Friday 25 September 2000.
Zaboru stood inside his newly completed "ZAGE Arcade," officially named "Arcade Space," a project that had finally come to life exactly as he envisioned it. The entire place felt different from any traditional arcade, not just in scale but in identity, as every corner was designed to deliver a unique and immersive experience. This was only one of the first outlets to open, and in the coming months, many more would follow, each carrying the same concept but potentially expanding even further depending on public reception.
Unlike conventional arcades that simply lined machines in rows, Arcade Space was built to feel like a destination, a place where players didn't just play games but stepped into them. The atmosphere, lighting, and layout were all carefully crafted, making it clear that ZAGE wasn't just entering the arcade business, but redefining it entirely.
Beside him stood Nando, who was overseeing the ZAGE arcade division while also serving as the CEO of Nanco, a company in which ZAGE held a 50% ownership. Nando's experience in arcade operations made him one of the most important figures in ensuring that Arcade Space could function both as a business and as an evolving entertainment hub.
A couple of years ago, Zaboru had already been thinking about creating dedicated arcade spaces, not just places where people come to play games, but environments with completely different aesthetics, where the arcade itself feels like an extension of the machines. He wanted each section to have its own identity, so when players step inside, they feel like they are entering a world rather than just a room filled with cabinets.
That idea slowly evolved into something much bigger, as Zaboru realized that the future of arcades wasn't just about the games themselves, but about the overall experience. The design, atmosphere, and even the way people move through the space had to feel intentional, creating a sense of immersion that home gaming or internet cafes couldn't replicate.
Nando said, "Boss, look at this… this is so beautiful." He grinned as he looked around the arcade, clearly impressed. The place felt alive, filled with distinct art styles that changed depending on where you stood. Not only that, the space was incredibly spacious, even spanning multiple floors, allowing for a much more comfortable and premium experience compared to traditional arcades.
Every major ZAGE arcade title was present, from Guitar Hero to Dance Dance Revolution 2, House of the Dead, even the new Fast and Furious machines, alongside many of ZAGE's fighting game franchises. Players were already gathered everywhere, fully engaged, laughing, competing, and enjoying the experience. It wasn't just busy, it felt vibrant, like a living ecosystem of games and people interacting together in one place.
The spaces near each machine were carefully designed and decorated to match the identity of the game itself, making every section feel like a natural extension of the experience. For example, the area around Dance Dance Revolution 2 was filled with a lively, dance-like atmosphere, complete with bright lighting and energetic visuals that made players feel like they were stepping onto a real dance stage. Meanwhile, the Guitar Hero section felt like a full rockstar performance arena, with stage lights, speaker props, and a sense of presence that made every player feel like they were performing in front of a crowd.
As for House of the Dead, the surrounding space was filled with dread and horror-themed decorations, using dim lighting, eerie props, and subtle environmental details to enhance the tension even before players picked up the controller. It created a seamless transition between reality and the game's atmosphere, making the experience far more immersive. For Fast and Furious, the entire section was styled like an underground street race, with neon lighting, racing-themed visuals, and a sense of speed embedded into the environment itself, giving players the feeling that they were part of a real racing scene rather than just sitting in a machine.
Then there was an area dedicated to UFO Catcher, one of the most popular attractions despite not being a traditional video game. The entire section was filled with colorful posters and character displays, showcasing the prizes inside each machine, from cute mascots to popular figures that immediately caught the attention of anyone passing by. The lighting was slightly softer here, giving it a more inviting and playful atmosphere, almost like a mini festival inside the arcade.
People gathered around the machines, carefully aiming and timing their moves, some cheering when they got close, others laughing when the prize slipped at the last second yes it still hard to get still "Scam" but It wasn't just about winning, it was about the excitement of trying, the tension of the claw descending, and the shared reactions between friends watching each other play.
The players across the arcade looked like they were having an incredible time. Some laughed loudly with their friends, completely carefree, while others looked intensely focused, especially those playing fighting games where every move mattered. There were also players who seemed calm and almost serene, quietly enjoying games like the Fishing Bass , taking in the slower pace.
Meanwhile, in another corner, some players went all out on Taiko no Tatsujin, hitting the drums with full energy, drawing attention from nearby crowds. And not far from them, two friends were shouting and laughing at each other while playing Time Crisis, fully immersed in the action, ducking and reacting as if they were truly inside the game. The entire arcade felt alive with different kinds of energy, all blending together into one unforgettable experience.
Each area was not just decorated for visual appeal, but intentionally designed to strengthen the emotional connection between the player and the game, something Zaboru believed would become the defining feature of ZAGE's arcade philosophy moving forward.
Zaboru smiled and nodded. "They are really cool, Nando-san."
Nando chuckled and nodded back, but his expression turned slightly more serious as he continued, "What I want to discuss is this, boss… right now, we might need to slow down our arcade development a little. Unlike other games, when a newer arcade machine comes out, it doesn't replace the old ones easily. Instead, it demands more physical space, and that means we need to be more careful with how we manage and organize our arcade floors."
He glanced around the vibrant space before continuing, "And not just that, unlike normal video games, arcade machines don't wear out in terms of popularity as quickly. In fact, they tend to stay relevant longer, especially when the experience is strong. People keep coming back, and they grow attached to certain machines. Just look at something like Fast and Furious right now… it's going to live for a long time."
Zaboru listened carefully, his eyes scanning the arcade as if seeing it from a different perspective now. What Nando said wasn't just operational advice, it was about sustainability and long-term vision. The success of Arcade Space didn't come from constant replacement, but from careful curation and balance.
Zaboru chuckled. "Huh, that's rare coming from you, Nando-san. Isn't it usually you who wants more arcade machines?"
He let out a light laugh, clearly amused, but also curious about the shift in perspective.
Nando scratched his head, slightly embarrassed but also thoughtful. "Yeah… after you introduced me to this 'Arcade Space' idea, I started mapping out the layout more seriously. I looked at how people move, where they gather, what they stay for… and honestly, I've just realized something."
He paused for a moment, glancing around the arcade floor where players were still deeply engaged with older machines as much as the newer ones. "The old arcades… they're still important. People still love them. It's not just about having the newest machine anymore, it's about the experience they already have with these games."
Nando crossed his arms, now speaking more confidently. "Maybe instead of constantly adding new machines, we should focus on updating the content of the existing ones. Keep them fresh, keep them evolving… so players have a reason to come back without us needing to expand space every single time."
Zaboru listened quietly, his smile fading into a more thoughtful expression. What Nando said wasn't just practical, it aligned perfectly with what Arcade Space was becoming, not just a place of constant expansion, but a place of refinement and longevity.
Zaboru smiled and nodded. "I see… I see your point, and this 'Arcade Space' really feels tidy now, it's well balanced."
He paused for a moment, thinking more deeply about it. "Alright then… after Team NEXUS finishes their current tasks, I won't assign them any new arcade projects for the time being. Instead, I might shift part of the division to focus on researching arcade evolution and developing games for other ZAGE platforms for now."
Nando nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's the best move. We might also need a dedicated team to upgrade the content of our current arcade machines in the future. Like Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution… they can just add more songs, more visuals, maybe even seasonal content, right?"
Zaboru nodded again, now clearly seeing the bigger picture forming. "Yes… that might actually be the best direction. Instead of replacing machines, we evolve them. Keep them alive, keep them growing, and make players feel like there's always something new waiting for them."
Then Zaboru and Nando continued to walk through "Arcade Space," taking their time to truly enjoy the atmosphere they had created. Even as they moved from one section to another, it was clear that people were still deeply engaged in the arcade experience, completely immersed in the games, the sounds, and the environment around them.
Despite the rise of internet cafes across Japan, where players could sit comfortably and play for long hours, the arcade still offered something fundamentally different. It wasn't just about playing games, it was about presence, energy, and shared excitement. The cheers, the competition, the laughter, and even the tension of close matches created a kind of feeling that simply couldn't be replicated in a quiet, isolated setting.
Zaboru quietly observed this, realizing that this exact feeling was what made arcades special, and more importantly, what ZAGE needed to preserve. It wasn't about competing with internet cafes directly, but about offering an experience they could never replace. As long as that feeling remained alive, Arcade Space would continue to draw people in, not just as players, but as part of something larger.
Zaboru himself knew where arcades could eventually lead, especially with the rise of future VR technology. However, that vision was still far ahead, something not yet ready for the current era. Even so, he had already made up his mind that ZAGE would eventually explore VR deeply, and when that time came, they wouldn't just bring it to homes, they would integrate it into arcades as well, turning them into something even more immersive than they already were.
For now, though, his focus remained on perfecting what already existed, refining the present before reaching too far into the future.
Meanwhile, tomorrow marked the release of ZAGE Smash Bros, and the anticipation among players was at its peak. Everywhere, people were already talking about it, unable to wait any longer to finally experience the game themselves.
To be continue