247 Virtual Racing
The NBA Jam at SKES gained swift popularity among NBA fans. While some thought its release right after the KiShin and NBA partnership was hasty, many considered it normal for KiShin, the current industry leader, to develop a game so quickly. KiShin, led by well-known game developer Shinro Suzuki, held a prominent position in the gaming circle.
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A man, Chris, was engrossed in playing SKES NBA Jam with his younger brother, Louis.
"Come on, pick your team," Chris urged his 8-year-old brother.
"I'll choose the Bulls. Watch how I make MJ dunk against your team!" Louis boasted.
"Alright, let's see Michael Jackson dunk while moonwalking," Chris teased, chuckling.
"It's Michael Jordan!" Louis corrected.
Chris chuckled as he faced the screen; it was a two-player game, and now it was his turn to choose a team after his brother had selected the Chicago Bulls.
"I have a soft spot for the underdog, so I'll go with the New York Knicks," Chris decided.
"New York Knicks? Are you sure about that, Chris? Get ready to lose this time," Louis teased with a hint of surprise.
"Don't get too confident," Chris replied, feeling assured despite his choice of a seemingly weaker team.
After a match, Chris was left speechless as his younger brother emerged victorious.
"That's what you get for picking the New York Knicks," Louis laughed.
"I just lost on purpose," Chris admitted, slightly embarrassed. "I chose the Knicks because I enjoy losing, so—"
"Enough with the excuses," Louis chuckled.
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Meanwhile, even with the latest console KS1, KiShin continued to exhilarate fans with SKES games after the NBA Jam release.
Due to the current backward state of game development in this world's video game industry, KiShin, along with Tora-Suzuki, stood as the sole frontrunner. With most top-notch games under their belt, KiShin had agreements with various video game entertainment companies to develop games for KS1, a process that was already underway.
In the realm of KS1 video game development, despite the advanced VG Engine for the toolkit, creating a game still required several months. The timeline depended on the type of game being developed and the size of the game development team. For a monumental project like (Final Fantasy VII) in Shin's past life, it could even take years, even with VG Engine.
However, KiShin's KS1 video game development progressed efficiently, thanks to Shin's pre-planning. He provided a basic idea and rough storyline from his previous life to the game development department, allowing the developers to handle the rest. As Shin examined the incomplete games, he found them meeting his expectations and, in some cases, surpassing them. The results were even deemed superior to the PS1 games from his previous life.
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Simultaneously, arcades in certain parts of Tokyo became the first to showcase KiShin's latest arcade machines.
Arcades served as the gamers' hub, offering a space to discuss their interests in specific video games at a time when the internet was not yet common.
In a particular arcade, gamers engaged in playing video games, watching, or discussing when the latest KiShin arcade machines were being set up in the arcade section.
"Look, new KiShin arcade machines..."
"I wonder what they are..."
"Is that a steering wheel?"
The installation of the latest KiShin arcade machines sparked discussions among the gamers. Upon noticing a steering wheel in front of the screen on the arcade cabinet, they speculated it must be a racing arcade.
With this assumption, excitement rippled through the group.
As expected, once the KiShin video game arcade machines became available to gamers, they eagerly took turns trying them out. They were not disappointed; the arcade was dedicated to racing, specifically 'THE NEED FOR SPEED.' Remarkably, the graphics surpassed those of KS1.
While 'THE NEED FOR SPEED' arcade was already known, the enhanced controls with a steering wheel and superior graphics of the new racing arcade game were a significant improvement.
The design of the video game arcade cabinet featured cars and a word written in both Japanese and English: Virtual Racing.
The name of the video game arcade machines was Virtual Racing.
Gamers immersed in Virtual Racing felt the satisfaction and excitement of driving a car, particularly given the realistic sensation provided by the steering wheel. This experience was especially impactful for gamers who hadn't yet had the opportunity to drive a real car.
Gamers had the option to switch between the 3rd-person perspective camera and the immersive driver's seat perspective inside the car.
The in-car perspective offered a significantly more realistic experience, enhancing gamers' immersion in the racing or driving gameplay.
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KiShin introduced a cutting-edge arcade machine focused on racing cars. Not only did it boast superior graphics, thanks to an advanced but incomplete 3D technology, but its controls were also notably improved.
Achieving such graphics required a complex and larger machine, making it exclusive to arcades. This technology's capabilities couldn't yet be replicated in portable forms like home video game consoles.
The video game featured in Virtual Racing was an enhanced version of 'THE NEED FOR SPEED.'
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It was December 1994, with the arrival of 1995 on the horizon. While it marked a new beginning for some, not everyone shared the same sentiment.
For Tora-Suzuki, the completion of their home game console was imminent. They sensed that the time to counterattack against the industry leader, KiShin, was drawing near.
As KiShin ascended to the pinnacle of the video game industry, some fans of Tora-Suzuki began viewing them as a demon king seeking to monopolize the industry. This sentiment was echoed by certain video game entertainment companies who harbored displeasure towards KiShin.
