Tokyo Video Game Tycoon.

In the past, Takeyusei's brilliant performances left a deep impression on Shizuoka Jiro.

When he was just a section chief in a small department in a region, he had heard that Yusei Electronics Entertainment had boosted the economy of many regions, including Tokyo and Osaka, and was also quite impressive in cultural promotion, allowing the whole world to see a completely new Japan.

Shizuoka Jiro deeply admired people like Takeyusei, so his treatment of Takeyusei was very different from that of others.

Other companies may experience some ups and downs, but Yuxing Electronic Entertainment is making great strides and is very strong.

Takeyusei caught the key point in Shizuoka Jiro's words: "A grand plan?"

"That's right, Mr. Takeyu, you must have heard of the Cool Japan project, right?"

Zhu Youxing's heart stirred: "Of course I've heard of it."

"This is a cultural dissemination plan proposed by my senior, Mr. Asakusa, before his retirement from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. It aims to increase global interest in Japan by promoting its culture, food, tourism, and other aspects. At the same time, this 'Cool Japan' plan also..."

Shizuoka Jiro went on and on about a whole bunch of related concepts to Takeyusei, who didn't interrupt but listened patiently, occasionally nodding in agreement.

After speaking for more than ten minutes, Shizuoka Jiro seemed a little thirsty, so he stopped to take a sip of tea and sighed, "I have to say that the plan that Asakusa-senpai left behind before his retirement was really visionary. In recent years, the Cool Japan Project has been progressing in an orderly manner, but it has not been fully disclosed to the public before. Now, Mr. Takeyu, are you also surprised to hear about this plan?"

Zhu Youxing shrugged gently and said, "Actually, it's alright."

"Are you alright?" Shizuoka Jiro was slightly taken aback.

At this moment, Takeyusei smiled and said, "If I told you that the plan regarding the term 'Cool Japan' was something I proposed to your senior, Asakusa, how would you feel?"

"what!"

Shizuoka Jiro opened his eyes wide.

Shizuoka Jiro had originally intended to see Takeyusei's surprised expression, but now the opposite happened.

"Cool Japan"...was that a term coined by Mr. Takeyu?

Chapter 864 Games with Japanese Cultural Elements

864

Since signing the Plaza Accord, Japan's economy has experienced a period of dramatic upheaval, eventually collapsing and leaving it in a rather awkward position. Unable to develop heavy industry, Japan has resorted to unorthodox methods. After Takeyusei's rise to prominence, Asakusa, another official from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology at the time, approached Takeyusei and several other companies, hoping to strengthen the nation through cultural means.

This is a last resort, but it seems to be the best solution for Japan.

At that time, Takeyusei directly pointed out Asakusa's idea, which greatly surprised Asakusa. His idea, which was just beginning to sprout, had been predicted in advance by Takeyusei, who also accurately predicted the cultural development trajectory that Asakusa wanted to plan.

Later, Takeyusei even came up with a completely new term: Cool Japan.

The aim is to present Japanese culture to the world in a cooler and more exciting way.

However, at that time everything was still in its infancy, and it was still a long way from developing cultural promotion to the level of "Cool Japan". If it were to develop directly to the level of "Cool Japan", it would be very likely to take too big a step and cause problems. So after Takeyusei proposed the term, Asakusa remembered it deeply. Until he was close to retirement, he did not have the opportunity to see Japanese culture develop to the level he wanted, but at that time it was not far away.

So before retiring, he wrote down all his plans for Cool Japan in his final document, including the establishment of the Cool Japan Committee, how to seek breakthroughs from the most popular cultural industries in Japan at the time, and a plan to vigorously develop Japan's overall cultural economy.

His successor, Jiro Shizuoka, regarded it as his greatest asset. During his first period in office, he was certain that the Cool Japan Plan could be implemented. He fully approved of the Cool Japan Plan and believed that if the plan was achieved, his future career would be even more successful.

However, he really didn't expect that the Cool Japan Project was not first proposed by Asakusa-senpai, but by Takeyusei.

You can't lie about something like this. Shizuoka Jiro could easily expose the lie. He just needs to ask Asakusa-senpai again. Besides, someone of Takeyusei's status has no need to use such a thing to embellish his image.

“Mr. Zhuyou…this is truly…”

Takeyusei took out his briefcase, placed it on the table, opened it, pulled out a document, and handed it to Shizuoka Jiro: "Mr. Shizuoka, thank you very much for your trust in me. So before I came here, I had some plans for Cool Japan. This is my little ambition, and also a mutually beneficial plan. You can take a look at it first."

"oh oh!"

Shizuoka Jiro quickly accepted it with both hands, very solemnly.

Actually, there was another plan in Takeyusei's briefcase, but Takeyusei felt it was a bit too early. Releasing all his trump cards too soon wouldn't maximize his benefits, so he released a bait first, and the big move could be planned later.

"A new game development? Is this a game specifically for the Cool Japan project?"

The text specifically for the Cool Japan project was clearly printed on the paper.

This also makes Shizuoka Jiro almost 100% certain that the term "cool Japan" was coined by Takeyusei.

Prior to this, the Cool Japan project had only been proposed once or twice at high-level meetings of their Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

He immediately turned to the next page, which read: A fantasy story set in Japan's Sengoku period, *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*

"A story about Japanese samurai? That's interesting..."

Shizuoka Jiro began to look at it seriously.

The Warring States period is a very popular time for historical and cultural adaptations in Japan.

However, the game's story setting has obviously added a lot of fantasy elements, including dragons and some strange and unpredictable creatures, which together stir up a bloody storm in a place called Ashina Country.

The story is fictional, but it is full of Japanese cultural elements and symbols.

This includes Japan's most classic samurai culture and ninja culture, which are quite popular elements.

The story begins with a political upheaval in Ashina Kingdom, with Genichiro Ashina at its core, attempting to carry out a purge of the entire country. Wolf, a royal retainer, fights to protect his master, gradually uncovering the conspiracy behind the entire incident.

Before he knew it, Shizuoka Jiro had become quite engrossed in watching.

This story... is actually quite interesting.

The story's background is only given in a general way, but even from this general outline, Shizuoka Jiro can sense that the story carries elements of gloom and intrigue.

This is far more sophisticated than a simple binary opposition story.

The person who can write such a story is truly extraordinary.

"Mr. Zhuyou, is this the next game you plan to develop?"

“That’s right, your suggestion reminds me of a project that I temporarily shelved a long time ago.”

"Temporarily shelved? Why would it be shelved? This story seems quite interesting." Shizuoka Jiro was puzzled.

He was immediately captivated by the story the moment he saw it, and he had no doubt that it would create a sensation.

However, he was only making judgments based on his own preferences; he didn't really understand the game market.

Zhu Youxing patiently explained, "The reason it was temporarily shelved is because the game wasn't suitable at the time. Back then, players generally preferred games that were faster or easier to operate. However, now that players have gradually become accustomed to more difficult games, this game will have its moment to shine."

Once upon a time, a game called Demon's Souls was considered the progenitor of the Souls-like games.

Soulslike games were later collectively recognized as a general term for high-difficulty platforming games.

The most distinctive feature of this type of game is that the protagonist is as fragile as a piece of paper even when facing ordinary soldiers, and can be forcibly killed by them if one is not careful.

This kind of game can easily give players a great sense of frustration.

Despite having worked so hard for so long, players still had to be constantly on edge even in front of a lowly soldier. This was something that most players couldn't accept when Demon's Souls was first released.

However, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of Soulslike games, was not discouraged. He continued to stick to his style and released works such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne. Through the refinement of each work, and with the gradual acceptance of this type of high-difficulty game by players as times changed, Soulslike games finally flourished and eventually became one of the most popular game genres in the world.

If a game claims to be a Soulslike game, it can immediately gain a lot of attention.

Zhu Youxing had considered bringing Soulslike games to this world a long time ago, but at that time, players in this world could get so badly beaten that they cried and complained that the game was too difficult. Releasing a Soulslike game at that time would obviously not be wise, and even if it was carefully made, it would probably be difficult to gain the approval of many players.

As a cultural product, video games also need to follow certain trends. Releasing the wrong work at the wrong time may have the opposite effect.

"Is the game too difficult? Mr. Zhuyou, can't you lower the difficulty?"

"No, because that's the essence of the game. But Mr. Shizuoka, don't worry, I think this game is just right to be released now."

Shizuoka Jiro nodded: "It is indeed very good. The storyline of this game alone is very captivating, and it also perfectly meets my requirements for the dissemination of Japanese culture. Mr. Takeyu, you truly deserve to be the person that Asakusa-senpai often praises."

Chapter 865 Doing Something Beyond

865

"Mr. Zhuyou, I wonder if you would be interested in having your work adapted into a film or television series of the same name? I think that might be very interesting."

Jiro Shizuoka felt that Takeyusei's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice had a very deep overall story.

From national turmoil to internal struggles, and from the power struggles between the lower and upper classes, everything looks quite interesting.

To put it simply, the game story outline provided by Zhuyouxing is excellent.

Wouldn't it be a shame to just make such a great story into a game?

If we're going to do it, let's see if we can maximize the benefits as much as possible.

Zhu Youxing shook his head and said, "I don't have that idea for now."

“Ah, that’s a bit of a shame. I think the story is quite good,” Shizuoka Jiro said.

"However, if you really want me to do this, Mr. Shizuoka, it's not impossible, but I have some additional requirements."

"An additional request?" Shizuoka Jiro narrowed his eyes. "Mr. Takeyu, please speak."

"First of all, since I provided the story, I don't have to manage the film and television production entirely, but I must find a reliable director and team. I won't easily agree to film this related movie or television series until I find one."

Shizuoka Jiro immediately patted his chest and said, "Mr. Takeyu, you can rest assured. I already like this story very much just from reading the outline. How could such a good story be handed over to a mediocre director? We must find a good enough director and team. For example, I think the NHK Taiga Drama team would be very suitable. They have been making a Taiga Drama almost every year, so they have a lot of experience. Although this alternate history story does not meet their requirements for filming in the past, they will definitely agree to it because of my influence. Moreover, I believe that once they read the outline of this story, they will definitely be attracted to it."

Takeyusei nodded: "I completely trust Mr. Shizuoka's promise, but I have another request, which is also the main reason why I am here to help you, Mr. Shizuoka."

The other requirement means that Zhu Youxing is starting to demand a return.

Shizuoka Jiro knew this very well.

Getting help from someone like Zhu Youxing isn't something that can be done casually.

How much is one's own pride worth?

It probably has no value in front of Zhuyouxing.

Zhu Youxing was willing to provide him with some help because he would also provide a corresponding or even extraordinary return.

When I negotiated with other companies, it was pretty much the same. Those companies also made various requests, such as tax incentives, building a company building for them, or helping them solve policy problems that they couldn't solve on their own.

As long as it's within his capabilities, Shizuoka Jiro will definitely agree.

“Mr. Zhuyou, you don’t need to be so polite with me. We are good friends. Good friends can directly tell me their needs. Of course, if it’s beyond my capabilities, it may be difficult for me to handle, but as long as it’s within my power, I will do my best to help.”

With this guarantee, Zhu Youxing no longer held back.

"I want a piece of land that is relatively close to Tokyo, it can be in the suburbs, but it has to be big enough."

"Do you want land..." Shizuoka Jiro frowned.

This is not within his job scope.

That falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Takeyusei's direct request for land is somewhat overstepping his authority, unless... he has some reason for doing so. If it's for building a factory or something, then perhaps I could act as an advocate and lobby the Japanese Diet.