Zaboru continued pacing slowly across the room, his hands tucked behind his back as he smiled, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes. "Ever since the release of ZEPS 3 back in April 1997—so yes, around last year—I've already been thinking ahead. Of course, even before the public got their hands on ZEPS 3, I had already instructed our Hardware division to begin preliminary research for our next console. Even though I haven't handed them any finalized or clearly detailed designs yet, both our Hardware and Research teams have been pushing forward with early-stage development. They're proactively exploring enhancements, analyzing bottlenecks, testing new architecture ideas—all with the intent of evolving ZEPS 3 into something far greater."
He turned and gestured with his hand as he continued. "The goal here is ambitious. I've been crystal clear with them—we're not aiming for an incremental upgrade. No, we're aiming for a leap. A significant one. Just like ZEPS 3 was a major leap compared to its predecessor, our next-generation console must follow in its footsteps. And what does that mean?" He paused dramatically, then smiled wider. "Exactly. It means we're going for a double leap in performance. Not just a slight improvement, not just better graphics or faster loading. We're talking about a complete evolution in power, functionality, and user experience. The next ZAGE console must deliver at least twice the performance capability of ZEPS 3—across the board."
Zaboru chuckled, his tone light but firm. "And no, let me clarify—this doesn't mean our next console needs to be a so-called 256-bit console. Honestly, the way technology is evolving, the concept of 'bits' in console marketing is quickly becoming outdated. In the early days, yes, it made sense to talk about 8-bit or 16-bit systems because that directly affected how games looked and functioned. But now, that term is mostly just for branding. What truly matters today—and going forward—is the actual strength and capability of the system: the CPU, the GPU, memory bandwidth, architectural efficiency, and overall performance across the board."
He took a breath and smiled again, his pacing slowing. "So don't worry about the number of bits—we'll define our own standard through real performance. What I can say is this: give me until the end of the year—this 1998—and I'll deliver detailed hardware specs for our next console. And of course, once I finalize the design, I'll immediately reach out to our key partners at NVIDIA and AMD. I want them to rigorously evaluate whether my envisioned CPU and GPU designs are feasible with their current and upcoming technologies. If not, we'll collaborate with them to make it possible."
Zaboru turned toward Zanichi, his expression both sincere and energized. "And at that time, Dad, I'll probably need your help as well. I know you'll be right there with me to make sure we bring it to life."
Zanichi chuckled warmly and gave a proud nod, signaling his full support without hesitation.
"Alright, that wraps up our discussion on the next-gen main console. As for our handheld division, we're already well underway—development on the ZGBA is progressing steadily and remains on schedule, with the teams hitting their milestones confidently. With both hardware and software pipelines aligned, there's no major concern on that front."
He paused for a moment, scanning the room before shifting his tone slightly. "Which brings us to our next session—something just as important, and possibly even more game-changing in the long term: the future of our online gaming platform."
Zaboru walked slowly through the room, his expression thoughtful as he addressed everyone. "I've always believed that it's absolutely essential for us to be able to sell digital games directly through our desktop applications or even through our official website," he said, gesturing as if painting the future with his words. "This kind of approach holds immense potential—not just in terms of reducing production and distribution costs, but also in providing a much more efficient and convenient experience for our players."
He chuckled lightly, continuing, "Think about it: no more waiting for physical stock, no manufacturing delays, and no need to worry about packaging or logistics. A truly digital storefront will let players anywhere access our content instantly, at any time."
However, Zaboru's tone shifted slightly as he sighed. "But sadly, that ideal future can't happen if the current state of internet infrastructure doesn't improve. That's the critical bottleneck. And that's why I'm sure all of you are already aware of one of our most important initiatives—the invesment for Sendou Fiber Project." He paused for emphasis.
"Yes, that's the one. It's long-term project from Sendou to bring fiber-optic internet connections directly into people's homes across the country. This will elevate the average internet speed available to everyday users to a level that can finally support consistent digital gaming experiences. Because even if we've created the perfect structure, the most seamless platform, and the most user-friendly flow… none of that will matter if players simply can't or won't buy our digital games due to slow or unreliable internet speeds. That's the real challenge we're solving with Sendou Fiber."
Zaboru smiled, the enthusiasm in his voice picking up as he turned the conversation toward another crucial aspect of their future strategy. "And beyond just digital sales, our multiplayer online games are just as important—if not more—in shaping ZAGE's long-term ecosystem. Online connectivity is becoming more central to how players engage with our titles, and it's essential we remain not just competitive but ahead of the curve."
He gestured toward the team. "Right now, we already have a solid and scalable multiplayer server infrastructure, which is being spearheaded by our Hardware and Research division in the U.S., under Gaben's leadership. We call it Battle.net, and it's already integrated into many of our biggest multiplayer titles—Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Battle Realms, Diablo II, and others. At present, we have active servers distributed across multiple regions and countries, which allows for load balancing, latency control, and a more stable multiplayer experience globally. Our architecture ensures that no matter where players are, they can engage in competitive or cooperative gameplay with minimal disruption. It's something we've refined with care and a lot of iteration."
Zaboru chuckled, clearly excited. "But that's not all. Our U.S. team has also been hard at work developing what I believe will be a revolutionary platform—something that will define the future of how people buy, play, and interact with games. We're calling it 'Steam.' It's nearing completion, and I believe it will become the digital backbone of everything ZAGE offers in the next decade and beyond."
He turned to Gaben with a smile. "Gaben, would you please explain to everyone here what exactly Steam is and why it's such a big deal?"
Gaben nodded, his expression lighting up with a mixture of admiration and enthusiasm. "Steam is what we believe to be the future of digital games distribution, but it's also so much more than that. It's not just a place to buy games—it's a platform, a hub, a living ecosystem for both players and developers alike. When Boss Zaboru first shared this idea with me, I was genuinely flabbergasted. It's one of the most ambitious things I've ever been a part of."
He chuckled and continued, "With Steam, developers will be able to upload their games directly to the platform and sell them digitally without relying on traditional retail or physical media. Players will be able to browse, purchase, and download those games straight to their machines. But that's just the beginning. Every user will have their own online library where their purchased games are stored, and from that library, they can access features like trophies, achievements, detailed playtime logs, and more."
Gaben took a step forward, gaining momentum as he spoke. "This means every player will have a profile—not just for vanity, but as a personalized portal that showcases their gaming history, milestones, preferences, and interactions. Communities will form around games, discussion forums will be integrated directly, and feedback loops between devs and players will be easier than ever. The entire gaming experience will become more connected, more personal, and more dynamic."
As he finished, a murmur of awe and excitement spread through the room. Some whispered ideas to their colleagues; others sat silently, absorbing the vision. Gaben smiled at their reaction, clearly pleased, but his tone shifted as he sighed and added, "Of course, even with all this potential, there are still hurdles ahead."
"Our remaining challenges at this stage boil down to two main problems," Gaben said, raising two fingers. "First, the one Boss Zaboru already mentioned earlier—internet speed. Without reliable and fast internet infrastructure across our key markets, the digital experience we envision for Steam won't be feasible for a large number of users. That's why the Sendou Fiber Project is so crucial—it's the foundation that will support everything we're building here."
He lowered one hand but kept the second finger up. "The second challenge is the payment system. As of now, we still haven't finalized a secure, reliable, and globally accessible payment method for Steam. While we're actively exploring options, the reality is that we need something scalable, trustworthy, and easy for users around the world to use—whether they're paying with credit cards, digital wallets, or local banking solutions."
Gaben crossed his arms thoughtfully. "We've already begun discussions with potential third-party payment providers who specialize in global transactions and regional compliance. There's a strong possibility we'll collaborate with one—or even several—of these companies to create a seamless transaction system for Steam. It won't be easy, but we're confident we'll find a path forward."
Zaboru nodded thoughtfully. "I see—that's completely understandable. And don't worry, Gaben, I fully intend to approach this carefully. We're not rushing into anything. Something this important needs to be built right, not fast."
He chuckled lightly, turning to the rest of the room with an open gesture. "Now then, are there any questions about our digital platform, Steam? Please, feel free to ask. This is the right time to clarify anything you're curious about or share your thoughts."
Shigeru Miyamoto raised his hand, prompting Zaboru to nod respectfully. "Yes, Miyamoto-san?" he said, inviting the question.
Miyamoto leaned forward slightly, his tone inquisitive. "If digital games truly are the future, does that mean we'll stop using physical games altogether? Will we completely abandon retail distribution in favor of going fully digital?"
Zaboru chuckled gently and shook his head. "That's a very valid concern, and I'm glad you brought it up. But rest assured—the rise of digital distribution does not mean the death of physical media. Far from it. Physical games will absolutely continue to exist alongside digital ones. There's a significant segment of players who genuinely prefer physical copies, and we must respect that."
He paced slightly as he explained, "With physical games, it's not just about owning a disc. You also get a tangible experience—beautiful cover art, printed manuals, collectible packaging, and sometimes even special inserts that enhance the emotional connection with the game. These are things many players treasure. Some enjoy collecting them, others simply feel more secure owning a physical copy. We recognize that, and we plan to support both mediums equally."
Zaboru gave a reassuring smile. "The goal is seamless coexistence. Our digital platform like Steam will offer efficiency and convenience, while retail physical games will continue to offer their own distinct charm and permanence. There's no need to choose one over the other—we can and will embrace both paths simultaneously."
Shigeru Miyamoto nodded in satisfaction, visibly reassured by the response.
Then Hideo Kojima raised his hand, prompting Zaboru to nod in acknowledgment. "Yes, Kojima-san?" he said, giving him the floor.
Kojima leaned slightly forward with curiosity and posed his question. "So, Boss, if developers can upload their games directly to the digital platform called 'Steam,' does that also mean they'll be able to update those games later on? For example, if there are bugs or issues found after release, could developers just upload a newer version to fix them?"
Zaboru smiled warmly and nodded. "Exactly. That's one of the biggest strengths of a digital platform like our Steam. Developers aren't bound by the limitations of physical discs or waiting on long patch processes. They can respond to issues quickly, improve their games post-launch, and keep refining their titles over time through updates and patches."
He then raised a cautionary hand, his tone shifting slightly to emphasize a key point. "But—this is important—I don't want that flexibility to become an excuse. We absolutely must not fall into a lazy mindset that says, 'Oh, just ship it with bugs now and we'll fix it later.' That's the wrong way to think. Our goal should always be to release the most polished version of a game possible from day one. Post-launch updates should enhance the experience, not compensate for a lack of quality at release."
Kojima nodded in agreement, visibly appreciating the balance of opportunity and responsibility that came with digital tools.
Shinji Mikami then raised his hand, drawing attention as he leaned forward with a concerned look. "So, if developers can make and upload any game they want to this digital platform, doesn't that mean things could become overcrowded? Won't we end up with a sea of random people uploading anything, even low-effort content? Are we risking another crash like the infamous Atari collapse?"
Zaboru chuckled, nodding thoughtfully at the question. "That's a very valid concern, Shinji-san. But no, I don't believe we'll face the same problem. What happened during the Atari Crash was very specific to its time—many companies were pumping out cheaply made, low-quality games and selling them under the guise of being 'real games.' There was no real curation or quality control, so customers—especially parents—would buy something expecting fun and end up feeling misled and disappointed."
He gestured broadly, then continued, "With Steam, we're building something far more transparent and community-driven. For one, every game will be required to include a preview—gameplay footage, screenshots, or a demo. And second, each title will be publicly rated and reviewed by users who've actually played it. That creates a feedback loop that immediately exposes bad-quality games and highlights the ones that are truly worth playing. Not to mention, we're working on implementing a refund system, so if someone buys a game and quickly realizes it's not what they expected, they can get their money back. That alone shifts the power back to the player."
Zaboru's eyes lit up with passion as he leaned slightly forward. "And here's something I'm genuinely excited about: the rise of what I'd call 'small-team creators.' In the future, as hardware and tools become more accessible and affordable, we'll start to see a wave of passionate groups—maybe just four or five people—coming together to make truly fantastic games. These won't be big studio productions, but they'll be rich in creativity, heart, and ambition. Titles crafted not by corporations, but by people who simply love games and want to bring their ideas to life."
He continued, "These small, independent creators won't have giant budgets or marketing machines, but what they will have is freedom. Freedom to take risks, to innovate, and to tell stories in their own way. Our digital platform is meant to empower them, give them visibility, and help turn their passion into something real. I believe these types of creators will become an essential part of the industry's future."
Shinji's eyes widened in surprise and admiration. He hadn't expected such a forward-looking vision from his boss, but now he could clearly see the road ahead—and it looked thrilling.
After addressing several follow-up questions from various developers—ranging from smaller technical clarifications to larger strategic ideas—Zaboru continued responding patiently, ensuring each voice in the room was heard. The energy remained high, but it was clear that the meeting was entering its final stretch. Once the last few inquiries had been addressed, Zaboru turned to the next major topic with a thoughtful expression.
"This brings us to the final section of today's meeting," he said, his tone shifting slightly more serious. "Let's talk about rival consoles."
He looked toward Gaben, giving him a small nod. It was his cue to speak.
Gaben said, "Well, there's some news—depending on how you look at it, it could be either bad or good. I've recently heard that Microsoft is seriously preparing to enter the console market, and they might officially announce something as early as next year." He paused, the room growing slightly tenser with interest.
Gaben sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "The truth is, this console has been in early development for quite a while now. Back when I was still working more closely with some of their internal teams, I saw early outlines. It wasn't just an experiment or a side project—Bill Gates himself has been personally invested in making sure that when Microsoft enters the console space, they don't just dip their toes in. He wants their console to make a serious impact from day one. They're aiming for something big, something polished, something that could shake up the entire console landscape if we're not careful."
He looked toward Zaboru, his expression serious. "That's why I think we need to start preparing more intentionally for this, Boss. Their timing, ambition, and resources mean they won't be an easy competitor to brush off."
Zaboru chuckled and gave a confident nod, acknowledging the looming presence of Microsoft in the gaming market. So, the XBOX might actually be coming to this world, he thought, the idea both thrilling and oddly nostalgic. In my previous life, that console changed the landscape forever. Well i'm kinda excited.
He turned that internal realization into a composed, outward response. "But don't worry. A powerful console without great games means nothing. At the end of the day, it's the games that matter—the stories, the experiences, the emotion they evoke. And if a new rival is coming, that's not a threat—it's motivation. It's actually a good thing. It keeps us on our toes and reminds us never to grow complacent."
Zaboru grinned. "Well, if they end up creating good games, that's actually a win for all of us—I'll have a great time playing them, too," he said with a light laugh.
The room responded with soft chuckles, the tension momentarily easing.
The chuckle subside He turned his gaze around the room, locking eyes with several team members before continuing. "We are ZAGE. And I'll say this clearly—as long as I live, I will never let this company fall behind in the video game industry. We've already proven it with Sonaya. They had more resources, a bigger team, a longer history… but what did that get them?"
Zaboru's voice took on a sharper edge of pride. "Look at their most recent effort—the Game Station 32-bit console. It came out earlier than our ZEPS 3. But even with that head start, they couldn't catch up. In performance, in player experience, in software quality—our ZEPS 3 left them in the dust. Because at ZAGE, we don't just build machines. We build platforms. Ecosystems. Dreams."
He raised his fist slightly, not in anger, but in determination. "We never back down from competition. We don't fear rivals—we rise above them. And we don't just compete to participate—we compete to win. And win we shall."
Zaboru grinned. "Our main mission isn't to crush our rivals into submission or force them out of the race. That's not how true leaders behave. Instead, our goal is to overwhelm them with our brilliance—to be so undeniably excellent that we stand at the top by sheer merit. We should inspire the industry, not dominate it with fear. By continuously innovating and pushing boundaries, we ensure that we remain the undisputed leaders—guiding the industry forward, not just participating in it."
The entire room erupted into loud applause, cheers echoing through the meeting hall. The energy was electric, everyone fired up by Zaboru's passion and conviction. It was clear that every person present felt the gravity of the moment—and the clarity of the path ahead.
With a final, satisfied smile, Zaboru nodded once more and closed the session. The Expansion Meetings of ZAGE had officially come to an end—leaving behind a trail of vision, fire, and promise for the future.
To be continue
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