Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: You're Talented Too (1)
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A few days later, while polishing the game, I began discussing the promotional webtoon in earnest with writer Han Sanghyeok.
The process was simple: I'd draft some ideas in a synopsis format, writer Han Sanghyeok and I would review them, he'd create the storyboards, and then we'd go over those together before moving to the next stage.
‘This is my chance to talk with the great Han Sanghyeok.’
No matter the field, Han Sanghyeok was a recognized master of storytelling—though his art and direction were incredible too—so I had high hopes of learning something from him.
[Me: Writer Han Sanghyeok, I'm sending over the ideas.]
[Writer Han Sanghyeok: Yes, please send them whenever you're ready.]
[Me: PromotionalWebtoon_5Ideas.DOC]
After sending the document to writer Han Sanghyeok, I waited with a nervous heart for his reply.
A moment later.
[Writer Han Sanghyeok: PD, I've reviewed the document you sent. I see some quite interesting ideas. Would you be available for a quick call?]
[Me: Ah, yes. I'll call you right now.]
I took the call with writer Han Sanghyeok right at my desk.
It might be a bit of a nuisance to my team, but... I couldn't keep writer Han Sanghyeok waiting. I had no choice.
<<Ah, PD, I liked ideas 1 and 3. In general, I think showing the ending of Chapter 13 in advance would lessen its impact in the main story, so I believe it's best to exclude 2, 4, and 5.>>
“Ah, you think so too. Then what about number 1? I feel it best fits the concept of depicting the process of creating the game's core painting as a battle.”
<<Yes, I was thinking along the same lines. So, what if we added some specific direction to that part? I think it would be good to theme the painting around The Starry Night from his time in Saint-Rémy, which appears in Chapter 5. It's one of Van Gogh's most representative works, and we could use a scrolling effect to direct the process of the painting's completion in a way that evokes the combat system. Also, it would be great to include the BGM from Chapter 5 in the webtoon.>>
“Ah. That would definitely be better.”
Without me having to explain, writer Han Sanghyeok had grasped my intentions behind the ideas, added his own thoughts, and returned them as even better methods.
His concepts were bold, and his attention to detail was excellent.
It was a conversation that made me realize he wasn't a Grand Prix winner for nothing.
After about thirty minutes of heated discussion.
“I'll be counting on you, then.”
<<Ah, yes. I have to work on character sheets for my new project this week, so I'll send you the storyboard sometime the week after next.>>
“Ah, yes, there's plenty of time, so please take it at your own pace.”
<<Thank you for being so considerate. We'll talk again then.>>
The call ended.
“Phew. That was draining.”
I felt completely drained by writer Han Sanghyeok's overwhelming presence.
I slumped into my chair for a moment, trying to collect myself.
“Team Leader, were you having a meeting with writer Han Sanghyeok?”
Just then, Pateujang Heo Yuri peeked her head over the partition and asked.
It seemed she had overheard our conversation and was curious.
“Yes, that's right.”
“Ooh! How was it? What's it like working with writer Han Sanghyeok?”
“It was great. After all, there's no one else in Korea who has experimented so much with storytelling and achieved such success as writer Han Sanghyeok. And... in his past works...”
I went on for a while, explaining what I'd felt while talking with writer Han Sanghyeok.
As my rambling explanation came to a close...
Pateujang Yuri nodded and replied with a peculiar expression.
“Well, he is an amazing person. But I hope you don't just accept everything he says!”
“Huh? Are you saying I'll be intimidated?”
When I tilted my head and asked, Heo Yuri waved her hands, looking troubled.
“Oh! I think I misspoke. I know writer Han Sanghyeok is incredible, but... I feel that you, PD Hyunsoo, are even more so. I just said that because I hope you'll hold your ground! Sometimes... people get dragged along too much by freelance writers.”
“Hmm, you think so? I was planning to entrust him with as much authority as possible, since he's the expert in this field.”
I recalled the recent case of Gwajang Seo Eunhye, who had delivered the best performance.
At that, Heo Yuri scratched her chin and added.
“Hmm. That's true, but for some reason, I feel that you, PD, know much more about the 'webtoon needed to promote our game.' I'm also worried that if we're not careful, our game might be overshadowed by writer Sanghyeok's webtoon...”
“Overshadowed?”
“Hmm, this is just my concern, but since writer Sanghyeok is so famous, I feel like readers might be overwhelmed by his name and judge our game based on the comic alone.”
“That's not entirely impossible.”
“Ahaha. I-I don't really know what I'm talking about. It's just that, as a team member! I want our PD to be confident anywhere! I want you to realize you're the best and take the lead. You know what I mean, right?”
Heo Yuri laughed awkwardly and scratched her head.
It felt like she had something she wanted to say but couldn't quite put it into words.
But... the nuance came through loud and clear, so I smiled and replied.
“I know exactly what you mean. Thank you, Pateujang Yuri.”
“I hope I wasn't being too nosy, hehe.”
“Not at all. I'm the one who makes the final decision. If you ever have thoughts like this, feel free to tell me anytime.”
“Yes, sir! Understood!”
Heo Yuri made an exaggerated saluting gesture before turning and heading back to her desk.
My smile faded, and I scratched my chin with a slightly troubled expression.
‘Well. I can think about it after the storyboard comes out. For now, let's focus on polishing.’
Little did I know that, a short while later, Heo Yuri's words would come back to me like a boomerang.
****
In Bonbujang Seo Donghyuk's meeting room, Lee Hyeonho and Seo Donghyuk were gathered for a meeting for the first time in a while.
No. To be precise, they were having a fight disguised as a meeting.
“Hey! PD Lee Hyeonho, no matter how successful you are, I'm the Bonbujang in charge of this project!”
“Are you kidding me? The siege system is the core of this project. I'm designing the business model, and it's going to work. Why do you keep trying to twist the gameplay with your half-baked ideas?”
The conflict had a simple beginning.
Seo Donghyuk had been giving feedback on the Gold Digger project, repeatedly demanding they deepen the storytelling.
Things that required a huge amount of development resources, like adding cinematic cutscenes in the middle of siege battles and having voice-acted characters appear at specific points for dramatic effect.
Lee Hyeonho's established method was to monetize the competition and the resulting feelings of deprivation or superiority.
But adding such elements would not only derail the development schedule but also likely cause optimization issues.
However.
“If we don't make the choice to twist the gameplay, we're going to get canned by that bastard, President Oh Geoshin! Haven't you seen him? He's visiting that punk Jo Hyunsoo almost every day. PD Lee Hyeonho, how many times have you had a private meeting with Oh Geoshin recently, huh?”
“The game isn't out yet. And how many times do I have to say it? With the methods that bastard Jo Hyunsoo uses, there's a limit to how good a game you can make, no matter how hard you try. Just wait. I'll prove which method is right with our results and revenue.”
“Come on. What's so hard about accepting a few of my requests that you have to be so stubborn, huh? Just put in some cinematics!”
“I've already told you. Optimization is crucial for siege warfare content. Players will have smartphones with different specs. If you play cinematics all over the place, do you really think it'll be a proper siege battle? Hah. If you have a brain, use it.”
“What, use my brain? Hey, PD Lee Hyeonho. No matter how many hit games you've made, I'm Seo Donghyuk. The number one contributor to the development of League of War.”
Listening quietly, Lee Hyeonho's face twisted into a murderous expression as he spoke.
“Bullshit. Number one contributor, my ass.”
“What? What did you just say?”
“Number one contributor? That game wasn't even made by you in the first place. Are you a PD? How dare some bastard from the business department run his mouth about being the number one contributor. You worthless piece of trash.”
League of War, the game currently responsible for most of NB Soft's revenue.
In truth, just as Lee Hyeonho said, it was a stretch to say Seo Donghyuk had made the game.
Development on the project began before NB Soft fell into Oh Geoshin's hands, during the time of the former president, In Taekho.
Near the end of its development, Oh Geoshin brought in all the staff from his previous company, and Seo Donghyuk happened to be put in charge of League of War. As fate would have it, the game became a massive hit.
It was a classic case of stumbling backward into a jackpot.
In any case, the game was a success... and because of this background, the business department naturally gained power within NB Soft.
And... since League of War, they had suffered defeat after defeat with every new game they released.
The money they'd blown through amounted to at least tens of billions of won.
“Hey, get oooout! You son of a—Who's the Bonbujang and who's the PD here! I don't need someone like you, you bastard! Get out!”
“Fine, if you want me to leave, I'll leave. But you know damn well how that will end, Mr. Seo Donghyuk.”
“Hnnngh.”
Seo Donghyuk couldn't say anything in response, his body trembling with rage.
He knew it instinctively.
Kicking out Lee Hyeonho at this moment and ruining the Gold Digger team?
That was a mistake big enough to potentially cost him his position as Bonbujang.
“Well, I'm going back to work. I'm busy, so don't call me for this kind of trivial nonsense again. Every second counts if I'm going to beat that bastard Jo Hyunsoo. Oh, and if you ever decide you want me gone, just say the word. There are tons of companies in Korea that would hire me.”
Lee Hyeonho irritably slammed the Bonbujang's office door on his way out.
Left alone, Seo Donghyuk could only massage his temples and grind his teeth.
‘If I'm not careful, I'm going to be eaten by a tiger.’
He felt like his blood was running dry.