260 US Video game company

While Japan boasts a plethora of well-established video game entertainment companies, the USA also hosts promising entities not only dedicated to console gaming but also to PC gaming.

The NewLand Company, once the proprietor of Tetris rights, ventured into video game releases, predominantly offering 8-bit and 16-bit games for SKES or ToRaKi, alongside a handful of PC games.

Backed by investment firms on Wall Street, certain video game companies are gradually evolving and expanding their development endeavors.

A number of these companies, established just two years ago, focus on producing video games for KiShin's consoles KES or SKES, as well as for the Tora and Suzuki consoles.

Now that the KS1 has been in the USA market for a few months, American video game entertainment companies have also embarked on producing games for the KS1 using the VG Engine.

In a cluttered garage in California, a group of seven people gathered, with four immersed in using computers. This group, established several months ago as a small video game company named "Electronic Arts," initially aimed to develop games for SKES. However, after the release of KS1, the company's founder and CEO, Arnold Wale, enrolled in the KiShin video game development program. Surprisingly, despite being a small company, they were accepted by KiShin.

While CEO Arnold Wale decided to develop games using the VG Engine for KS1, this doesn't imply they've abandoned SKES game production. Despite their plans for KS1, their ongoing video game production for SKES continued.

"Arnold, I hate to break it to you, but we won't turn a profit if we juggle production for both SKES and KS1 simultaneously," remarked one of Arnold's friends.

"You're right. We need to focus on one project; otherwise, it'll take years to complete anything!" added another friend.

"In my opinion, let's concentrate on SKES first before tackling KS1. The production for KiShin's latest console is undoubtedly more challenging."

"And besides, even though KS1 is the latest, SKES has a larger gamer base due to its extensive library of video games..."

As Arnold absorbed these insights, he contemplated their advice.

Several months into developing games for SKES and KS1 with their small team and budget, Arnold, who had graduated two years prior, resigned from a certain company to establish his own, 'Electronic Arts,' with friends. He chose the name to reflect his view of game developers as 'Software Artists,' emphasizing the 'Art' in their work.

During this period, adopting 'Electronic' in the names of video game entertainment companies was a common trend. This practice found its inspiration in a Japanese company called KiShin Electronics. Consequently, numerous emerging video game entertainment companies incorporated 'Electronic' into their names, even though they were solely involved in video game production without any electronic products.

Although the use of 'Electronic' in company names didn't originate with KiShin, as it had initially been applied in the computer industry for software development companies, it cannot be denied that KiShin popularized such nomenclature.

Arnold Wale drew inspiration from KiShin, specifically Shinro Suzuki, leading him to establish his own company with the goal of making a name for himself and achieving fame in the video game industry.

"It's not the fact that we're producing games for SKES and KS1 that's the issue; it's a budgetary concern," Arnold addressed his concerned friends. "With sufficient funds, we could hire more game developers, expand our team, and acquire more computers."

Julia, Arnold's supportive girlfriend, sighed and remarked, "But who would fund our company?"

"KiShin," Arnold uttered a single word, evoking reactions from his friends and girlfriend.

"But KiShin already invested 40 thousand dollars in us... While KiShin is known to invest in startups, it's quite rare for them to invest such a substantial amount in a new company."

"That's right, we're already fortunate to have KiShin invest such a significant amount of money. Will they really invest more in us?"

Addressing his friends' doubts, Arnold spoke with a hint of confidence, "I didn't mention this, but... Someone high up at KiShin assured me they'd fund our company whenever I ask..." He paused and added, "I'm not sure why KiShin is exceptionally generous, but if the Japanese individual wasn't lying about KiShin's interest in having our company under their umbrella, then we shouldn't worry about funds anymore."

Arnold's girlfriend and friends were genuinely surprised upon hearing his words.

"KiShin is interested in bringing our company, Electronic Arts, under their umbrella?"

"Are you serious, man?"

Arnold nodded and stated, "Yeah... I've been seriously contemplating whether to agree to becoming a subsidiary of KiShin for quite a few months now..."

Upon hearing this, one of Arnold's friends exclaimed, "Hold on, it's been months, and you didn't share this with us?"

Acknowledging his friends' complaints, Arnold explained, "You know, I've been envisioning our company becoming renowned in the video game industry and making a name for myself. However, these past few months have been quite challenging for us. We haven't even released our video games yet, but we're already facing struggles. That's why, considering the conditions KiShin offers, being their subsidiary doesn't seem like a bad idea at all."

Arnold's friends exchanged glances and shook their heads.

"I believe in our company, Arnold."

"Yeah, and remember, Microsoft, Apple... All these big companies started in a garage," another friend added.

"I understand our company was inspired by KiShin, but I've also heard a story that KiShin began in a small and humble apartment," remarked Julia, Arnold's girlfriend, with a smile.

Upon hearing Julia's words, Arnold and his friends couldn't help but chuckle helplessly.

"Come on, Julia. I admire Shinro Suzuki, but from what I've heard, he is part of the third generation of the Suzuki family, the family that owns Suzuki Group."

"Yeah, Shinro Suzuki relied on his wealthy family to reach the top," Arnold's friends immediately stated, and Julia covered her mouth in surprise.

"Really? I thought Shinro Suzuki started KiShin all on his own too..." Julia couldn't help but say.

"Aren't you an Associate Editor at Forbes? How did you not know this?" Arnold remarked.

"Well, I wasn't particularly interested, and besides, I only heard the story that Shinro started in a small apartment from my friend assigned to investigate Shinro Suzuki..." Julia shook her head as she spoke.

"Is Forbes finally interested in covering a story about Shinro Suzuki?" Arnold exclaimed.

The same sentiment echoed among his friends, who were also fans of KiShin.

After a while, Arnold and his friends discussed whether they should be under KiShin's umbrella.

Although their company might become a subsidiary of KiShin, it doesn't imply that KiShin will wholly own their company. Their company will remain a separate and independent entity, albeit influenced by KiShin through funding.

After some deliberation, the key figures in Arnold's company reached an agreement, and Arnold proceeded to contact Masayoshi.