Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: An Extreme Strategic Plan (2)
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In this world, there is no such thing as a 100% absolutely perfect plan.
This is because every person has different subjective views and values.
For that reason, once a proposal reaches a certain level of quality, it must be focused on the ‘client’ who will be viewing the document and presentation.
And… the strategic plan I had to present was ultimately a document for the ‘Sajang,’ the one at the very top of this company.
‘Bonbujang Shin Chihwan sees right through that.’
The Sajang is very interested in Western art history, and digging into that area might yield good results…
Honestly, I had to give Bonbujang Shin Chihwan his due.
Frankly, a hobby like that is such a minor detail that most people would simply overlook it.
However, the Bonbujang had found the most optimal point of attack in the current situation.
The foundation of any plan is to understand the audience who will see it.
In that sense, if I revised the document according to his advice, the probability of a good outcome would be much higher.
Indeed… Shin Chihwan was someone who had the ability to climb all the way from a regular employee to his current position.
“Then I’ll fix that part as you suggested, Bonbujang-nim.”
“Right, right. And I’ll pass you some data on our company’s games, so massage the numbers well and add a message that ‘pretends’ this isn't just valuable but also commercially significant.”
“Pretends? What do you mean by that?”
“Hey, don’t play coy with me. You know what I mean, right? Things like OSMU, secondary content, and all that. The higher-ups have a need for that kind of stuff, but it never works out for them!”
“Ah…”
The game market has recently peaked and is now entering a gentle decline.
OSMU, or media franchising, is one method game companies are considering to break through this phase.
Things like creating games based on original works, webtoons, or web novels, selling character merchandise, and re-evaluating brand value.
Of course…
‘The problem is that no company has really pulled it off properly.’
Thinking you should do something and actually doing it well are two completely different stories.
Most companies have operated for decades under the notion that ‘if you just make a good game, you’ll succeed,’ so while they pay lip service to branding, the actual input is minimal.
Take ‘Greenhouse Friends,’ which recently became a national character brand; their dedicated brand management team has nearly 100 employees.
There’s no way you can succeed at branding by assigning just two or three people from the PR or marketing department.
Among game companies, DC Soft is at least investing by creating webtoon or character specialty companies, but others can’t even dream of it.
Although this is the reality of the gaming scene…
‘One proper game can flip the entire board. Both in terms of brand value and IP acquisition.’
Bonbujang Shin Chihwan’s point was easy to understand.
He was telling me to emphasize the game’s economic benefits not just in terms of sales, but also in how it could secure IP and increase brand value.
He had a keen insight into the desires of the company’s executives.
All I had to do now was take that and run with it.
“I understand completely.”
“Good. That’s all for feedback. Let’s look at it one more time before the presentation. Let’s put our heads together to get this thing passed, you hear?”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you for what? I’m doing this for my own good. When you hit it big, PD Jo, my position gets stronger too. Got it? You’re on my line now.”
“Oh… was I?”
“Hey, a guy who visits the Bonbujang’s office almost every day—if you’re not on my line, who is?”
He had a point there.
To others, I would definitely look like someone who had aligned with Bonbujang Shin Chihwan.
Well… there was nothing wrong with that.
“Ah, and if you’re comfortable, I’ll forgive you for calling me ‘hyung’ in private.”
“I’ll pass on that. I believe it’s better to maintain some distance in a professional relationship.”
“Ah, you’re making me a little sad here.”
As Shin Chihwan grinned playfully, I shrugged and replied.
“Then I’ll get back to work.”
“Yeah, work until you get hemorrhoids, Hassan. Let your boss reap some benefits too.”
“What a thing to wish on someone…”
I gave a slight nod and left the Bonbujang’s office.
Now that I had a clear hint, it was time… to add the final plus-alpha to the strategic plan.
****
A few more days passed.
“Ah… this isn’t coming out right.”
I had revised the document as directed by Bonbujang Shin Chihwan, but I still felt like something was missing, that one final touch.
I chugged iced Americanos, ate candy, went for walks, and looked through all the exhibitions the company had sponsored, but nothing clicked.
That one knockout punch that would make the executives think, *This is it!*
I desperately wanted to find that ultimate finishing move that would make them feel, *The company must do this project!*
[Strategic Plan]
- A highly polished strategic plan in terms of structure, narrative, and logical flow. However, it still feels like it’s lacking a certain punch.
If you add a plus-alpha with your brilliant idea, you might be able to elevate it to the next level…
Grade: A
Indeed, even the God Game Maker ability was telling me that this document had room for improvement.
Since my PD position was riding on this strategic plan and its presentation, I had no intention of settling for ‘good enough.’
And so… as I was wrestling with the document…
“PD-nim, is something not working out?”
“Huh? What is it?”
Turning my head toward the voice from behind, I saw Daeri Heo Yuri peeking her head over the partition.
She seemed a bit sheepish, scratching her cheek with a finger as she continued her question.
“Ah… no, it’s just that I kept hearing you groaning.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Since there aren’t many people in the office, I wasn’t being very mindful.”
“No, no, that’s fine. I was just wondering if there was anything I could help with.”
Something to help with… help with… hmm, when I’m stuck on a plan like this, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hear someone else’s opinion.
“Hmm… do you have a moment? I’d like to show you the document I’m working on and get your thoughts.”
“Of course, I’m totally free!”
“Okay, then let’s meet in the conference room for a bit.”
I immediately booked a conference room, and we moved there with my laptop.
Then, simulating the actual situation, I gave Daeri Heo Yuri a brief explanation and began the presentation of the strategic plan.
“What dream do you wish to carry with you into your twilight years?”
The presentation began with a serious voice, tinged with a slight tension.
The timing of flipping through the PPT, the tone of my voice, my eye contact—I proceeded with the presentation as if it were the real thing, considering every detail.
“This concludes my presentation. This has been PD Jo Hyunsoo.”
“Woooow!”
After the roughly 15-minute presentation ended, Daeri Heo Yuri clapped like a seal, a bright expression on her face as she gave her feedback.
“The presentation is really good! The content is clean, the flow is great, and there’s a nice little twist. I never thought my art would be used like this. But… what’s the problem?”
“Hmm… I still feel like it’s missing that one final punch.”
I wasn’t exactly looking for praise, so I scratched my head and spoke in a troubled tone.
At that, Daeri Yuri crossed her arms, tilted her head, and replied.
“A final punch… you say?”
“Let’s say you have 10 billion won in your pocket right now, Daeri-nim. After seeing this presentation, did you honestly think, ‘Wow! I have to go all-in and make this game!’?”
“Umm, I don’t think it was quite to that extent. More like, ‘Wow, that’s nice. Maybe I’ll invest a bit?’”
I nodded at her answer and continued.
“That’s why I said it’s missing a final punch.”
“Ah… so the bar is set extremely high.”
“Yes. After all, if this doesn’t get approved, the project can’t even begin.”
“So both our necks are on the line with this presentation.”
“You could… say that, yes?”
My honest reply made Daeri Yuri’s expression turn quite serious.
“A final punch… a final punch…”
We both let out groans, trying to squeeze out an idea.
Just then, Daeri Yuri suddenly slammed her hand on the desk and shot up from her seat.
“Oh! I’ve got it. The final punch!”
“What?”
“Th-th-that… do you know the animation called *Loving Vincent*?”
“Ah… yes… I think I’ve heard of it.”
Daeri Yuri grabbed the laptop and immediately pulled up the trailer for the animation she mentioned.
Released in 2017, it was the world’s first fully oil-painted animated feature film.
It was a unique work that told the story of Vincent van Gogh in his own artistic style.
Watching the oil paintings come to life, I felt something tickle in my mind.
“What if, during the pitch, the oil painting I provided starts moving like an animation? Wouldn’t that make them go ‘Wow!’ one more time, and help them feel what it would be like if this game were actually realized?”
It was a pretty good idea.
The appearance of Daeri Yuri’s oil-painting-style art was already a twist in itself, but what if we twisted it once more and made the background art come alive?
The people watching the pitch would surely feel caught off guard.
However, this method had many problems.
“That’s a good idea, but… how do we make it? There are only four days left, not counting the weekend…”
“I’ll, I’ll make it! Wouldn’t that work?”
“You’re going to make this… by yourself?”
“Yes, you know I can handle animation, right? My hands have been itching because I haven’t been able to work. I might as well pull an all-nighter through the weekend and get it done!”
Her enthusiasm was great, but even with a rough calculation, some things are just not possible.
If she tried to do that alone, she would obviously have to pull all-nighters through the weekend.
The project hadn’t even started yet, and I didn’t want to drain a team member’s energy like that.
But… to not do it felt like passing up the perfect option.
“Hmm… Daeri-nim. If you don’t do it as full animation, but just handle the key animation, how long do you think it would take?”
“Uh… if it’s just that, I think I could finish it in about 20 to 25 hours, to be safe.”
“So that means you could do it without coming in over the weekend?”
“I… guess so?”
“Then let’s do this. If you handle the key animation, Daeri-nim, I’ll somehow fill in the frames in between.”
“What? How are you going to do that, PD-nim?”
Daeri Yuri’s eyes widened as if she hadn’t expected this situation at all.
A PD handling animation… even I had to admit it was unheard of.
But…
“I can do it. I used to be an indie developer, remember?”
“But…”
“Besides, a secret reinforcement just popped into my head.”
“A reinforcement…?”
I picked up my smartphone and sent a message to my secret reinforcement.