Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Lend Me Your Strength
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Assemblyman Jang Ho started the conversation by repeatedly apologizing for his tardiness.
‘He's quite different from my image of a politician.’
He was more humble than I expected, speaking cautiously—a man with good business etiquette.
Moreover.
“To be honest, Chief of Staff Go Hyuk handles most of the practical work on this matter. While I played games in my youth, I'm not entirely up to date with the current situation. That's why I'm trying to listen to and consider the opinions of various experts.”
“Ah, yes. May I ask how my opinions will be specifically reflected?”
“We have about three weeks until the bill is submitted, and in that time, we'll likely have two or three more public hearings with the members of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee. If you provide good opinions, we will do our best to reflect them.”
The official name was the 'Complete Revision of the Game Industry Promotion Act,' also known as the 'Gacha Item Regulation Bill.'
This was an issue that could impact the entire game industry, the largest sector of Korea's content industry.
Therefore, all the members of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee were involved, engaging in lengthy discussions and consultations with related government departments.
Assemblyman Jang Ho explained that in this process, they wouldn't just be asking for my opinion, but would also use it to issue press releases and wage a public opinion campaign.
‘So, Chief of Staff Go Hyuk handles the practical side, while Assemblyman Jang Ho manages the public opinion and political aspects.’
The effectiveness of the law, the direction of public opinion, and the timing.
Hearing that all three had to align perfectly, I nodded in full agreement and decided to cooperate.
“Yes. I’ll do my best to provide my opinions.”
With that in mind, I once again poured out everything I wanted to say.
“The distinction between 'game products' and 'games' needs to be clearly defined. Many people still don't understand the difference between gambling games like *Sea Story* and actual games.”
“For indie games, the current review process by the Game Rating and Administration Committee is often a significant burden.”
“Furthermore, it’s quite common for game companies to intentionally neglect the use of illegal programs to inflate concurrent user numbers, manipulate rankings, and abuse the market. This disrupts the market order.”
As I spoke, Chief of Staff Go Hyuk diligently took notes.
As the conversation was winding down, I decided to carry out the directive I had received from the company.
“This is something the company asked me to mention, but they’d like to avoid the name NB Soft appearing negatively in the media. It doesn’t really matter to me, and I know our company isn’t exactly a saint, but since I’m an employee, I felt I should bring it up.”
“Ah, yes. That’s fine. For us to wage a media campaign, we inevitably need a counter-partner. And since you created an excellent game like POD, there will definitely be aspects that appeal to the public.”
In short, the plan was to paint other companies, which were being bombarded with protest trucks, as trash, while positioning NB Soft as a 'good company' that creates decent games like POD.
Considering what I had experienced within NB Soft, it was absurd, but I decided to play along.
‘Saying this will definitely have a negative impact on 'him'.’
The company was doing this for their own image-making, but I was certain.
This choice would undoubtedly cause a backlash against NB Soft.
“Then, I’ll be counting on you.”
“Yes! Take care on your way out!”
A moment later, I left the office, seen off by Assemblyman Jang Ho.
I wondered what kind of picture would be painted from now on.
A faint smile naturally formed on my lips.
****
Less than a week after the meeting.
['The Game Industry That Angered Users Must Reflect' - POD Developer PD Jo Hyunsoo of NB Soft Calls for Game Law Revision. / Joongang Culture, June 21, 2021]
['Manipulated Gacha Rates, Negligence of Illegal Programs, Mass-Produced Games—This is the Karma We've Built.' - NB Soft's PD Jo Hyunsoo Actively Supports Game Law Revision. / Game Inventory, June 22, 2021]
[NB Soft's PD Jo Hyunsoo's Determined Statement in Support of Game Law Revision / OP.PORO, June 23, 2021]
Press releases featuring my face began to appear everywhere.
They were articles in which I agreed with the content and purpose of the game law revision and explained in detail the problems currently facing the game industry.
The content was far more specific than in my previous interviews, and the fact that the interview was conducted directly by the office of Assemblyman Jang Ho, who would be the main sponsor of the bill, added to its explosive impact.
[Sailmane: Honestly, PD Jo Hyunsoo has the right to say this. But how did NB Soft allow this kind of press release? Isn't League of War a crazy gacha game? I remember it was boiling over with talk of sending protest trucks.]
[LotteryLions: Still, the fact that they released this probably means they're willing to improve. According to PD Jo Hyunsoo, the company gave him a lot of support.]
[GamerIsAGamer: Hmm, well. I have a lot to say about NB Soft too, but I get why PD Jo Hyunsoo is doing this lol. The company's opinion and the PD's opinion can be different.]
And the public's reaction was exactly as I had expected.
There were opinions questioning what conscience NB Soft had to release such an article, alongside those saying that PD Jo Hyunsoo, at least, had the right to speak out.
I didn't know if this was the public opinion the company wanted, but one thing was certain.
This was like dropping a massive bomb on Seo Donghyuk and Lee Hyeonho.
.
.
.
.
At that moment, in Director Seo Donghyuk's office.
“Damn it! Who authorized this kind of press release!”
Lee Hyeonho, visiting Seo Donghyuk for the first time in a while, immediately exploded in anger.
Their relationship had already been strained recently, so with Lee Hyeonho shouting senselessly, Seo Donghyuk’s expression soured.
“Shut up, PD Lee Hyeonho. This was the Sajang's order. Thanks to this interview, we can stop the protest trucks and all that. What nonsense are you spouting, barging in here like this?”
He disliked Jo Hyunsoo, but this interview had certainly produced a result that wasn't bad for Seo Donghyuk.
It had somewhat softened the public's perception of NB Soft.
This had the effect of quieting the negative public opinion surrounding *League of War*, Donghyuk's biggest cash cow.
However, this kind of public sentiment would be fatal for Lee Hyeonho.
“You’re telling me to shut up? Then what about our project? You think people will applaud when our game comes out after we’ve spewed all this crap about being clean and not having a vicious business model? A fucking director can’t even stop some punk PD from spouting nonsense? I told you I’d make you money if you just took care of that, and you can’t even do that? Then what the hell is the point of a director, you bastard!”
Lee Hyeonho began to spew words indiscriminately, as if he had forgotten that Seo Donghyuk was his superior.
Because it was obvious how things would end if NB Soft awkwardly pretended to be a 'good' company.
“PD Lee Hyeonho. Are you done? Why are you getting so angry over something like this? Do you have anger management issues?”
“Issues? Fuck. I’m not done, you bastard! If this is the public opinion, what do you think will happen when our team releases its game? We’ll be lucky if we don't get review-bombed and cursed out! Do you think the company will back us then? You know it too, right? The business department is already starting to pull back. If that happens, the game's success will go down the drain, and our careers will go straight into the trash! Wake up, you fucking idiot!”
Lee Hyeonho had produced several hit games, but he had never stayed at one company for long.
Rumor had it that his personality was a big reason, and Seo Donghyuk was now seeing that reason firsthand.
Lee Hyeonho was recklessly spewing harsh words that not even Sajang Oh Geoshin would dare to say.
Donghyuk's face flushed red, and his patience was wearing thin.
“Lee Hyeonho. Don't get it twisted. It's not 'our' career, it's *your* career. I'm not the one making the game, and you don't even follow my direction. Where do you get off talking about 'us,' you bastard!”
“Direction? Direction?! Who the hell are you to talk about direction while shitting out your nonsensical, bullshit feedback, you bastard? Just because you lucked into a project the former president basically finished, you think you’re John Carmack or something?”
The raw insults exchanged between the two echoed down the hallway, and the expressions of employees passing by turned grave.
“What… what’s that? Isn’t that the Director and PD Lee Hyeonho’s voices?”
“Are they really saying such harsh things? Shouldn't someone stop them? Senior Kang, you should go in.”
“How can I go in? I’ll just get caught in the crossfire. Let's pretend we didn't hear anything.”
The relationship between the two, which had been maintained due to mutual interests despite the growing emotional rift,
had finally and completely crossed the line.
“Ah, fuck. I’m the idiot. To think I listened to some moron who got cocky after one lucky hit and joined this damn company.”
“You… what… what did you say! Are you done, PD Lee Hyeonho?”
“Don't call me PD, you bastard. I’m not a PD anymore. I’m submitting my resignation. You can finish the game with that brilliant head of yours and release it, see what results you get. I doubt it’s possible with your shallow skills and intellect, though!”
With those final words, Lee Hyeonho spat on the floor and stormed out of the room.
“Grrr. Damn it.”
Left alone in the office, Seo Donghyuk panted heavily, trying to calm his emotions and think rationally.
‘What do I do now?’
Lee Hyeonho had been a very important card for Seo Donghyuk.
A card to stop Shin Chihwan and Jo Hyunsoo's rampage and to continue his own career, which had been a series of failures since *League of War*.
That was why he had brought him in with a high salary, despite knowing about his many personality flaws. And now, he was gone.
He considered trying to hold onto him somehow, but it didn't seem like Lee Hyeonho would be held back.
If a managing director were seen begging a mere PD, it would be a complete disgrace.
‘What do I do? Who will I entrust Project S to? We've already invested over ten billion won. Is there anyone inside the company capable of being a PD?’
His head throbbing, Donghyuk pressed his fingers against his temples.
Of course, there was no easy answer to this disastrous situation.
And in that moment, the faces of Jo Hyunsoo and Shin Chihwan appeared in his mind.
Their faces were full of smiles, as if they were mocking him.
“Damn it. Daaaaamn iiiit! This is all because of that bastard Jo Hyunsoo!”
Feeling a sudden tightness in his chest, Seo Donghyuk shot up and began grabbing and throwing things around his office.
He rampaged like a tyrant, but no one stopped him or said a word.
Because in this company, he was someone who was allowed to do so, and would continue to be.
In the midst of Seo Donghyuk's rampage.
Bzzzzzzzt!
The smartphone on his desk vibrated loudly.
It was a call from the head of the HR department.
Donghyuk took a few deep breaths before slowly answering the call.
“What is it, Manager Kim?”
<<Director Seo, PD Lee Hyeonho just stormed into HR saying he's resigning. Should we accept it? This was completely unexpected.>>
“Let him do whatever he wants. It’s out of my hands.”
<<Are you sure? Then what about the Gold Digger team and Project S? If the Sajang finds out about this, it’ll be a huge problem.>>
“Hang up.”
<<Director! Directooor!>>
Click!
Seo Donghyuk hung up without listening any further.
And just like that, his seemingly eternal power began to crumble over a trivial matter.
The countless cracks of instability that had long existed beneath his feet—this incident was a disaster born from them, but Seo Donghyuk had no way of knowing.
That he himself had brought about this entire catastrophe.