Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Brushback Pitch (1)
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A few days after my date with Rokhui...
<<You have completed the prototype planning document!>>
<<You have acquired a small amount of experience!>>
“Phew... It's done.”
Based on the insights I gained from the exhibition that day, I quickly drafted the document for the prototype's combat system.
The turn-based system would have players experience the act of painting as combat, and I conceptualized an artist gaining inspiration from things like alcohol in the form of potions.
While inheriting the conventional turn-based combat system, I overlaid it with a concept that could express the life of the figure 'Van Gogh'.
It was a mix of 95% familiarity and 5% novelty—a result I was quite satisfied with.
[Game Design Document / 'Pass On Dream' Prototype Combat System]
- A concept document for the core combat system of Jo Hyunsoo's new game.
Depending on the observer, and the story and direction that follow, the evaluation of this combat system could change.
Grade: B- to S+ (※Grade may vary depending on how it integrates with other in-game elements)
The problem was that while the combat system is a core element of the game, its grade depended on how well it harmonized with other parts.
Indeed, even God Game Maker had assigned it a wide grade range, from a minimum of B to a maximum of S.
Ultimately... my goal would have to be pushing this combat system to an S-grade through actual development.
[Me: The first draft of the prototype combat concept document is ready. I'll share it, so please both of you read it over and we can have a meeting.]
[Assistant Manager Jeong Yosep: Yes, understood!]
[Assistant Manager Heo Yuri: I'll read it now!]
After having them read the document, I immediately started the meeting.
I briefed them on the prototype based on this document, and we decided to schedule the prototype while looking over the graphic resource list I had prepared (a document listing all graphic resources).
“For graphic resources, if we're aiming for a volume of about five combat encounters, I think it will take around five weeks, to be generous.”
“On the programming side, we can probably work backward from the resource delivery dates. If we factor in QA after the final resources are in, we should probably schedule a little over six weeks.”
“Okay, let's proceed with that then. Once I hand over the development planning document for the first combat encounter, please start working accordingly. I'll continue to provide more documents as we progress.”
The discussion was lengthy, but it boiled down to this: I would provide the detailed development document, Assistant Manager Heo Yuri would create the resources, and then Assistant Manager Jeong Yosep would program with them.
Planning, graphics, programming, and QA... a four-step process to be repeated until the prototype was complete.
“Depending on the prototype's results, the project will move into full production, and our team size will increase. We'll be swamped for a while, but I'm counting on you both.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood.”
The two of them stood up from their seats energetically, showing no signs of reluctance.
I had no real basis for it, but with a feeling that the prototype would turn out well, I felt a surge of energy myself.
‘Phew... I need to focus and get to work.’
I started by tackling the detailed design document for the first combat encounter.
My primary role was concept and scenario planning, but I had experience designing simple systems in a pinch, so writing the document itself wasn't difficult.
‘The heated debate and confrontation between Van Gogh and Gauguin over their art... I'll frame their painting duel as the first combat encounter.’
Gauguin and Van Gogh were famous for being lifelong rivals.
The pathetic Van Gogh and the sociable Gauguin.
I would portray the heated arguments and painting duels between them in the form of combat.
Since President Oh Geoshin had mentioned the story about Gauguin, I planned to go all out and showcase this from the very beginning.
The strategy was to tailor the prototype to the client with the ultimate decision-making power.
‘Once I have the structure of the first battle somewhat organized in my head, I'll use Acceleration to shorten the time it takes to produce the document as much as possible.’
First, I started organizing my thoughts by jotting down a rough structure of the first combat encounter in a notepad.
How many skills and potions, the approximate playtime, the combat difficulty, and so on...
There were many factors to consider, so I needed to organize them step by step to avoid any tangles.
Just as I was deep in concentration...
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: PD Jo, you have a minute to talk?]
A message suddenly came in on the company messenger from Division Head Shin Chihwan.
[Me: Ah, yes. I'm available.]
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: How's the prototype work coming along?]
[Me: We settled on a rough concept today and had a meeting right away. I've also laid out a rough milestone schedule.]
[Me: Once I finish the detailed design doc for the first encounter, we'll proceed with graphics and then programming. I'm thinking about 40 to 45 working days in total.]
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: Okay, share the rough concept document with me then.]
[Me: Understood. I'll share it along with the first detailed design doc when it's finished.]
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: Okay.]
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: And... I know you're busy right now, but I'm going to need you to spare some time this evening.]
“Huh?”
I furrowed my brow at the unexpected request.
For Division Head Shin Chihwan to ask this, knowing full well how busy I was, surely meant something was up.
[Me: Is something wrong?]
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: The head of Division 1 wants to meet. He said he has someone to introduce and wants to have a drink.]
[Me: The head of Division 1?]
Seo Donghyuk, Head of Division 1.
The company's number three, a Managing Director, and the head of Division 1 who made significant contributions to the development of *League of War*, which accounts for 80% of NB Soft's revenue.
And... he probably considers me and Division Head Shin Chihwan to be thorns in his side.
‘The rumor that he got chewed out by President Oh Geoshin has already spread like wildfire.’
I'd recently heard the rumor from Assistant Manager Seokjin, the company's news source.
That the head of Division 1 had been summoned to the president's office and got an earful.
And apparently, the reason was the lack of any hit titles since *League of War*.
Which means...
‘There's no way he sees me and Division Head Shin Chihwan in a favorable light.’
Shin Chihwan's stock has recently risen after he revived the failing *Phoenix* project, keeping its original name.
Considering that project originally belonged to the head of Division 1, it was obvious how he must feel about us.
In short, there was a very high probability that something would happen at tonight's drinking session.
[Me: Do I really have to attend? A gathering with the head of Division 1 feels a bit... burdensome.]
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: If I could've avoided it, I would have. But if we openly defy him, he's the kind of person who could easily screw up our futures.]
[Me: Haa... I just wanted to make a living by being good at development, but that's not so easy, is it?]
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: I'm sorry... Just for today, I'm asking for a favor, PD Jo.]
[Me: Understood. Let me know the time, and I'll be there.]
[Division Head Shin Chihwan: Thanks. I'll do my best to make sure this doesn't happen again. Come up to my office at 7. We'll go together.]
Shin Chihwan pleaded with me earnestly.
Not wanting to put my supportive direct superior in a difficult position, I reluctantly accepted the proposal.
‘This is really bugging me... damn.’
I consciously pushed aside the uneasy feeling settling in a corner of my mind and focused on my work again.
Since I couldn't work overtime today, I had to make more progress than usual.
‘Activate Acceleration.’
<<God Game Maker activates Acceleration!>>
<<Your work speed increases dramatically! This effect lasts for a maximum of 3 hours!>>
After organizing the structure of the first combat encounter as quickly as possible, I immediately activated Acceleration and started writing the document.
My hands moved almost in sync with my thoughts, the keyboard clattering like a piano performance as the document took shape.
Other than a quick coffee and a bathroom break, I worked without rest, completely absorbed.
After hammering away at the document for a while, a rough first draft was finally complete.
‘I'll polish it tomorrow when I get to work.’
I glanced at the clock and saw it was already 7 PM. It was time for my appointment with Division Head Shin Chihwan, so I went up to his office.
“I'm here.”
“Ah, come in, PD Jo.”
When I knocked and entered, I saw Shin Chihwan putting on his coat.
He seemed to feel sorry for making such a request, scratching his head with a troubled expression as he spoke.
“Sorry for the trouble. I don't have enough seniority to openly defy Division Head Seo Donghyuk.”
“Well... I'm not a child. I understand.”
“Even if he says something unpleasant, just play along and smile. The key is to convey, 'We're harmless to you.'”
“I'll do my best.”
I wasn't sure if I, who had already been branded a rebel in the company for acting out several times, could actually pull it off.
Well... for Division Head Shin Chihwan's sake, I decided I'd try to hold my tongue a few times.
“Where is the meeting?”
“There's a private-room traditional Korean restaurant near the company that's often used for entertaining clients. He told us to go there. Haa... the food there is terrible and it's ridiculously expensive.”
Shin Chihwan grumbled as he led me toward the restaurant.
The interior was luxuriously decorated, reminiscent of a royal palace, and all the employees were wearing hanbok.
It was clearly not a cheap place.
“Welcome. Under what name is the reservation?”
“Ah, yes... It should be under Division Head Seo Donghyuk's name...”
“Ah, yes. I'll show you the way.”
Following the employee, we entered a room tucked away in a corner.
“Oh, Division Head Shin, you're here. And our star PD, Jo Hyunsoo, too.”
As we entered the room, Seo Donghyuk greeted us with a sly smile.
And next to him, a man in his early forties with sharp features and a marine-style haircut gave us a slight nod.
Even if Shin Chihwan lacked seniority, he was still a division head. Seeing that man's attitude, he didn't seem like an ordinary person...
“And the gentleman next to you is...”
“Ah, right. I forgot to introduce you. This is PD Lee Hyeonho! He's the guy who worked on *Lost Angel* and a few other things. He's joining Division 1. Division Head Shin, you've heard of PD Lee, right?”
“Ah... of course, I have. The star PD who makes a hit out of everything he touches.”
Seo Donghyuk said it as if he were boasting, and Shin Chihwan replied with a bitter smile.
*Lost Angel*... a hit title from the rival company NCom, famous for its predatory business model.
I knew it as a famous game that had never dropped out of the top 20 on the app store. It seemed he was that game's PD.
‘It's obvious why he called us here.’
The moment I saw him, I could roughly guess what scheme Division Head Seo Donghyuk was plotting.
He was trying to put me and Division Head Shin Chihwan in our place, now that we had caught President Oh Geoshin's eye by successfully reviving the *Phoenix* project.
As I was thinking this...
<<Your understanding of Division Head Seo Donghyuk has increased!>>
<<Division Head Seo Donghyuk's 'Understanding' has been unlocked!>>
As if to confirm my suspicions, God Game Maker displayed a flashy system message.
Wondering if there might be any helpful information, I immediately opened the Understanding window.
[Seo Donghyuk / Head of Division 1 / Managing Director]
- One of the key members behind NB Soft's flagship title, 'League of War'.
- Considers you and Division Head Shin Chihwan to be extremely irritating.
- Is currently in a foul mood due to recent pressure from President Oh Geoshin.
(※ More information will be unlocked as your Understanding increases.)
Just as I thought... it seemed it was true that Seo Donghyuk held animosity toward us.
“Alright, the food's coming out, so let's have a drink.”
A moment later, Division Head Seo Donghyuk started pouring everyone a drink.
“Here's to the success of the *Phoenix* project. Let's have a toast.”
“Cheers!”
Seo Donghyuk deliberately mentioned *Phoenix* as he proposed the toast, and we reluctantly clinked our glasses.
With a bitter expression, I turned my head to the side and sipped from my glass.
‘Look at this bastard...’
Meanwhile, Lee Hyeonho was tossing back his drink as if he didn't even consider the two division heads his superiors.
It was a situation that was unsettling in many ways.
The drinking session continued in a slightly tense atmosphere, and just as everyone was starting to feel the alcohol...
“PD Jo Hyunsoo... was it? The one who made that indie game, *Forgotten Andersen's Story*.”
“Yes.”
Lee Hyeonho spoke, a nasty smirk on his face.
“How much did you make from that?”