Saturday 2 May 1992
Zaboru sat in his dimly lit office on the evening of Saturday, May 2, 1992. The hum of computers and the rustle of papers filled the room as he continued working through the weekend. It was no surprise to anyone who knew him — Zaboru was relentless. With May already here, the pressure was mounting. The highly anticipated May release was scheduled for May 24, 1992, and he had just finalized the materials for ZAGE Power Volu 2, sending them to Hakushensha. He was optimistic about Yugo's idea of giving a player feedback form for ZAGE gas in ZAGE POWER Volu 2 for free, believing it could provide valuable insights into which gas players truly enjoyed.
But today, all his focus was on Doom. The ga was ready to hit the Japanese market on May 3, 1992, which was tomorrow, and Zaboru was ticulously double-checking every detail. He planned to release the ga in the USA a week later, on May 10, 1992. Erald Wings, ZAGE's official partner and distributor in the USA, had already been contacted. Jas Yoel confidently stated that Erald Wings was more than capable of distributing Doom as shareware for DOS and Windows, citing their extensive experience in selling various PC software titles through this model. He emphasized that their network and proven track record made them the ideal choice for handling the ga's wide-scale distribution. .
The shareware model was booming in the 1992 PC software market. By offering a trial version of the software for free, users could try the ga, then purchase the full version either at a nearby store or through mail order with credit card paynt.
The internet, though in existence, was not yet reliable for downloading large software files, making the shareware thod ideal. Zaboru decided to offer the first stage of Doom, "Knee-Deep in the Dead," as shareware, while the rest of the levels — "The Shores of Hell," "Inferno," and "Thy Flesh Consud" — would be part of the full ga, similar to how DOOM was sold by id Software in his previous life.As for steam model it still early to introduce it to this world.
He settled on a $45 price tag for the complete ga, a cheaper price compared to other PC software. He also inford Jas that he would be flying to the USA the next day to shoot ads for Doom, set to air on May 9, 1992. Since this was ZAGE's first-ever PC ga, he wanted to ensure the campaign left a strong impression. Erald Wings had extensive experience selling shareware, making them the perfect partner for this endeavor.
In Japan, however, things were different. The number of PC owners was extraordinarily low compared to the US market. Zaboru decided to promote Doom with a mysterious flair, using simple flyers that hinted at the ga's dark and thrilling atmosphere. Despite the smaller market, he didn't neglect his Japanese audience. The ZAGE PC division would handle the ga's production and distribution directly for the Japan release. Compared to consoles, PC gaming was far simpler to produce and sell, so he foresaw no major issues. However, he knew that breaking into the PC market was a long-term ga. Doom was just the beginning — a stepping stone toward positioning ZAGE as a serious competitor in the PC gaming industry.
As he packed up his work for the night, another thought lingered in his mind — his girlfriend, Ayumi. She had changed. In the past, when he announced a trip to Arica, she would pout and get angry. But this ti, she simply smiled with a hint of sadness in her eyes. She nodded encouragingly and asked him to bring back a gift when he returned. It made Zaboru smile. Ayumi had grown as a person, and her ga, Ultimate Bunny Race, was selling exceptionally well on ZEPS. He was proud of her. In many ways, they had grown together, supporting each other through the ups and downs of the industry.
With that warm thought, he continued working late into the night, finalizing preparations for his departure to Arica the next day. The clock ticked past midnight, but Zaboru barely noticed. His focus was razor-sharp. With his Enlightennt abilities, he required far less rest than the average person, allowing him to work tirelessly through the night. This unique advantage kept him sharp and productive, but it wasn't just his abilities that fueled him — it was the sheer excitent of what lay ahead. The anticipation of Doom's release, the potential impact on the PC gaming market filled him with an unshakable determination.
By Sunday night, May 3, 1992, Zaboru arrived in Arica. This ti, he traveled alone, without Kudou accompanying him . Since this trip was solely to shoot ads for Doom, he didn't feel the need for additional company. The ads were scheduled to air on Saturday, May 9, 1992, and the shoot itself was straightforward. After a long flight, he quickly checked into his hotel, eager to get so rest. The hotel room was modest, with a view of the city skyline. As he stared out the window, he reflected on how far ZAGE had co. This was not just another release; this was a statent.
The next morning, he t with Jas Yoel and Ryan Miller at Erald Wings to discuss the final details of Doom's distribution. Jas accompanied him to the ad shoot, which went smoothly thanks to Zaboru's growing experience with comrcial production. Zaboru planned to return to Japan on Tuesday night. During dinner that evening, Jas ntioned how much he believed in Doom's potential. "This is going to blow up," he said. "I'm telling you, this ga is a ga-changer."
Back in Japan, however, a storm was brewing. Baseball purists were beginning to voice their frustrations with ZAGE's ga, Basewars. Heated discussions were popping up in fan circles, but Zaboru was unaware of the controversy brewing in his absence. The ssage boards were filled with debates — so praised the ga's innovative chanics, while others accused it of disrespecting the sport.
For now, his thoughts were on Doom and its imminent release. The first ZAGE PC ga was about to hit the market, and if all went according to plan, it could mark the beginning of a new era for the company. Zaboru knew that success in the PC market wouldn't co overnight, but this was the first step. He had taken risks before, and he was ready to take them again.
To be continued.
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