Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991-Chapter 184 - 166: Sonaya Looking at SpongeBob and Z-Man

Wednesday, January 29, 1992

While ZAGE was preparing for its February game releases, their future competitor, Sonaya, was facing a major headache. Their upcoming console, the Mugen Game Box (MGB), was almost ready, along with its lineup of launch titles. However, a crisis had emerged within Sonaya's executive ranks.

Inside a conference room, the head engineer, Makoto Matsuda, the CTO, Aoyama Kagesu, the CEO and major shareholder, Hikaru Kurata, and the Head of Gaming Console Development, Zanichi Renkonan, sat alongside several technical employees. They weren't focused on their own console at this moment. Instead, all eyes were locked onto two CRT televisions, each displaying a game running on ZEPS: SpongeBob: Adventure of Bikini Bottom and Choujin Sentai Z-Man.

Makoto slammed his hands on the table, his frustration evident. "HOW!? HOW can ZEPS produce graphics and content of this level!? The hardware shouldn't be capable of handling this! I know they must have modified their cartridges somehow, but how!? I still don't understand!"

Hikaru Kurata, Sonaya's CEO, remained seated, but his mind was racing. The sheer quality of these two games far exceeded his expectations. He took a deep breath before turning his gaze toward Zanichi.

"Zaboru..." Hikaru muttered. "Your son is truly impressive, Zanichi. You yourself have remarkable talent, but he continues to surpass every expectation I have."

Zanichi maintained a poker face, but deep down, he felt nothing but pride. He had always known his son was talented, but seeing these masterpieces in action made him realize just how much Zaboru had revolutionized gaming.

"He is good, no doubt," Zanichi finally spoke. "But our four games launching with the MGB have their own appeal. I'm confident they'll generate plenty of interest."

Hikaru nodded. "They will. But if ZAGE and Zaboru can consistently produce games of this quality, they'll become a serious threat. We need to catch up—and fast."

Makoto, still unwilling to accept reality, grumbled, "It could just be a fluke! These are the only two games from ZAGE that look this polished. It doesn't mean they can consistently pull this off!"

Hikaru shot a sharp glare at Makoto. "That's an incredibly naive assumption." He sighed. "Even if these were flukes, the fact that they managed to develop and release two games of this caliber simultaneously proves one thing:

ZAGE's abilities are rapidly improving."

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Makoto shrank back, murmuring, "S-Sorry, boss."

Hikaru stood up, adjusting his suit. "Continue working. The MGB launches in March. If we can't defeat ZAGE in Japan, we'll dominate them globally."

With a confident grin, he left the room, already strategizing ways to make Sonaya the dominant force in gaming.

Zanichi's Dilemma

One by one, the others left the room—except for Zanichi.

He remained seated, his eyes glued to the gameplay footage of Z-Man and SpongeBob. He let out a deep sigh, resting his hands on the table.

'I really can't keep up with you, son.'

The sheer fact that ZAGE developed these games with a development team of less than twenty people was beyond his comprehension. How could they achieve so much with so few resources? It defied logic.

For the first time, Zanichi truly considered lowering his pride and joining forces with Zaboru.

'No matter how brilliant he is, he can't do this alone. Maybe it's time for me to stop being stubborn and support him properly.'

Zanichi's eyes then drifted toward the four game titles set to launch with the Mugen Game Box. These games were his last stand, his final attempt to prove himself before deciding his future.

Sheriff Juan – A game that combined elements of Mario and Mega Man, but set in the Wild West.

Neon Racing – A modern racing game featuring day and night cycles and a lineup of realistic cars.

Sun Knight – An action-platformer in the style of Ninja Gaiden, but featuring a knight wielding a sun-infused blade fighting against monstrous foes

.J-Yagyu – A baseball sports game, a risky gamble, as it was the only title not inspired by any ZAGE games.

'If these games sell well,' Zanichi thought, 'I can leave Sonaya and join ZAGE with my head held high.'

But if they failed...

'Then I will leave in disappointment, knowing I should have helped my son sooner.'

Regardless of the outcome, one thing was certain—Zanichi wanted nothing more than to help Zaboru succeed.

He felt immense pride in his son. Watching Zaboru outshine the industry giants, reviving dead entertainment industry, push boundaries, and create masterpieces that even Sonaya's best engineers couldn't comprehend made him feel like the luckiest father in the world.

"You've done the impossible, son." Zanichi murmured. "You've made me prouder than I ever thought possible."

Then, as if remembering something crucial, his expression turned serious.

'I need to warn Zaboru. Sonaya is planning a global-scale release just one month after launching in Japan.'

He knew that if Sonaya gained a foothold overseas first, it could spell trouble for ZAGE in the long run.

Zanichi stood up, shaking off his hesitation. He had made his decision.

Tonight, when he went home, he would inform Zaboru of Sonaya's plan.

And come June, he would know whether his journey at Sonaya would end in triumph—or regret.

To be continued...

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