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Chapter 555 ZAGE GOTY Events Part 3 Finale
🕑 Added 2025-08-02 02:36:40 +0000 UTCAfter an electrifying performance from Michael Jackson, Zaboru returned to the stage with renewed enthusiasm. "All righty! Thank you, Michael—your performance was absolutely insane as always! Now, let's keep the energy going as we move on to the next segment: Best Game Outside ZAGE Games this year! There have been so many incredible games created beyond the ZAGE family in 1994, and I couldn't be happier to see such talent across the industry. So, without further ado, let's jump right into it! As usual, the categories are..."
Best Gameplay
Best Soundtrack
Best Co-op Game
Best Story
GOTY 1994
"Without further ado, let's kick things off with the award for Best Gameplay! Here are the nominees for this exciting category!"
RAZER (BANZ - Shoot’emup)
Titan Fist (Sonaya - Beat Emup)
Jewel Sword 2 (Triangle Soft - RPG)
6 Petals (Kogane Studio - Metroidvania)
Blue Dynamite (White Horse Studio - Platformer Adventure)
Zaboru smiled and said, "I’ve personally played all of these games, and they’re all fantastic! But the winner is… RAZER from BANZ Studio!"
The audience erupted into applause. RAZER stood out as a unique shoot 'em up game where, instead of simply restarting after a plane is destroyed, the player switches to new units, adding depth and variety to the gameplay. It offered a refreshing and immersive experience for fans of the genre, paired with a visually stunning art style that captivated many.
Then, a representative from BANZ Studio walked onto the stage—it was none other than Kurokawa Satou, the CEO of BANZ and the publisher of RAZER. He graciously thanked the audience and expressed deep appreciation for Zaboru. Kurokawa shared that Zaboru’s games had inspired him to begin his own journey into game development, prompting a humble nod of appreciation from Zaboru himself.
Zaboru then continued, his excitement undiminished, "Okay! Now, let's move on to one of the most emotionally resonant aspects of game design—music. It's time for the award for Best Soundtrack! Music has the power to immerse players in a world, stir emotions, and enhance every moment of gameplay. And this year, we've had some truly unforgettable soundscapes accompanying these incredible titles. So without further ado, the nominees for Best Soundtrack are!"
Ao Masamune (Sonaya - RPG)
Jewel Sword 2 (Triangle Soft - RPG)
Karate Bunny 2 : Mixed Martial Arts (Akaishidan - Action Platformer)
Leaf Magic Rockstar (DROP Studio - Metroidvania)
Desperate King Warrior (Yellow Glass Studio -Tactic)
Zaboru then smiled brightly. "And the winner is... Jewel Sword 2 from Triangle Soft!" The crowd erupted into applause, cheering with excitement. As the clapping continued, Zaboru maintained his smile, clearly pleased by the audience's enthusiasm. Moments later, Hironobu Sakaguchi, head of Triangle Soft game developer deigner, stepped confidently onto the stage to accept the trophy. Zaboru’s eyes widened momentarily in surprise—he hadn’t realized Sakaguchi was now working with Triangle Soft. He let out a small chuckle and nodded with approval, handing the trophy over with a firm handshake.
Hironobu took the microphone with humility and poise. He expressed deep gratitude on behalf of his team, acknowledging the incredible effort everyone had poured into making Jewel Sword 2 a memorable experience. He specifically thanked Zaboru and the ZAGE organization, giving heartfelt credit for their pivotal role in reviving the video game industry back in 1991. The audience applauded again, touched by the sincerity of his words and the acknowledgment of ZAGE’s influence on the gaming world.
Zaboru smiled and continued, "Up next, we have the award for Best Co-Op Game—a category that celebrates games designed to be enjoyed with friends and companions! These are the titles that truly shine when experienced together. And the nominees are!"
Shidan Battle (Akaishidan - Fighting)
RAZER (BANZ - Shoot Em up)
Peak Racer ( Racing - KK Studio)
Sky Skate Racer (Freestyle studio)
DiviDum (Wallace Studio. Action Platform , Beat Em UP)
Zaboru then announced, "And the winner is DiviDum!" The audience erupted in applause as Duffy Daves Wallace made his way onto the stage. Duffy, the CEO and lead developer of Wallace Studio, proudly accepted the award on behalf of his team. Wallace Studio created DiviDum, an action-platformer game best experienced with two players. Even when played solo, the game maintains its co-op essence, with the second character controlled by a capable AI companion.
The gameplay in DiviDum stands out for its clever character dynamics. Divi is a powerful warrior—excellent in close combat and capable of smashing through obstacles—but he lacks the ability to use ranged attacks or magic. In contrast, Dum is a skilled mage who excels at ranged combat and uses magical abilities to solve intricate puzzles. The game demands seamless cooperation between the two characters, blending strength and strategy into a truly engaging and enjoyable co-op experience.
The unique blend of gameplay elements and the requirement for close coordination between players made DiviDum a standout title, earning it well-deserved recognition at the event.
Zaboru then continued with enthusiasm, "Next up, it's time to honor the games that moved our hearts and captivated our imaginations—it's time for the Best Story category! And the nominees are!"
Jewel Sword 2 (Triangle Soft - RPG)
Ao Masamune (Sonaya - RPG)
Story of Rachel (Liliana Friends - Point and Click Adventure)
Black Spear (Balladamn Studio - Action Platoform)
Crusher Wizard (Kinotaro Studio - Action Platform)
Zaboru smiled warmly and announced, “And the winner is... Story of Rachel!” The audience burst into applause.
Story of Rachel, or SOR, is a point-and-click PC game that captivated players with its deeply immersive narrative. The game follows the journey of Rachel as she uncovers disturbing secrets involving a cult and other bizarre occurrences, delivering emotional depth and suspense. With unexpected twists that leave players stunned, the story's rich writing and psychological intrigue elevated it to critical acclaim.
A few moments later, a young blonde woman made her way to the stage. She was none other than Liliana, the creator of Story of Rachel. Visibly moved, Liliana struggled to hold back tears. She had developed the game alongside just seven of her close friends. The recognition by ZAGE GOTY was overwhelming for her, a moment of validation for countless hours of effort and creativity.
"Th-thank you so much for this incredible honor, Mr. Zaboru... I—we truly didn’t expect to win anything tonight. This means the world to us. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Zaboru then said, "This game truly deserves it—congratulations!" Smiling warmly and clearly impressed, he stepped forward to offer his heartfelt congratulations. The applause from the audience swelled once again, moved by the sincerity of Liliana's achievement and the profound emotional impact her work had left on everyone in the room.
Zaboru smiled and said, "All right, and now we’ve reached the grand finale... the moment everyone has been waiting for—Game of the Year 1994! And the nominees are!"
Ao Masamune
Jewel Sword 2
RAZER
Story of Rachel
6 Petals
Zaboru smiled and declared, "The winner is… Jewel Sword 2!" The audience erupted in applause. It was a well-deserved victory—Jewel Sword 2 had captivated players with its compelling story, breathtaking soundtrack, and highly engaging gameplay. The game had resonated deeply with fans and critics alike.
Moments later, Hironobu Sakaguchi returned to the stage, this time with a warm smile and evident emotion in his voice. He took the microphone and thanked everyone sincerely for their support. "We poured our hearts into this project," he said, "and your response means everything to us. We promise to keep striving and deliver another unforgettable experience next year."
The room once again filled with enthusiastic applause, honoring not only the achievement of Jewel Sword 2 but also the dedication of the creators behind it.
And then, after the final award had been presented, Zaboru stepped forward once more to bring the GOTY 1994 ceremony to a heartfelt close. "Okay everyone, we're ending this incredible night with something very special—a brand-new song from Z&Z, dedicated to this unforgettable event. This one's called 'The Reason'!" he announced with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
Zaboru took center stage as Z&Z joined him with their instruments, ready to perform. As the spotlight settled on them, the crowd grew quiet with anticipation. Then, with emotion in his voice, Zaboru began to sing while the music gently built behind him.
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
The audience was absolutely delighted and deeply moved by the heartfelt performance. The emotional lyrics and Zaboru's sincere delivery created a powerful moment that left a lasting impression on everyone present. As the final notes of the song echoed through the hall, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, many standing in ovation to show their appreciation. The electrifying energy and warmth in the room were palpable. With smiles and a few teary eyes among the crowd, the GOTY 1994 ceremony came to an official and unforgettable close, marking the end of a night that would be cherished in gaming history.
To be continue
