Monday 5 June 1997 ZAGE Tower
Now, inside ZAGE Tower in Japan, Zaboru walked briskly into one of the main executive meeting rooms, where several high-level members of the company's leadership were already gathered. Unlike their usual weekly sync meetings which focused on operations, sales, and product development, this session had a very different and focused purpose. Zaboru had called this meeting specifically to introduce and propose the formation of an entirely new department within ZAGE—one that would be dedicated to License Management.
This new department, he explained, would serve as a centralized team tasked with acquiring, maintaining, negotiating, and managing external licenses and intellectual properties—something that ZAGE had been increasingly involved in. Until now, Zaboru himself had handled many of these licensing negotiations personally. Deals like securing rights to use NBA, FIFA, WWF, and even the quirky but beloved Pepsi-Man character had all been the result of Zaboru's own direct negotiation efforts. However, while effective, this hands-on approach consumed a significant amount of his time and energy, often pulling him away from other essential leadership responsibilities.
What Zaboru envisioned was a fully capable team with expertise in legal negotiations, international business relations, and entertainment IP contracts. This group would streamline ZAGE's ability to secure partnerships, characters, and brand integrations across multiple regions—especially as their games continued to gain global traction. As ZAGE expanded, the number of licensing opportunities would only increase. From sports leagues to celebrities, cars company , movie studios to fashion brands—Zaboru wanted to be ahead of the curve. And to do that, they needed a department entirely focused on building and protecting the licenses that would drive their next generation of gaming experiences.
"Okay, everyone—thanks for coming," Zaboru began, his tone calm but focused. "Today, I want to share a new proposal with you all. I've been thinking about the growing importance of licenses in our future projects, and I believe it's time we establish a new department that focuses specifically on acquiring and maintaining licenses." He paused for a second, letting the room settle. "Why? Because in the near future, many of our ambitious game ideas will rely heavily on real-world brands, properties, and collaborations that require formal agreements and long-term management."
He glanced around the room, then continued. "So far, we've successfully obtained licenses for FIFA, NBA, and WWF. We even managed to bring in Pepsi-Man as a playable character. Those deals, as most of you know, I've personally negotiated myself with help of Risa Miller. But as we continue to grow, this workload will expand beyond what I can realistically manage alone. We need a dedicated structure—a team that can handle the legal and strategic aspects of licensing full-time."
Zaboru leaned slightly forward, speaking with more energy. "Looking ahead, there are more opportunities coming. For instance, our partners at Flocks, our main distributor in Europe, are currently in talks—led by Risa Miller—to negotiate with UEFA and several top-tier football clubs to secure exclusive rights. If successful, that could give us direct access to some of the biggest football names in Europe, which would be huge for our upcoming sports titles."
He concluded, "So this new department isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a critical step in scaling our reach and staying competitive globally."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and then Zaboru continued, "This will be a combined department, meaning we'll bring together talent from both Japan and the USA. It's important we have representation from both sides to ensure smooth coordination, diverse perspectives, and efficient licensing operations across global markets. Now, does anyone have any thoughts on who would be a good fit to lead this initiative or be part of its core leadership team?"
Zanichi Renkonan, Zaboru's father and the Chief Technology Officer of ZAGE Japan, leaned forward with a thoughtful nod. "Honestly, I think this is a solid idea," he said. "And I believe Yuna Kanai would be highly suitable to take the lead. Her management skills are top-tier, and she's already shown she can handle high-pressure, multi-regional projects."
Yuna, seated nearby, smiled graciously at the praise and then responded with a measured tone. "Thank you for the kind words, Zanichi-san. I truly appreciate the vote of confidence. However, I'm currently serving as the head of the ZAGE Subsidiaries Department, and at the moment, we're dealing with several simultaneous expansions and partnership rollouts. Our team has its hands full."
She looked directly at Zaboru as she added, "Unless there's a plan to formally transfer me out of my current position to take on this new role full-time, I don't think I'd be able to manage both departments effectively. Each of them demands full attention, and I wouldn't want to compromise either."
There was a brief pause, and then she offered a warm smile again. "That said, I'd be more than willing to support whoever steps into the role—whether it's helping set up the structure, onboarding them with our current partner network, or offering guidance during the transition. I want this new department to succeed, and I'll gladly contribute however I can."
Zaboru nodded thoughtfully. "Yuna is holding an important position in the Subsidiaries Department, and I think she's best kept there—she's doing excellent work, and I'd rather not stretch her too thin. So… any more suggestions? Dad? Anyone else?"
After a moment, Shinsuke Yamaguchi, the head of ZAGE's Marketing Division, raised his hand with a confident look. "Actually, I think I might have the perfect candidate," he said. "He's currently working under my team, and he's shown incredible promise. Not to mention, he's half-Japanese and half-European, which gives him an excellent edge in both domestic and international negotiations."
Zaboru raised an eyebrow, interested. "Go on."
"His name is Shiki Spencer," Shinsuke continued. "He's sharp, disciplined, and incredibly intuitive when it comes to reading the room during tense negotiations. His work ethic is stellar, and he's one of the few people I've seen manage both creative vision and strict legal details without getting overwhelmed. He has that rare mix of adaptability and leadership that I think would thrive in this new department."
Zaboru nodded again, now more seriously. "I see. If he's got your endorsement, Shinsuke-san, then that carries real weight. Let's move forward with this. I want this department fully operational by the end of the month. Also, please arrange for this Shiki Spencer to visit my office tomorrow morning. I'd like to meet him personally and talk about what we have in mind for his potential new role."
Shinsuke gave a small smile and nodded firmly. "Consider it done. I'll make sure he's briefed and prepared."
With that, the meeting moved on, but the energy in the room had noticeably shifted. There was a buzz of anticipation—a sense that this new department might truly be a game-changer for ZAGE's future.
Now, back in his office, Zaboru sat down in his chair and leaned back with a satisfied grin. "There are so many games that need licenses to become insanely awesome," he muttered to himself with a chuckle. The thought excited him more than he expected. One of the key reasons he pushed so hard to create the licensing department was because of a very specific title—Gran Turismo. Unlike other racing games that used generic or fictional cars, Gran Turismo's biggest strength came from its authenticity. The cars weren't just vehicles—they were real, licensed models, and that authenticity was a huge part of what made the game so popular in his previous life.
He remembered how players in the 90s marveled at the realistic driving physics, lifelike handling, and how much cooler it felt to drive an actual Nissan Skyline or a Toyota Supra instead of a made-up vehicle. That connection to real-world brands gave the game credibility and depth. Zaboru wanted to recreate that experience for players in this world—make them feel the thrill of racing a machine they might actually see on the street or dream of owning. And with the new department taking shape, that vision was finally within reach.
"And then there's Jackie Chan," Zaboru chuckled to himself, a nostalgic glint in his eye. In his previous life, Jackie Chan Stuntmaster had been considered a legendary title—an action-platformer that stood out for its fluid combat, stunts, and Jackie's signature charm. Zaboru, of course, had every intention of recreating that same kind of experience in this world. It wasn't just about using a celebrity—it was about building something unique, memorable, and fun. That game had been so different from anything else at the time, and it still lived rent-free in his mind, especially the hand-to-hand combat sections.
As the idea formed in his mind, he grinned wider. "Not to mention... Bruce Lee is still alive in this world," he said aloud, almost in disbelief. "Hehehe... I could actually reach out and ask for his license." The possibilities were endless. A fully realized Bruce Lee video game? That would blow minds. His influence, legacy, and fighting philosophy could translate into something far beyond just flashy visuals. It could become a new genre-defining action game.
Zaboru couldn't wait. The idea of sitting down with Bruce Lee, pitching a game concept, collaborating on something entirely fresh—it thrilled him. He leaned back in his chair, chuckling again as he placed his fingers on the keyboard and resumed typing, his mind now racing with a dozen new possibilities for ZAGE's future.
To be continue