On the next episode of "Inside ZAGE Tower Japan," airing the week after the first episode, the spotlight shifts to the developer side of ZAGE, showcasing the heart of the company's creativity and innovation. The charismatic host, Take Yusei, returns to guide viewers deeper into the tower's upper levels, where game-making magic happens.
Previously, the tour concluded at the 12th floor, home to the elite Zanichi team. The 13th floor is skipped due to traditional superstition—a common practice in Japanese high-rise buildings. Moving up, the 14th floor is a spacious multipurpose area often used for internal townhall-style meetings, small-scale team events, or celebratory gatherings. It features collapsible seating arrangements, a stage area, and projection systems for presentations and entertainment nights.
The 15th floor is home to the largest communal gaming room in the entire ZAGE Tower. This floor is outfitted with rows of ZAGE consoles, projection screens, and private gaming booths designed to encourage team bonding and relaxation. Whether it's for competitive matches, testing prototypes, or casual end-of-week tournaments, this space is the favorite hangout spot for many developers.
The 16th floor is split into two distinct facilities. First is the Napping Room—a dimly lit, tranquil space filled with reclining pods, soft beds, and ambient music, offering employees a place to recharge during long workdays. Adjacent to it is the Family Care Room, more commonly known as the Baby Room. This area is designed for ZAGE employees who are new parents, providing a private, comfortable space equipped with changing tables, breastfeeding chairs, and cribs. It underscores ZAGE's commitment to work-life balance and family inclusion.
The 17th floor is the building's central server floor. This highly secured area is the nerve center for ZAGE Tower's internal network, housing racks of servers that support not only internal communication and data storage but also the building's advanced CCTV infrastructure, internal cloud, and security systems. Technicians monitor it 24/7 in shifts.
Floors 18 and 19 are currently vacant but have been fully furnished and wired for future expansion. These floors can be quickly adapted into office spaces, research labs, or additional team divisions depending on ZAGE's evolving needs. Their presence also hints at ZAGE's readiness for growth and adaptability in a fast-changing tech industry.
Then, starting from the 20th floor, the core of ZAGE's development power begins. This floor is occupied by Team NOVA. Their workspace continues onto the 21st floor, as with all ZAGE development teams—each unit is allocated two full floors to ensure ample space for planning, production, collaboration, and testing. These twin-level office setups include open development studios, meeting rooms, concept art spaces, QA labs, and sound-isolated testing areas. Each team's floorplan is designed for maximum workflow, with an emphasis on comfort, collaboration, and flexibility.
The 22nd and 23rd floors are assigned to Team IZAN. Like the others, their twin-level studio includes creative design spaces, testing chambers, sound rooms, and a dedicated brainstorming lounge. While each team has their own culture, structurally all developer teams share the same core layout and access to identical tools and resources.
The 24th and 25th floors house Team NIWA. They follow the same dual-floor setup as Team NOVA and Team IZAN, including the familiar mix of workspace zones, meeting areas, and team lounges that define the developer floors throughout ZAGE Tower.
Next are the 26th and 27th floors, where Team Nexus Japan operates. Despite being a bi-national team with a counterpart in the U.S., the Japan branch uses the same standardized two-floor layout found across all ZAGE development teams, equipped with shared core facilities such as open development areas, meeting rooms, QA labs, and creative studios. Team Nexus is an arcade-focused unit, experimenting primarily with arcade game design and hardware integration. Their American counterpart, while part of the same overall unit, focuses on different game projects. Together, the two teams maintain close coordination while working on separate but complementary aspects of ZAGE's arcade strategy.
The 28th and 29th floors are occupied by Team KODO, a recently established development unit that shares the same standardized two-floor layout used by all ZAGE teams. Like the others, their space includes open-concept development studios, sound-isolated QA rooms, creative meeting spaces, and collaborative lounges. Despite being a newer team, KODO is already showing strong promise and energy within ZAGE's development structure.
Similarly, the 30th and 31st floors are home to Team FUMA, another newly formed team focused on supporting upcoming projects and prototype research. They too operate within the same core office structure, designed to foster creativity, focus, and team synergy. While still growing their portfolio, Team FUMA is already well integrated into the larger ZAGE development ecosystem, and expectations are high for their future contributions.
As of now, the 32nd through 39th floors remain unassigned but are fully equipped and ready for future expansion. These levels stand as a testament to ZAGE's long-term vision and commitment to nurturing new development teams as its empire continues to grow.
The 40th floor is the Grand Townhall Floor—an expansive auditorium space used for major company-wide announcements, strategy briefings, all-hands meetings, and large-scale celebrations. It's outfitted with high-end AV systems, a retractable stage, and seating that can accommodate hundreds of employees at once.
The 41st floor is the Motion Capture Studio Floor, fully equipped with cutting-edge motion capture technology suited for game development, animation, and performance recording. The space includes a large mocap stage with camera arrays, sensor rigs, changing rooms for actors, and editing suites for real-time rendering. It's one of the busiest production spaces in the tower when major cinematic or gameplay segments are in development.
The 42nd floor is the Sound Studio & Recording Floor, home to ZAGE's in-house soundtrack production team. The floor contains multiple recording booths, soundproof mixing rooms, composer lounges, and even a small live orchestra studio for grander musical scores. It's where the iconic sounds of ZAGE games come to life, from atmospheric scores to high-energy battle themes.
The 43rd through 48th floors are currently unoccupied, but they've been structurally prepared for future expansion. Wiring, ventilation, and office-ready modular layouts have already been installed. These floors are considered the next frontier for new teams or international department integrations.
The 49th floor is reserved as the personal floor of Zanichi Renkonan, ZAGE's legendary CTO and father of Zaboru. While it does include a private lab, an executive conference area, and a personal archive of his lifelong projects and prototypes, the space is far more than a technical workspace—it has become something akin to a second home.
The floor has a warm and welcoming family vibe, often referred to by staff as the 'Renkonan Residence' due to how frequently it's visited by Zaboru's mother, Keiko, and his younger sister, Sanika. Whenever they choose to stay at the ZAGE Tower, this is where they feel most at home. The layout includes multiple comfortable bedrooms, a shared living space, a traditional tea room, and quiet corners for reading or rest. It's not just functional—it's cozy, peaceful, and designed to accommodate family life with grace, making it feel like a true sanctuary within the tower.
The 50th floor is Zaboru's official executive office. It includes his primary workspace, a sleek executive meeting room, a high-tech strategy planning suite, a quiet private library, and a dedicated space for his secretary. The entire floor exudes professionalism and vision, designed to accommodate key decision-making moments and executive-level discussions.
However, Zaboru is rarely found here. He much prefers the more hands-on, creative environment of the 51st floor, or the quiet, comforting atmosphere of his personal quarters on the 52nd. For him, this office serves more as a formal base of operations than a daily workstation—a place to meet with external partners, host dignitaries, or handle major corporate briefings when needed.
The 51st floor is Zaboru's private workshop—a personal laboratory that is strictly off-limits to anyone except those whom Zaboru personally authorizes. This space is considered one of the most confidential areas in the entire ZAGE Tower. It's where many of ZAGE's most ambitious ideas are born and where early prototypes, concept frameworks, and experimental tech are quietly developed. Even in the documentary show, only the entrance was shown on camera, underscoring the mystery and secrecy of what lies within.
Finally, the 52nd floor serves as Zaboru's private living quarters—a fully personalized residential space that functions like a cozy, self-contained home at the top of the ZAGE Tower. While not extravagant, it's thoughtfully designed to reflect warmth, balance, and retreat from the high-paced environment below.
The floor features a comfortable living area filled with natural light, soft furnishings, and a large bookshelf filled with design references and old game manuals. The minimalist bedroom has been expanded to include additional beds prepared for Ayumi and their young son whenever they stay over, making it feel like a true family home. There's a fully equipped bath space and a modern kitchen nook where Zaboru occasionally prepares simple meals when working late nights.
Additionally, there's a small but well-appointed private gym equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and a stretching area—helping Zaboru stay active and unwind mentally. A few personal touches, like framed photos, a low-lit reading corner, and a hidden music player tucked behind a shelf, round out the space. This floor ensures that even at the peak of the tower, surrounded by a world of deadlines and decisions, Zaboru can find peace, maintain his health, and remain close to his family when it matters most.
The ZAGE Tower stands as a symbol of ambition, scale, and vision. Each development team currently consists of around 160 to 180 people, forming the largest concentration of human resources within the company—an engine of creativity, technical skill, and youthful energy. This number includes interns, who are considered an integral part of the learning and contribution ecosystem at ZAGE.
The show continues with a spotlight on the development teams at work, as Take Yusei steps into Team NOVA's floor and sits down for an exclusive interview with one of the most renowned figures in the industry—lead developer Hideo Kojima. The segment begins with a casual exchange as Take smiles and asks, "So Kojima-san, what's it like working under your boss, Zaboru?"
Zaboru, standing nearby and clearly amused, chuckles softly at the question, waving it off as if it were too grand. Kojima, however, answers with sincerity. "Honestly, it's an honor beyond measure. Our boss—he's incredibly creative, and not just when it comes to design. He has a hand in... well, everything. From game structure to narrative flow, even down to control schemes. His vision shapes the foundation of our projects."
Take, clearly intrigued, leans in. "So I want to ask this from your perspective as a lead developer—what's it like working at ZAGE day to day?"
Kojima grins. "It's fantastic. The clarity of our work comes from the top. Zaboru often comes in with a fully realized concept—game documents, flowcharts, system maps—already prepared. That means we skip a large chunk of the early-phase ambiguity. But that doesn't mean we don't contribute. In fact, he's incredibly receptive to feedback. We discuss, we iterate, and he listens. Our ideas don't just go into a void—they're heard, and often implemented. It creates a really empowering environment for developers like us." Kojima continued, "If he thinks an idea won't work, he doesn't just shut it down. He'll always take the time to explain his reasoning—why it might not fit, how it could break the game's theme, or where it might cause imbalance. He's not dismissive at all. It's more like a dialogue. And honestly, he's a real expert when it comes to game design. Not just in theory, but in practical execution too."
The camera cuts to B-roll of the development floor: artists sketching on tablets, engineers in tight collaboration, and walls lined with whiteboards filled with flow diagrams. The energy is clear—focused but relaxed, structured yet flexible—just like Kojima described.
Take Yusei looked genuinely surprised. "So you're telling me your boss just hands you a folder, and you go straight into development from there?"
Hideo Kojima grinned with amusement. "All the time."
Zaboru, standing nearby, waved his hand dismissively with a modest laugh. "Nah, you're overrating me. I just prepare the framework and lay the foundation. The real development—the core building and execution—that's all thanks to our dev teams. Honestly, if you broke it down, I probably do about 10% of the work, and the remaining 90% is the team's effort."
Kojima laughed and shook his head. "See? That's what I mean. He's humble to a fault. In reality, he does far more than 10%. He's involved almost every day—giving feedback, adjusting designs, fine-tuning systems. He's not just steering the ship, he's in the engine room with us. It's rare to see someone at the top who still codes, sketches, and tests alongside the team. And yeah, it makes our work easier, not harder. Because we know we're being led by someone who understands every aspect of what we do—not just in theory, but in hands-on execution."
Zaboru sighed and shook his head playfully, clearly amused by how Kojima praised the workplace so casually. Then Take Yusei continued the interview with another curious question. "So, what about the working hours here? What's the work-life balance really like?"
Hideo Kojima smiled without hesitation. "Honestly? It's really, really great. The system is super flexible. We can take leave anytime we need—there's no need for extensive validation or waiting for multiple approvals. It's all based on mutual trust and professionalism. And get this—we even have an option to convert unused paid leave into monetary compensation. So if you don't use your vacation days, you can cash them in. Pretty generous, right?"
He continued, warming up. "And that's not all. Our paid leave carries over from year to year, so nothing is lost. Plus, each year, you get one extra paid leave added to your total. It builds up over time, which is amazing for long-term planning. As for the daily work schedule? That's flexible too. I usually come in around 10:00 a.m. each day, unless there's something urgent like an early meeting. As long as I get my 9 hours in, it's fine. No one's breathing down your neck. We're trusted to manage our own time."
Zaboru chuckled in response. "Like hell you work nine hours. You're here at least 12 hours a day, Hideo. Get a life, man."
Everyone laughed—including the crew—at the familiar banter. Then Take turned to the camera, half in disbelief. "Is that all really true? Everything you just said?"
Kojima nodded confidently. "I'm not lying. It sounds too good to be true, but this is how ZAGE runs. That's why people love working here."
Take Yusei said, "Honestly, that's a lot to take in. Is it even possible to implement something like this across other Japanese companies?"
Zaboru shrugged thoughtfully. "Well, that really depends—mostly on leadership and ownership structure. The reason I can implement something like this here is because ZAGE is 100% mine. I don't have to answer to shareholders or board members who are focused solely on short-term profits or dividend returns. I absolutely hate the idea of just hoarding money. The majority of ZAGE's income doesn't end up in my personal bank account. Instead, it's channeled back into the company—into research, infrastructure, our upcoming projects, and especially into our employees. Because for me, our people aren't just staff—they're our biggest long-term investment."
He continued, "But make no mistake, just because we value and invest in our people doesn't mean we tolerate sloppiness. We have high standards, and if someone isn't working properly, there are fair but firm consequences. Accountability goes hand-in-hand with trust. Now compare that to other companies—many of them are beholden to multiple shareholders, and every financial move is about maximizing profit margins and minimizing expenses. That often means cutting employee benefits, reducing risk, and saving money just to boost the next quarterly report. So, yes—it's possible to do what we do, but only if the leadership is bold enough and the ownership structure allows for it. It's both hard and easy, depending on the company's philosophy and priorities."
Take Yusei grinned, leaning forward with interest. "So, what's your take on the whole Japanese work-life balance issue? You know—the infamous Black Company culture?"
Zaboru let out a slow sigh and nodded with a solemn expression. "Honestly, it's incredibly sad. We Japanese are globally recognized as being innovative, respectful, clean, and polite. That's the image we proudly project to the world. But what many people don't see—or what we try not to show—is the darker side of our work culture. There's this ingrained mentality in many Japanese companies where leaders follow the toxic tradition of 'milk your employees dry, never question your superior.' And unfortunately, this mindset doesn't stop at the top. It trickles down through every level of management. Subordinates end up adopting the same behaviors, repeating the same mistakes, becoming part of a cycle that's really difficult to break."
He paused, then turned directly toward the camera, his tone firmer. "You have the right to say no to unpaid overtime. You have the right to walk away if a company breaks your contract or disrespects your time and effort. I sincerely hope the government steps up and reforms these outdated norms. People shouldn't have to choose between their mental health and their paycheck."
Zaboru sighed. "This is one of the major reasons our birth rate is steadily declining. So many people are overwhelmed with work-related stress and burdened by feelings of inadequacy. Even when they do have someone they love, they're plagued by the fear that they won't be able to provide the love, care, or stability their partner truly deserves. That fear turns into hesitation, and that hesitation leads to people giving up on forming families altogether. It's heartbreaking, really."
Take Yusei looked surprised at how candid and forceful the answer was. It was rare to hear someone in Zaboru's position speak so openly about such a taboo subject. But after a moment, Take smiled and chuckled, clearly appreciating the honesty.
He then moved on, asking the next big question. "So, what does the future look like? Will ZAGE keep expanding?"
Zaboru smiled and nodded confidently. "Of course, we'll expand. That's always been the plan. There will be many more teams in the future, especially considering how many floors we still have available in ZAGE Tower. Right now, several of those floors are already prepped and ready to be filled. We designed this tower with growth in mind—it's a living structure that will grow along with our ambition."
He continued, his tone shifting to one of encouragement. "As for how to join ZAGE, well, it depends on where you're coming from. If you're not a college or high school student, you'll need to pass our entrance criteria, which includes a portfolio, a creativity test, and a passion interview—yeah, we really want to know why you want to be here. But if you are a college or high school student, there's another route: you can apply for an internship program."
Zaboru chuckled warmly. "And don't worry—the intern pay isn't that bad at all. In fact, it's quite fair. But—and this is important—the requirements are pretty tough. We don't make it easy, because we take every position seriously, even internships. We want people who are passionate, curious, and willing to grow."
He turned to the camera with a smile and a playful wink. "So do your best to study, kids! Your future might just be waiting here at ZAGE."
The show continued, wrapping up its comprehensive tour of the ZAGE Tower. Viewers got one last sweeping panoramic shot of the iconic skyscraper before a teaser played for the next episode, which would focus on ZAGE Campus in the USA. Anticipation was high, and reactions to the show across Japan were already buzzing with excitement and criticism.
To be continue
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