Chapter 114: Sonaya Gaming Division Progress
Tuesday, December 3, 1991 - Morning
Zanichi sat in his office, deep in thought. The Sonaya gaming division was progressing steadily, already around 50% complete, and their upcoming console was about 80% finished. Yet, despite the progress, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was still room for improvement.
He turned his gaze toward the prototype of their new console. The machine had a sleek, jet-black exterior with a subtle scarlet trim. Its design was square-shaped, with a cartridge slot positioned at the top, encircled by a smooth, circular ridge. The front prominently displayed the SONAYA logo, signifying the company's leap into the gaming industry.
"The Sonaya Mugen Game Box… MGB," Zanichi murmured to himself, a slight smirk on his face. He was the one who had named the console. It might not be the flashiest name, but it held meaning. Like father, like son, both he and Zaboru weren't exactly gifted at naming things. But what mattered was that the product delivered.
"My son named his console ZEPS. Not exactly the best name, but it sells like crazy," he chuckled to himself.
Despite being proud of their progress, something still bothered him. There was potential for increased efficiency and better performance, but that would require further refinement. Looking at the machine, he muttered, "I think we can push the performance a little more."
Hearing this, Makoto Matsuda, the head engineer of Sonaya, let out an exasperated sigh. "Zanichi-kun, if we boost the performance any further, we'll be driving up production costs! That's not a good business move."
Zanichi frowned. "We can afford to take a slight loss on the console itself. The real money is in the games. If we launch with a subpar product, it'll just be a stepping stone for ZEPS and ZAGE to dominate even more!"
Makoto's jaw tightened in frustration. "Damn it, you've only been in charge of the home console division for a few months, and you're already questioning my expertise? Do you even realize that, technically, you're my subordinate?"
Before Zanichi could respond, a calm but authoritative voice cut through the tension.
"Oh? Is that so? I seem to recall telling you that you were to support Zanichi in this department."
Makoto paled instantly. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he turned to face the owner of the voice—Hikaru Kurata, Sonaya's president.
"B-Boss! I—I…" Makoto stammered, struggling to find the right words.
Hikaru gave him a knowing grin. "Are you playing the hierarchy game now, Makoto? If that's the case, should I demote you and make Zanichi the head engineer instead?"
Makoto swallowed hard, his face paling further. "N-No, please, Hikaru-san! I'll do better! I promise!"
Hikaru nodded in satisfaction. "You'd better. You're a smart man, Makoto, but sometimes you let pride cloud your judgment. Unlike Zanichi, you fail to see the bigger picture. I've been observing this department closely, and to be honest, I expected Zanichi to put in minimal effort—after all, he's essentially building a competitor to his son's company. But he's proving me wrong. I'm genuinely impressed."
Zanichi shook his head with a modest smile. "You flatter me, Kurata-san. I'm just doing my job."
Hikaru chuckled. "Regardless, take his advice and improve the console's performance. If the product is excellent, people will buy it." Then, shifting topics, he continued, "By the way, what's the progress on the launch titles? How many games are you planning to release with the MGB?"
Zanichi straightened up. "As planned, we'll have three launch titles. I've already completed the blueprints, and development is on track. Once the games are ready for testing, I'll personally let you try them, Kurata-san."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips. "Oh? You're confident enough to let me be the first to play them? I like that." He placed a firm hand on Zanichi's shoulder. "Good work."
Then, as if remembering something, he added with a grin, "Oh, by the way, I might be paying your son's company a visit soon."
Zanichi immediately became alert. "Hmm? What for, Kurata-san?"
Hikaru simply smiled. "Just a friendly congratulatory visit. Nothing more."
With that, he turned and left the gaming division, leaving Zanichi to ponder the meaning behind his words.
Meanwhile, production continued. With Makoto now cooperating, the improvements to the MGB were underway. In three months, Sonaya would finally have a console to challenge ZAGE. The question remained—could they truly match ZAGE's success?
But for Zanichi, there was one more personal goal in all of this. He wanted to make the best games possible—not just to prove his capability to the world, but to show his son that he, too, could create something amazing and erase that smug face from his son!.
To be continued…
*Author note : Zanichi just want to make Zaboru impressed really! , and Power stones Please!*
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