Monday 17 May 1996.
At the ZAGE offices, Zaboru was still fully focused on work as he prepared for the upcoming collaboration night with WWF. Ever since the L1GM4 easter egg had been revealed during a WWF match, it had been generating considerable hype across gaming and wrestling communities. Excitement was building fast, and with the next match scheduled for Wednesday, anticipation was higher than ever—especially since Zaboru himself would be making an appearance.
Meanwhile, Zaboru was in the middle of a key meeting with his U.S.-based marketing team, where the primary focus was the strategic expansion into the LATAM region. The atmosphere was serious, with presentations and maps spread out across the conference table. LATAM was a growing market, and Zaboru knew this move could shape the next major phase of ZAGE's global presence.
Zaboru leaned forward slightly and asked, "So, Liam, do you have any current insight on the condition of the LATAM region?"
Liam Wallson, the head of ZAGE's U.S. marketing division, nodded thoughtfully before replying, "Yeah, overall I've got a decent picture. The gaming culture there is very active—people in LATAM genuinely love video games. What's interesting is that a lot of our older products are already circulating there, even though we never officially launched in those countries. Most of it came through black market channels or grey imports. ZEPS 1, for example, has really taken off. It's affordable, easy to get second-hand, and doesn't require expensive setups. Because of that, it's been adopted widely, especially in urban areas."
He paused and pulled up a few notes. "On the other hand, ZEPS 2 and our PC offerings are still considered luxury items. The reason is simple—there are barely any official distributors, and without that network, retail pricing stays high. Most families can't afford those products without significant discounts or installment plans. There's a gap in the infrastructure, and the current supply chains are unreliable at best. That's why we're missing a huge opportunity there—we haven't yet established the support needed to make those products accessible."
Liam then added, "As for arcades, it's still mostly just the old-school setups over there. Our modern arcade systems—especially the newest machines—are practically nonexistent in the region. There's been no official rollout, and as a result, there's zero presence of our brand in the arcade space throughout LATAM."
He looked back up at Zaboru. "But the interest is definitely there. People want our games. They just don't have the means or local access yet."
Zaboru nodded as he reflected on how different LATAM was in this world compared to the one he came from. The countries here seemed to be doing much better economically and socially. One possible reason, he thought, was the noticeable lack of corruption. In this world, government funds weren't constantly siphoned off into the pockets of corrupt officials. Instead, the money flowed where it was supposed to—into infrastructure, public services, and support for the people. That shift alone made a huge difference, allowing communities to grow stronger and individuals to live slightly wealthier, more stable lives this also affected the countries outside LATAM too.
Zaboru then said to Liam, "I see. Please begin surveying the conditions in various LATAM countries. If you find a trustworthy distributor, we can strike a deal with them. If not, our fallback will be to expand Emerald Wings as ZAGE's official distributor in the LATAM region."
Emerald Wings was ZAGE's current distributor in the United States, and although they hadn't operated outside the U.S. before, Zaboru was confident in their capability. If no suitable local partners were found, he was fully prepared to authorize Emerald Wings to expand their operations and establish ZAGE's presence across LATAM.
Liam nodded. "Sure thing, boss. My team will begin researching the conditions in the LATAM countries. We'll probably start with Mexico, Brazil, and either Colombia or Peru, since they offer strong entry points in terms of market size and existing gaming communities."
Zaboru nodded back. "Sounds good. Let me know if you need anything along the way."
Liam gave one more nod with a confident smile. "Will do, boss."
After the meeting ended, Zaboru returned to his office and resumed his work. Yet his mind kept drifting back to the conversation about LATAM. He leaned back in his chair, staring thoughtfully at the ceiling.
"I've never actually been to LATAM countries," he murmured to himself. "Maybe it's time I change that."
A small smile spread across his face. The idea of visiting the region not only for business research but also for a short break felt oddly exciting. It would give him a chance to observe the market firsthand, understand the local culture, and potentially scout new ideas. And if he could squeeze in a little rest while he was there? Even better.
Zaboru also recognized that the LATAM countries in this world were not the same as those from his previous one. The differences were striking—most notably, the significantly lower crime rates. This shift in public safety made the idea of visiting the region feel not just possible, but actually appealing. It gave him a sense of reassurance, knowing he could travel and explore without constant concern for security.
"Arcades might be pretty rare over there," Zaboru muttered to himself, "but maybe we could change that. We could bring arcades to LATAM and establish official ZAGE arcade playgrounds in key cities." He chuckled at the idea, the thought of ZAGE-branded arcades lighting up Latin American neighborhoods sparking a wave of joy and ambition.
In Zaboru's previous world, LATAM countries had a deep-rooted love for games, . Titles like King of Fighters were immensely popular, with fierce local competitions and a strong fighting game community. The passion and skill of LATAM gamers were undeniable, especially in e-sports. Players from the region had built a reputation for being some of the most talented and driven in the world.
Zaboru didn't want ZAGE to overlook this potential. In his view, e-sports wouldn't feel complete without LATAM players. Their energy, style, and competitive spirit brought a level of excitement that enriched the entire global scene. He wanted them involved—not just as consumers but as key figures in the ZAGE ecosystem.
He also had future plans for Africa, another emerging region full of untapped talent and potential. But for now, his focus was clear—LATAM came first.
Aside from video games, LATAM was also incredibly gifted in football—especially countries like Brazil and Argentina. In Zaboru's previous world, these nations had produced an endless stream of world-class players, many of whom had gone on to shape the global football scene. When it came to raw talent, LATAM was arguably ahead of Europe and the rest of the world. The only area where the region occasionally fell short was discipline—whether in training infrastructure, long-term development, or player management.
Zaboru had long dreamed of one day acquiring Inter Milan, his favorite football club. If that dream ever came to pass, he already knew LATAM would be a key focus for talent recruitment. The sheer potential in the region was too great to ignore. But that goal could wait. For now, he had more immediate work to handle.
Zaboru stretched his arms and leaned back in his chair. "Heh, acquiring Inter might actually be possible right now... but let's wait," he chuckled to himself. Even though he had the financial power, he knew deep down that the timing still wasn't right. He picked up his coffee, took a slow sip, and let out a quiet sigh before turning his focus back to the stack of work on his desk.
To be continue
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