King of Games C74 Growing community

As news of KiShin's NG1 and Sword Art Online spread beyond Tokyo, reactions were mixed. Japanese gamers who hadn't yet experienced the technology firsthand remained skeptical, finding it difficult to believe the reports of such advanced virtual reality.

"It sounds too good to be true," commented a 25-year-old programmer from Osaka. "How could a small company like KiShin leap so far ahead of the tech giants?"

This disbelief was even more pronounced in other countries. Online forums and social media platforms buzzed with debate:

"10,000 units sold? Sounds like a marketing ploy to create artificial scarcity," one Reddit user argued.

Another countered, "But have you seen the reviews? Professional gaming journalists are raving about it."

The technological leap represented by the NG1 seemed almost impossible to many. VR experts from around the world weighed in, with many expressing doubts about the claimed capabilities of the system.

"Current VR technology simply isn't at this level," stated Dr. Emma Chen, a VR researcher at MIT. "If KiShin has achieved this, it would represent a quantum leap in the field."

As the debate raged on, the divide between those who had experienced the NG1 and those who hadn't grew wider.

While debates about the NG1's capabilities raged on in the wider gaming community, the lucky 10,000 owners of the console were lost in their own world - quite literally.

"Believe it or not, I don't really care," posted user Akira_gamer on a popular gaming forum. "I'm too busy exploring Aincrad to worry about what skeptics think."

This sentiment was echoed across the NG1 owner community. They were experiencing something unprecedented, and external opinions mattered little in the face of their daily adventures in Sword Art Online.

In response to dismissive comments from non-owners, many NG1 users simply shrugged off the criticism. "You'll understand when you try it," became a common refrain.

The NG1 community grew tighter-knit, bonding over their shared experiences. A dedicated SAO community website sprang up, quickly becoming a hub for players to discuss strategies, share discoveries, and organize in-game meet-ups.

Within weeks, the site boasted 5,714 registered members - more than half of all NG1 owners. The forums buzzed with activity:

"Anyone want to team up for the Floor 2 boss?"

"Check out this rare item I found in the Western Forest!"

"New guild forming - experienced players only!"

As the NG1 owners immersed themselves deeper into Sword Art Online, their enthusiasm only fueled more curiosity and skepticism from the outside world.

The divide between players and non-players grew, with the SAO community forming a tight-knit group that outsiders could only speculate about.

***

In his office, Shinro looked up as Mira entered, her NG1 headset tucked under her arm. A knowing smile played on his lips.

"Just finished gaming again?" he asked, his tone a mixture of amusement and mild concern.

Mira nodded, a slightly embarrassed smile on her face. "I know, I know. It's just... it's different now. With so many players, the world feels alive in a way it never did before."

Shinro chuckled, shaking his head. "I understand. But remember, you're supposed to be overseeing things, not getting lost in the game yourself."

He leaned back in his chair, his expression growing thoughtful. More and more of his senior staff, originally intended to act as game masters and moderators, were becoming increasingly engrossed in the game world. Even Cosmo, the guard assigned to protect him, had been spending an inordinate amount of time in Aincrad.

"It's a double-edged sword," Shinro mused. "We've created something so immersive that even our own team can't resist its pull."

Mira nodded, her excitement barely contained. "But isn't that a good thing? It proves how amazing SAO really is."

Shinro smiled, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "True. But we need to maintain some separation. We can't have all our staff lost in the game world."

As Shinro and Mira's conversation concluded, the office phone rang. Shinro answered it, his expression shifting slightly as he recognized the voice on the other end.

"Ah, Momiji," he said, glancing at Mira. "Yes, please come up." He hung up and turned to Mira. "Could you let Momiji in when she arrives?"

Mira nodded, a fleeting look of reluctance crossing her face before she composed herself and left the office.

Moments later, Momiji burst in, her eyes bright with excitement. "Shinro! I know I'm late to the news, but is it true? Is your NG1 really as amazing as everyone's saying?"

Shinro nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "It is."

Momiji leaned forward eagerly. "When will you release more? I have to try it!"

"We're planning another release in about a month," Shinro replied. "But it's only 5,000 units this time. You'll need to be quick if you want one."

Momiji's eyes widened. "Only 5,000? I'll definitely have to hurry then."

Shinro leaned back in his chair, studying Momiji's face. "Is that the only reason you came? You could have just called for information about the NG1 release."

Momiji shook her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Actually, I... I came for another reason," she admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

Shinro raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What is it?"

Momiji took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Shinro's. "Well, you've inspired me, Shinro. I've decided to start my own company. A gaming company, in Kyoto."

Shinro's eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised by this revelation.

"The thing is," Momiji continued, her voice gaining confidence, "I know how to play games, but creating them is a whole different story. I was hoping... maybe you could give me some guidance?"

Shinro leaned forward, his expression a mix of surprise and interest. "A gaming company? That's quite an undertaking, Momiji. What made you decide on this?"

Momiji's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as she began to explain. "Well, seeing what you've accomplished with KiShin, it made me realize the potential of the gaming industry. I've always loved games, but I never thought about creating them until I saw how you've revolutionized the field."

She leaned forward, her voice filled with determination. "I want to create games that can touch people's lives, just like you've done with NG0. I know it's a huge challenge, but I'm ready to learn and work hard."

Shinro listened intently, a thoughtful expression on his face. When Momiji finished, he nodded slowly. "I appreciate your passion, Momiji. The gaming industry is indeed full of potential, but it's also incredibly competitive and technologically demanding."

He paused for a moment, considering his words carefully. "Starting a gaming company isn't just about loving games. It requires a deep understanding of technology, market trends, and game design principles. Not to mention the business aspect of running a company."

Shinro's tone was gentle but realistic. "I'm not trying to discourage you, but I want you to understand the magnitude of what you're proposing. Have you considered starting smaller? Perhaps joining an existing game development team to learn the ropes first?"

Momiji's face fell slightly. "I understand... I was hoping you might be willing to mentor me, or at least point me in the right direction to get started."

Shinro leaned back, a small smile playing on his lips. "Your enthusiasm is admirable, Momiji. I can't promise to be a full-time mentor, given my responsibilities at KiShin, but I'd be happy to offer some advice and perhaps introduce you to some people in the industry who might be able to guide you further."

Momiji's face brightened at this. "Really? That would be amazing, Shinro! Thank you!"