Chapter 925 Awkward Famicom GOTY.
On 22 - 24 December 1998 ZAGE hosted their end of the year Event in ZEB Zage Event Building in Japan, and like usual the massive venue is completely filled with visitors from all over the country. The halls are packed with exclusive merchandise booths, including limited-edition items made only for the GOTY season, collector figures, apparel, and game demos that cannot be found anywhere else. The atmosphere is loud and energetic, especially during the finale of the official E-sport matches where the best players compete on the main stage under bright lights and roaring cheers. There are also live performances, with Zaboru himself appearing together with Zankoku-band, turning the event into something that feels closer to a festival than a corporate showcase. Cosplay events are held throughout the day, with fans dressed as iconic ZAGE characters walking freely among the crowd, taking photos and celebrating their favorite games. The audience is clearly enjoying every moment, and as always, near the end of the show, Zaboru steps forward to speak directly to them, talking openly about ZAGE's future plans, his vision for where the video game industry is heading next, and what kind of era he hopes gamers will soon experience.
Then during the QNA session there are many unique and unexpected questions, with some of them coming directly from topics that have been heavily discussed and debated on forums recently. One of the questions, asked loudly by a member of the audience, immediately caught everyone's attention as he asked, "Zaboru-san, are you an alien like the rumour said?" Zaboru was visibly flabbergasted for a brief moment, clearly not expecting something like that to be asked on stage, but he quickly remembered the long-running rumour circulating online. A grin slowly formed on his face as he leaned closer to the microphone and answered jokingly, "That is correct! In truth, I'm an alien! I'm from Planet ZABO, far away from Earth, and my mission is to conquer Earth!" His exaggerated tone and dramatic delivery instantly garnered loud laughter from much of the audience, with many people clearly understanding it as a joke. However, what Zaboru did not realize at that moment was that quite a number of attendees actually took his words seriously, whispering among themselves and exchanging surprised looks. As a result, discussions about whether Zaboru was truly an alien or not quickly extended beyond the stage, spreading again among fans and forums after the event, which only made Zaboru feel even more amused by how far the rumour continued to go.
And now on Saturday, 28 December 1998, the spotlight shifts to the yearly GOTY event, a prestigious ceremony jointly held by Famitsu and Compute X. Famitsu is a well‑established video game review company from Japan, while Compute X plays a similar role in America, and together they have organized the FamiCom GOTY awards for many years. The event carries a good tradition and strong reputation in the industry, often seen as one of the most authoritative measures of quality and achievement for video games released that year.
As usual, the atmosphere of the event feels classic and refined, very different from the vibrant and explosive style of ZAGE's own shows. The venue is decorated with elegant lighting, formal stages, and a calm but respectful audience, giving the ceremony a sense of prestige and history. Despite the contrast, Zaboru genuinely enjoys this kind of setting, appreciating the recognition and seriousness behind it. There are many award categories divided by genre and technical achievement, and in each category there are around five nominees, carefully selected to represent the best games of the year.
Best soundtrack
Best visual
Best Story
Best Multiplayer game
1998 FAMICOM GOTY.
And honestly, ZAGE took home all of the major awards this year, yet no one in the crowd was mad about it—instead, most people were cheering because everyone knew deep down that they absolutely deserved it. For Best Soundtrack, the winner was Winning Eleven 98, and this came as no surprise to anyone familiar with how much effort Zaboru had poured into the project. He didn't just rely on typical sports music—he brought out tracks inspired by his previous life, including original songs based on sounds from bands like Linkin Park, which technically shouldn't even exist yet in this timeline. The result was a soundtrack so immersive and energetic that it pushed the emotion of every match, elevating the gameplay experience and turning heads across the industry.
As for Best Visuals, that honor went to Armored Core. The game was widely praised for its incredibly detailed mechanical designs and atmospheric environments, showcasing what ZAGE hardware was truly capable of in terms of pushing graphical fidelity. The animation of mecha movement, lighting effects in dark corridors, and the overall UI style gave it a cinematic edge that made it stand apart from the rest. It wasn't just beautiful—it was visionary.
Then came Best Story, and of course, it was Final Fantasy 7 that took home the trophy. This was expected by many, and rightfully so—the game had captured the hearts and minds of players worldwide with its ambitious narrative, unforgettable characters, and themes that lingered long after the credits rolled. It was a game that sparked discussion, tears, and admiration, becoming a milestone in storytelling for interactive media.
For Best Multiplayer Game, the winner was R.C PRO AM 3: Let's N Go, another ZAGE title that brought joy to countless fans. This wasn't just a racing game—it was an electrifying multiplayer experience that combined intense competition with fun and accessibility. The ability to customize your own mini 4WD cars and race with friends added layers of strategy and excitement that kept people playing for hours. ZAGE once again showed how well they understood both solo and group play dynamics, cementing their dominance across all categories.
The ZAGE games this year dominated the nominee list with a commanding presence, much like the previous year, and yet again, no one could really raise any objections. It wasn't out of fear, but because there was a general sense of agreement and respect. The quality, ambition, and execution of ZAGE's releases spoke for themselves, and both fans and critics alike acknowledged that these awards were earned, not given.
Interestingly, Zaboru chose not to be the one to take the stage for any of the awards. Instead, he allowed his key developers to receive the honors, further highlighting how much he valued their contributions and trusted their voices. When Best Soundtrack was announced and Winning Eleven took the prize, it was Shinji Mikami from Team IZAN who stepped up with confidence to deliver a heartfelt speech about the work, the pressure, and the creative freedom ZAGE allowed. Later, when Armored Core won Best Visuals, Mikami returned to the stage once more, sharing insights about the design philosophies and breakthroughs they achieved during development.
When Final Fantasy 7 won Best Story, Shigeru Miyamoto from ZAGE's Team NIWA came forward, his speech filled with emotion as he described the risks they took in narrative design and character arcs, and how they pushed storytelling boundaries. And finally, when R.C PRO AM 3: Let's N Go won Best Multiplayer, Hideo Kojima from Team NOVA took the stage with his usual flair, describing the intricate design process of balancing chaos and fun, and expressing his excitement at seeing the game become a hit with groups of friends and families alike.
This moment of shared spotlight wasn't just ceremonial—it was deeply symbolic. It showed how ZAGE had become more than just Zaboru. It was a powerhouse fueled by passionate teams, great developers, and a shared mission to reshape gaming history.
Then comes the highly anticipated announcement of the Game of the Year nominees, and unsurprisingly, the entire list is completely dominated by ZAGE-developed titles. This kind of domination has become something of a tradition, but it's worth noting that in the previous year, there were still several third-party games that managed to break into the nominee slots. However, this year tells a very different story. Out of the six official nominees, every single one of them is a ZAGE project, showcasing the sheer dominance and reach of the company in 1998. Each of these titles didn't just meet expectations—they shattered them, and it became increasingly difficult for any outside studio to compete on the same level.
The six Game of the Year nominees are:
Armored Core
Final Fantasy 7
The Elder Scroll 4: Morrowind
Resident Evil 2
R.C PRO AM 3: Let's N Go
Baldur Gate
All of these games have received massive praise from critics and fans alike. They're not just good—they're industry-defining. From groundbreaking visuals and emotional storytelling to inventive gameplay mechanics and replayability, these titles represent some of the best work in modern gaming. Of course, many third-party studios did release excellent games this year—clever, fun, and even unique titles—but even with all their creativity, most simply couldn't reach the level of polish, innovation, and cultural impact that ZAGE's lineup delivered. The audience attending the event seemed to agree almost unanimously, with little room for debate.
Then the grand announcement came: the GOTY winner was Final Fantasy 7—exactly as everyone had expected, and yet the room still erupted with applause, cheers, and admiration. Shigeru Miyamoto, visibly moved, walked up to the stage once again to deliver a final speech on behalf of the team. He expressed gratitude, shared a few heartfelt behind-the-scenes memories, and just when it seemed like he would wrap things up, he paused and turned toward the crowd.
"Our boss definitely needs to have a speech too! This is his game after all," Shigeru said with a big grin. "But he's just too humble! Boss, please come to the stage!" His voice echoed across the hall as he gestured playfully toward the audience.
All eyes turned toward the front row, where Zaboru was seated, half-smiling in his chair. Suddenly, the entire crowd started chanting his name in rhythm: "Zabo-ru! Zabo-ru!" It was a thunderous, heartfelt chant, filled with admiration and energy. Zaboru exhaled with a small sigh, shook his head in mock disbelief, then stood up with a relaxed smile and casually made his way toward the stage.
The host, clearly delighted, welcomed him warmly. "Talk all the time you want, Zaboru! We always give time for you—this is your house too!"
Zaboru chuckled, gave the host a brief nod, and took the mic as the crowd gradually quieted, eager to hear what he had to say.
As everyone respectfully stepped aside to give the stage to him, Zaboru took a moment to gaze across the grand hall before finally beginning to speak. "So... all of the nominees are ZAGE, huh? That's quite good." He smiled with a hint of playfulness in his eyes, and the audience responded with a few light chuckles, amused by his casual tone. But just as the room settled, Zaboru's expression shifted—his tone lowered, and he looked far more serious than anyone expected. "And... quite disappointing as well, honestly."
A wave of surprise washed over the audience. People leaned forward in their seats, some murmuring, confused, others intrigued. This wasn't the kind of celebratory talk they had anticipated. Zaboru paused briefly, letting the weight of his words sink in, and his face now showed both pride and concern. The sudden change in atmosphere was palpable, and for a moment, the room that had just been filled with cheers turned completely silent, hanging on his next words.
"Honestly, we are honored—truly honored—that our games have been recognized and celebrated as great," Zaboru began, his voice sincere. "But what honestly disappoints me is that none of your games made it to the nominee list. Not even one." He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in, then let out a soft chuckle.
"We at ZAGE might be dominating the industry right now, and yeah, that's something to be proud of... but it's also really lonely up here." His tone shifted again, now filled with earnest frustration. "I want a real challenge. I'm craving competition. I want games from outside of ZAGE that don't just match our level—but blow us out of the water. I want games that leave ZAGE titles in the dust. And you know why I want that?" He pointed to himself, smiling with the fire of a gamer. "Because I want to play those games. I want to feel that awe again, where I'm not just the developer, but a fan staring at something revolutionary."
He took a breath, scanning the crowd. "And to be fair—this year, I did play a lot of games from other developers. And many of them were great. Seriously, I had a blast. Some were wildly creative, others had incredible charm and spirit. But when it came down to raw impact, execution, polish... they still came up short compared to our strongest titles. That's just the truth, and it's something I say not to mock—but to motivate."
Zaboru grinned at the camera, his voice filled with confidence and vision. "We at ZAGE will keep getting stronger, no doubt about that," he declared. "But I truly hope that other studios rise with us too. I mean it—I really, deeply wish that one day, ZAGE games won't be the only ones nominated in categories like this. Not because we dropped in quality, but because the rest of the industry will have caught up and grown so much. I want the gap to close not by us falling, but by everyone else rising."
He paused as murmurs and nods filled the crowd. Then he continued with a warm laugh, "You must think I'm crazy for saying things like this, right? But hey, I already have a reputation as the 'Bad Businessman' anyway!" The audience laughed with him, recognizing his self-awareness. "But that's okay. I don't mind saying the things that probably go against corporate logic—because someone has to say them. Someone has to believe in the creative future of this industry."
Zaboru raised his hand high, his voice now booming with passion. "So I'll say it again—FOR THE FUTURE OF GAMING!" The crowd immediately responded with thunderous applause, cheers, and even a standing ovation from several sections. The entire hall vibrated with shared excitement and renewed determination.
His speech was sincere—not mocking or arrogant—but rooted in a genuine desire to see third-party studios improve and thrive. It wasn't just words; his charisma and Aura of Influence seemed to radiate across the entire stadium, stirring something deep within the developers and audience alike. People didn't just listen—they felt it. The energy shifted, and many left feeling both inspired and challenged to do better.
And so, the 1998 FamiCom GOTY ceremony came to a close. But in the days that followed, it wasn't just the awards that people talked about—it was Zaboru's words that echoed across headlines.
To be continue
AN : This will start the stage of Zaboru Haters. Because if you not have haters you definitely do something wrong lol
AN : This will start the stage of Zaboru Haters. Because if you not have haters you definitely do something wrong lol
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