King of Games C64 A year

A few days after Shinro's encounter with Cosmo, the KiShin promotional campaign was in full swing. The company had reached out to several popular gaming YouTubers, offering them an exclusive opportunity to preview the Nerve Gear Zero console and its games.

PewDiePie, one of the rising stars of gaming YouTube, excitedly unboxed the console on camera. "What's up, bros? Today we've got something special - the Nerve Gear Zero!" His eyes widened as he powered it up. "Holy sh*t, look at that startup screen! It's so crisp!"

Across the Atlantic, JackSepticEye was equally impressed. "Top of the mornin' to ya, laddies! Check out this beast from KiShin!" He dove into "Sword Art Online: Sword & Magic," his jaw dropping at the graphics.

Markiplier also didn't disappoint. "Oh my god, guys. This... this is insane!" He yelled as he played through a particularly intense scene in "Scalebound."

The Yogscast duo, Simon and Lewis, bantered as they explored "B.C." Simon exclaimed, "Bloody hell, Lewis! Look at the detail on those dinosaurs..." Lewis nodded, equally amazed. "It's incredible. I didn't think graphics could get this good on a console."

As these videos hit YouTube, view counts skyrocketed. Comment sections exploded with excitement:

"OMG, I need this console NOW!"

"Those graphics are insane. How is this even possible?"

"KiShin just changed the game. Sony and Microsoft better watch out!"

Gamers across the Western world were getting their first real glimpse of KiShin's technology, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The hype for the console's official release was building to a fever pitch.

***

The YouTubers' enthusiasm for KiShin's products spread like wildfire through the gaming community. Meanwhile, Sony and Microsoft were still relying on traditional marketing methods, focusing on TV ads and celebrity endorsements.

At a Sony marketing meeting, an executive dismissed the YouTube buzz. "It's just a bunch of kids playing video games. Our target audience watches TV, not YouTube."

His colleague nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We've got A-lists celebrities in our next commercial. That'll really move units."

Little did they know, their core audience was increasingly turning to these very YouTubers for gaming advice and entertainment.

However, the threat KiShin posed didn't go entirely unnoticed.

Two months prior, news of Sony and Microsoft's unexpected partnership had sent shockwaves through the industry. Their joint statement read: "In the interest of advancing console technology, we're combining our R&D efforts to create the next generation of gaming experiences."

As the gaming giants scrambled to keep up, KiShin's influence continued to grow, reshaping the industry in ways that would soon become impossible to ignore.

***

As the Nerve Gear Zero hit U.S. stores, the scenes that unfolded surprised even seasoned retail veterans. Long lines formed outside electronics stores and game shops, reminiscent of Apple's iPhone launches.

A local news reporter, covering the launch at a bustling store, remarked, "I've seen people line up for phones before, but for a game console? This is something else."

Inside a Best Buy, a bewildered shopper watched the commotion. "What's going on? Is there some kind of sale?"

A excited gamer in line overheard and replied, "Nah, man. It's the Nerve Gear Zero. It's supposed to blow PS4 and Xbox out of the water!"

The price point of the Nerve Gear Zero, matching its competitors while offering superior performance, only added to its appeal.

As the day progressed, sales figures started rolling in. MegaMart's electronics department head couldn't hide his grin as he reported to corporate: "We've sold through 80% of our initial stock in just the first day. At this rate, we'll need to reorder by the end of the week."

TechHub Stores saw similar success. Their CFO announced in an emergency board meeting, "Preliminary numbers show we've already hit 150% of our projected first-week sales. The Nerve Gear Zero is outperforming our wildest expectations."

GameXchange's CEO was equally elated. "We're looking at a 200% increase in foot traffic compared to last quarter. The attach rate for KiShin games is through the roof."

As the distribution partners celebrated their successful gamble on KiShin, it was clear that the gaming landscape in the U.S. was shifting dramatically.

***

In Shinro's sleek office, Mira stood before his desk, tablet in hand, while Cosmo lingered nearby, looking more like a high-end bodyguard than the fierce fighter Shinro knew him to be.

Mira's voice was steady but tinged with excitement as she reported, "Sir, the numbers from our first week in the U.S. market are in. We've exceeded projections by 30% across all major retailers."

She swiped through her tablet, continuing, "MegaMart reports they've sold through 70% of their initial stock. TechHub Stores and GameXchange are showing similar trends."

Shinro leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. "Not bad," he said, his tone measured despite the good news. "How about user feedback?"

Mira nodded, "Very positive, sir. Social media is buzzing with praise for the Nerve Gear Zero's performance. We're seeing a lot of comparisons to the PS4 and Xbox One, mostly in our favor."

Shinro's eyes narrowed slightly, considering the information. "And our games? How are they performing?"

"'Scalebound' is our top seller, followed closely by 'Sword Art Online: Sword & Magic,'" Mira replied. "Attach rates are higher than industry standard for a new console launch."

Shinro nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good. Keep monitoring the situation. I want daily updates on sales figures and user feedback."

As Shinro contemplated KiShin's next moves, his mind wandered to his company's progress on Large Language Model. He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.

The AI technology, derived from the advanced systems of the 'Tiny World', was leagues ahead of anything currently on the market. Shinro could almost see the potential applications unfolding before him - not just in gaming, but in smartphones, personal assistants, even industrial applications.

"Sir?" Mira's voice broke through his reverie. "Is everything alright?"

Shinro blinked, focusing back on the present. "Yes, just thinking about our AI project. How's the progress on that chat website?"

Mira consulted her tablet. "The development team reports they're ahead of schedule. Beta testing should begin next month."

Cosmo, who had been quietly observing, couldn't contain his curiosity. "AI chat website? Is this another gaming thing?"

Shinro smiled. "Not exactly. Let's just say KiShin is branching out."

He turned back to his computer, pulling up some files. On the screen, schematics for advanced microchips flashed by - designs that would make current smartphone processors look like ancient relics.

As KiShin's competitors in the gaming market scrambled to keep up, Shinro was already setting his sights on a much broader horizon, plotting the company's expansion into new territories.

Shinro gazed out the window, his mind raced with thoughts. It had been a year since he'd transmigrated into this body - from a simple game company employee to the CEO of KiShin, revolutionizing the gaming industry. But that was just the beginning.

He chuckled softly, remembering his initial shock at realizing he was part of the Suzuki family from Detective Conan. "Life's stranger than fiction," he muttered.

Mira looked up from her tablet. "Did you say something, sir?"

Shinro shook his head. "Just thinking aloud. Any news on the Conan front?"

Mira raised an eyebrow but answered professionally. "Conan-kun solved another case last week. Something about a locked-room murder at a ski resort. Mouri-san got the credit, as usual."

Shinro nodded, a wry smile on his face. "Of course he did. And Ran and Sonoko?"

"Preparing for their second-year high school exams, according to Sonoko-sama's social media."

Cosmo, who had been quietly standing guard, couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "I'm sorry, but who's Conan? And why are we keeping tabs on high school girls?"

Cosmo's question hung in the air, his curiosity palpable. Shinro, lost in thought, didn't respond. Recognizing the silence as a sign not to pry further, Cosmo shifted uncomfortably but remained quiet.

Shinro's mind continued to wander, fixating on the Black Organization's mysterious drug. The concept of a substance capable of reversing aging, transforming an adult into a child, was nothing short of miraculous. It defied everything he knew about biology and medicine.

The potential applications of such a drug, if it could be refined and controlled, were endless. From medical breakthroughs to the possibility of extended human lifespans, the ramifications were mind-boggling.