Saturday 26 December 1996.
After four days of marriage, Zaboru and Ayumi spent their honeymoon relaxing on the beaches of Okinawa. They enjoyed every moment—walking along the shore, eating local food, and simply being together. Although Ayumi wished the holiday could last longer, she understood that Zaboru's schedule was packed. Especially with the upcoming GOTY (Game of the Year) event this Saturday, which she knew was very important to him. Still, she felt grateful and deeply happy—four unforgettable days by her husband's side, full of laughter, love, and precious memories.
Meanwhile, rumors and headlines about Zaboru's marriage spread rapidly across the globe. Major outlets picked up the story, highlighting how surprisingly "modest" the wedding had been. Critics questioned why the youngest billionaire in the world hadn't invited celebrities, industry moguls, or turned the event into a grand social spectacle. The tone of some reports implied confusion—how could someone so wealthy and influential choose such a quiet, private ceremony?
But the media's reaction sparked immediate backlash from Zaboru's loyal fanbase. There are many fans with supportive messages defending his decision. Fans praised his authenticity, saying it was exactly the kind of move they expected from someone like Zaboru. "That's just so him," many commented. "He's never been the type to chase the spotlight. He just does what matters to him."
Many pointed out that Zaboru had always been someone who valued passion and sincerity over fame. He didn't marry to impress the world—he married the woman he loved. And to his fans, that made the moment even more powerful. It wasn't about extravagance or media coverage—it was about a personal bond, celebrated in a way that was true to who he was.
Some even argued that this made him more admirable—that in an industry full of PR stunts and glamorous façades, Zaboru staying grounded reminded everyone why they admired him in the first place.
Meanwhile, Zaboru didn't pay much attention to what the media was saying about his marriage. As long as it didn't interfere with his personal life, he didn't mind the occasional rumor or wild speculation. Let the tabloids spin whatever stories they wanted—he knew the truth, and that was enough. He was happy, deeply content, and focused on what really mattered: spending time with his wife. The couple lounged peacefully together, enjoying the quiet before the storm, as they waited for the upcoming FAMICOM GOTY event. For Zaboru, that calm with Ayumi was far more important than any headline.
Now, in a massive convention space owned by ZEMITSU in Japan, preparations were in full swing for the inaugural FAMICOM Game of the Year (GOTY) event. This marked a major milestone in gaming history—it was the very first time that a GOTY event would be hosted not by ZAGE, but by third-party companies: ZEMITSU and Compute X. This collaboration between Japan's most influential video game review outlet and a major U.S. review company created a unique blend of East and West gaming cultures, drawing massive international attention.
Until now, all previous GOTY events had been exclusively hosted by ZAGE, with awards often categorized between ZAGE's own titles and those they had published or supported. While ZAGE's system was respected, it always drew some debate due to its in-house bias. But with the arrival of FAMICOM GOTY, that was about to change.
This new event was designed to be far more comprehensive and inclusive. For the first time, games developed entirely outside the ZAGE ecosystem would compete directly alongside ZAGE's titles under a single unified GOTY banner. It wasn't just a show—it was a redefinition of what the Game of the Year title meant on a global scale. The shift created buzz throughout the industry and among fans worldwide, all eager to see how this new format would play out and what it meant for the future of gaming awards.
There are two hosts for the event—a man and a woman—both of whom are Japanese, but fluent in English. Since this year's GOTY show is being held on a global scale, and ZEMITSU and Compute X have already secured broadcasting deals across many countries, the organizers decided to conduct the show entirely in English. This choice wasn't just about reaching a wider audience—it reflected how much the world had changed.
In this reality, English proficiency among Japanese citizens had risen dramatically, especially compared to Zaboru's original world. Much of this change was due to ZAGE's influence. As a multinational company, ZAGE had been releasing games in English for years, pushing fans and players in Japan to engage with the language more frequently. On top of that, Zaboru's music group, Zankoku, often released songs in English that gained massive popularity. This fusion of gaming and global pop culture inspired many Japanese youth to study English more seriously.
So, the choice to host the event in English wasn't just about convenience—it was a natural outcome of how interconnected the gaming world had become, with Japan no longer just exporting culture, but actively blending it with global trends.
The hosts for the evening were Kenichi Shinoki and Kiroro Sawamura—two highly respected figures in the entertainment industry, well-known for their charismatic presence and experience with major live events. As the lights dimmed and the spotlight hit the stage, Kenichi stepped forward with a confident smile.
"Good evening, everyone! I'm Kenichi Shinoki, and standing beside me is—"
Kiroro beamed and waved to the crowd. "Kiroro Sawamura!"
Kenichi continued, "Welcome to the very first FAMICOM Game of the Year event, a groundbreaking collaboration between Japan's leading video game review company, ZEMITSU, and the U.S.-based industry reviewer, ComputeX! This event celebrates the best in gaming for the year, and tonight we'll be honoring the creativity, innovation, and passion that defines this global industry."
Kiroro picked up from there with equal enthusiasm. "And that's not all! Throughout the show, we'll be featuring live performances from some of the most popular bands and artists from around the world. It's going to be a night filled with music, excitement, and unforgettable moments."
Kenichi nodded and added, "And be sure to stay tuned until the end—we have an important announcement you won't want to miss!"
After that, the GOTY event continued with a showcase of the top games of the year, following a format somewhat similar to ZAGE's previous live award shows. However, FAMICOM GOTY took things to a whole new level. The pacing was slower but more intentional, allowing each category to receive its own cinematic introduction, complete with high-quality video montages and dramatic narration. Each award felt like a celebration, not just a routine announcement.
Unlike the more relaxed and corporate tone of ZAGE's previous shows, FAMICOM GOTY embraced a theatrical atmosphere. Spotlights swirled, music swelled between announcements, and large LED displays lit up with breathtaking animations tied to each nominated game. The energy in the room was electric, a blend of elegance and enthusiasm.
To keep the audience entertained and engaged, there were scheduled breaks between major award categories. During these breaks, famous singers and bands from across Japan and abroad took the stage to perform. These interludes weren't just filler—they were full-scale concerts woven into the flow of the event. Genres ranged from pop and rock to orchestral video game soundtracks, each one chosen to reflect the spirit of the gaming industry and the audience it served.
The overall result was a show that felt more like a global celebration of gaming culture rather than a standard industry event. Every detail—from the stage design to the performances—reinforced that this new era of GOTY recognition was about more than just trophies. It was about storytelling, creativity, and the shared love of games that brought everyone together.
And then, finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived—the announcement of the GOTY 1996 winner. The crowd held its breath as the title was revealed: Chrono Trigger. Applause erupted, echoing through the grand hall as the spotlight moved to Zaboru, who stood up from his seat with composed pride and made his way to the stage.
He approached the podium, trophy in hand, and looked out at the crowd with a warm, grateful smile. "Thank you for this incredible honor," he began, his voice calm yet charged with emotion. "Winning this award with Chrono Trigger means a lot—not just to me, but to everyone at ZAGE who poured their heart into making this game. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many ZAGE titles receiving this kind of recognition at FAMICOM GOTY." Then everyone applaud.
Then Zaboru said, "Honestly, this GOTY event is absolutely amazing—I'm genuinely impressed." He paused, then flashed a big smile and added with confidence, "You are very cool!"
The crowd erupted. That simple phrase—"You are very cool"—was the iconic catchphrase of Zabo-Man, ZAGE's iconic character . Hearing it now, spoken in front of a massive global audience, sent fans into a frenzy. Cheers, whistles, and even, clapping and laughing with joy.
The audience applauded again, louder than before, as Zaboru nodded respectfully and stepped down from the stage, returning to his seat beside Ayumi, who smiled at him with pride and admiration.
Moments later, the hosts returned to center stage. Kenichi raised his mic and said with a cheerful grin, "And with that, the FAMICOM GOTY 1996 has officially come to a close! Thank you all for joining us on this historic night!"
Kiroro added excitedly, "But don't go anywhere—we have one more major announcement coming up right after this. Stay tuned!"
to be continue
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AN : At first i want to create a proper GOTY again but its been too much so this year FAMICOM goty are just like this haha