The period when the Famicom officially reached one million in sales was roughly in line with what Takayuki and his employees had predicted.
When the latest news of reaching one million in sales came out, Gamestar Electronic Entertainment's brand-new promotional work officially began.
First, there were special activities to celebrate reaching one million in sales.
During this period, players who had purchased the Famicom could receive an additional special reward.
These special rewards were like non-saleable small peripheral products, not too expensive, but they also had some commemorative significance. This was one of the means to continue promoting game console sales, although it wasn't the main one.
Later on, a twenty-minute trial of The Legend of Zelda officially appeared in several authorized stores.
On the internet, The Legend of Zelda's related pages were also launched simultaneously, along with a website dedicated to providing game recommendations, strategy content, game interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and all other information.
This website also launched a game ranking list, ranking games based on player preferences.
Takayuki had begun planning the establishment of game evaluation media and review institutions.
As the number of Famicom games gradually increased and sales data began to grow, Takayuki also began to consider the introduction of age ratings and other review systems.
Rather than waiting until the end and causing something undesirable to happen, forcing the authorities to intervene, it would be better to start regulating the industry early to have more say.
Accompanying this release was the latest magazine from Kasuga Society.
A dedicated electronic game magazine exclusive to the Famicom.
This was also the world's first game magazine.
To build momentum, Kasuga Society had extensively promoted all the pages of their current magazines in advance.
Anyone who purchased a year's subscription to the game magazine would receive the right to purchase any first-release game from Gamestar Electronic Entertainment's authorized stores without queuing. The magazine had already been officially released and could be purchased or ordered at major bookstores.
Last time, Gamestar Electronic Entertainment quietly released a blockbuster game, which completely outshined Surui Electronics.
This time, Surui Electronics seemed to think that Gamestar Electronic Entertainment would do the same.
However, it seemed they were thinking too simply.
This time, Gamestar Electronic Entertainment's response was much quicker than last time, and it wasn't silent anymore. They directly confronted Surui Electronics in a different way.
Gamestar Electronic Entertainment was almost blacklisted by most TV stations, and many newspapers no longer published their advertisements.
However, they seemed to quickly find new channels and wouldn't rely solely on grassroots promotion of games.
This was something the people at Surui Electronics hadn't expected.
In a traditional Japanese-style mansion, Hayakawa Ujito sat in his own tea room wearing a kimono, leisurely sipping tea.
Today was supposed to be his day off.
However, work always came unexpectedly.
Not long after, an assistant hurriedly entered the tea room and placed a magazine in front of Hayakawa Ujito.
Famicom and Electronic Games, Volume One.
That was the name of this magazine.
On the cover were various well-known manga characters hand-drawn by multiple manga artists from Kasuga Society, celebrating the release of a new magazine.
In addition to these manga artists, of course, the most important thing was the large '1000000' number in the center of the first issue.
Famicom officially sold one million!
This was also the first time Gamestar Electronic Entertainment publicly disclosed its game console sales data.
The companies that were now closely watching the electronic game industry were all surprised.
For an electronic product to reach a million in sales was already quite substantial.
And looking at the trend, it would continue to grow rapidly.
At this point, besides Surui Electronics, some weaker electronic companies also began to stir, wanting to join this new electronic game field.
Even if there were no significant results in the end, they could still get some benefits.
Hayakawa Ujito looked at the cover of the magazine, remaining silent for a moment, leaving others wondering what he was thinking.
"Minister, a magazine dedicated to the Famicom, this collaboration between Gamestar Electronic Entertainment and Kasuga Society is really close. But would anyone actually buy this magazine, which is almost like an advertisement?"
The assistant, with doubt in his eyes, regarded the magazine as a pure advertising tool, something that hadn't happened in the past.
Hayakawa Ujito smiled, "Look, you just bought one. Isn't that considered a successful boost in sales and popularity for them?"
"Well... I bought it to track the movements of Gamestar Electronic Entertainment. It's not like I wanted to buy it."
Hayakawa Ujito set down his teacup and picked up the still-new magazine, starting to flip through it.
He read it carefully, with only the sound of flipping pages and occasionally the sound of bamboo hitting outside in the courtyard.
He roughly went through the magazine, then slowly put it down.
"Gamestar Electronic Entertainment is indeed remarkable, and this magazine is no ordinary advertisement. Have you looked at the content inside?"
"Well, I haven't had a chance to look yet. I just bought it and immediately came here to report to you, Minister."
"This book is more like an exclusive book for gamers, like manga lovers. Be patient and take a look. It seems we've underestimated this newly emerging company, even I did."
Surui Electronics was a giant. Even if Gamestar Electronic Entertainment was pressuring them in the electronic game field, Surui Electronics was still that giant.
They could still look down on Gamestar Electronic Entertainment.
Hearing the minister's words, the assistant nodded slightly, indicating that he would carefully read the magazine next.
This was also part of his job.
This assistant had previously worked with Hayakawa Ujito in the overseas business department.
Because he was particularly adept at it, Hayakawa Ujito brought him along to continue working with him.
His greatest advantage was being obedient, without complaints. Even if he worked seven days and nights, he would never say a word of complaint.
"Wait until I finish my tea, then we'll return to the office. It seems I won't have a chance for vacation during this time."
Hayakawa Ujito glanced somewhat regretfully at the tea.
He realized that with Surui Electronics' current promotional methods, it might not be certain that they could compete with Gamestar Electronic Entertainment. They were really strong in the electronic game field.
And, the Famicom had already reached one million in sales, which was incredible. It also meant that the market had reached the million mark, which was already considered the threshold for a popular market. No wonder his father had attached so much importance to it and had arranged for him to come back and manage this department early on.
Even if it wasn't yet a first-level business department, it would probably be upgraded to one soon.
And if he had been directly transferred from another department to a first-level business department, it would definitely have been difficult to gain acceptance at the beginning. Deep-rooted leaders wouldn't easily give up their power and hand it over to someone like him, who suddenly parachuted in.
On the other hand, this electronic game business department was just getting started, but its potential was unlimited. He would have an easier time establishing himself in this department, and his father's consideration was quite correct. Indeed, the wisdom of elders should not be underestimated.
He needed to pay more attention to the development of this department; this might be the place where he could accumulate experience and connections for the future.