29 December 1996 Tuesday
After just three days since the Game Station was announced, it had already taken the world by storm. The buzz was impossible to ignore—tech headlines, gaming magazines, and ZAGE Forums boards were filled with hype. Even the ZAGE forums, usually a stronghold of diehard ZAGE fans, were now buzzing with praise for Sonaya. Many users applauded Sonaya's ability to consistently be ahead of the curve when it came to home console releases, noting that they had once again beaten ZAGE to market with their next-gen system.
However, the loyal ZAGE fans weren't staying quiet. They quickly pushed back, reminding others that being first doesn't always mean being best. They pointed to the 16-bit era as proof—when Sonaya's Titan Drive was completely outclassed by ZAGE's ZEPS 2. According to them, ZEPS 2 didn't just outperform the Titan Drive—it crushed it, delivering superior performance, a better library, and industry-defining innovation. They proudly argued that Sonaya had no answer back then and wouldn't have one now either.
ZAGE supporters also emphasized that ZAGE had already embraced the 32-bit era through their powerful PC game offerings. While Sonaya had been relatively quiet in the PC gaming space, ZAGE had produced a string of critically acclaimed and technically impressive 32-bit PC titles. In fact, many users insisted that ZAGE's PC games were far more advanced and entertaining than anything Sonaya had managed to put out on home computers or their consoles and it will continue that way.
Despite this defense, the tide wasn't so easily turned. A growing number of Sonaya fans continued to champion the Game Station's design, hardware specs, and upcoming launch titles. Debate threads lit up by the hour, and the ZAGE forums became a digital battleground of intense loyalty, nostalgia, and brand warfare.
In one of the most active threads on the ZAGE forums, a user by the name of ZBL—short for "ZAGE Best Love"—sparked a massive discussion with a post titled: "Game Station: Will ZAGE Keep Their Momentum in the Gaming Industry?"
ZBL wrote: "Hey guys, my name is ZBL—short for ZAGE Best Love—which means I'm probably the biggest fan of ZAGE out there! I've been following their journey since the early days and bought every console, played every major title, and even have posters all over my room. But I have to admit something's bothering me.
Sonaya has a reputation for being relentless. No matter how many setbacks they've had, they never back down in the electronics industry. And with the announcement of the Game Station, it really feels like they've pulled out all the stops. I'm not saying ZAGE is in danger or anything, but I can't ignore how strong Sonaya's latest move looks. The specs are impressive, the design is sleek, and even though the console is expensive, I honestly think it might be worth the price.
I'm actually thinking about getting one on day one—and that's something I never imagined myself saying. Do you think this could be the rise of Sonaya? Not that I'm turning my back on ZAGE, but it feels like something's shifting. What do you all think?"
This thread became so famous that it occupied most of the comment sections across the entire forum for nearly a full week—despite being posted just a few days earlier. It exploded in popularity, drawing in fans from both sides of the console war. The post struck a nerve and turned into a central discussion hub, where passionate debates unfolded by the minute. One of the most notable replies came from a user named Kokoni, who wrote:
"It's impossible for Sonaya to be truly ahead of ZAGE when it comes to the bigger picture of the video game industry. Sure, they might be slightly ahead right now in terms of next-gen console timing, but let's not forget—ZAGE was already deep into 32-bit gaming before Sonaya even hinted at it. Look at ZAGE's arcade machines. Look at their PC games. They've already delivered some of the most advanced and graphically impressive experiences on the market.
Basically, when ZAGE finally drops their own 32-bit home console—and I seriously hope it's soon—we're all going to lose our minds. It'll be the kind of moment that overshadows everything Sonaya's doing with the Game Station. People will completely forget about that console once ZAGE steps up. Just wait."
Kokoni's comment quickly gained traction, racking up hundreds of upvotes and replies. Many users echoed his thoughts, defending ZAGE's legacy and technical superiority. It served as a rallying cry for fans who were starting to feel anxious about the growing popularity of Sonaya's new system. His confidence helped energize the community and reminded everyone why they believed in ZAGE in the first place.
These kinds of comments were becoming increasingly common, with many ZAGE fans passionately defending the company's legacy and technical superiority. And truthfully, much of what they said held weight. But not everyone agreed. Some replies seemed to come from Sonaya fans—or at least those sympathetic to the rival brand. One such example was a response to Kokoni's post, made by a user named Ryonkou.
Ryonkou wrote: "You're delusional. PC and arcade games are great, sure, but they aren't home consoles. Game consoles are the real heart of gaming. Let's not pretend otherwise. And if we're being honest here, during both the 16-bit and now the 32-bit era, Sonaya has always released their consoles first. That says something. They're the true innovators. ZAGE is always late to the party. And mark my words—the age of Sonaya is just beginning. ZAGE might want to slow down and take a breather this time around."
The comment immediately sparked a flurry of replies. Some users jumped in to defend ZAGE, refuting Ryonkou's points one by one. Others agreed with the sentiment, praising Sonaya's boldness and vision. Whether you loved or hated what Ryonkou said, it was clear that the post struck a nerve. It added fuel to the already fiery debate and made the growing rivalry feel even more personal. ZAGE vs. Sonaya wasn't just about tech anymore—it was about identity, loyalty, and the future of gaming.
These kinds of comments were pouring in from all directions, with countless users suddenly claiming they were lifelong Sonaya fans and professing their love for the newly revealed 32-bit Game Station. They weren't just expressing support—they were proudly announcing they had already pre-ordered or purchased the console, hyping up its specs, games, and so-called revolutionary design. The ZAGE forums, especially the ones usually dominated by ZAGE fans, had turned into a whirlwind of heated arguments, debates, and reaction posts. It was chaotic, electric, and completely overwhelming. The lines were clearly drawn, and every thread felt like a digital battleground.
But among the crowd of supposed Sonaya fans, a pattern started to emerge—one that many long-time users couldn't ignore. While some of these new voices genuinely seemed to admire Sonaya's games and history, a significant portion felt... off. Their accounts were suspiciously new, their language repetitive, and their points oddly focused more on undermining ZAGE than celebrating Sonaya. This sparked a growing theory within the forums: that many of these so-called fans weren't real at all.
According to an increasing number of users, these were plants—paid posters strategically deployed by none other than Sonaya's top brass. Specifically, Hikaru Kurata, the enigmatic CEO and major shareholder of Sonaya, was rumored to be the mastermind behind a covert propaganda campaign. The theory claimed he was paying gamers to flood the forums with pro-Sonaya rhetoric, sowing confusion and tension in the process. Some even believed Kurata had paid off segments of the media to amplify exaggerated rumors like "It's time for Sonaya to lead" or "ZAGE has lost its edge." but without proof they can't do anything about it.
While the conspiracy may have sounded far-fetched to some, others saw merit in it. Whether or not it was entirely true, the outcome was undeniable: attention. The strategy—if it truly existed—wasn't necessarily about swaying opinions with facts. It was about visibility, reach, and disruption. By stirring up controversy and dominating conversations, Sonaya was injecting itself into every discussion. Whether you loved them or hated them, you couldn't ignore them. And that, perhaps, was the real goal all along.
Meanwhile, Zaboru chuckled as he scrolled through the thread. "Look at these guys," he said to himself, amused. Coming from a previous life where he had died in 2024, Zaboru had the unique advantage of knowing exactly how flamers and trolls operated. To him, this wasn't chaos—it was classic internet culture at its peak. He could easily spot the fake accounts, the bait comments, and the desperate attempts to stir drama. But instead of being annoyed, he was entertained. The ZAGE forums had never been this lively, and in a strange way, he appreciated the passion, even if it came with digital firestorms.
He leaned back in his chair and grinned. "Maybe I need to update the forum's features... yeah, introduce memes to this world," he muttered, half-joking but already forming a plan in his mind. In his past life, memes were the lifeblood of online communities—tools of humor, satire, even propaganda. And in this world, no one had really tapped into their power yet.
Zaboru imagined users uploading image macros, reaction GIFs, maybe even custom stickers based on popular ZAGE characters. It would fuel creativity, deepen engagement, and most importantly, make the forums even more unpredictable and fun. "Meme culture will revolutionize how gamers express themselves," he said with a chuckle.
He opened a blank doc on his screen and began drafting a rough outline for the update. Within the next forum build, meme support would become a key feature. If ZAGE was going to stay ahead—both in gaming and in culture—this was the next logical step.
To be continue
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