"Quick! Get the copy updated!"
The moment Gamestar's GSX console price was announced, Hayakawa Ueto had already come up with dozens of ways to make his own product look better in comparison.
"Scrap the old 'Welcome to the Next Generation' tagline—change it to 'Cheaper. Better. Stronger!'"
Having once worked in advertising, he knew full well that the simpler the message, the stronger the punch. He also remembered how last time, Gamestar's unbeatable $299 price point obliterated the competition. Even Surei Electronics had only survived by burning cash, and all the other console makers had gone belly-up.
Ueto had assumed Gamestar would pull the same trick again this time.
After all, low pricing was a sweet deal—crack open the market first, then earn it back later. That was exactly what Surei Electronics was planning to do too, setting their own console price at $299, which was the lowest they could afford while still keeping costs in check.
But Gamestar had changed course.
And Ueto realized… this might be his chance to bite into the market.
...
Takayuki could have dropped the price lower, but only if he were willing to give up backward compatibility.
Supporting old games undeniably added to the console's cost. The tech of this era simply wasn't advanced enough for emulators to run all older titles efficiently. That meant extra hardware and development costs—all for games that probably wouldn't generate much new revenue.
But Takayuki still insisted on it.
Because he refused to abandon those nostalgic, loyal players—just like he had once yearned to relive old games in his previous life.
No one else could understand Takayuki's mindset.
Gamestar's launch event ultimately ended in a quiet atmosphere. Clearly, players had mixed reactions to the price hike, though they didn't show it openly at the venue.
But online, the conversation exploded.
By now, the internet—especially mobile web—had grown significantly. It wasn't quite as omnipresent as Takayuki's original world, but it was mature enough to spread news in real time.
The GSX's price point was instantly trending on Facebook's gaming forums.
"What?! $399 for Gamestar's new console? That's a hundred bucks more! Might as well keep playing old games!"
"But it comes with Super Mario Galaxy, the new Dragon Quest, and the latest soccer, basketball, and racing titles."
"Yeah, but so what? There are tons of fun and cheap games on the old consoles. Why drop that much cash just for a few new games?"
"Exactly. Games are already expensive—$60, $69 a pop. And now the console is too? That's ridiculous!"
"Sure, the graphics are better—but entertainment is entertainment. Why pay more when you don't have to?"
In just minutes, Facebook's gaming groups were flooded with discussions.
For hardcore fans, $100 didn't matter much.
But for the average family, especially parents buying a gift for their kid, the price difference was very real. Why choose the more expensive console when a cheaper one worked just fine?
At that moment, Surei Electronics' own press conference began.
This time, Ueto Hayakawa looked genuinely confident—his smile wasn't just for show.
Maybe, just maybe, they could seize more ground in the gaming market.
As long as they capitalized on Gamestar's price hike, this was a golden opportunity.
He proudly introduced the company's new PN-series console, boasting performance on par with Gamestar's—yet priced at just $299, after eating a small cost on their side.
Before the price reveal, the lineup of games hadn't generated much buzz. Most people thought they seemed decent, but nowhere near as hype-inducing as Gamestar's heavy-hitting roster.
If Gamestar's lineup averaged four stars, Surei's were mostly three-and-a-half.
That may not sound like a big gap, but players—especially seasoned ones—could feel the difference.
Still, the next-gen visuals alone were enough to attract a crowd of graphics lovers.
And when Surei finally dropped the price bomb, players cheered for the first time.
This was a price point they could get behind. At the very least, it showed a level of sincerity they appreciated.
Online, the buzz around Surei's console grew overnight.
People began to praise the company for being honest and approachable. Many expressed interest in trying out the new system, especially with marketing visuals that matched Gamestar's in quality.
The sudden wave of online discussion left Surei's upper management pleasantly shocked.
They hadn't expected this much momentum.
Until now, most had written off their chances—Gamestar just seemed too powerful.
But who knew a small price cut could trigger such a positive response?
If only they had realized it earlier.
Riding the wave of praise, Surei's stock prices surged. The launch event was paying off big time. Ueto was already itching to launch the next promotional campaign.
And speaking of events… Gamestar's Yusei Carnival was coming up soon.
"Maybe… we should host a gaming festival of our own?" he mused.
Opportunities like this didn't come often. They'd have to make the most of it.