Saturday - 18 December 1996 ZEB [ZAGE Events Building Tokyo]
It is now December 18th, the day of ZAGE's grand end-of-year celebration. Just a few days earlier, on December 15th, Zaboru celebrated his 23rd birthday. He chose to keep the occasion modest, spending quality time with his family and girlfriend. They gathered at home, shared laughter, and enjoyed a cake baked by his mother, who—as always—went all out with food. Zaboru, known for his healthy appetite, didn't hold back.
He also received thoughtful gifts from both his family and his girlfriend, each one a reminder of how deeply he was loved. The warmth of the celebration, though simple, left him feeling fulfilled and grateful. Now, officially 23, Zaboru stood at the edge of a new chapter—one marked not only by personal milestones but also by the remarkable growth of the company he built.
Now at ZEB, the entire venue had been fully transformed for the celebration. Booths were decorated with colorful banners, lights, and life-sized standees of ZAGE's most iconic characters. While this wasn't one of ZAGE's official Game of the Year award events—which had become a tradition over the past few years—it was still a festive gathering meant to honor the fans and celebrate the company's accomplishments.
The mood was cheerful, and the excitement in the air was unmistakable. Fans from across the country had gathered, not just for the announcements and awards, but for the exclusive ZAGE merchandise available only at the event. Limited-edition collectibles, rare posters, and character-themed items were on full display, drawing long lines and delighted reactions. Many attendees were dressed in cosplay, some even replicating characters from ZAGE's latest titles, adding to the electric atmosphere.
At the center of it all stood the familiar and beloved MC of the event—Zaboru's trusted secretary, Yumi Ichijou. Taking her place at the podium, she flashed a confident grin. With her usual charm and energy, she prepared to kick off the night's festivities, already drawing cheers from the crowd who had grown to love her upbeat presence over the years.
"Hello everyone, and thank you so much for coming to the ZAGE Celebration!" Yumi said, her voice full of energy. "This year has been truly incredible for us. ZAGE released a total of 42 games so far—and with one final title dropping at the end of December, that brings us to an amazing 43 games in a single year!"
The crowd burst into applause, some even gasping in disbelief. Forty-three games in one year?
"And out of those," Yumi continued, grinning with pride, "21 were released for the ZEPS 1, as part of our grand farewell to our beloved first console. That's nearly half our releases dedicated to a platform that helped shape who we are!"
Excitement rippled through the audience. Fans clapped, cheered, and shouted ZAGE slogans. No other company in the industry had matched that kind of output. Even Sonaya—ZAGE's biggest rival—had only managed to release around 10 games directly from their studio this year. Sure, if you added titles from their acquired studios the number was higher, but ZAGE's internal development count was in a league of its own. it was just insane.
Yumi Ichijou smiled and said, "Next up—it's time for the ZAGE Game Awards! And without further ado, let my boss do the talking! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Zaboru Renkonan!"
The crowd erupted in loud applause. But then came the surprise: Zaboru walked onto the stage wearing a full Robo-Cop cosplay.
Fans immediately lost it.
In this world, Robo-Cop was a popular ZAGE game—not a movie—so seeing the company's founder dressed as the iconic armored hero sent shockwaves through the room. His costume was flawless, detailed down to the plating, the chest unit, and even the helmet, which he held in one hand before dramatically placing it on his head.
In that moment, he didn't just wear the costume—he became Robo-Cop.
The crowd roared, cameras flashed, and chants of "ZAGE! ZAGE!" echoed through the building. It was peak fanservice, and nobody could've pulled it off like Zaboru.
Zaboru grinned and said, "So, how's my fit?" He struck a playful pose, clearly not taking himself too seriously. Even though he looked like Robo-Cop, he didn't act like one—and the audience loved him for it.
They shouted with joy, "YOU ARE VERY COOL!"—a now-iconic catchphrase from Zabo-Man, one of ZAGE's most enigmatic and beloved in-universe characters.
Zaboru smiled, clearly enjoying the moment. Fans absolutely adored him—not because he was a typical polished CEO, but because he never tried to be one. He was always unapologetically himself. While many in the business world criticized him for not fitting the corporate mold, calling him reckless or unprofessional, Zaboru never cared. He led ZAGE with passion, heart, and humor.
And that's exactly why fans loved him—because he didn't live behind a persona. He was real.
"First of all, thank you, everyone!" Zaboru said with enthusiasm. "ZAGE couldn't have done any of this without you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for buying and trusting in ZAGE's products."
He attempted to bow, but the bulky Robo-Cop costume made it difficult. He only managed a shallow nod, which drew some amused chuckles from the crowd.
Zaboru laughed along. "Umm… turns out bowing in this costume is a little tricky!"
The audience burst into laughter, fully charmed by the moment.
Then Zaboru continued, "This year marked another major accomplishment for ZAGE. As always, we successfully delivered a lineup of great games, but what made this year truly special was our heartfelt farewell to our beloved first console—the ZEPS 1. We honored its legacy by releasing 21 titles for the 8-bit system, a proper send-off to the platform that helped shape our foundation."
The audience erupted into applause.
Zaboru smiled and went on, "At ZAGE, this has always been our core motto—creating games while constantly striving to innovate and stand apart. We're proud to be known as 'The Genre Makers,' and we do everything we can to maintain that reputation—or better yet, surpass it."
Zaboru then grinned. "Alright, without further ado, let's get into the awards! Just so you know—these results are 50% fan-voted! The votes came in from every country where our magazine ZAGE Power is published: the USA, Japan, Korea, China, a bunch of countries across Europe, and most recently—Brazil! So now... let's see who the fans chose as winners for each genre!"
Best Gameplay
Best Soundtrack
Best Co-op Game
Best Story
GOTY 1994
Zaboru grinned and said, "Alright! For the Best Gameplay category, here are our five nominees!" His voice echoed with excitement as the screen behind him lit up, revealing the selected titles.
Elder Scroll 3 Daggerfall
Starcraft
Chrono Trigger
Street Fighter 2
Half-Life
Zaboru then grinned and said, "And the winner is... Starcraft!"
The crowd erupted in applause, many cheering loudly as Starcraft's name appeared on the screen. Its innovative gameplay, deep strategy mechanics, and competitive potential had clearly won over players across the globe. It was no surprise to many—but still an exciting moment.
Zaboru continued, "Congratulations to Starcraft! It looks like everyone truly loves it. And—spoiler alert—next year, we'll be launching an official RTS and FPS Game Competition E-Sports series, hosted by ZAGE! So stay tuned!"
The announcement sent the audience into a frenzy. Fans clapped, cheered, and shouted with excitement. Finally, RTS and FPS games were getting their rightful recognition in the E-Sports scene.
"Alright, let's move on to the next category—Best Soundtrack! And here are the nominees!"
Super Mario World 2
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy 4
Kirby Dream Land 2
Carmageddon
Zaboru smiled and said, "Okay, so the winner is… Chrono Trigger!"
The audience burst into applause—it was a well-deserved win. The game's soundtrack had left a lasting impact on fans and critics alike, praised for its emotion, depth, and unforgettable melodies.
Zaboru chuckled. "Congratulations to Chrono Trigger! That soundtrack really is something else." He paused, letting the cheers settle.
"And now, let's move on to our next category—Best Co-Op/Multiplayer Game! Here are the nominees!"
Street Fighter 2
Dead or Alive
Soul Calibur
Half Life
Star Craft
Zaboru smiled and said, "And the winner is... Half-Life! Looks like the FPS community is really growing!"
The audience applauded enthusiastically. Half-Life's online gameplay had made a huge impression—easier to jump into than Starcraft and just as thrilling. It had quickly become a fan favorite, especially among those new to competitive online play.
Zaboru chuckled and continued, "Alright, next up—the Best Story category! And here are the nominees!"
Chrono Trigger
Half Life
Star Craft
Elder Scroll 3 Daggerfall
Final Fantasy 4
"And the winner is... isn't it obvious?" Zaboru grinned, teasing the crowd.
The audience shouted in unison, "Chrono Trigger! Chrono Trigger!"
Zaboru laughed and nodded. "That's right—Chrono Trigger!"
Thunderous applause followed. It was clear that everyone agreed: Chrono Trigger's storytelling had set a new standard. Emotional, layered, and unforgettable—it wasn't just a game; it was a masterpiece.
Once the cheers began to settle, Zaboru continued, "And now... it's time for the big one. Our main event—ZAGE Game of the Year! And for this final category, we have six nominees!"
Chrono Trigger
Half Life
Elder Scroll 3 Daggerfall
Street Fighter 2
Super Mario World 2
Starcraft
Zaboru smiled and said, "Well, the winner is... Chrono Trigger!"
As the words left his mouth, the iconic soundtrack from Chrono Trigger began playing through the speakers, filling the hall with emotion. The crowd erupted into cheers, whistles, and a few even stood up to applaud. Some fans waved Chrono Trigger posters in the air, while others hugged their friends in excitement. It was a celebration of not just a game, but a memory, a journey, and a masterpiece that had touched countless players around the world.
Zaboru paused for a moment, letting the music and applause wash over him before continuing.
"Thank you all so much. We will always work hard to bring you game after game—experiences worth remembering, stories worth sharing. Your support means everything. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of the ZAGE family this year."
He took a deep breath and grinned. "And now... the moment you've all been waiting for—the concert by the one and only Z&Z Band!"
Zankoku Band then made their entrance onto the stage, greeted by loud cheers from the crowd. As the spotlight hit, Zaboru removed his Robo-Cop helmet, revealing a wide grin as he stepped up to the mic. The audience erupted again in excitement—their CEO wasn't just a businessman or a game designer, he was also a performer.
The band launched into their opening song, and Zaboru joined in on vocals. The performance was electric, a perfect fusion of rock, game soundtracks, and crowd energy. Fans clapped, sang along, and waved glowsticks in rhythm to the music. For two full hours, the Z&Z Band delivered a powerful concert that left the audience exhilarated.
By the time the final song ended, the venue was glowing with satisfaction and emotion. It had been a night to remember—an event that captured everything ZAGE stood for: creativity, connection, and joy.
As the stage lights dimmed, Zaboru stepped forward one last time to thank the audience. And with that, the end-of-year celebration officially came to a close.
Up next: the FAMICOM GOTY awards, happening next week. And not long before that... Zaboru's long-awaited wedding with Ayumi.
To be continue
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