Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Let's Catch Our Breath
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After God Game Maker gave me the 'King of Interviews' skill, the hiring process went off without a hitch.
"Hmm, I thought both candidate number two and candidate number five did well."
"I think Mr. Kim Sunchang, who interviewed as number five today, is a good choice. Their skills are similar, but Mr. Sunchang will perform much better when it comes to communication."
"Oh, really? I didn't quite get that impression from just today's interview. PD-nim, did you do a reference check?"
"No, it's just a gut feeling."
By being able to see each applicant's objective stats, it reduced unnecessary arguments and lengthy deliberations during the hiring process.
Sometimes, my opinions clashed with those of Daeri Heo Yuri and Jeong Yosep.
However, based on the status window shown by the King of Interviews, I was able to make everyone understand.
'Phew, I should probably stop doing interviews soon.'
I'm starting to turn down interview requests one by one.
I've already done over ten interviews, so if I stop here, President Oh Geoshin probably won't have any major complaints.
Honestly, if he hounds me to do more interviews at this point, that would be... truly shameless.
"Good morning!"
"Ah, you're here. Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Jang Jeonghyeon, an animator who will be joining the art team starting today!"
On top of that, team members are now joining one by one.
If I don't write and hand over the documents, all these people will have nothing to do.
I really need to stop getting sidetracked and focus solely on work now.
<<Activating Acceleration Skill!>>
I skipped meals and wrote documents like a madman.
Fortunately, since I had made a good prototype, the documents were produced quickly based on it.
As the initial graphic resource list, concepts, and basic dialogue tool plans were completed in sequence, the documents were handed over.
To be honest, when it came to tool planning, I was a bit weak on the system design side, but...
"Ah, this is more than enough. I've built plenty of dialogue systems myself."
Daeri Jeong Yosep stepped up and covered for my shortcomings to some extent.
I considered investing in the system side later when I have spare points, but...
for now, I concluded it's best to focus on what I do well.
And then.
[Bonbujang Shin Chihwan: Hyunsoo PD, your name is on the list of regular promotions. Congratulations!]
[Me: Ah, yes, thank you.]
[NB Soft 2021 Regular Promotions List]
...
Team Christian
- Jo Hyunsoo, Manager ▶ Jo Hyunsoo, Senior Manager / Current PD
- Heo Yuri, Assistant Manager ▶ Heo Yuri, Manager / Appointed Art Part Lead
- Jeong Yosep, Assistant Manager ▶ Jeong Yosep, Manager / Appointed Program Part Lead
...
(#. The above personnel are promoted to their respective positions effective January 1st)
In December, after employee evaluations were finished, the company announced its regular promotions.
Our team, including myself, achieved the exceptional result of all three initial members getting early promotions.
It was just a change in job title, but for some reason, my heart felt a little heavier.
'Well, I have a lot more people to be responsible for now.'
As I went through one thing after another, the once empty office was now filled with ten people.
Once the team had taken shape, I initiated something that any PD should do.
"Alright, let's head out for a team dinner today. If you don't have other plans, please come for at least the first round and have some dinner."
"Wow, a team dinner! Our first one! Let's go all out tonight!"
The team's very first dinner together.
The venue was a barbecue restaurant that served dry-aged pork.
It was a bit pricey, but with the invincible corporate card, it was fine.
'It's 35,000 won per person, so I can spend up to 350,000 won, right?'
Well, even if it goes over by a few hundred thousand won, I earn enough to cover that much myself.
I made an extra three million won this month alone from *Forgotten Andersen's Story*...
Generosity truly comes from a full granary, as they say.
"Ahem!"
Just as the meat was served and everyone started filling their glasses.
Daeri Heo Yuri—no, Manager Heo Yuri—who was next to me, cleared her throat, glanced around, and spoke up.
"PD-nim, since this is the first time all the team members are gathered, you should say a few words."
"Ah, do I have to do that?"
"You're the PD, of course you do!"
I felt awkward and thought about skipping it, but her insistence made me think I should give it a try.
It did seem a bit anticlimactic for the team leader to say nothing at a gathering meant to build unity.
"Everyone here is someone we worked incredibly hard to bring on board, one by one. You are all skilled and passionate about game development. There will be many tough and difficult moments during the development process ahead, but I hope we can all create the game we've dreamed of. Pass On Dream... POD, isn't a mobile gacha game, so its revenue will surely have its limits. However, I will do my best to make it a great game so that no one here regrets participating in its development. My ultimate goal in creating this team is..."
I closed my eyes for a moment before opening them and continuing.
"To one day create a game that receives the most GOTY awards in a single year."
Suddenly, Manager Heo Yuri let out a "Woooow" and started clapping.
The employees next to her started clapping along without really knowing why.
"Jo Hyunsoo! Jo Hyunsoo!"
Before I knew it, everyone was chanting my name.
Ah, damn it, this is so cringey.
I need a drink, fast.
"Let's have a toast to working well together from now on. For those who can't drink, please fill your glasses with a soft drink or water."
As everyone held a glass in their hand... I raised mine high and shouted with conviction.
"To GOTY!"
"To GOTY!"
Everyone's glasses clinked together cheerfully in the center of the table.
The team dinner had now officially begun.
Pork jowl, skirt steak, aged pork neck.
The texture, the side dishes, the juiciness, and the smoky aroma.
This restaurant's meat was delicious, with a perfect balance of all these elements.
After only grabbing quick meals at the company cafeteria or convenience stores due to lack of time, eating something like this felt like a royal treat.
"Have you played that new game? The one called *Sea of Ocean*, where you become a pirate and plunder..."
"Oh, I'm really enjoying that one! Want to play together sometime?"
"Oh, me too, me too!"
As everyone had a drink or two, they started to get more talkative.
Since they were all passionate about games, it seemed finding a common topic wasn't difficult.
It made me feel a bit nostalgic, remembering how I used to have similar conversations with my colleagues when I was just a regular employee.
'Well, if I join in, it'll just make things awkward.'
I stayed in my seat, occasionally chatting with Jeong Yosep or Heo Yuri while sipping my drink.
Just as people started to move around and switch seats.
"PD-nim, if it's okay, may I sit next to you for a moment?"
"Ah, yes, of course."
A male employee asked me.
Employee Kim Ho, a UI designer I hired because he had a good overall sense and was a decent person.
"You mentioned GOTY earlier. I was wondering, what kind of games do you like, PD-nim? After playing *Forgotten Andersen's Story*, I got curious about what you usually play."
"Uh, games? Well, I like all sorts of genres, but recently, I've had the most fun with Coby Fox's games. Hideo Ojima's *Death Landing* was also quite refreshing. The idea that as humanity develops and becomes more connected, the number of species decreases."
"Oh! I enjoyed that one too. I heard it was inspired by a book called *The Fifth Origin*, so I read that as well!"
"Yes, that's right. I enjoyed that book too. It made me think that game developers shouldn't just play games, but also cultivate that kind of knowledge. Well... it's a bit embarrassing to say, but after I started making this game, I went to a Van Gogh exhibition for the first time."
"Ah, exhibitions! I love going to them. You should definitely check out the *Big Eyes* exhibition! The history of the artist is quite..."
The conversation flowed naturally.
I'd expected to feel lonely at the team dinner.
Team members usually fear and feel awkward around their superiors.
But it seemed Mr. Kim Ho was curious about my philosophy on game development.
'Well, he was the one being asked questions throughout the interview, so it makes sense he'd be curious about me in return.'
And since I'd been insanely busy for the past few weeks, I had barely spoken to the new hires. It was understandable.
If I get the time, I think it would be good to get in sync with the other employees by occasionally chatting over a meal or a cup of coffee.
Besides.
<<Understanding of Employee Kim Ho has increased!>>
My understanding of him increased through our conversation.
If this is high, it should be much easier to manage him when assigning tasks or dealing with problems in the future.
This meant that these interactions were quite meaningful to me.
While I was enjoying the team dinner in my own way.
*Vrrrrrr!*
The smartphone I had left on the table buzzed loudly.
"Ah, excuse me. I need to take this call."
I stepped outside for a moment to answer the phone.
"Noona, what's up at this hour?"
<<Just called to see what you were up to.>>
"Ah, I was at a team dinner with my colleagues."
<<Ooh, look at you, a real PD now, huh? Having dinners with your subordinates and everything.>>
"Stop teasing. How have you been? How's the guesthouse?"
<<Same old, same old. It's Danyang, what big things could happen?>>
"Right, that's true."
Danyang was always that kind of town.
A tourist spot, but a small, unchanging city that never boomed nor busted, just steadily carried on.
Some might dislike its stagnant nature, but I thought that was part of Danyang's charm.
<<Anyway, you got time these days?>>
"Well, the busy part is over for now. Why?"
<<When you have time later, come home and have a drink with me.>>
"Huh? Is something wrong?"
<<Nothing's wrong, I just have some personal worries I wanted to talk to you about.>>
"Really? Can't we just talk on the phone?"
<<It's a little embarrassing for that. It's nothing major, so let's do it whenever you're free.>>
"Yeah, okay."
Come to think of it, it's been a while since I had a drink with just my sister.
We used to get along so well that whenever I went to Danyang, we would always have a drink together...
"I'll buy something delicious, so let's have that drink together when I go to Danyang, Noona."
<<Alright! I'll be looking forward to it!>>
I smiled and hung up the phone.
"Well then... shall I go back in."
I returned to the dinner and sat down.
When I came to my senses, I realized the people sitting next to me had all changed.
Heo Yuri and Jeong Yosep were also mingling with other employees, chatting and having a good time.
For a first team dinner, the energy was definitely high.
"Hello, PD-nim! I'm Choi Kanghyun from the programming department. I came to get a drink from you too!"
"Ah, you don't have to do that..."
"No, like Mr. Kim Ho earlier, I also have a few things I'd like to ask!"
It seemed it was the next batter's turn.
I smiled, poured a drink into the slightly drunk Mr. Kanghyun's glass, and spoke with a grin.
"So, what are you curious about? I'll tell you anything."
And so, Team Christian's first dinner was getting into full swing.
****
The next morning, at 12 PM.
"Ughhh, did I drink too much yesterday?"
My head feels like it's about to split open.
Thanks to going all the way to a third round at the dinner yesterday, I drank a ton, and as a result, I slept in today.
'Well... thanks to that, I got a lot closer to the team members, so I guess it was worth it.'
I'd been so busy with work that, aside from a few interviews, I had barely spoken with the new hires.
But yesterday, fueled by alcohol, we talked for a long time about which games were fun, what we wanted to create... what you might call 'game theory.'
The fact that everyone had their own dreams and had gathered on this team to achieve them... and that such people were coming together to create a game about dreams, made my heart swell.
'Hmm, maybe I'll take it easy today.'
I grabbed some water from the fridge, chugged it down, and turned on my computer.
I was thinking of taking a break and watching some TV shows, but—
<<God Game Maker is issuing a surprise quest!>>
"Huh?"
[Surprise Quest / Share the Vision]
- You have now gathered all the team members. Before diving into work, share your full vision with them and provide motivation.
(1) Clear Condition: Hold a kickoff meeting with the team members before Monday at 12 PM.
(2) Success Reward: Gain EXP / 20% increase in work speed for all team members for one week
(3) Failure Penalty: None
Damn it. This God Game Maker thing really has no intention of letting me rest.