Feedback, Fixes, and Forward
Chapter 28 – Feedback, Fixes, and Forward
December 1982 – Lucknow
The cold of winter seeped into the corners of the office. Outside, vendors shouted "Chana jor garam!" as children chased kites under a pale sun. Inside Ajay's company headquarters—once a modest research office, now transformed into a creative powerhouse—cups of chai steamed on desks. The scent of soldered metal lingered in the air, mingling with ink from newly printed reports and glue from pasted posters of their first game release.
The tube lights buzzed faintly above, their flickering glow illuminating stacks of envelopes from around the country.
Letters from gamers. Parents. Teachers. Strangers.
India was responding.
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📬 Voices from the Field
Ajay sat at a long table with Bharat, the rest of the team gathered around them. Pages rustled, steam curled from clay cups, and the ticking wall clock gave the moment its rhythm.
One letter read:
> "I love the treasure level! But it ends too fast. Can you make it longer?"
—Rohan S., Delhi, Age 11
Another:
> "We want louder music and more explosion sounds!"
—Saira and Nimit, Bangalore
Then, a more cautious voice:
> "My son keeps asking to go to the arcade. I worry this is a waste of time."
—Mrs. Neeta Joshi, Surat
Bharat smiled and looked at Ajay. "Good. This means they care."
Ajay nodded. "It means they're playing."
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🧠 Bharat's Thoughtful Response
Bharat leaned forward, tapping his pencil on the desk. "We must listen—this is real market research."
He circled points with red pencil on one form. "Sound adjustment: Add volume slider. Level design: Add extended mode. Story mode—more character development."
Ajay turned to his assistant. "Log these. And set up a team to gather field feedback in person."
"We'll call it the Game Research and Player Insight Unit," Bharat added. "Send college interns to arcades. Let them talk to players. Ask: 'What would you change?' 'What's missing?'"
Ajay looked over, smiling. "You're not just designing games now, beta. You're designing systems."
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📺 Marketing and TV Influence
Bharat stood by the chalkboard, sketching a map with arrows flowing from "TV" to "Arcade" to "Home Console."
"TV is the key," he said. "It's rare. But where it exists—it influences dozens. One screen, many eyes."
He paused, then added:
> "Let's pitch a 10-minute special for Doordarshan—highlighting how games can teach too. Not just play. If even one teacher supports it, more will follow."
Ajay raised an eyebrow. "And the cost?"
"Less than big print ads. And with broader reach," Bharat replied. "Arcades follow attention. If kids ask, arcade owners will stock it."
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🎮 Preparing for Version 2.0 – Console Dreams
Pinned on the wall was a hand-drawn poster:
> Bharat Singh: Warrior Within – Version 2.0
Below it, a table of features:
Arcade Mode: Fast action, 2-player battle
Console Mode: Story mode, saving progress, language toggle
Educational Mode: Geography & puzzle integration
Ajay read the list aloud. "You're building not one game—but a platform."
Bharat nodded. "Each update must improve. Better art. More music. Deeper strategy."
"And when will we release version 2?"
"Six months," Bharat said. "But only after proper testing and feedback."
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🔐 Patent Protection – Learning from the World
Weeks ago, Bharat had voiced concern:
> "Pitaji, in America and Europe, companies fight in court for tiny features—soundtracks, animations, even level names. If we don't protect our work, others will copy it with small changes."
Now, the legal team had filed modular patents:
One for sound design
One for background visuals
One for character outfits
One for level mechanics
One for the title and theme structure
But India in 1982 didn't offer deep protections like the West.
Ajay had met a Delhi-based IP consultant who warned:
> "There are loopholes. You must prove originality constantly. Keep everything documented."
So they created internal logs, design timelines, sketches, and soundproofed records.
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💬 A Letter That Sparked Doubt
Ajay picked up a crumpled letter from Punjab:
> "We are farmers. Why waste money on games? My children should learn to work, not play."
He handed it silently to Bharat.
Bharat read, thoughtful. "He's right—in his world. So let's make games that teach and inspire. Strategy games. Farming simulators. Problem-solving puzzles."
Ajay said, "Real-world relevance."
"Exactly," Bharat replied. "Play should never mean foolishness. It should sharpen the mind."
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🧃 Light Moments at Home
That evening, chai flowed and bowls of roasted peanuts sat between cousins.
Dadi, ever curious, asked, "This 'console'—is it some kind of new stove?"
Everyone laughed.
"No Dadi," Bharat grinned. "It's a box that connects to a TV. You press buttons. It shows your story."
"And people pay for this?" she asked.
"Lakhs," Vandana said, handing her a samosa. "In America, they sell like hot jalebis."
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💡 New Suggestions from the Field Team
Dinesh, one of the field agents, returned with notes.
> "Players want voice narration. Some kids can't read fast."
> "Many teenagers prefer games with choices—where actions affect the ending."
> "Arcade owners suggest time-limited free trials to attract new players."
Ajay turned to Bharat. "Your idea is working."
"And we're just beginning," Bharat said. "We should offer the game free for one hour in open public arcades—schools, parks. Let people feel it before they buy it."
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📊 Vision for the Console Future
As they walked past the warehouse, Bharat whispered:
> "Pitaji, only 2% of homes in India have a TV. But that'll change. Console games can live in the corner of every home someday."
Ajay nodded. "But we need cheaper parts."
"We'll build to Indian conditions. Dust-proof casing. Low-power boards. Easy-to-replace buttons," Bharat explained. "Even if just a thousand homes buy in the next two years—it begins."
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🧠 Ajay's Quiet Reflection
That night, as he watched Bharat tinkering with circuits, Ajay paused in the doorway.
> This child—he isn't just inventing games. He's building a new India… from a corner of our home.
What began as a small dream now holds threads of education, entertainment, economy, and culture.
He smiled softly, whispered a prayer to Lord Ram, and closed the door behind him.