NOVEL NEXT Chapter 194: Chapter 176: ZAGE and 3rd Party Developer`s
Tuesday, February 11, 1992
Zaboru continued working tirelessly, ensuring that everything was progressing smoothly. He had already signed the contract with Miyagi Batteries, officially securing them as ZAGE's exclusive battery partner. With this agreement, he outlined his vision and provided Miyagi Batteries with a blueprint for advanced battery technology he wanted to implement. To further ensure their success, Zaboru even invested a significant sum into Miyagi Batteries, helping them enhance their manufacturing quality and production capacity. This investment wasn't just for the short term—Zaboru saw it as the foundation for an enduring partnership that would allow ZAGE to develop superior handheld consoles in the future.
At the same time, Zaboru was also managing ZAGE's third-party developer program. Two first third-party game developers had expressed interest in producing their own cartridges, and Zaboru needed to set clear terms for manufacturing and distribution. As part of the agreement, he planned to provide these developers with the necessary validation chips—known as "20ZEPS Chips." These chips served as an advanced security measure to prevent unauthorized or bootleg copies from running on ZEPS consoles, and so far these Chips already been implemented on all ZAGE`s game Catridges.
Unlike the flawed "10NES" chip from his previous life's Nintendo, which was notorious for being easy to bypass, the "20ZEPS Chips" were designed to be far more secure. The ZEPS console itself contained a failsafe that required proper authentication from the cartridge; if someone tampered with or removed the chip incorrectly, the console would shut down entirely. While Zaboru understood that piracy was an inevitable challenge—especially in regions like China and certain developing country markets—this security feature would significantly deter unauthorized games.
However, Zaboru was determined to avoid the mistakes Nintendo made in his past life. In that timeline, Nintendo had monopolized cartridge manufacturing, charging exorbitant fees to third-party developers. This aggressive control discouraged independent studios and even forced some developers to create bootleg copies just to distribute their games. While Nintendo claimed it was for quality control—and part of that was true—overall, it was just a greedy business practice that hindered the growth of the gaming industry. Instead of following that path, Zaboru wanted to foster a thriving, competitive gaming industry where developers felt supported rather than restricted.
To achieve this, he designed a fair yet structured contract for third-party developers:
Game Approval Process – Third-party developers must submit their completed games to ZAGE for quality control. If the game meets standards, it will be approved for release on ZEPS. If it fails the review, developers must make necessary fixes and resubmit.
No Post-Approval Modifications – Once a game is approved, no further changes can be made unless the developer submits an official request and pays an additional processing fee.
Manufacture Requirement - The Game that can be mass produced by 3rd party manufacturers are the games that have been acknowledged by ZAGE Team.
Manufacturing Options – Developers who wish to produce their own cartridges can do so, but they must include the "20ZEPS Chips" purchased from ZAGE. If a developer is caught producing games without the chip, they will be banned from the platform, and ZAGE will take legal action.
Development Kits – ZAGE will provide third-party development kits containing ZEPS testing consoles, software tools, and debugging programs. These kits will be available for purchase at a reasonable fee.
Revenue Sharing Model –Developers who manufacture and market their own games will only pay a 5% platform fee to ZAGE per unit sold as platform fee. Developers who choose to have ZAGE handle manufacturing, distribution, and marketing will be subject to a 40% revenue share, covering production costs and advertising.
Retail Price Compliance – Third-party developers must adhere to ZAGE's recommended retail price guidelines to ensure fair market value.
Contract Duration – The contract will be valid for five years, with the possibility of renewal or renegotiation.
Zaboru sat back, reviewing the final draft of the agreement. Unlike Nintendo's restrictive policies in his previous life, this contract provided developers with the freedom to create and sell their games without excessive financial burdens. His goal was simple—establish ZAGE as a welcoming platform where innovation thrived while still maintaining quality control.
Akaishidan and Nanco, the two most recent third-party developers currently working with ZAGE, had already reviewed the terms and agreed to them. Initially, they had been skeptical, expecting ZAGE to impose harsh restrictions like other gaming companies, but Zaboru had reassured them that he had no interest in exploiting developers.
Zaboru chuckled to himself. "I bet they're wondering why ZAGE isn't acting greedy," he thought. "They must think there's some hidden catch." But there wasn't. Zaboru knew he could make plenty of money without suffocating developers. He had seen what corporate greed had done to the industry in his past life—how it stifled creativity and alienated smaller studios. He was determined to take a different path.
Of course, he wasn't naive. He knew hackers and bootleggers would still try to crack the "20ZEPS Chips." Piracy was a constant battle, but as long as ZAGE remained a platform that genuinely supported developers and gamers alike, it would earn long-term success.
As he thought about the future of ZAGE, a famous quote from his past life came to mind: "On my business card, I am a company president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer." These were the words of Satoru Iwata, the former Nintendo president from his previous life, and Zaboru had always admired his leadership philosophy. Now, standing at the helm of ZAGE, Zaboru was in a similar position—but he wanted to take things even further.
Zaboru leaned back in his chair, allowing himself a moment to reflect. He wasn't just building a gaming company; he was setting the foundation for an industry revolution. He envisioned a world where developers had the freedom to create, players had access to high-quality games, and the industry flourished without unnecessary restrictions. The challenge was immense, but so was the opportunity.
"I want to create the best gaming industry possible," he whispered to himself. "Not just for profit, but for the joy of playing and creating."
With a confident grin, he finalized the contract and prepared to distribute it to future partners. The gaming industry was on the cusp of something revolutionary, and ZAGE was leading the way.
To be continued...
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