*I've made a mistake lol, i actually add sonic!. anyway sorry here's the revised version, I've just deleted Sonic in here*
Tuesday, October 21, 1991 – Night.
Zaboru had just finalized the very first television advertisement for ZEPS. After countless hours of brainstorming, scripting, and editing, everything was finally in place. TV Tokyo had confirmed that the ad would air for the first time tomorrow at 19:00, marking a significant milestone for ZAGE. Now, all that was left to do was wait and see how the public would react.
Kumogi was an ordinary salaryman, working from 08:00 to 18:00 every day. By the time he got home at 18:35, he was utterly exhausted. Like most nights, he had a quick dinner, took a shower, and then settled into bed with the television on—his brief moment of relaxation before another repetitive and draining workday.
Recently, some of his office colleagues had been talking about a new video game console called ZEPS. He was mildly interested, but as a working adult, he couldn't imagine having the time to play games. Video games were something he had left behind in his childhood. Still, he let the TV run in the background, barely paying attention, until something caught his eye at exactly 19:02.
A loud metallic CLANG! burst from the speakers, followed by the shining ZAGE logo flashing across the screen. The dramatic opening immediately grabbed Kumogi's attention. The screen cut to a narrator's voice, deep and confident:
"Home video games... we thought they were dead! The market crashed, flooded with unfinished and uninspired titles! Arcades still thrive, but let's be honest—most of us adults are too busy or too tired to go there anymore. But what if you could bring the arcade experience... HOME?"
A catchy, upbeat jingle kicked in as the camera cut to the narrator. However, instead of a regular person, the narrator was a mysterious figure wearing a sleek gray helmet with a large "Z" emblem on the forehead. His eyes were hidden behind a visor, giving him an enigmatic presence.
"Hey! My name is Zaboru! And I'm here to show you just how amazing the ZEPS is!"
As he spoke, colorful video game characters surrounded him—eye catching figures that immediately grabbed the viewer's attention. A cheerful plumber in a red hat and mustache, a bright yellow creature with an infectious smile, and a blue robotic boy with a blaster. The screen transitioned smoothly between gameplay footage and animated interactions with these characters, making it feel dynamic and alive.
"ZEPS brings the arcade home! Play thrilling, high-quality games made by ZAGE and experience fun like never before! You can play as Mario!"
On-screen, Mario waved enthusiastically as Super Mario Bros. gameplay footage played behind him, showing him leaping over obstacles.
"Or you can play Pac-Man!"
Pac-Man suddenly floated onto the screen, his mouth opening and closing in his signature chomping motion while classic Pac-Man gameplay ran in the background.
"Or you can be Mega Man!"
Mega Man grinned confidently before charging up his blaster and firing a powerful shot. The gameplay behind him showed his intense action-packed battles.
"And that's not all! There are plenty more games waiting for you!"
A montage of ZEPS titles flashed on the screen, showcasing fast-paced clips of Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., Punch-Out!!, Excitebike, and Hang-On. The sheer variety of gameplay styles and genres was captivating.
The narrator reappeared, pointing straight at the viewer. "Join us and make your gaming dreams come true!"
With that, he leaped dramatically into one of the game screens, disappearing into the world of ZEPS. The screen then transitioned to a polished shot of the ZEPS console alongside a lineup of available game cartridges, with text clearly displaying the pricing and a tagline:
"ZEPS – The Family Computer. Available now at your nearest electronics store in Tokyo! NOW YOU PLAY WITH POWER!"
Kumogi stared at the screen, mouth slightly agape. He had only been half-paying attention to the TV before, but this advertisement had him completely hooked. It was vibrant, exciting, and most importantly—it made him want a ZEPS.
"Damn…" he muttered, still staring at the now-finished ad. "Maybe I do need to get one."
The excitement from the ad lingered in his mind. He hadn't thought about video games in years, but this… this looked genuinely fun. And if it really could replicate the arcade experience at home? Maybe it was worth checking out.
Kumogi wasn't alone in his reaction. Across Tokyo, countless viewers had the same response. Whether they were children, teens, or adults, the ZEPS ad struck a chord, igniting curiosity and desire in a way that no gaming commercial had done before.
Meanwhile, back at ZAGE headquarters, all the employees had gathered together to watch their first official TV advertisement air. The moment it ended, the room erupted into cheers and excited chatter.
"That was amazing!" Yugo practically shouted, still buzzing with adrenaline. "Did you see how cool that looked?!"
Yuna nodded, eyes gleaming. "It felt professional! and way better than usual ads!'
Sayuri, usually composed, even clapped her hands together. "This will definitely boost our sales."
Zaboru simply grinned, satisfied. He had chosen not to reveal his real face to the public, opting instead for the helmeted persona, much like how Yoko Taro had done in his previous life. It added an air of mystery to the brand and kept the focus on ZEPS itself rather than on him personally.
This was only the beginning.
With the first ZEPS advertisement now aired on TV Tokyo, ZAGE had officially taken its next big step toward dominating and reviving the gaming industry.
To be continued…