Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991

After finalizing the deal with Flocks and Risa Miller, Zaboru spent a few more days in the United States wrapping up additional business before heading back to Japan.

One major stop on his agenda was a visit to Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, accompanied by Jack Kirby, ZAGE USA's official legal counsel. Zaboru was immediately struck by how cutting-edge and expansive the Microsoft campus was. It made ZAGE's current headquarters in Japan feel outdated by comparison. Still, Zaboru wasn't discouraged. He knew that in just a couple of years, the new ZAGE Tower—currently under construction—would match or even surpass what Microsoft had built.

Next, during Zaboru's visit to Microsoft, many employees recognized him and treated him with a mix of curiosity and admiration. However, a few skeptics still saw him as a novice—particularly the DirectX instructor assigned to guide him. That instructor quickly changed his tune, becoming visibly stunned by how rapidly Zaboru absorbed the information. What he didn't know was that Bill Gates had already sent Zaboru an advance copy of the DirectX manual weeks before the visit. Thanks to his "Deep Memory Dive" ability, Zaboru had not only read the manual—he had memorized it cover to cover. Besides, he was already quite familiar with DirectX from his previous life. His command of the material impressed even the most seasoned developers at Microsoft and Bill Gates Himself.

Then, the deal was officially sealed. The agreed-upon terms were clear and ambitious:

ZAGE would gain early access to Windows 94 prior to its public release, granting them a significant head start in developing for the new platform.Before or in September, ZAGE was required to develop a game utilizing the new DirectX technology. This game would serve as a showcase title during the highly anticipated Windows 94 launch event.Microsoft would provide a generous $15 million development budget to support the game's production, ensuring the final product would be polished, technically impressive, and launch-ready.

Initially, Microsoft and Bill Gates offered to help promote the game Zaboru was developing, but he politely declined, stating that ZAGE would manage all promotional efforts internally. He also turned down Microsoft's offer to assign two DirectX experts to assist him, confidently asserting that he already had a solid grasp of the technology.

Bill Gates frowned at first, skeptical of Zaboru's bold stance. But that skepticism quickly turned to admiration when Zaboru demonstrated his technical expertise on the spot. His clear, in-depth understanding of DirectX—along with his confident delivery—left no room for doubt. Impressed, Bill came to view Zaboru as a true innovator, someone who didn't just talk big but could actually back it up. He respected Zaboru's independence and agreed the extra help wasn't necessary.

After this, Zaboru began integrating Windows 94 into ZAGE USA's computer systems. He purchased an entire suite of new high-performance machines to run the new operating system efficiently. Without wasting time, he initiated intensive training sessions to teach his team about DirectX and guide them through the early development stages of the game Diablo. His leadership was clear and effective, and thanks to Zaboru's "Aura of Influence," his employees absorbed complex concepts at an astonishing pace. The office buzzed with energy as Zaboru turned the team into a high-functioning development powerhouse practically with insane speed.

Afterward, Zaboru held a crucial meeting with representatives from AMD. At this point in the timeline—particularly in 1994—AMD was still facing serious challenges. They had recently won a legal battle with Intel over x86 architecture licenses but were still seen as underdogs in the chip industry.

During the meeting, Zaboru sat down with AMD's charismatic CEO, Jerry Sanders, and made a bold proposal: he wanted to acquire a 25% stake in the company. He offered approximately $150 million—a figure that showed confidence but was also measured. Initially, he had considered investing more but felt a larger offer might come across as too aggressive. The 25% stake struck the right balance between ambition and diplomacy.

Negotiations moved quickly. With mutual respect established, the deal was finalized. ZAGE officially became a 25% stakeholder in AMD. For Zaboru, the move was strategic—he planned to use AMD's processors in the next generation of ZAGE consoles, creating better performance and tighter hardware-software integration. For AMD, the capital injection was a lifeline, allowing them to push forward in CPU development and compete with Intel more aggressively.

It was a calculated risk—and one that promised long-term impact across the tech landscape.

Meanwhile, the world quickly took notice of ZAGE's high-profile moves—acquiring a significant stake in AMD and collaborating closely with Microsoft. These developments fueled widespread media speculation that ZAGE was poised to become a dominant global player in both the tech and entertainment industries. Journalists and analysts alike highlighted the company's rapid expansion and forward-thinking strategies.

Adding to the buzz, ZAGE's recent deals with Philips and their acquisition of AKAI painted a clear picture: this was not a company content with incremental growth. ZAGE was charting a course toward becoming a bold, innovative powerhouse. The media coverage increasingly described ZAGE as one of the most ambitious and disruptive companies to watch.

The media also began highlighting the reasons behind ZAGE's rising popularity. Their most recent console, ZEPS 2, was enjoying outstanding sales figures, drawing major attention across both gaming and tech circles. Even before ZEPS 2, ZAGE had established a strong track record with earlier hits like the original ZEPS and the handheld ZGB—both of which had sold exceptionally well. In addition to their home console success, ZAGE's arcade machines and game cartridges had also built a strong fan base, contributing significantly to the company's growing reputation.

The Japanese government was particularly pleased to see a homegrown company like ZAGE gaining significant traction on the global stage. For policymakers and industry leaders, it wasn't just about economic success—it was a matter of national pride. ZAGE's growing influence signaled that Japan had another rising titan in the tech and entertainment world, joining the ranks of its established global powerhouses. This development was viewed as a testament to Japan's enduring innovation and competitiveness in cutting-edge industries.

Zaboru returned to Japan on 22 April 1994, stepping off the plane with quiet confidence after a whirlwind of high-stakes decisions. Sayuri, however, couldn't hide the mild panic behind her composed exterior. Their boss had just spent an eye-watering $205 million—or roughly 41 billion yen—over the course of a few weeks. While the company's finances remained strong and ZEPS 2 was flying off the shelves, Sayuri wasn't about to overlook that level of spending.

Later that day, she pulled Zaboru aside. Calm but firm, she urged him to slow down and think carefully before making any more large-scale investments. Though she respected his boldness and trusted his instincts, Sayuri reminded him that even a successful company had limits—and it was her job to ensure they didn't cross them.

Zaboru calmly assured Sayuri that the investments would pay off in the long run. Zanichi Zaboru, his father and the CTO of ZAGE, backed him up, encouraging Sayuri to trust in Zaboru's vision and leadership. His confidence helped ease her concerns. Even her husband, Shinsuke Yamaguchi—ZAGE's head of marketing—chimed in with a grin, saying, "Just trust our boss. He knows what he's doing." Gradually, Sayuri felt her tension melt away, reassured by the unity and conviction of the people around her. She was also relieved that Zaboru didn't dismiss her concerns with a flippant "This is my money." Instead, he took the time to reassure her with a thoughtful explanation, which helped put her at ease and made her feel respected and included in the process.

And that was Zaboru's April in the USA.

To be continued

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