Saturday 16 May 2000.
Right now is the day of the new trailer. A teaser has already been released earlier, hinting that this will be a racing game from ZAGE, and ever since then, excitement has been building across the community. Many people are now waiting on YouTube to watch the live trailer reveal. Ever since ZAGE released YouTube to the public, they started airing their trailers there first before broadcasting them on TV, changing how people experience announcements and making everything feel more direct and immediate.
The stream has already started, but the trailer itself hasn't appeared yet. Instead, the screen is showing random gameplay clips from various ZAGE titles on their official channel, likely to keep viewers entertained while building anticipation. Even so, a large number of players have already joined the livestream early, and the chat is already lively. Messages keep flowing nonstop, filled with excitement, curiosity, arguments, and random comments, showing just how much people are looking forward to this reveal.
"ZAGE NEW GAME!!!" , "WHAT IS IT WHAT IS IT" "Racing game???" "My internew gonna die today I swear" "WAIT DONT BUFFER NOW PLEASE" "ZAGE is overrated , Sonaya is king open your eyes everyone!" "Above me is delusional bastard , Sonaya fanboy" "Someone downloading HUGE STUFF in my internet cafe!" "STOP DOWNLOADING PLEASE" "WHO USING NAPSTER RIGHT NOW??" "I HEAR THE TRAILER WILL FEATURE SHIRTLESS ZABORU!!???" "Its me i'm Zaboru don't beleive me? "You are Very Cool"" "Above me is Zabroke not Zaboru" "ITS LAGGINGGGGG" "NOOOO IT FREEZE" "DONT MOVE SCREEN PLEASE" "IM SO JEALOUS OF JAPAN! you guys already have FTTH!" "MY INTERNET CAFE OWNER IS WATCHING TOO LMAO" "Everyone do you know that Dog can talk?" "Huh Dog can talk? how?" "See the dog just replied" "STOP SPAMMING DOG" "REFRESH?? OR NOT???" "DONT REFRESH YOU FOOL" "I REFRESHED AND LOST STREAM NOOOOO" "RECONNECTING…" "Why today is Saturday?" "I CAN COUNT PIXEL" "BRO MY SCREEN IS LIKE SLIDESHOW" "I CAN HEAR ENGINE SOUND BUT NO CAR???" "THIS IS AUDIO ONLY STREAM NOW" "WAIT IT MOVE AGAIN!!!" "Its not black only the choose one can see it now" "Hey i'm Yuki from Japan" "hey Yuki i'm also Yuki from America" as usual the sheer randomness of the chat are really funny to see, people typing in all caps, broken sentences, delayed messages, and constant panic because of dial-up internet and unstable connections, yet somehow that chaos makes everything feel even more alive and exciting, turning this simple livestream into a shared experience full of frustration, laughter, and pure hype despite this still being the early era of the internet.
Then not for long the LIVE finally began as the clock shows 18.00, then the trailer starts and the narrator says, "Cars… something special," and immediately it cuts to a rapid showcase of vehicles—Aston Martin DB7 Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro Z28, HONDA Civic Ferio, Honda NSX 90, Mazda FD Efini RX-7, and many more. The list keeps going, flashing car after car, hinting that the total lineup is massive. And it's not just quantity—the trailer emphasizes detail: the weight transfer during braking, the way acceleration pushes the car forward, the grip while cornering, and even subtle body roll during turns. Small UI elements briefly appear, showing stats like speed, acceleration, and handling, making it feel technical yet exciting.
Then it shifts as the narrator says, "Test your drive with the ultimate driving simulation," and it immediately cuts to gameplay. And the gameplay looks amazing. The scene keeps switching between different cars and multiple circuits, each one looking distinct, from city tracks to professional racing environments. The sense of speed feels real, the camera angles are dynamic, and the cars behave differently depending on their type, making everything feel alive and grounded.
The chat on YouTube becomes even more chaotic and exciting. "HEY! THAT'S THE REAL DAYTONA CIRCUIT!" "NO WAY THEY GOT REAL TRACKS???" "WAIT THOSE ARE REAL CAR BRANDS???" "THIS IS NOT ARCADE THIS IS REAL DRIVING" "MY PC CANT EVEN LOAD THIS PROPERLY BUT I STILL WATCHING" "BRO THIS IS NEXT LEVEL" "THIS LOOK LIKE REAL LIFE???"
Players start noticing more details as the gameplay continues—different camera views, cockpit perspective, third-person chase view, and even replay angles that look like real TV broadcasts. The tires grip differently on corners, braking feels heavy, and acceleration varies depending on the car, making it clear that each vehicle is carefully designed.
"WAIT THERE IS DAMAGE???" "I SAW SCRATCH ON THE CAR" "THIS IS TOO REAL" "IS THIS EVEN GAME ANYMORE???" The excitement keeps rising as more circuits appear, each one recognizable or inspired by real-world locations, and the sheer amount of content begins to sink in for the viewers.
Then the gameplay continues as it showcases the use of both manual and automatic gear shifting, highlighting the depth of control and how each car feels different depending on how you drive it. The camera shifts between close cockpit views and third-person angles, showing the driver's hands moving, the gear changes happening in real time, and the engine responding to every input. The cars look incredibly polished, with reflections, lighting, and small details making them feel almost real.
Then the announcer speaks again, "Take your license… from a broke driver who barely has money to buy a car, to becoming one of the best racing drivers. This is your journey Gran Turismo."
The gameplay then transitions into progression systems. It shows the player starting with a cheap, basic car, struggling at first, then slowly improving. After winning races, the player earns money, and the UI shows them browsing a dealership, selecting new cars, comparing stats, and finally purchasing one. Then it cuts to a garage scene where the player modifies the car—changing parts, tuning performance, adjusting settings.
The trailer continues to show tournaments, with increasing difficulty. The player joins different competitions, racing against stronger opponents, improving skills, and upgrading vehicles step by step. This makes players even more excited, as they can imagine their own progress, starting small and eventually becoming a top driver.
The trailer continues to showcase pure gameplay of many real licensed cars, pushing the realism even further, then it suddenly shifts. The screen fades for a second before bold words appear: "Play Next Level with ZAGE New Controller — The ZAGE Wheel."
Immediately, the scene cuts to a real person sitting in front of a TV, holding a full racing wheel setup complete with steering wheel, gas pedal, and brake pedal. The camera zooms in as he turns the wheel, and the in-game car mirrors every movement perfectly. The immersion looks unreal for a home setup. The sound of the engine, the turning motion, even the way he presses the pedals—it all feels like an actual arcade experience brought into the living room.
The trailer emphasizes this by switching between real-life footage and in-game driving, blending them together so smoothly that it almost feels like there is no difference between reality and the game. For many viewers, this is something completely new.
And then the chat absolutely explodes.
"What are those!?" "WAIT THAT'S A REAL CONTROLLER???" "So you're saying I can play like an arcade now!? In my home!?" "NO WAY THIS IS REAL" "THIS IS TOO MUCH" "MY ROOM TOO SMALL FOR THIS BUT I STILL WANT IT" "Take my money!" "I definitely buy this!" "BRO THIS IS FUTURE" "I CAN DRIVE WITHOUT GOING OUTSIDE???"
Some people are already imagining themselves playing with it, others are worried about space, and some are just in pure disbelief. The hype goes beyond the game itself—the controller becomes a whole new level of experience.
For many watching, this is no longer just about playing a racing game… it feels like bringing the arcade home.
Then the section continues as it quickly announces, "Gran Turismo and the 'ZAGE Wheel Controller' will release on 23 May 2000. Gran Turismo is priced at 4,000 yen, and the ZAGE Wheel Controller is 12,000 yen. If you buy the bundle, it will be 15,000 yen. Get yours and get ready!" The text flashes with bold effects while short clips of cars and the wheel replay in the background, reinforcing the hype and making the pricing feel like a limited-time reveal. For many viewers, the bundle price suddenly feels like a great deal, especially after seeing how immersive the wheel looks in action.
Then Zaboru appears on the screen. The camera cuts to a clean shot of him standing confidently, slightly leaning forward. He gives a casual wink and a thumbs-up, completely relaxed, like he knows the audience is already convinced. "Just buy it, okay?" he says with a small smile—his signature line delivered at the perfect moment.
That short appearance hits harder than expected. The combination of the gameplay, the wheel, the pricing, and Zaboru's final push creates a strong closing impact that leaves the audience fully hyped for release.
Then the trailer ended, and the chat exploded. People couldn't wait to buy it. The gameplay looked incredible, the cars were insane, and the graphics were easily among the best ZEPS 3 games they had ever seen. Not to mention the ZAGE Wheel—it made everything even more exciting and pushed the hype for the release to another level.
Meanwhile at Sonaya HQ Junpei and Hikaru Kurata are look at each other after seeing the trailer.
Hikaru Kurata asked, "Is that controller?" Junpei let out a small sigh before answering, "Yes, boss. Apparently it's a new controller that mimics an arcade console, but somehow they made it work for ZAGE ZEPS 3." He kept his tone steady, but even he couldn't hide a bit of disbelief after what they had just seen.
Hikaru Kurata exhaled slowly. He was no longer the same Hikaru Kurata as before. Back then, every time ZAGE released something new, he would get irritated, his blood pressure rising, sometimes even throwing a tantrum out of frustration. But now, he had changed. Instead of anger, there was a quiet acceptance in his eyes. He picked up his wine glass and took a calm sip, letting the moment settle.
"Typical Zaboru stuff." he muttered.
There was no bitterness in his voice this time—only acknowledgment. He glanced at the screen again, replaying parts of the trailer in his mind, especially the wheel controller. The gap between them and ZAGE felt clearer than ever, not just in technology, but in vision and execution.
Still, instead of frustration, there was something else forming inside him… a quiet determination.
"Say Junpei, is it possible for us to make something like that? For our Game Station console? And for our games too… we can create a racing game using stuff like this in the future, right?" Hikaru spoke more calmly than before, but there was clear intent behind his words, his eyes still fixed on the screen as if measuring the gap.
Junpei paused for a moment before answering, thinking carefully. "We would need to study it first, boss. Not just the wheel, but the whole system around it. We should get our hands on ZAGE's hardware, test it, understand how they integrate it with their games. Without that, we can't even begin to talk about making something similar." His tone was realistic, grounded, not dismissive but not overly optimistic either.
Hikaru nodded slowly and gave a small smile. "I figured as much. Still making something like this casually It's really impossible to reach them right now. In the video game sector, ZAGE is just on another level." He swirled the wine lightly in his glass before continuing, "But that doesn't mean we stop. we should strive to be the best number two ever."
Junpei let out a light chuckle and nodded. "As usual, boss. We might be Number 2 but nobody aside ZAGE can reach us either we should made sure that hahaha." But there was a hint of respect in his voice. He understood that this mindset was the only reason they were still standing.
Hikaru placed the glass down and looked back at the screen one more time. "Start gathering information—hardware, software, partnerships. We need to understand how everything connects." His tone sharpened slightly, more focused than before.
Junpei nodded again. "Understood. I'll get the team started." Hikaru smiled faintly. "Damn you, Zaboru." This time, the usual words came out casually, without bitterness—almost like quiet respect.
Junpei chuckled. "Boss, what if Sonaya makes a signature phrase like Zaboru as well? Zaboru's signature lines are 'You are very cool' and 'Just buy it, okay?' So what if we create something like 'We Never Give Up'… or something more catchy? It should show that even if we are number two, nobody except ZAGE can reach us." He spoke half-jokingly, but there was a real idea behind it.
Hikaru Kurata smiled slightly. "Honestly, I think 'Damn You, Zaboru' is way more suitable, don't you think? That's been my catchphrase inside the company for years." He said it casually, almost amused by his own habit.
Junpei laughed. "Hahaha, yeah, but we definitely can't use that as an official slogan, boss. The public might get the wrong idea. Do you have something else in mind? Something… more professional?"
Hikaru nodded slowly, thinking for a moment. He tapped his finger lightly on the table before speaking again. "What about this… 'We Always Challenge the Peak.' It's simple, but it shows intent. We may not be at the top, but we are always aiming for it."
Junpei's eyes lit up a bit. "Yeah… that actually sounds good. It feels like us. Not arrogant, but still strong. Hahaha, I like it." He leaned back slightly, clearly more energized now.
Hikaru gave a small nod, then immediately shifted back into work mode. He picked up the phone and started making a few calls, likely already thinking about how to position Sonaya moving forward. Meanwhile, Junpei returned to his desk and began working again, typing quickly as if trying to catch up with the pace ZAGE had set.
Even though it was Saturday, both of them continued working without hesitation. The gap between them and ZAGE was clear, almost overwhelming at times, but instead of discouraging them, it pushed them forward. Sonaya might be number two—but they had no intention of staying stagnant. They would keep climbing, step by step, until they reached as close to the peak as possible.
To be continue
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