Chapter 11: Console Name
After finishing dinner, Zaboru went back to his workshop in the garage. In the living room, his first console was proudly displayed, connected to the main TV. It's surreal, he thought, seeing my family enjoy something I created from scratch.
His little sister, Sanika, was eagerly teaching their mother, Keiko, how to play. The sound of their laughter carried through the house. Zanichi, their father, sat nearby, chuckling as Keiko fumbled with the controls. Zaboru paused at the garage door, listening to them. Mom's getting the hang of it. Dad's enjoying it too. This is the kind of joy I wanted to bring with my games.
---
Inside the garage, Zaboru turned his attention back to his latest project: the arcade machine. The console was functional, integrated with a sturdy 14-inch television, but the case was still unfinished. The raw plastic shell sat unpainted on his workbench. It's time to make this look like a real arcade machine. No one's going to take it seriously if it looks like a prototype.
He examined the plastic casing, tapping it with his knuckles. This material's sturdy enough to handle wear and tear. Thankfully, Dad's old DIY tools are perfect for the job. He moved to the paint station, where his father's tools were neatly arranged—spray paint, brushes, stencils, and cutting tools. Dad's hobby has always been a lifesaver. I'll need to thank him later.
Zaboru chose a vibrant red for the main body of the case. Red feels bold, inviting. It screams "arcade." He added yellow accents around the edges for contrast. Once the base coat dried, he began sketching designs on the sides. He wanted the machine to pay homage to the classics, so he drew Mario jumping over a Goomba on one side and Pac-Man chasing ghosts on the other.
Each stroke of his brush was deliberate. He added bright details to Mario's overalls, the Pac-Man maze, and even the ghosts' expressions. This has to pop. It has to catch someone's eye the moment they see it.
After an hour and a half of meticulous work, Zaboru stepped back to admire the result. The arcade case now looked polished and professional. Huft, this was exhausting, he thought, wiping sweat from his brow. I've only finished one, and I still need nine more to complete the batch. At least tomorrow's a public holiday. I'll take some photos of this one and show them to Toki-san at Bakudan Arcade. Let's hope he sees the potential.
---
Once the paint dried, Zaboru carefully fitted the internal components into the case. The semi-finished arcade machine was finally complete. He plugged it in, bypassing the coin system to test the machine without inserting coins.
The screen lit up, displaying a simple game selection menu. Four options appeared, each accompanied by a colorful screenshot and art style unique to the game. The menu's simple but effective. It needs to grab attention and make people curious about the games.
Zaboru tested each game, ensuring they worked flawlessly. The coin system and three-lives mechanism functioned as intended. Every detail aligned perfectly.
Great! It's working properly. This feels like a small victory.
---
Later, Zaboru decided to take a break. He joined his family in the living room, where Sanika and Keiko were still playing Super Mario Bros. Sanika was stuck on World 5, struggling to navigate the spinning fire windmills.
"Hey, CEO!" Zanichi called out, his tone teasing. "This Level 5 is ridiculous! I keep dying to those stupid fire windmills!"
Sanika pouted in frustration. "Yes! Nii-san, it's way too hard! I can't pass it no matter what!"
Zaboru smirked. Heheh, let me show them how it's done.
"Alright, move over," he said, taking the controller.
Zanichi crossed his arms and grinned. "Let's see if the creator himself can handle it."
With practiced ease, Zaboru navigated the level. As a retro gaming enthusiast in his past life, he knew every hidden trick and shortcut in Mario's world. He cleared Level 5 effortlessly, barely breaking a sweat.
Zanichi and Sanika stared at the screen, their jaws dropping in disbelief.
"How did you do that?!" Zanichi asked, his voice a mix of awe and frustration.
Sanika's eyes sparkled. "Wow! Nii-san, you're amazing!"
Zaboru grinned smugly. "Of course I am. I'm the maker of this game. Who else could master it better than me?"
He spent the next hour teaching his father and sister tricks to improve their gameplay. Sanika listened attentively, determined to beat the level herself. Keiko brought snacks and drinks, smiling warmly as she watched her family bond over the game.
This is the kind of happiness I want to create with my games, Zaboru thought. A way to bring people together.
---
As the night went on, Zanichi turned to Zaboru with a thoughtful expression.
"Hey, son. Have you thought of an official name for your console? You're planning to release it someday, right?"
Zaboru paused, the question catching him off guard. "Hmm... I think I've got it. How about 'Zabo Entertainment System' or 'Zabo Master System'?"
Zanichi raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Zabo? Really?"
Zaboru blushed. "What? It's part of my name! I even want to name my company 'Zabo Company' someday!"
Zanichi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Listen, son. I get it—you want to leave your mark. But naming a company or product after yourself isn't always the best approach. A brand needs a unique identity that stands out, not something that sounds... lazy."
Zaboru frowned, considering his father's words. He's got a point.
Zanichi smirked. "Besides, 'Zabo' isn't exactly the most marketable name. It's... awkward to pronounce."
Zaboru's face turned red. "Hey! It's my name! And you're the one who gave it to me!"
Zanichi chuckled. "Your full name is unique and great, Zaboru. But just 'Zabo'? Not so much."
Still pouting, Zaboru started brainstorming. Okay, maybe he's right. I need something professional but still tied to me. Something people will remember.
After a moment, inspiration struck. "What about ZAGE?" Zaboru said suddenly. "It stands for Zaboru Actual Games Enterprise."
Zanichi's eyes lit up. "Now that's a name. So, if the company is ZAGE, what's the console called?"
"ZEPS—ZAGE Entertainment Playing System!" Zaboru declared confidently.
"That's a solid name," Zanichi said with a nod of approval.
Sanika chimed in, her voice brimming with excitement. "Yeah! ZEPS is so cool, Nii-san!"
Grinning, Zaboru nodded. "Alright. From now on, this console is officially called ZEPS!"
---
The foundation of what would become the future's biggest gaming company was now set. But that's a story for another time.
To be continued…