Saturday 13 April 1998 Japan.
Kurata household
Hikaru Kurata was now relaxing in his luxurious mansion, feeling genuinely pleased. His good mood was largely thanks to Sonaya's latest release back in February: the SFG, or Sonaya Football Game. Despite the growing presence of ZAGE's third-party releases and the recent buzz surrounding Elder Scrolls IV: Morrowind, SFG had performed remarkably well. In fact, for the first time in a while, Sonaya's own 32-bit console—the Game Station—was experiencing a noticeable boost in sales. Both SFG and the console had seen solid performance, with especially strong numbers coming from Japan and Europe. The game's marketing campaign had clearly been effective, doing an excellent job of highlighting the game's strengths and driving interest among sports gaming fans.
Hikaru Kurata sipped his wine, even though it still didn't compare to what ZAGE could produce. Yet, he was in high spirits. Sonaya now had a clearer direction than ever—focusing almost exclusively on their flagship IPs and a growing lineup of sports titles. That decision seemed to be paying off. Their latest announcement, NBA Stars 98, marked a big step forward. Sonaya had successfully secured the NBA license, allowing them to release an officially branded basketball game. The trailer for NBA Stars 98 had just gone live, showcasing smooth and flashy 32-bit gameplay that punched well above its weight. It featured vibrant courts, fast-paced action, and recognizably animated versions of real NBA players—all of which left a strong impression.
The Japanese audience responded with enthusiasm, but the excitement wasn't limited to Japan. Fans across Europe and parts of North America also began sharing their anticipation online. The buzz was real. It was clear that Sonaya had hit a nerve with sports gamers who had been waiting for a proper basketball simulation since NBA live 95 by ZAGE The release was set for next month, and Hikaru Kurata couldn't be more pleased with how things were unfolding. This wasn't just a win for Sonaya—it felt like a personal victory for him, proof that they could still lead in at least one genre. For the first time in a long while, he believed Sonaya had made the right move at exactly the right time.
"As expected, they didn't retaliate. ZAGE definitely won't focus on sports games. Junpei was worried for nothing" Hikaru Kurata muttered with a smug grin. Despite being warned several times—both directly and indirectly—by Zaboru's actions in the past that provoking ZAGE could be dangerous, Hikaru couldn't help himself. He had always carried a chip on his shoulder when it came to ZAGE. Every opportunity to take a jab at them, to suggest that Sonaya was the better company, felt like a step toward proving his long-standing goal. Right now, with the spotlight on sports games, he believed Sonaya finally had a niche where they could lead. At least in this genre, he thought, they could outshine ZAGE.
Still, deep down, Hikaru knew there was a real risk. ZAGE had a long history of fighting back hard when provoked and Sonaya is always their victim, and he hadn't forgotten the sting of their past clashes. But from a business standpoint, he also knew that staying passive could be just as dangerous. He had learned that lesson the hard way from watching rival companies in the industry get swallowed up by inaction. As much as Junpei Hoshida, the head of Sonaya's Game Division, continued to advise restraint—warning him not to challenge ZAGE again—Hikaru simply couldn't resist the temptation. It was in his nature. If there was even a sliver of a chance to embarrass ZAGE or catch them off guard, he felt compelled to take it.
He let out a soft chuckle, convincing himself it was worth the gamble. The risk added thrill to his victory, and for now, things were going well. As he leaned back into his chair, swirling his wine and feeling the confidence rise, he allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction, believing—perhaps falsely—that ZAGE wouldn't strike back this time.
Later that night, Hikaru Kurata stepped out of his house, planning to buy a bottle of wine in the middle of Tokyo. The city was buzzing with its usual nighttime energy—flashing signs, honking cars, and crowds of people moving through the streets. As he passed a busy electronics store, he noticed a sudden commotion.
A group of people had gathered around a large television display in the storefront. Shouts rose above the ambient noise.
"It's ZAGE's newest trailer! We need to see it!" someone called out.
The crowd grew quickly, their excitement infectious. Hikaru paused, intrigued. A new ZAGE game? he thought. Despite himself, he felt a pull of curiosity.
He moved closer, slipping in beside the group of eager onlookers. The giant screen flickered to black, the crowd quieting in anticipation. Hikaru folded his arms and stared at the screen, waiting to see what ZAGE had prepared this time.
Then the screen lit up with the iconic ZAGE logo, glowing against a black background as the crowd held its breath. A bold voice-over echoed through the speakers: "The ZAGE April Release will blow you away!" The screen flashed to two large question marks, hinting at something big. Suspense filled the air.
Then, the first reveal hit with dramatic flair.
"First game—packed with action, adventure, and thrilling moments, starring none other than Jackie Chan! Jackie Chan: Stunt Master!"
The trailer burst to life. The crowd erupted with excitement as footage showed Jackie Chan, dressed in white shirt and blue jeans in ZEPS 3 64 bits graphics, sprinting through crowded streets and fighting off waves of enemies in a stylized version of Chinatown. Every punch, flip, and kick was animated with precise detail. The fluidity of movement was impressive—he ducked under signs, leapt between rooftops, and countered attacks with cinematic grace. The background music pulsed with energy, blending traditional Chinese melodies with fast-paced rock, matching the intensity of the gameplay.
Special moves were on full display—Thunder Legs, where Jackie unleashed rapid spinning kicks; Flame Fist, with fiery punches that knocked enemies flying; and a slow-motion finisher where he flipped over an opponent with explosive force. The enemies themselves were far from ordinary: some wielded massive arm blades, others breathed fire, and one wore mechanical armor that burst into sparks when hit. The visuals were crisp, the animation detailed, and the overall vibe was something between a martial arts movie and a comic book come to life.
Hikaru Kurata watched with mild interest. He frowned slightly, acknowledging the polish and spectacle, but inwardly dismissed it. "Game with movie stars? Well At least it's not a sports title," he thought. ZAGE had always excelled at action games, and Kurata had accepted that long ago.
But then the music changed.
The trailer didn't end.
The announcer returned, this time with a more serious tone. And that's when it hit him—the thing he feared most. The screen faded to a new logo, The logo he knew very well was NBA logo Hikaru Kurata face pale.
ZAGE was back in the sports arena.
And the next game… was NBA Live 98.
The announcer's voice returned with even more energy: "Next up is NBA Live 98! Play the game as you watch them! With full rosters of your favorite current teams!"
The crowd leaned in as the TV cut to gameplay footage of NBA Live 98 running on the ZEPS 3 64 console. The graphics were clean and sharp, and the player animations were remarkably fluid. Players dribbled smoothly, passed with precision, and pulled off impressive dunks. The camera followed the action with TV-style angles, giving it a broadcast-like presentation. A gritty rock soundtrack played in the background, perfectly matching the fast-paced basketball action.
On screen, NBA legends came to life. Michael Jordan executed a lightning-fast crossover before slamming the ball into the hoop. Larry Bird sank a flawless three-pointer from the corner. Magic Johnson delivered a no-look assist that brought cheers from the crowd watching outside. The game didn't just look fun—it looked like a full-blown sports spectacle.
The trailer didn't stop there. "Don't just play a match! Create your own career with MyCareer Mode, or build your legacy with MyManager Mode!" the announcer continued.
The footage shifted again. The crowd gasped as it showcased the MyPlayer customization menu. It featured dozens of hairstyles, facial structures, body types, gear options, and even signature celebrations. It was deep and immersive.
Then the screen moved on to MyManager Mode. Viewers were shown a coach's office, player stats, trade menus, and a full simulation of the season calendar. You could draft rookies, manage your team's budget, handle player morale, and climb the ranks as a franchise leader.
The announcer finished with a bold promise: "Both of these games launch April 20, 1998! Available at your nearest store. ZAGE—We Do It Better."
The screen faded to black, but the impression it left was impossible to ignore.
As the trailer came to an end and the crowd erupted into cheers, it was clear that ZAGE had delivered another hit. The two-game showcase had energized everyone watching, and the buzz around the electronics store was electric. For most people, this was business as usual—another strong lineup from a dominant company. But for Hikaru Kurata, it was a crushing blow. He stood pale and frozen for a moment, before quickly turning away and making a beeline for his car. The confident glow he had worn earlier in the day was gone, wiped clean by what he had just seen.
As he walked, his hands trembled. His jaw tightened. His shoulders tensed. The good mood that had once lifted him was now replaced by a storm of frustration and bitter realization. He reached his car, slammed the door shut, and punch the passenger seat.
"Damn! Damnit!" he growled, the words bursting from him in a mix of anger and disbelief his driver are suprsied but stay silent.
ZAGE had hit them again—and worse, they'd struck exactly where it hurt the most. Hikaru knew instantly that Sonaya's upcoming NBA Stars 98, despite all their effort and pride, would be completely overshadowed by ZAGE NBA Live 98. And just when he thought they had found their edge, ZAGE twisted the knife further with that slogan.
Sonaya's proud new motto, "We Do It First," had been directly and mercilessly countered by ZAGE's own bold declaration: "We Do It Better."
That line echoed in his head, over and over. It wasn't just marketing—it was personal. Hikaru Kurata could feel the sting in his pride. He couldn't hold it in any longer. With his heart racing and anger boiling over, he suddenly let out a furious scream that startled his driver.
"DAMN YOU, ZABORU!"
The driver flinched slightly but remained composed. This wasn't the first time Hikaru had lost his temper like this. And deep down, he understood—this wasn't just business for his boss. It was war. Still, he couldn't help but worry about Hikaru Kurata's health. The man had been under constant pressure, and tonight's outburst was unusually intense.
Sure enough, the moment they arrived home, Hikaru collapsed at the doorstep. The driver rushed to his side, shouting for help. Paramedics later confirmed what the driver had feared—Hikaru had passed out from dangerously high blood pressure and extreme stress. He was immediately hospitalized, placed under close observation.
It's really cruel and it was a grim confirmation: this rivalry with ZAGE wasn't just damaging Kurata's pride—it was taking a toll on his body, too.
To be continue
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