Finally, we’ve made it to this game.
This game, which can be called the “legend,” “absolute being,” and “symbol” of our generation.
In February 1996, a game was released in Japan.
The game, aimed at becoming the best trainer by capturing, training, and battling fictional creatures, was launched during the twilight of the portable gaming console ‘Game Man.’
Starting from the childhood experiences of developer Satoshi collecting insects, this game had an initial shipment of only 230,000 copies and was not really a highly anticipated title.
But that’s how the legend began.
Consistently featured in a magazine called “Monthly Koro,” the game started gaining word-of-mouth popularity, and sales began to explode day by day.
Kids everywhere were playing this game, discussing it at school and after-school academies.
An animated series based on the game aired on TV, and characters from the game started appearing as bakery treats in supermarkets.
As a result, the game sold an incredible 10.23 million copies in Japan and 9.85 million in the U.S. exclusively in its series,
Expansion into cards, comics, animations, movies, and other derivatives demonstrated just how far its IP could grow.
This game became the eternal friend of children,
And the never-ending lifeline of In-tem-do.
That game is none other than “Capsule Monster.”
The records achieved by the “Capsule Monster” series are truly awe-inspiring.
“Most Sold RPG Game Series in the World”: The total for the series exceeds an astonishing 400 million copies worldwide.
“Best-selling Game”: The original Capsule Monsters—Green, Blue, Red, and Yellow—together sold 48 million copies, a record that’s unbreakable for as long as I live.
“Best Launch Record”: Capsule Mon XY achieved 4 million copies sold globally in its first week, holding the record for the top launch of a game title.
“Highest-Grossing Media Franchise”: The entire franchise has generated over $100 billion in revenue, making it the most profitable media franchise in the world, a position it would never descend from for the entirety of my life.
Additionally, accolades include “Longest-Running Animated Series” and “Best-Selling Trading Card Game,” just to name a few, making it clear that “Capsule Monster” transcended mere game success and became culture itself.
The fun of “Capsule Monster” lies in the joy of collecting the cute and diverse array of Capsule Monsters.
With over 1,000 types of monsters, anyone can find a Capsule they love among them. (Of course, most people adored the protagonist, the electric mouse.)
Once you experience the thrill of traveling with those Capsule Monsters, defeating the Four Heavenly Kings, and surpassing rivals to reach the top, you can’t help but buy more Capsule Monsters every year.
What’s even more amazing is its success across diverse cultures.
No matter how successful a super IP may be, a certain degree of cultural skew is usually inevitable.
But “Capsule Monster” was different.
Both East and West, young and old, even men and women were all crazy about Capsule Monster.
Having witnessed the release of countless games in both past and present lives, I realized that only “Capsule Monster” has managed to satisfy such a broad spectrum of gamers.
As the Queen said, a game that entertains everyone without discriminating between adults and children,
A game that can become the face of the Zers Empire,
If I were to create such a game, I would choose it in this life, the next life, and every life after.
“Capsule Monster” held that much value.
*
“…if we make such a game, it will surely become the face of the Zers Empire.”
I excitedly explained Capsule Monsters to the Queen.
I was a bit worked up, but who could blame me?
It’s hard not to get excited when explaining “Capsule Monster.”
Anyone who isn’t excited hasn’t truly enjoyed “Capsule Monster.”
“Yuren the Wizard, I have a question.”
“Yes! Your Majesty.”
Unlike me, the Queen calmly sipped her tea while speaking.
“If what I heard is correct, it sounds like a game where we train animals to battle, is that right?”
“Yes! That’s correct!!”
“I can’t help but think that instead of becoming the face of the Zers Empire, it seems more likely to attract a formal protest from the very serious Yura Republic about animal protection…”
She hit the nail on the head.
This was one of the recurring points brought up whenever “Capsule Monster” was mentioned from my past life.
In discussions about Capsule Monsters, someone would invariably say, “Isn’t this just animal abuse, making them fight!?” and it would set community forums ablaze.
I maintained my calm façade.
“It’s definitely not that! In fact, I believe the biggest consumer base for this game will be the Yura Republic.”
“What’s your basis for that?”
“Because people from the Yura Republic love animals.”
The Queen wore a face that clearly showed she didn’t understand how the Yura Republic, which loves animals, could be its biggest consumer base.
This was an area that couldn’t be conveyed through explanation.
It was a conviction only I had from experiencing Capsule Monsters.
“Hm… so you seem to have thought of something.”
The Queen seemed to ponder deeply before turning to Mineva beside her.
“Mineva, may I ask you something?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Honestly, I’m not completely convinced that what Yuren the Wizard said is what I desire. But I can sense that he has confidence.”
“Yes, Minister Herness mentioned that too.”
Well, Minister Herness wore a face similar to the current Queen’s—a mix of trust and unease.
“What did Herness do then?”
“He entrusted it to Yuren.”
Of course, Minister Herness didn’t grant unconditional trust right off the bat.
He gradually built trust by observing the game.
Thinking back, many projects failed due to misallocated trust, making me truly realize that Minister Herness was a person who did his job well.
Listening to Mineva, the Queen pondered and finally spoke.
“Yuren the Wizard, you may not know, but I will be stepping down from regency soon.”
Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that the current Emperor, Cassius Zers Rohan IV, will soon reach adulthood.
Once that happens, the Queen’s regency will end, and she will officially hand over the throne.
“I plan to focus a lot on the culture of the Empire as my final task.”
Wait, cultural victory!?
I almost made a joke about it but stopped upon seeing her serious, worried expression.
Her eyes looked filled with the same concern a mother has for her child.
Surely the Queen was making final preparations for her son, the Emperor…
“Please take good care to create a game that can become the face of the Zers Empire.”
If the Queen asked, I might have brushed it off as just another request.
But the plea of a mother worrying for her child was different.
I replied with utmost respect.
“Yes! I absolutely will not disappoint you.”
On this bright and peaceful day, the development of the legendary game, “Capsule Monster,” began in the palace.
*
After coming back from Zephia Palace, I gathered everyone in my lab.
They couldn’t hide their amazement at what was on display in my room.
“Wow, is this the real deal?”
“Yeah, isn’t it cool!”
On my desk lay a communication crystal received from the palace.
The special direct communication crystal that can only be used in the palace—
The “Golden Crystal Ball.”
I felt proud as a collector to have gathered the communication crystals of the Commander’s Department, Minister’s Office, and palace, all of which are only available to the Empire’s highest nobility, while bragging to Jiren when Sora chimed in.
“You even received a request from the palace, Yuren! That’s amazing!”
“Haha, it’s nothing too great.”
“So what kind of amazing game are we going to make this time?”
“This time, we’re making an Animal Collection RPG game.”
“An Animal Collection RPG?”
I explained once more about the “Capsule Monster” I had previously discussed in the palace.
Upon hearing my description, both Sylvia and Sora went pale and exclaimed.
“Are you saying you’re going to make them fight? That sounds too cruel.”
“Right. Yuren, the animals will be mistreated.”
“It’s not as cruel as you think! And it’s super fun!”
It seemed that my explanation alone didn’t help them understand the fun aspect.
I turned to Jiren, who appeared to be the only one grasping the enjoyment of Capsule Monsters.
“I guess we need to go there. Jiren, can you lead us over?”
“Where are you talking about, Master?”
Smiling at Jiren, I replied.
“To the Monster Arena.”
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