Thursday, October 2, 1991. Another batch of ZEPS was finally complete and ready to hit the shelves. The excitement in the air was palpable as the ZAGE team prepared for another wave of sales. Shinsuke had outdone himself, successfully striking deals with additional retail stores, ensuring that ZEPS was now available in a wider range of shops across Tokyo. This expansion meant more visibility and accessibility, fueling Zaboru's ambition to dominate the gaming industry in this world.
In addition to this success, ZAGE had made a significant move—offering its employees new contracts with proper salaries and company benefits, officially making them permanent staff members. This step not only solidified their loyalty but also ensured a stable workforce for future projects. Zaboru, anticipating the need for further production, had already placed an order for the next batch of ZEPS before even considering new game additions for the Saiko Machine. However, before making any major decisions, he had a crucial meeting scheduled for Saturday—one that would determine the future direction of both Saiko Machine and ZAGE itself.
Meanwhile, Ishigi, having returned from school, rushed straight to Dekapon Electronics. His heart pounded as he approached the store, only to be met with a scene of chaos. A crowd of eager customers had already gathered, all scrambling to get their hands on the latest batch of ZEPS.
'Ahh! I hope it's not sold out!' Ishigi panicked internally as he joined the long queue. He anxiously waited in line for 25 minutes, his patience wearing thin. Finally, when his turn came, he eagerly approached the counter.
"Boss! One ZEPS with the full package!" he exclaimed, barely containing his excitement.
Daichi, the store owner, grinned, already anticipating this kind of enthusiasm. "That'll be 53,000 yen."
Ishigi didn't hesitate. He quickly handed over the cash, took his prized purchase, and dashed out of the store like a kid on Christmas morning. His mind was already racing with anticipation—what game should he play first?
Upon arriving home, he wasted no time setting up ZEPS on his television. He stared at his collection of games, pondering his first choice before settling on Punch-Out!! A devilish grin spread across his face as a plan formed in his mind.
'Hehehe, I bought this with my own money from my part-time job! And tomorrow... I'm calling in sick. Three days of uninterrupted gaming!' Ishigi smirked, already plotting the most convincing way to fake an illness and deceive his parents. This weekend was going to be legendary.
Back at the ZAGE office, Zaboru sat in a meeting with Yuna and Yugo, discussing the optimization of their latest game releases.
"So, any trouble optimizing Mega Man, Hang-On, or Final Fight?" Zaboru asked, leaning back in his chair.
Yuna smiled and shook her head. "So far, no issues, boss. Everything is running smoothly."
Yugo, however, had a different concern. "Boss-sama, why aren't we releasing Metal Gear in this batch?"
Zaboru chuckled. "Well, I've decided to release a maximum of three games at a time. I don't want to overwhelm the players."
Yugo nodded, understanding the logic behind the decision. Yuna, already aware of Zaboru's strategic approach, simply listened attentively.
Suddenly, Yugo became restless, his curiosity getting the better of him. "BOSS-SAMA! What games are you planning to make next? Please tell me!"
Zaboru sighed, amused by Yugo's enthusiasm. "Calm down, man. Alright, I'll tell you. The next batch will include Metal Gear, a game I promised to make for Akechi-san called The Legend of Akechi, and one more—something completely new. It's called Sonic."
Yugo raised an eyebrow. "Akechi? And what's Sonic?"
Zaboru grinned. "I made a promise to my friend to create a game using his name. As for Sonic, let's just say... he's a fast blue hedgehog."
Yugo looked skeptical. "But aren't hedgehogs slow?"
Zaboru chuckled. "That's what makes it cool. Anyway, I'll explain Sonic's design later."
In truth, Zaboru had initially considered releasing Ninja Gaiden in this batch, but he realized that its gameplay shared similarities with The Legend of Kage—or rather, The Legend of Akechi. To ensure a more balanced release lineup, he decided to introduce Ninja Gaiden in the fourth batch instead.
With that, the ZAGE team continued their work, their excitement growing for the future of the company and the gaming industry. As they prepared for the next phase, one thing was certain—ZAGE was just getting started.
To be continued...