In February 1999, ZAGE didn't release any new first-party titles, which was a rare quiet spell for the company. However, that didn't mean the ZEPS 3 was lacking in content. On the contrary, third-party developers were hard at work and managed to fill the gap with a flood of new releases. These studios, eager to capitalize on the massive install base of the ZEPS 3, pushed out a wide variety of games across genres—from fast-paced action titles to innovative RPGs and even quirky experimental games. As a result, gamers still had plenty of options to choose from, and many of them didn't even notice the absence of a ZAGE-published title. The buzz around these third-party launches kept the platform's momentum strong, and game stores reported solid sales across the board. Overall, while it might have seemed concerning at first that ZAGE themselves weren't putting out a major title, the month turned out to be anything but quiet in terms of content, and the ZEPS 3 continued to dominate the market without losing steam.
The next major development came in the form of confirmation—finally putting the swirling rumors to rest—that ZAGE had indeed acquired a majority stake in Inter Milan. This news sent shockwaves across the sports and business worlds alike, creating an enormous global buzz. The idea that one of the world's most innovative and fastest-growing tech and entertainment companies had now entered the football arena was enough to stir headlines on both gaming and sports media outlets. For months, speculation had brewed, but now that the truth was out, the implications became much clearer.
With ZAGE officially at the helm of Inter Milan, many fans and analysts alike began to speculate on how this bold move would transform the iconic club. A renewed sense of hope surged among the Nerazzurri faithful, who had been yearning for a new chapter of excellence. There was a palpable shift in the air—Inter Milan was no longer seen as just another traditional football club but now carried the exciting possibility of being revolutionized by ZAGE's bold vision and resources.
Corporate interest spiked almost immediately. Sponsorship offers flooded in from both legacy brands and emerging tech firms that wanted to align themselves with Inter Milan's fresh new image. The club's global visibility rose significantly as people who had never followed football—gamers, tech enthusiasts, and fans of ZAGE's visionary founder Zaboru—suddenly took interest in the team. Online forums buzzed with crossover discussions between gaming and football fans, speculating on possible collaborations, merchandising, and ZAGE-inspired innovation in the club's branding and presentation.
As part of their growing global strategy, Inter Milan soon announced that they would embark on a special post-season tour to Japan, scheduled for the summer of 1999. The news electrified Japanese fans, who were already huge supporters of ZAGE and now had a personal stake in the club's future. The idea that Inter Milan—now effectively Japan's club by proxy—would visit their homeland was thrilling. Ticket demand exploded even before match schedules were finalized.
In addition to the exciting developments, the Japan Sports Ministry formally approached Zaboru with a request that reflected the nation's growing enthusiasm for Inter Milan's new Japanese ties. They encouraged him to consider integrating Japanese youth into Inter Milan's prestigious academy system, hoping it could serve as a bridge for young talents from Japan to gain European-level experience. Zaboru, always diplomatic yet honest, made his stance very clear—he was more than willing to support the initiative, but only insofar as providing equal opportunity. He emphasized that he had no intention of forcing nationality-based selections or promoting unqualified players. Instead, he would ensure that if any Japanese youth possessed the talent, discipline, and potential to meet the academy's standards, the doors would be wide open to them.
Not only that, but Zaboru also proposed a more ambitious plan: to open a branch of the Inter Academy in Japan itself. He believed that training young athletes in their home country with the same level of discipline and methodology as in Europe could be the best long-term investment in Japan's football future. Massimo Moratti, upon reviewing the proposal, gave his enthusiastic support, seeing this as a powerful move to internationalize Inter Milan's brand while nurturing real talent.
For now, however, Zaboru decided not to shake up the structure of Inter's current management or player roster. He respected the ongoing season and felt that continuity was crucial until the current campaign concluded. But once the league wrapped up, he made it clear to the board that he intended to begin reshaping and refining key areas of the club in preparation for long-term success.
One of Zaboru's first priorities was upgrading Inter Milan's training facilities. He had clear memories from his past life of the world-class training centers built by Borussia Dortmund, and he envisioned something of similar or even greater scale for Inter Milan. However, he also understood that such a project would demand immense investment, planning, and time. It couldn't be rushed—not if it were to meet his high standards.
And beyond that, he dared to dream even further into the future: the construction of Inter Milan's very own stadium. A fully independent, cutting-edge home ground that would solidify their legacy and give the club full autonomy over its fixtures and events. But Zaboru was realistic—this goal was still far on the horizon. With Inter's financial situation still in recovery and ZAGE's recent entry into football ownership, it would take years of smart budgeting, growing revenue, and careful planning before such a massive project could come to life. Still, the vision was there, and the ambition was clear: Zaboru wasn't just here to make waves. He was here to build something historic.
Next, Zaboru completed an ambitious show project with Goverment and TV Tokyo that documented all of ZAGE's major offices, both in ZAGE USA and ZAGE Japan, showcasing not just the company's cutting-edge operations, but also its vibrant work culture and behind-the-scenes innovation. To make the documentary even more comprehensive, an additional episode was filmed in ZAGE Korea, a newly highlighted branch that Zaboru proudly acknowledged during an interview. He emphasized that ZAGE's presence in South Korea was not only real but growing, and that the Korea team played a vital role in both technical development and global strategy.
The documentary itself was carefully crafted, with high production value and narration from Zaboru himself, walking viewers through the philosophy, challenges, and daily work at ZAGE. Scheduled to air in mid-March, the special would be released across several networks and streaming platforms, designed to reach both fans and industry professionals around the world. It promised a rare glimpse into what many already considered the most innovative and creatively ambitious video game company on Earth.
More than just corporate promotion, the show aimed to inspire. Footage included developer brainstorming sessions, passionate artists designing characters, programmers refining game mechanics late into the night, and lighthearted moments in the break rooms where ideas were born over coffee and camaraderie. Zaboru wanted people to feel what it was truly like to work inside ZAGE—not just the achievements, but the spirit that drove it forward. He believed that this transparency would not only solidify ZAGE's brand image, but also attract even more passionate individuals from around the globe who dreamed of becoming part of the ZAGE legacy while also saying ZAGE Has its own Standard.
In addition to all these developments, the renovation of the ZAGE London offices, which had been underway since the previous year, was now nearing completion. According to official internal reports, the construction and redesign process was set to be fully finished by March. With that milestone approaching, Risa Miller Flocks CEO—who also work as the supervisor of the ZAGE London branch—was already working closely in tandem with the broader ZAGE Human Resources department. Together, they were coordinating recruitment efforts and establishing operational protocols to ensure the office would be fully staffed and ready. If all went according to plan, the grand opening of the London office was expected to take place sometime between April and May of this year. This new location marked a key strategic move in ZAGE's continued global expansion.
Then there was the unexpected resurgence of Anti-ZAGE sentiment. Despite ZAGE's consistent growth and influence, certain groups—particularly critics of the Medal of Honor project—seized the opportunity to reignite controversy. These detractors argued that ZAGE's portrayal of sensitive historical events lacked respect and authenticity, accusing the company of rewriting narratives for entertainment value. The criticisms spread quickly, gaining traction among some academic circles and a handful of skeptical journalists who began questioning ZAGE's corporate ethics and intentions.
However, the tide soon began to shift. Just as these anti-ZAGE narratives started to gain momentum, news broke that ZAGE had been quietly collaborating with the government to launch a new philanthropic initiative: the ZAGE Foundation. The foundation's mission was ambitious yet deeply human—to provide top-tier, low-cost or even completely free cancer treatments, with a strong focus on supporting young children battling the disease. Zaboru had been personally involved in organizing and funding the project, ensuring that the best doctors, technology, and care centers would be involved. The public reception was overwhelmingly positive.
Suddenly, the negative attention surrounding the Medal of Honor controversy seemed to fade into the background. Headlines quickly shifted to focus on ZAGE's humanitarian efforts. Testimonials from medical professionals and families of young patients flooded media channels, praising ZAGE for putting its vast resources toward a cause that genuinely saved lives. Even former critics found themselves re-evaluating their opinions as the company's actions spoke louder than the earlier accusations.
As March began, the perception around ZAGE had dramatically changed. The narrative of a cold, power-hungry tech company was replaced with that of a compassionate and forward-thinking organization. Yet behind the scenes, not everyone was pleased with this redemption arc. Certain individuals who had staked their reputation on tearing ZAGE down were now feeling the pressure. One such person—desperate to stay relevant—was planning something reckless.
To be continue
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