nishida listened, nodded, and then said: "I understand your pursuit, Kojima-san. But we also need to consider the possibility of porting to FC; making some preparations in advance is never a bad thing." His tone made it sound as if he was truly thinking for Kojima's good and the project's good.
Weeks later, Nishida again "friendly" proposed a "small suggestion." This time, it was aimed at a key plot sequence in metal gear, involving the protagonist Snake's complex emotions of inner struggle after learning he was betrayed. Nishida believed this sequence was "too obscure and did not conform to the mainstream players' habit of seeking quick and direct enjoyment," suggesting it be modified into a simple gunfight or have Snake immediately deliver a passionate declaration of revenge.
"Kojima-san, players only want to see heroes killing in games, not... well, this kind of inner struggle. It's too artistic; players might not buy into it." Nishida lightly tapped the plot description with his pen, a beaming smile on his face.
This sentence became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Hideo Kojima felt a rush of blood to his head. He looked at Nishida's perpetually smiling face and, for the first time, found it utterly repulsive. Without a word, he picked up the script on the table, which embodied his countless efforts and dreams, and turned to leave. Behind him, Nishida's slightly surprised voice came: "Kojima-san? Where are you going?"
He strode directly to Kozuki Kagemasa's office, forgetting to even knock, and pushed the door open.
Kozuki Kagemasa, who was buried in a pile of documents, was startled by the sudden intrusion. He looked up to see Hideo Kojima's bloodshot eyes and rapidly heaving chest.
"President!" Hideo Kojima's voice trembled with suppressed emotion, but his gaze was like tempered steel, piercing directly at Kozuki Kagemasa. He forcefully pressed the script onto the large office desk.
"The metal gear project must be developed entirely according to my vision!" He spoke each word clearly and distinctly.
"If you cannot grant me this creative freedom, if the company believes Nintendo Managing Director's'suggestions' are more important than the producer's hard work, then I can only leave Konami! I will not make this game!"
This was not a negotiation; it was an ultimatum. The full energy and last dignity of a young creator bursting forth in the gap between ideals and reality.
Kozuki Kagemasa looked at the young man in front of him, whose hair was a bit disheveled and whose cheeks were flushed with excitement. He was very young, even a bit naive, but this reckless stubbornness made Kozuki Kagemasa feel a little dazed. He thought back to his own youth, when he seemed to have had such moments. He picked up the script that had been slammed onto the table, its cover slightly wrinkled from its owner's tight grip. The air in the office instantly solidified. Kozuki Kagemasa's fingertips gently tapped the script. He didn't speak immediately, his gaze complex as he scrutinized Hideo Kojima, a myriad of emotions swirling within him. Nintendo's pressure, Gunpei Yokoi's stern face, the company's performance, and the unmistakable gleam in this young man's eyes... all these thoughts churned in his mind.
He was silent for a moment, his tone calm but with an undeniable authority.
"Kojima-san, Konami has Konami's rules."
"The company cannot change established policies for one person."
"If you cannot adapt, then..."
The sentence was unfinished, but the meaning was clear.
Kozuki Kagemasa, this seasoned businessman, between the pressure from Nintendo and the internal rebellion from his employee, unhesitatingly chose the former.
Sacrificing a pawn to save the king.
Hideo Kojima's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.
He was fired.
The painstaking metal gear MSX2 version project was also announced to be temporarily shelved.
Soon after, the project was handed over to another producer.
The new directive was to completely clear out Hideo Kojima's plot ideas and rewrite a simple, straightforward new story suitable for quick porting to the FC platform.
The spark of genius seemed vulnerable in the face of cold business rules.
The news spread like wildfire in the industry's small circles.
Sega Headquarters, Takuya's office.
Suzuki Masao handed an encrypted intelligence report to Takuya, with a hint of unbelievable surprise in his expression.
"Managing Director, from Konami... Hideo Kojima, has been fired!"
Takuya was reviewing a report on the testing of several game demos on the new console. Hearing this, he suddenly looked up.
His eyes instantly burst forth with an astonishing light.
Hideo Kojima!
This name, in his memories from his previous life, represented a legend and a monument in the gaming world.
metal gear, Death Stranding... one after another, famous names were closely linked to this man.
Takuya took a deep breath, suppressing the wild joy in his heart.
It was truly a case of finding what you were looking for without even trying!
He had originally only intended to set a few small fires in Nintendo's backyard to create some chaos, but he hadn't expected to catch such a big fish!
This was practically a big gift handed over by Nintendo itself!
"Suzuki-san."
Takuya's voice was steady, yet with a hint of imperceptible excitement.
"Immediately, right now! Come with me to the Human Resources Department. Use all the connections we can, and secretly contact Hideo Kojima! Tell him that Sega welcomes his joining!"
"We promise to give him the highest degree of creative freedom! Allow him to form his own independent development team, specializing in the areas he excels at most! Funds, technology, personnel, Sega will fully support!"
Takuya's tone was decisive and filled with undeniable resolve.
He knew that for a genius like Hideo Kojima, who was unrecognized for his talent, money might not be the primary concern; creative freedom and respect were what they most desired.
In a coffee shop near Waseda University in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
The disheartened Hideo Kojima was silently drinking coffee alone.
The blow of being fired by Konami left him feeling lost about the future. He returned to his alma mater, intending to contact some classmates to see if there were other suitable jobs for him.
Just then, a figure sat down opposite him.
The person who came was none other than Suzuki Masao, carrying Takuya Nakayama's highest instructions and sincerity.
When Suzuki Masao presented Sega's olive branch and the generous terms promising a high degree of creative freedom to Hideo Kojima.
A glimmer of light rekindled in Hideo Kojima's dim eyes.
Disappointment with Konami and disgust for Nintendo's overbearing actions all transformed into a longing for new opportunities at this moment.
Sega.
This company, which he had once only regarded as a strong player in the arcade field, now displayed unexpected courage and foresight.
Especially the name "Takuya Nakayama," he had heard of him.
That young man always seemed to produce astonishing works.
There was almost no hesitation.
Hideo Kojima extended his hand.
"I agree to join Sega."
His voice, though still a bit hoarse, conveyed a renewed sense of determination.
Suzuki Masao firmly clasped his hand, a heartfelt smile spreading across his face.
"Welcome, Kojima-san!"
"Believe me, this will be the best decision you make in your career!"