Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991-Chapter 318 - 283 Card game plan and Future Handheld games

Friday, May 23, 1992

Zaboru sat at his desk surrounded by scattered documents, development sheets, and a whiteboard filled with timelines and project names. The May release lineup of six games was finalized and ready to drop the next day, and the June slate was already in motion. But even with that excitement building, his mind was focused elsewhere.

He was thinking about handheld progress.

Development on his new color handheld device was progressing steadily. Miyagi Batteries who had been contracted to create a custom battery solution that could handle long play sessions without constant recharging and this battery progress are steady as ever. His R&D team had strict orders and direction, but Zaboru intentionally kept the full scope under wraps. The fewer people who knew the details, the lower the risk of leaks. ZAGE's handheld was going to be a game-changer, and he wasn't about to let the surprise slip.

"If this all goes according to plan," he muttered to himself while spinning a mechanical pencil between his fingers, "we'll be ready to launch by September — perfect timing for ZAGE's anniversary." But even if it took longer, Zaboru wasn't one to rush. "Quality comes first. Always."

This new handheld would have a full-color screen, something way ahead of this year's technology, and he wanted it to launch with at least three heavy hitters titles that would shake the industry. The crown jewel among them? Pokémon.

Of course, he'd make Pokémon. How could he not? But there was still the question of whether to release it in two versions like the ones he remembered from his previous life: Red and Green. To him, that had always been a clever but transparent marketing ploy. It worked, sure, but it also felt a bit manipulative.

"Maybe I'll do it differently," he mused. "Or... maybe not. That formula made history."

He was also thinking about how to handle trade-based evolution. In his version, trading wouldn't be a requirement for evolution. Some Pokémon would grow stronger if traded — a boost in stats, perhaps — but leveling up would remain the core evolution method. It would still encourage social interaction, but not block progress behind it.

As he jotted notes into his planner, a thought sparked a grin on his face.

"I wonder what Satoshi's doing these days?"

He was thinking of his high school friend Satoshi, a quirky, passionate animal lover who had a weird obsession with the phrase, "Catch them all!" Long before Pokémon even existed, Satoshi would talk about collecting and bonding with creatures like it was his life mission. And now, looking back, Zaboru found it hilariously uncanny. That guy had the same name as the anime protagonist, the Japanese equivalent of Ash Ketchum.

"Coincidence? Or fate?" he laughed.

Zaboru turned his attention to the next handheld project: Yu-Gi-Oh. He didn't just want a digital card battle game, he wanted to launch a physical card game alongside it. Something collectible. Something strategic. And thanks to his recent acquisition of Ninzendo, he now had the manufacturing power to print and distribute physical cards.

"This is going to be huge," he said with quiet confidence. "A whole generation of kids growing up with ZAGE cards in their backpacks."

But that wasn't all. He had something else cooking — a digital pet game. Something like Tamagotchi. Or maybe... Digimon. He scribbled both names on a notepad, circling them. The idea was to create a monster care system where players could raise, feed, and train creatures then maybe even connect their handhelds for battles.

"Each one needs its own space," he decided. "Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Digimon... different releases. Let the audience focus on one world at a time."

He leaned back, smiling at the thought of a generation jumping between creature battles, card duels, and digital pet care. His vision wasn't just games — it was ecosystems.

Suddenly, he remembered another detail. His father.

"Oh yeah... Father joins ZAGE in June."

His smile widened.

His father Zanichi Renkonan, a brilliant engineer and former mentor to both Sayuri and Shinsuke, had finally agreed to join the company. When Zaboru had told Sayuri and Shinsuke about it, they were overjoyed. They'd always respected his dad and knew how much he could bring to the team.

Zaboru had already decided — his father would become ZAGE's CTO. It was the right move. The man was a genius with hardware and systems. With his father onboard, ZAGE's technological foundation would only get stronger.

"I hope everything goes well," he thought aloud.

A knock came at the door. He glanced over as it opened. There stood Ayumi, his girlfriend, holding two drinks and a small bag of snacks.

"You're working late again," she said, stepping in.

He gave a sheepish grin. "Big plans."

Ayumi rolled her eyes playfully but sat beside him. "Alright, genius. You've got ten minutes. Then we're gonna cuddle and you're taking a break."

Zaboru leaned back, relaxed at last. The stress of the day lifted a bit.

A world of handheld adventures, cards, creatures, and surprises swirled in his head. Everything was lining up. Slowly, methodically, and with purpose.

September couldn't come fast enough.

To be continued...

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