Monday 10 April 1997 ZAGE TOWER Japan.
Just one day before the official trailer for ZEPS 3 is set to air, today marks a major milestone — the full development of the ZEPS 3 console and all 13 of its launch titles is officially complete. After years of intense work, setbacks, innovation, and relentless iteration, the final build is done. This is more than just a corporate checkpoint; it's a landmark day for ZAGE, and an emotional victory for everyone who poured their talent into the project.
To honor this achievement, Zaboru is hosting a celebration event at ZAGE Tower — a symbolic gathering to commemorate the end of development and the beginning of a new chapter. What was once an ambitious dream is now a fully realized console, ready to hit the global market and shake up the industry.
Now, with all the employees gathered excitedly on the 45th floor — food and drinks laid out, chatter echoing through the room — Zaboru stepped up onto the stage. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation.
"Hello, everyone! First of all, I want to say thank you — and congratulations to all of you who helped develop the ZEPS 3 console!" he began.
The room erupted in applause. Cheers and claps filled the space as proud smiles spread across the faces of the staff. When it quieted down, Zaboru continued.
"This ZEPS 3 took the longest development time we've ever had on a console. And do you know why? Because we gave everything. Every idea, every innovation, every late night and early morning. We pushed ourselves to the limit to make this console the best it could possibly be — while still keeping the price affordable for our players."
He paced slightly, looking out at the crowd. "We started development in early 1995. That's almost three years of hard work. And now... it's finished. Completely done. Tomorrow, the official trailer goes live. And next week — we launch."
Another round of applause broke out, louder and more heartfelt. The pride in the room was undeniable.
"Thank you to the NOVA team, IZAN team, and NIWA team — all of whom were once part of ZAGE Tokyo and Osaka. With this, ZEPS 3 has officially become someone's nightmare," Zaboru said with a sharp grin. The employees erupted in cheers, fully understanding the weight of his words and the statement it made.
"And now, without further ado — celebrate today and eat your fill!" Zaboru declared with a wide smile. The room erupted with cheers, and the employees wasted no time diving into the feast. Laughter and conversation filled the space as plates clinked and drinks were poured.
Meanwhile, Zaboru made his way to a specific table, already set with a large spread of dishes. He joined the meal with great enthusiasm, digging in and clearly enjoying himself. Seated around him were ZAGE's top executives — his father, Zanichi; Shinsuke, the head of management; Sayuri Yamaguchi, head of finance; Kurugiya Dousuke, head of legal affairs; and several lead game developers. It was a table filled with the minds that helped shape ZAGE's legacy, and tonight, they celebrated like a family.
Zanichi grinned and said to Zaboru, "Honestly, I didn't think you'd pull something off like that, son," as he took a sip of his fruit juice. Shinsuke, sitting nearby, let out a laugh and added, "That was honestly an insane move, Boss! Served them right — hahaha!"
Zaboru smiled, relaxed and confident. "Yeah, there's nothing they can do about it now. I was just way too pissed off — had to make a statement."
The celebrations carried on with full energy, as laughter echoed across the 45th floor and music played softly in the background. Employees chatted, played friendly games, shared stories from development, and bonded over the long journey they had all taken together. It was more than just a party — it felt like a family reunion, a collective exhale after years of hard work. Every corner of the room was filled with joy, and everyone, from interns to executives, took part in the moment. It was a rare and beautiful pause in the storm of deadlines, and every employee truly had fun.
As for the ZEPS 3, its official retail price has been set at 32,100 yen. The accompanying DVD-based games will be priced at around 8,000 yen each. Due to the yen's current strength and stability, that price roughly translates to about 80 USD per game — which might sound expensive by some standards. However, in this world, economic habits and spending power differ greatly from Zaboru's past life, and 80 dollars is widely considered a standard price point for high-quality titles.
What's particularly notable is ZAGE's approach to profit margins. The production cost of the ZEPS 3 is estimated at around 22,000 yen, which is not cheap by any means. Despite this, ZAGE has decided to sell the console to retailers for only 26,100 yen. That's a very slim margin — barely enough to generate meaningful profit from hardware alone.
This was a strategic decision from Zaboru himself. Rather than chasing profit through the console's price, Zaboru is focusing heavily on game sales as the primary revenue stream. It also reflects his philosophy — to keep the hardware accessible while betting everything on the strength of the games.
Aside from that, Zaboru hasn't revealed the full specifications of the console to the public. Despite the secrecy, the ZEPS 3 is already being praised internally for its impressive capabilities. Much of its hardware optimization came from Zaboru's father, Zanichi Renkonan =. Zanichi's expert touch played a crucial role in refining the console's design, allowing it to deliver strong and reliable performance while maintaining production costs at a level that supports a modest profit margin. Thanks to this collaboration, ZAGE was able to craft a console that balances power, efficiency, and affordability — a rare feat in the industry.
One of the most mysterious and talked-about titles developed directly by Zaboru following the release of the Sonaya Game Station is none other than Pepsi-Man. Yes, Zaboru personally spearheaded the game and struck a bold licensing deal with Pepsi — a move that caught everyone by surprise. To his benefit, Pepsi was more than enthusiastic; they loved the concept and immediately agreed. The partnership was swift and smooth, with Pepsi thrilled about the creative direction and the added bonus of free exposure through ZAGE's upcoming console Not to mention, Pepsi doesn't even have to lift a finger — which makes it a huge win on their end. ZAGE agreed to pay a one-time lifetime licensing fee of $100,000 for the rights to use the Pepsi name in the game. For Pepsi, it was practically free advertising with no effort involved. The brand was already widely recognized, but now, being associated with ZAGE and the hype surrounding ZEPS 3, their visibility was about to skyrocket. The partnership would not only reinforce Pepsi's image in pop culture but also subtly elevate their brand presence alongside ZAGE's rising momentum.
The overall retail package for the ZEPS 3 will include the game console itself, two standard controllers, and one memory card. This bundle is designed to provide players with everything they need to jump right into the action from day one, without needing to purchase extra accessories just to get started. The inclusion of two controllers also encourages immediate multiplayer experiences, something ZAGE wants to emphasize as part of the console's launch appeal.
Aside from this, Zaboru received exciting news that the long-awaited animated film Toy Story, developed by Pixar — a company in which ZAGE holds a 40% stake — has finally completed production.
Three years ago, Zaboru acquired a 60% stake in Pixar, taking a bold step into the animation industry. Shortly after the acquisition, he proposed an ambitious idea — for Pixar to develop a fully computer-animated feature film titled *Toy Story *based on ZAGE games with the same titles. At the time, it was a groundbreaking concept, one that would push the limits of technology and storytelling.
Now, after more than three years of intense development, the film is finally complete. The result is not just a technical marvel, but a creative achievement that promises to redefine animated cinema.
The film is now officially slated for release this May, and Zaboru couldn't be more thrilled. Not only is this a milestone for Pixar as a studio, but it's also a major win for ZAGE as an investor.
Zaboru smiles in his office "Hehehe today is a good day" Zaboru relaxing in his office and after a while he will brainstorm for next ZAGE projects.
To be continue
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