Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Let's Do This, Cinematic Trailer (1)
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> 14. Let's Do This, Cinematic Trailer (1)
> 2022.06.14.
>
>
> “What? You did all this in a single day?”
>
> “Yes, I pulled a little overtime yesterday.”
>
> The next day at 2 PM, a meeting was held in the Bonbujang’s office to discuss the work plan for Project Phoenix.
>
> The Bonbujang seemed quite surprised by the progress and quality of the document, and I responded with a modest quip.
>
> “Well, I'll be damned. You've turned the shit Oh Gwangseok left behind into pure gold, haven't you? To think of using the phoenix concept like this. It’s no wonder your games succeed.”
>
> “Thank you for the kind words.”
>
> “Don't get me wrong. I’m not being kind, I’m just calling it as I see it. How many people in this industry could take the phoenix idea that bastard Oh Gwangseok threw in without a thought and attach such a profound theme to it? I thought at best you’d just chop off the shitty parts and make it presentable.”
>
> “Well, I don't know…”
>
> “Don’t give me that ‘I don’t know’ crap. Gwajang Jo, be honest. Even you have to admit your work is ridiculously good for something written in a single day, don't you?”
>
> “I suppose that’s true.”
>
> “See?”
>
> Both Bonbujang Shin Chihwan and I smirked at almost the same time.
>
> ‘Rethinking the concept of the phoenix paid off.’
>
> The phoenix, an immortal divine beast that rises from death.
>
> I strove to make it not just a simple game element, but the central theme that permeates the entire work.
>
> To that end, I restructured the narrative to be a story of half-bloods, born between phoenixes and humans.
>
> ‘Immortality doesn’t have to be interpreted in a purely physical sense.’
>
> The truly immortal phoenixes, and the descendants of divine beasts who inherited phoenix blood but not their immortality.
>
> They are discriminated against for being descendants of the phoenix, yet they lack its immortal power.
>
> However, in their struggle to protect the phoenix egg, they discover a spiritual succession and ‘immortality’ through the phoenix's ideals, and I structured the story so they use that power to start their own revolution.
>
> Of course, I plan to weave in religious motifs, realistic conflicts, and differences in values throughout this process.
>
> ‘This is the gem I found in the pile of crap Oh Gwangseok left behind. This is the theme.’
>
> I was confident this story could evoke a certain emotion in the players.
>
> A game scenario is about speaking to someone, and that’s a job I have confidence in.
>
> “If you give me feedback right away, I’ll reflect those changes and start working immediately. As for the parts that require additional resource creation, they aren’t absolutely necessary, so please keep that in mind.”
>
> My document also included a plan on how to express this scenario and world-building within the game.
>
> Webtoons, in-game motion graphics, and so on…
>
> Each method has its pros and cons, but they all require additional costs and time, so I couldn't just propose them recklessly.
>
> To be honest, I was just dangling it as bait to see if he’d bite.
>
> “Oh, this might be worth a shot.”
>
> But the Bonbujang’s thoughts were a little different.
>
> It was hard to say for sure, but his intuition, honed from launching countless games, was telling him something.
>
> This scenario could definitely resonate with the users.
>
> “Gwajang Jo, this is just my thought, but… the cinematic trailer, we just finished the planning phase and are about to start production. What do you think about getting involved and revising the plan? I think what you’ve brought to the table might fit well with the game system, too.”
>
> “I don’t know. The cinematic team would raise hell if we did that.”
>
> Even for a three-minute video, three months is a tight schedule considering the size of our company's cinematic team.
>
> Besides, the planning phase must have taken at least a month or two, going through various approval lines.
>
> To scrap all that because of a world and scenario I scribbled together in a day?
>
> I’d be lucky if the cinematic team didn't send an assassin or a hitman after me.
>
> “Well, that’s a matter of how you persuade them. The current cinematic plan was developed when the world and scenario were too generic, so it’s a bit… bland.”
>
> “But isn’t time a bit too tight to be messing with that?”
>
> “Well, that’s true too. You’re the one doing the work, so I’ll leave the decision to you. As I always say, all I care about is a good result.”
>
> Shin Chihwan, who at first sounded like he was ordering me to do it, deftly sidestepped the issue like a sly snake.
>
> He passed the ball to my court, as it could become a tricky problem.
>
> For a moment, I wished I could know exactly what Bonbujang Shin Chihwan was thinking.
>
> And then, a thought occurred to me.
>
> ‘Ah… I wonder if I can check Bonbujang Shin Chihwan with the Understanding system?’
>
> The moment I had that thought…
>
> <<Displaying Bonbujang Shin Chihwan's status window!>>
>
> As if answering my question, God Game Maker displayed Shin Chihwan's status window before my eyes.
>
> [Bonbujang Shin Chihwan]
>
> - A legendary figure at NB Soft who started as a rank-and-file employee and rose to the position of Bonbujang.
>
> - A cheerful and magnanimous personality. Actively supports those he considers his own.
>
> - Has very high expectations for you (Gwajang Jo Hyunsoo).
>
> - Is secretly hoping you will take charge of the cinematic and overhaul everything. He intends to use this opportunity to see what kind of bold decisions you are capable of making as a PD.
>
> ※ The higher your Understanding, the more you can learn about Bonbujang Shin Chihwan.
>
> - Understanding: D+
>
> - 'Planning' Stat: A- (※ A planner specializing in story, directing, and concepts.)
>
> Story - 18 / Directing - 22 / Concept - 21 / System - 45 / Balance - 34 / Level Design - 34
>
> ‘So this is also part of his test to see if I have what it takes to be a PD…’
>
> The last line, ‘He intends to use this opportunity to see what kind of bold decisions you are capable of making,’ was written there.
>
> That one line gave me even more certainty about the choice I had to make.
>
> “Then I’ll persuade the cinematic team and go with overhauling everything. I’ll prepare things in a way that the other side can accept as much as possible.”
>
> “Okay, good. Let’s do that. Seeing how you directed Forgotten Andersen's Story, you’re probably decent with storyboards and drawing, right?”
>
> Having been an indie developer for a long time, while I wasn't a great artist, my drawings were presentable, and I knew how to create a storyboard.
>
> Directing was my strong suit, anyway. As long as I didn't unnecessarily inflate the scale of the cinematic trailer, I felt it was doable.
>
> “Yes. I’ll prepare all of that. In exchange…”
>
> Shin Chihwan snapped his fingers and grinned, and I added one more thing.
>
> “You’ll have to provide as much support as possible in handling the intermediate arrangements, Bonbujang-nim. It won’t be easy for a mere Gwajang to convince them to scrap the entire cinematic.”
>
> “Alright. I'll handle all the approval lines required during the planning stage, and I’ll do my best to persuade the cinematic team leader.”
>
> Bonbujang Shin Chihwan replied with a wide grin.
>
> It seemed he was pleased with my answer and decision.
>
> ‘It's not a bad opportunity if I think of it as a chance to experience the process and build a rapport with the cinematic team.’
>
> Since I had no experience in cinematic production, I saw it as a chance to try it out on someone else's dime.
>
> Besides, when I eventually become a PD, my own project will need a cinematic trailer. Thinking of it as a chance to build connections with the cinematic team in advance, it was definitely a good opportunity.
>
> But the problem was time.
>
> “And one more thing, I’ll need more time. Even if you cover the unnecessary procedures, the volume of the main scenario is substantial, and applying it to the in-game tool will make the schedule very tight.”
>
> In game development, simply writing the text doesn't magically make it work. To implement it into the game, one must use the internal dialogue-directing tool, which is quite time-consuming. Considering that, taking on the cinematic planning as well could make for an unreasonable schedule.
>
> “Why are you doing the tool work? Isn’t there a planner on the team who can help? If not, I can get you a part-timer in a pinch.”
>
> “No, if a part-timer takes it on, it will take more time to teach them.”
>
> The Bonbujang said it simply, but handling the dialogue-directing tool requires a certain sense and takes time to teach.
>
> In the current situation, hiring an inexperienced employee or a part-timer could backfire and waste more time.
>
> The schedule was already a tightrope walk, so I couldn't afford to take such a small risk.
>
> ‘Hmm, it might be a good idea to bring that person in.’
>
> I considered a few options in my head before continuing.
>
> “If I make a request, could you forcibly assign someone as my subordinate?”
>
> “Oh… The way you say that, it seems you have someone in mind.”
>
> “Yes, well. I do, but I’ll have to hear their opinion first.”
>
> “Well, let me know when you’ve sorted it out. I’ll have them sitting next to you right away, by any means necessary.”
>
> I slowly stood up from my seat and closed the notebook I had been writing in.
>
> “Then I’ll prepare the materials to persuade the cinematic team before the meeting.”
>
> “Okay, I know time is tight, but I’m counting on you. I’ll do my best to smooth things over at the meeting later. Every second counts, so let's save as much time as we can.”
>
> “Yes.”
>
> I left the Bonbujang’s office right after.
>
> Seeing the Bonbujang's confident face gave me a sense of reassurance.
>
> Vigor, perhaps? In most failing projects, the staff are demoralized, thinking only of getting the game released.
>
> Such projects usually crash and burn right after launch due to poor metrics, leading to mass resignations or layoffs.
>
> But right now, the Bonbujang seems filled with the will to make this project a success, no matter what.
>
> And I, too, intended to make this project succeed to create an environment where I could make my own game.
>
> Besides…
>
> <>
>
> [Main Quest / Take on the Cinematic!]
>
> - To become a PD, you need diverse capabilities and connections.
>
> Successfully complete the Project Phoenix cinematic trailer, earn the trust of the cinematic team leader, and elevate your own abilities to the next level.
>
> (1) Clear Conditions:
>
> - Mission 1: Persuade the cinematic team leader through a pitch (0/1)
>
> - Mission 2: Create the storyboard for the Phoenix cinematic trailer (0/1)
>
> (2) Success Rewards:
>
> - Experience points awarded based on the quality of the result.
>
> - Clear both missions with a grade of A- or higher to receive 5 bonus points.
>
> Right on cue, God Game Maker threw a new mission at me.
>
> A chance to gain experience based on how well I create the cinematic, and even bonus points on top of that.
>
> Five points were equivalent to one level, so I wanted to clear both missions with at least an A- grade.
>
> My heart began to pound again.
>
> ‘Project Phoenix might turn out even better than I expected.’