Jobs 'n Opportunities
Tokuro Fujiwara was at a crossroads in his career, one that while he had not fully expected, at the same time he could not say that it surprised him either. After all, while he had made the decision to enter the Vido game industry on his own, and had not regretted it a single bit despite the entire scorn it was poured into sometimes by the older generations, at the same time he had to admit...this year was just weird as hell! Just...how does this kind of things keep on happening!
For context...
His introduction to the game industry had been pretty mundane in his opinion; he needed a job, he was good at programing and computer sciences, and thus he looked for a job that could match both of said requirements. It was just his luck that he had found an apprenticeship for Konami first and thus had managed to get the skills necessary for further advancement in the company. Heck, he did not even mind the large hours and the overwork, as in many ways he had come to enjoy it.
It was true what they said, if you love what you work at, then you'll never work a day in your life. And for Tokuro, he'd found a newfound appreciation when it came to working on games, and even a degree of creativity and imagination when it came to actually coding and creating something wholly his when he had the time to practice a bit with the different algorithms. His mentors had also been willing to share some of the secrets and tricks used for the programming and design of the many games and characters that the company worked for, which in many ways gave him the time to explore on what else could be done with the current set up, and what could be done with a greater system on hand.
But with everything that was good in his job, Tokuro also had to admit that there were drawbacks; for all that he enjoyed the work, he could not deny that the constant feeling of being just a cog in the machine did grate a little. That he was a better programmer than the others and was still being relegated to menial tasks just because of his age was another point against them. And the fact that his favorite restaurant just happened to be over two districts down from the main office may be petty, but he really liked the Udon there!
You just don't keep a man away from his Udon!
But, in the end, what started him on the path to change companies began when he was given his first director assignment for a videogame. He was actually pretty excited when he first heard the news. And he understood very well that he would be given the project as a form of test for him which is why he made sure to try as hard as possible to make Pooyan one of the most fun and inventive new games to come. And sure, perhaps making a game showing a cartoony pig trying to escape from a big bad wolf using balloons might not have been Tokuro's cup of tea, but still, his time would come, he was sure of it. He just had to suck it up, and keep on working, though at times he wondered how long would that be.
Then the universe proved that all great things truly come in threes, as the "Big Three" as it would come to be called sent shockwaves that even someone like him could feel.
First, the sudden collapse of the American Market for videogames, and the entire Videogame industry in America; what else could be said about it, other than Holy Shit but Americans could be dumb! Seriously, making double deals and crime just for some electronic products? And this just about ended an entire burgeoning industry that with some care could have become one of the pillars of their industry?
Second, came when the assets of Sega were suddenly bought by one of the few American companies that were still willing to bet on the Videogame Industry. And not any company, but Lucasfilm's, those crazy bastards who gave the finger to Toho, bought an entire anime company to import, and boosted both the film and anime industry by giving them a new market to exploit and expand on. Sure, animation was getting more reception than the movies, but there was still demand, and with it came opportunity.
And third, and the most important to him...was Sony sudden reveal and their connection to the Yakuza and organized crime.
...That was a shock to him. Tokuro was not a naive child, who thought it impossible for crime to exist just because it had never happened to him. Nor was he one of those older men from previous generations that tried to hide and present a front that such a thing could not happen as no "respectable" Japanese man would ever consort with the Yakuza. But neither had he thought that an electronics giant like Sony, even after all the trouble it'd had because of Lucasfilm's, would get so deep into the Yakuza's pockets so as to have actual managers and executives be arrested.
It just put things into perspective is all.
And yeah, perhaps he'd been feeling quite nervous when he saw how some of the higher ups at Konami suddenly seemed to be running a bit more nervous, others retired quietly, and there was a feeling of just...not rocking the boat and keeping things quiet. Perhaps all of those things together had pushed at his mind a bit more, but he'd been thinking about leaving lately nonetheless. Don't get him wrong, he could have made a career with Konami, but at the end of the day, he just had to accept that some things were not meant to be.
Just think of the Udon, and carry on.
His contract was not due until next year, and till then he was set to work on Roc'n Rope, and if perhaps he remained working until late at night in order to make up for the news he'll give at the end of the year, well, that would be between him and his seniors. Just leave it to future Tokuro to deal with.
But that still left him with the main conundrum. His fork in the road as it were. For as he was preparing to spread his wings once more...he still needed a place to work with. it should have been easy, after all, there were still many other companies that were operating and always needed an extra hand. That he had previous experience in Konami would be a boon rather a than a black mark in his record, and his previous directing work would certainly look good in his resume.
But...the previous experience with both Sony, and on an irrational level Konami, kind of gave him a bit of anxiety when it came to working on any kind of videogame company at the moment. He was sure he might over it in time...but that was time he would not be working, and he was not going to bet his livelihood on some fear either.
So...it was either Capcom (and they should not have any other kind of dealings, right?) or LucasArts (the new kids on the block). On the one hand, Capcom was a relatively new company with four years already on the market, and so far seemed to be doing quite well for itself. Tokuro could see himself finding some work there, perhaps even getting to the rank of director and producer in time.
On the other hand...LucasArts. New kids on the block as mentioned, still organizing and yet to make their own games, though from news heard from the grapevine, they were already in development for a console to try and enter the market. Already skipping the Arcade and working in several games to better succeed. It was an ambitious and daring move...one that you were not sure if it would work either.
So... normally it would be a no brainer which to choose. But the current scare had made both options equal in their appeal, and he was not about to just up and wait until he was homeless or broke before making a choice. So, looking at the addresses he began making a plan to see which one he would be more willing to see tomorrow...
That is until he saw just where LucasArts had its office...and just how close that Udon place was.
Well, if they're going to make it that easy.
Sometimes, things just seemed to work out for him.
By next year, LucasArts was already welcoming its new Director to the family.
A.N.: I Just had to do it. I'm sorry but I needed to get the mind behind Bionic Commando, Ghouls n' Goblins and Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse! I loved those games growing up, and I played all three games of Disney's Magical Quest. I also tried to add some levity and comedy moments, which I hope did not ruin it.
