Friday, 2 May 1994
It's the verge of the weekend, but it couldn't be more hectic for Sonaya. The development floor is buzzing with tension and urgency as they push forward on two major projects for their 16-bit console, Titan Drive. In the past, Sonaya had a steady rhythm, releasing one game every 30 to 40 days. But recently, Hikaru Kurata upped the ante with a bold challenge: the team must develop two complete games in just 50 days—weekends included. It was a daring move, one that pushed everyone to the edge of their limits. Deadlines loomed large, and despite the pressure, there was a shared determination in the air to make the impossible happen. Every department—from art to programming—was racing the clock to meet this massive goal for the 16-bit system.
The team is now under intense pressure to complete the two Titan Drive titles currently in development: Titan Fist and Ao Masamune.
Titan Fist is a side-scrolling 16-bit beat-em-up featuring seven distinct playable characters. Each fighter relies on hand-to-hand combat but channels unique elemental powers and martial arts disciplines—ranging from fire-infused kung fu to water-based boxing. The combination of diverse styles, flashy effects, and polished pixel art aims to push the Titan Drive to its technical limits.
Ao Masamune, meanwhile, is a bold RPG set in an alternate, mythic Tokyo where traditional Japanese folklore collides with Western aesthetics and architecture. This story-driven title includes branching dialogue, strategic turn-based battles, and an adaptive soundtrack that changes with player choices. It's one of the most ambitious game Sonaya has attempted yet—designed not only to showcase narrative depth but also to reassert the studio's creative edge.
Even with additional manpower and the leadership of Junpei Hoshida, the talented head of Sonaya's video game division, the team is still struggling to develop both of these high-quality games simultaneously. Only a couple of days remain before the 50-day deadline, and both games are still at around 90% completion. Junpei has stated that if the worst happens, the development may be extended by a few days—possibly even delaying the release date by a week.
Now, Hikaru Kurata is sitting in his office, with Junpei Hoshida beside him, both taking a brief moment of respite amid the chaos of deadlines and development schedules. They're flipping through the latest issue of ZAGE POWER, the monthly magazine that's become something of an industry barometer, always landing on desks by the 2nd of each month without fail.
While the magazine offers a comprehensive spread of game news, reviews, developer interviews, fun fact and tech columns, what seizes Hikaru and Junpei's attention most is the final section—an anticipated roundup that unveils ZAGE's release lineup for the current month. In bold print, the page lists five new titles scheduled for release: two high-profile ZEPS 2 games, two titles for the older ZEPS 1 system, and one brand-new arcade entry. The sheer volume and consistency of output from ZAGE once again remind them why the company is considered a powerhouse or even anomaly in the gaming world.
Hikaru looks at Junpei.
"Junpei… how does Zaboru even manage something like this? I mean, sure, they've got solid teams in both the Osaka and Tokyo branches—that's no secret. But four new games in one month? That's on another level. If it were just basic 8-bit titles, maybe I could wrap my head around it—we can definitely handle that. But 2 full-fledged 16-bit releases 2 8 bit and arcades, each likely with custom engines, sprite work, music, and QC passes? That takes serious manpower, coordination, and a relentless schedule. I don't get how they're maintaining this pace without burning out. Honestly, it almost feels like they're operating on a completely different set of rules."
Junpei sighed.
"Yeah, boss. Zaboru and ZAGE are nothing short of amazing. I honestly can't wrap my head around how they manage to pull this off so quickly and with such precision. For my standards, our Sonaya team is already top-tier—we're a powerhouse in our own right. The fact that we've almost completed Titan Fist and Ao Masamune in about 40 days is nothing short of a miracle. And yet, when I look at ZAGE's lineup, it's like they've unlocked a secret formula we haven't cracked yet. Maybe it's just... ZAGE is built differently—or Zaboru is just playing a different game altogether."
Hikaru nodded, sipped his coffee, and gave a helpless smile.
"Ever since ZEPS 2 was released, it's been downhill for us. Titan Drive's sales dropped drastically. While our game cartridges are still steady, we can't make them grow anymore. Sigh… damn you, Zaboru."
Hikaru chuckled. He had already accepted it, anyway.
"This can't be helped. What we can do is create great games, right Junpei?"
Junpei smiled and nodded.
"Yes, boss, that's true. In terms of other game developers—aside from ZAGE—we might be number One . And the current number two and three is far behind us. So maybe ZAGE is just on another level."
Hikaru smiled.
"I wonder if we'll ever catch them someday in the video game sector. Still… ZAGE is incredibly ambitious—acquiring shares left and right, planting flags in every corner of the industry. I don't know if they're flaunting their success, playing the long game, or both. The precision of their moves is infuriating—like they know exactly which pieces to buy and when. And the fact they're working together with Philips? That pisses me off beyond belief. Philips actually dared to partner with ZAGE, like they've completely forgotten we ever sat at the same table. It feels like betrayal, even if it's just business."
Junpei then asked,
"If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it Sonaya who neglected Philips regarding CD technology, boss? I recall there being some news regarding that back then"
Hikaru nodded, then exhaled slowly.
"It wasn't neglect—it was a calculated decision. Back then, working with Philips seemed limiting. Sonaya had a clearer, more independent trajectory in the CD space. I believed we could innovate faster and more freely on our own, so I took that path."
Junpei nodded.
"I see. Maybe Philips is just that desperate and wants to improve as well, boss. But still—those rumors about ZAGE buying shares in AMD and NVIDIA, and now collaborating with Microsoft on multiple fronts—it's wild. If that's true, I think we're going to see them shift even harder into the PC gaming space. They're not just diversifying; they're positioning themselves to dominate that sector too. It's like they're building an entire ecosystem, and this could be their next major pivot."
Hikaru nodded again.
"That's true. That's why our PC division needs to be rock-solid and future-ready. In just a couple of months, our PC game division will officially launch in the USA. That means we'll finally step into the broader ring—right up against the industry's most aggressive and fastest-moving competitors ZAGE . We need to be prepared not just to survive, but to lead if possible."
Junpei nodded.
"Let's hope it goes well. Anyway boss, it's time for me to get back to work."
Hikaru nodded, and Junpei left the room.
Hikaru Kurata looked out the window in front of his office.
"It's really frustrating... seeing how Sonaya, despite all our capital , effort and talent, still can't compete with ZAGE in the video game industry. Their momentum, ideas, and timing always seem just a step beyond ours... Damn."
Hikaru gritted his teeth—but this time, the frustration wasn't aimed at Zaboru. It was directed squarely at himself. He clenched his fists under the desk, the weight of missed opportunities and mounting pressure crashing down on him. He regretted not reviving the video game industry when he still had the chance—back when ZAGE hadn't even been created. His passion for video games had always been strong, but instead of charging forward boldly, Hikaru had opted to play it safe. It was his own cautious strategies, his hesitance to take risks, that had ultimately held him back. That realization stung deeply. The sense of personal failure gnawed at him, sharper and more bitter than any insult or loss dealt by his rivals. It wasn't just ZAGE outpacing him—it was the haunting knowledge that his greatest obstacle had always been himself.
Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind:
What if Sonaya acquired some of the third-party developers who currently collaborate with ZAGE? And then incentivized them—either through exclusive contracts, creative freedom, or superior funding—to develop games exclusively for us? If we could redirect their talents and resources toward the Titan Drive, we might not only match ZAGE's monthly release volume but potentially exceed it in certain genres. It would be a bold move, and a lot of effort—but perhaps that's what it takes to break ZAGE's dominance and tilt momentum back in our favor but it will cost a lot of money.
Then Hikaru grinned.
Money is never a problem for Sonaya.
Hikaru laughed, walked to his desk, and began to jot down a plan—one that he believed would make Sonaya more formidable.
To be continued
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