Wednesday 10 March 2001.
Just one day after ZAGE announced that digital creators on YouTube would finally be paid, the news had already taken the world by storm. Media outlets across Japan, the United States, China, Europe, and many other regions kept replaying clips from Zaboru's announcement again and again. Business programs discussed it seriously, entertainment channels reacted with excitement, newspapers placed it on their front pages, and internet forums were practically exploding with debates. For many people, this was not only about YouTube. This was about the future of the internet itself.
The idea that ordinary people could upload videos, build an audience, and eventually earn real income from their creativity felt revolutionary. Until now, most people still saw internet content as a hobby, something done by students, bored workers, tech enthusiasts, gamers, comedians, or strange people with cameras and too much free time. But ZAGE had suddenly changed the meaning of it. With one announcement, YouTube was no longer just a fun platform. It was becoming an ecosystem where creators could dream of turning passion into a real career.
Aside from that, ZAGE also released an official statement not long after the event ended. According to the statement, the creator payment system would be implemented immediately, and at the very least, the core features would become available within the month. ZAGE also emphasized that this would not be treated as a temporary experiment or a small side project. YouTube monetization, creator rewards, direct gifts, banking integration, and ad revenue distribution would become one of ZAGE's main long-term projects, with constant improvements planned for the future.
Of course, not everyone reacted positively. Some people immediately complained that YouTube would no longer feel completely free because advertisements were now entering the platform more seriously. A few viewers worried that ads would ruin the viewing experience, especially for people who simply wanted to watch videos without interruptions. Others argued back that if advertisements allowed creators to earn real money while viewers could still watch videos for free, then the trade-off was reasonable, especially since ZAGE had already promised skippable ads and long intervals between them.
This created intense debates across forums, magazines, television panels, and even inside office break rooms. Some people called it the birth of a new creator economy, while others called it the beginning of commercialization ruining the pure fun of YouTube. But whether people loved it or hated it, one thing was undeniable. ZAGE had completely stolen the spotlight.
What made it even funnier was how the forums reacted. Right now, one of the biggest topics across gaming boards was not Xbox, iPlay, or even the technical details of YouTube monetization itself. Instead, people were laughing about ZAGE's terrifying ability to destroy momentum at the worst possible timing for its competitors.
Some users had already started calling ZAGE the "Momentum Destroyer," and honestly, the nickname spread far too quickly. Every time another company prepared a big announcement, ZAGE somehow appeared out of nowhere with something even louder, stranger, or more revolutionary. At this point, many fans joked that if a rival company scheduled a showcase, the first thing they should check was not their marketing budget, but whether Zaboru was smiling somewhere in the background.
Others pointed out that Apple and Microsoft had brought this on themselves by attacking ZEPS 3 too aggressively. Apple's advertisement had directly mocked a censored ZEPS 3, while Microsoft's Xbox marketing was clearly trying to position itself as the new challenger against ZAGE. Because of that, many forum users said this was just history repeating itself, almost like what happened with Sonaya in the past.
Sonaya had once tried to humiliate ZAGE too, only to be humbled so badly that the forums still used them as a cautionary joke. Now, people were saying Apple and Microsoft had walked into the same trap without realizing it. The funniest comments were the ones saying, "Never attack ZAGE directly unless you are emotionally prepared for Zaboru to erase your entire week."
Now Zaboru was inside Zanichi's office because, as usual, he wanted to know the current progress of ZEPS 4. The office itself looked more like a sealed research chamber than a normal executive room. Several terminals were running quietly, thick documents were stacked near the worktable, and some covered prototype parts were placed behind locked glass cases. Just seeing those covered objects made Zaboru's curiosity itch even harder.
Of course, Zanichi absolutely refused to let him see anything related to ZEPS 4 right now. The project was still in its critical phase, and Zanichi had become almost terrifyingly strict about secrecy. Even Zaboru, the boss of ZAGE and the person who technically owned the entire project, was treated like an annoying child trying to peek at his birthday present too early. But Zaboru was persistent. That was why he kept visiting his father's office whenever he had the chance, hoping that one day Zanichi would accidentally reveal even one tiny detail.
Right now, Zanichi was on break, sitting with a cup of coffee in his hand while looking at his son with obvious exhaustion. "Really, Boss?" he said dryly. "Can you just wait? I don't know, maybe in the next two months, I will personally update the review myself and tell you everything you want to know. There is no need for you to keep appearing here like a suspicious raccoon looking for snacks."
Zaboru chuckled shamelessly, not looking guilty at all. "Hehehe, Dad, come on. Just give me a little spoiler. Just one. A tiny one. Even half a spoiler is fine. I'm so curious about how it's going…"
Zanichi stared at him flatly.
Zaboru smiled brighter, trying to look innocent.
It did not work at all.
Zanichi shrugged. "In your dreams," he said immediately before taking another sip of coffee. Then he suddenly grinned. "Anyway... you really are diabolical, huh?"
Zaboru blinked innocently. "Huh? Me?"
"Yes, you." Zanichi pointed at him with complete confidence. "You practically hijacked the entire gaming industry conversation overnight. Apple and Microsoft are probably suffering from massive headaches right now. They prepared console marketing, trailers, showcases, and release momentum..." Zanichi chuckled while shaking his head. "Then suddenly you appear and make the entire world talk about YouTube instead."
Zaboru tried to look humble, but the corner of his mouth was already twitching upward.
"Well..." he said while shrugging casually. "It's just coincidence, Dad."
Zanichi stared at him silently.
Zaboru continued with a shameless grin, "But honestly, it does feel pretty good giving them a little pressure, right?"
Zanichi immediately laughed. "Little pressure? You practically threw a grenade into their marketing plans."
Even Zaboru started laughing now.
Honestly, he could already imagine Microsoft executives waking up in cold sweat after realizing YouTube monetization had stolen global headlines only days before Xbox marketing reached its peak. Apple was probably suffering too because iPlay's aggressive advertisements had barely started gaining traction before ZAGE suddenly redirected public attention toward creators, internet culture, and the future of online entertainment.
And the worst part?
Zaboru technically did not even attack them directly.
Which somehow made it even more irritating.
Zanichi shook his head again before pointing toward the office door. "Anyway, leave my office already. My break is almost over, and I want to continue working. And no, there will be absolutely no peeking for you."
Zaboru immediately looked disappointed.
"Also," Zanichi added while narrowing his eyes slightly, "don't think I forgot. You're going to the United States this evening, right? So instead of bothering me like a suspicious raccoon, maybe you should prepare properly."
Zaboru sighed dramatically before reluctantly nodding. "Fine, fine..." he muttered.
Then he slowly left Zanichi's office while still glancing toward the covered prototype equipment one last time. Even now, he remained unbelievably curious about ZEPS 4. But despite all of that curiosity, Zaboru completely trusted his father.
If Zanichi said the project was progressing well, then it probably meant the impossible was already becoming reality somewhere inside those locked rooms.
After all, with Zanichi's talent and ZAGE's resources combined...
Almost nothing was impossible anymore.
Meanwhile, on Microsoft's side, Bill Gates was currently holding a meeting with several higher-ups regarding the sudden revolution ZAGE had created through YouTube monetization. The atmosphere inside the room was serious because everyone there understood how massive this development actually was. What ZAGE had announced was not just a feature update. It was the beginning of an entirely new internet business model.
Bill Gates adjusted his glasses while looking at the reports spread across the table. "This is honestly genius," he admitted. "The platform itself remains free for users, but ZAGE is able to generate money through advertisements provided by companies. And with YouTube growing as large as it is now..." He paused briefly before continuing. "They're going to attract an absurd number of companies willing to pay for ad placement."
Several executives inside the room nodded in agreement. The more they analyzed the system, the more dangerous it looked from a business perspective. Unlike traditional television, YouTube allowed content to grow endlessly while continuously generating audience engagement. If ZAGE handled it correctly, the platform could become a long-term advertising empire.
Bill leaned back slightly in his chair. "Not gonna lie... this business model is brilliant." Then he suddenly chuckled. "Still, they really chose the perfect timing to attack Xbox momentum, huh?"
The room became quieter after that.
Because everyone knew he was right.
Xbox marketing was supposed to dominate headlines this week, yet suddenly the entire world was talking about YouTube creators, internet monetization, and digital entertainment careers instead.
And the most frustrating part?
ZAGE technically did not attack Xbox directly.
Which somehow made the move feel even more effective.
Bill Gates sighed before smiling slightly again. "Well, tomorrow we release our final trailer. Apple will also hold their showcase on Friday, right?" He tapped the table lightly. "I think our trailer can still ignite player excitement properly. Xbox itself is still strong."
Then Bill looked toward the massive screen showing Xbox promotional material.
"Let's just hope it works wonders."
Bill Gates smiled faintly before returning his attention to work. Microsoft still had a trailer to prepare, Apple still had iPlay waiting in the shadows, and the console war was only beginning to heat up.
However, none of them realized that Zaboru still had another move prepared.
Something else was scheduled to be revealed between the iPlay showcase and the Xbox release date, and it was directly connected to ZAGE's March game lineup. Compared to the YouTube announcement, this one would be far more familiar to gamers, but that did not make it any less dangerous.
Because ZAGE's March releases were not ordinary at all.
They were insane.
But right now Zaboru are in Airport prepare to visit ZAGE USA
To be continue
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