Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Courage in a Bottle
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A few days later, at the office.
I began to formally delegate tasks, officially getting the team up and running.
‘From now on, those two will handle the graphics…’
For now, I’d paired Daeri Heo and Daeri Jeong on graphics implementation.
It was obvious my constant interference would only get in their way, so I decided to set a schedule and observe them for a while.
“For now, you two should coordinate and push forward with the work. Just keep giving me progress reports along the way.”
“Yes, PD-nim!”
I had requested that they work together and provide daily progress reports from now on.
Their skills were undeniable. As long as I set the right direction, I didn't foresee any major issues.
‘The problem is on my end…’
I was staring intently at my monitor, my face scrunched up in a deep frown.
‘I need to figure out what systems to put into the prototype build…’
My task was to design the core fun system for the prototype.
In other words, I needed to plan how to structure the key interactions, like combat.
‘Using the same turn-based system from *Forgotten Andersen’s Story* would be stale…’
For *Forgotten Andersen’s Story*, which I developed alone, I had used a classic turn-based combat system.
I’d added a twist where using skills would trigger visual effects, displaying images or phrases related to the fairy tales.
It was generic and stable, but I didn't want to reuse it.
‘Dreams… parents… It would be great if the core system could make players feel these themes naturally…’
A design where the core system itself is intertwined with the game's main theme.
It was an idealistic and difficult task, but it was exactly what I wanted.
‘I should look for some references.’
To find inspiration, I opened the game platform ‘Stem’ and browsed through recently released titles.
Hundreds, even thousands, of brilliant games are released every day.
I hoped I could find some inspiration by seeing how other developers interpreted their game concepts and themes.
But…
Even as 9 PM approached, I still hadn't found an answer.
“PD-nim, are you working late tonight?”
“Ah, yes. I still have some things to think about.”
Just then, I turned my head to see Daeri Jeong standing there, looking at me.
“We’re about to head out, but would it be alright to give you a report on today’s work?”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
“Daeri Heo and I came up with a few ideas for the artwork. We also looked into some assets and plugins we could use. I’m thinking about… this method, and using it like this to create an illusion while the character is acting.”
They had already found several ideas to implement the artwork I wanted.
He explained it to me from a simple document he’d prepared, and since he was quite articulate, I could easily visualize how it would work.
‘He’s a programmer, but his understanding of art is remarkably high.’
He utilized many programming tricks for visual sleight of hand, most of which would be difficult to implement without an artistic sense.
I was amazed by his ability to present such ideas after just one day, and we exchanged opinions.
Before I knew it, a good thirty minutes had passed.
“Alright, let’s narrow down the ideas to these for now. Numbers one, four, and five seem to fit our project’s direction the best.”
“Understood. This week, I’ll create proposals for one, four, and five, run simulations, and prepare them so we can see how they feel when actually implemented.”
“Yes, thank you. Let’s discuss it again with Daeri Heo once you have something tangible. You can head home now. I feel bad for making you work so hard right from the start.”
“Not at all. I’m doing it because I enjoy it. Well then, I’ll be heading out.”
Daeri Jeong left the office with a smile.
I remained alone in the empty office, tearing at my hair.
‘This is driving me crazy…’
I’d been thinking about this for a while, but it was frustrating that no answer came to me.
Dreams… parents… Van Gogh’s paintings… and a system that could connect them all.
Finding and properly implementing this was the most crucial part of the prototype.
I tried to get help from God Game Maker, but since I couldn't even come up with a foundational concept, even that wasn't easy.
‘Should I… just set a general direction and start implementing?’
At game companies, it’s not uncommon to proceed with a project even when the plan is half-baked.
Since you can’t know the feel and fun of the final product from the plan alone, you make revisions after seeing the finished work.
However… many PDs use this as an excuse to slap together a rough plan, force the work to proceed, and trap their team in a swamp of endless revisions.
‘No… that would just exhaust everyone. How would that make me any different from Oh Gwangseok?’
Making people work without a clear direction, running them around in circles.
I could roughly guess what went through the minds of incompetent PDs who did such things.
Lacking confidence in their own planning abilities, they would grind down their subordinates, hoping something would stick.
I wanted to avoid that at all costs.
I had more than enough experience being worn down by meaningless revisions due to the thoughtless direction and planning of superiors—especially Oh Gwangseok.
‘Even if we revise it later, I need a plan that doesn’t stray too far from the initial direction I set.’
I persistently mined the depths of my thoughts, jotting down every keyword that came to mind in my notebook.
I didn't know if I would find diamonds, gold, or nothing at all at the end of this tunnel.
But I didn't stop, because if I didn't dig, I would find nothing.
*Bzzzzzt—*
Just then, my smartphone, sitting on the desk, vibrated.
[Daeri Son: Gwajang-nim Jo.]
[Daeri Son: Oh, I mean, PD-nim Jo, have you left work yet?]
It was a message from Daeri Son.
[Me: No, why?]
[Daeri Son: If you’re not busy, would you be up for a drink?]
Hmm… that doesn’t sound too bad.
My mind was stuck anyway.
[Me: Sure. Is something wrong?]
[Daeri Son: Nothing major, I just wanted to talk with you, PD-nim. It’s been a while.]
[Me: Okay, meet me at the main entrance now.]
I threw on my coat and headed straight for the company’s main entrance.
A short while later, Daeri Son came down.
“If you don’t mind, shall we go to a pocha?”
“Let’s.”
We headed to a street bar we used to frequent when working late, back when Daeri Son was my junior.
It was a bit pricey, but the food was consistently delicious, and the interior was quite nice.
We ordered a mix of soup and fried dishes and filled our glasses from a tokkuri of domestic sake we’d ordered.
“So, what made you ask for a drink?”
“Haa… After you left, PD-nim, life on the team has gotten pretty tough.”
“Why? Is Pateujang Go giving you a hard time?”
“Yeah… It seems she had an inferiority complex towards you, and I think she’s grilling me even harder because she thinks I’m disrespecting her. I’ve lost count of how many times she’s rejected my script for Season 2.”
It was obvious. She was taking her frustrations with me out on Daeri Son.
The tactic of finding ridiculous faults to make someone rewrite the same document over and over.
It was the simplest and most effective way to wear someone down.
Moreover…
‘Since I was the one who laid out the plot for Season 2, she must be itching to scrap it completely.’
When a new department head comes in, they completely overturn the existing work.
It’s a common sight at game companies… no, in any Korean workplace.
You might wonder why grown adults act so childishly, but angry people tend to become childish.
“I asked PD Oh to cover for you. I guess it didn’t work out.”
“Well, I think he’s trying, but what can you do when someone is determined to make your life miserable?”
“If she makes the wrong call, that project could go under.”
In my experience, Pateujang Go’s sense for concepts and scenarios was even worse than PD Oh’s.
Daeri and Chajang. There was a two-rank difference between them.
But in my view, the gap in their scenario writing skills was so vast it would make more sense to switch their titles.
And that person was approving Daeri Son’s work?
This was no different from taking the Phoenix project, which I had put on life support, and shoving it into a gutter.
Well… if that’s the case, I feel a little bad for Daeri Son. I guess I’ll have to pull a few strings.
“Well… after getting chewed out today, I was rewriting it out of spite when I suddenly thought of you, PD-nim. I just felt so frustrated I called you to vent.”
“You called at the right time. I was feeling frustrated today too and wanted a drink.”
“Why, PD-nim? Isn’t everything going well for you these days? The rumor that you hit a grand slam at the strategic planning meeting spread all over the company.”
“How do rumors spread so fast in this company?”
“You know I have my network of contacts from my hiring class.”
“Look at you! Mr. Connected. Can I use that network sometime?”
“I’ll offer you a great deal for the price of a meal!”
As he let it all out, Daeri Son’s expression brightened, as if a weight had been lifted.
“Anyway, what’s bothering you, PD-nim?”
“Me…?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind telling me, please go ahead.”
Feeling a slight buzz from the alcohol, I decided to open up a little.
“Well, the people are great, the strategic plan was well-received, and everything’s moving along smoothly, but there’s one thing holding me back.”
I told him about the direction of my current project and how difficult it was to find a system that fit it…
Since Daeri Son was on a different team now, it wasn’t that hard to speak my mind.
“A system related to a story about dreams and parents… Can’t you use the turn-based system from *Forgotten Andersen’s Story* again? That one was pretty good.”
“I considered it, but you know how it is. You just don’t want to use the same thing right away.”
“That’s true craftsmanship. The spirit of an artisan, it’s really amazing. I would’ve just used whatever was convenient.”
“I doubt it. If this were your own project, Daeri Son, you’d be just like me.”
“You think so?”
I kept talking, refilling my glass, and drinking.
It had been a while since I’d had a drink like this, and it really helped me unwind.
My focus started to blur slightly, and the world looked beautiful.
“I have a dweam… a dweam too, PD-nim! My dweam is to be like you, PD-nim! So cool! Like, makin’ your own games! Not carin’ what your bosses think!”
“I don’t know about that. As long as you’re at a company, you’ll have to care what your superiors think.”
Daeri Son must have been very drunk, as he started rambling on about his dreams and ideals.
He was a bit loud, but the content itself was interesting, so I listened, chiming in here and there.
A story about dreams… alcohol and dreams…
‘Hmm… this isn’t bad.’
In that moment, an idea suddenly occurred to me.
It wasn’t a concrete ‘This is it!’ moment, but I felt I could draw something from this very situation—a drunk Daeri Son mumbling about his dreams at a bar.
“Daeri Son, why are you talking about dreams while drinking?”
“Uh… is that… is that not allowed? I’m sorry…”
“No, it’s not that. I’m just curious, so tell me.”
“Uh… dreams… alcohol and dreams…”
Daeri Son seemed to try to collect himself, gulping down a glass of ice water and slapping his cheeks.
Then, his dazed eyes regained their original sharpness.
It was his way of showing he intended to answer seriously.
“When you drink… doesn’t it give you courage? There’s that, which makes you say what’s on your mind, and there’s also the fact that a situation like this becomes romantic. Two people, opening up and sharing their dreams over drinks! How romantic is that?”
“Courage from alcohol… Courage…”
I briefly recalled the moments I’d talked with my parents.
It wasn’t often, but my family would occasionally talk over drinks, and I remembered having some very sincere conversations then.
My father’s birthday was coming up in a few weeks anyway. I thought maybe I should go down and dig into this a little more.
And… the idea of drinking in a nice atmosphere—if I twisted it a little, it could become the very idea I needed to implement the system I wanted.
‘It might be worth trying to flesh this out.’
I felt as if something had just flashed in my mind.
