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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Assistant Manager Son Seokjin's Role Model (2)
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I froze for a moment, my mouth agape.
It wasn't that I'd intended to stop the rumors from spreading, but it was surprising that Assistant Manager Son, who I barely had any contact with, already knew about this.
"How did you know?"
"Ah, I was hired through open recruitment, so I have friends from my hiring class in the HR department! I heard the rumors from them..."
"I see."
Right, that made sense.
To process my demands, like the salary negotiation and incentive, it had to go through the HR department system.
A rumor must have leaked during that process and reached his ears.
"I know it's a bit much to say this while we're eating, but I sincerely admire you, Manager Jo! I was so moved when I played Forgotten Andersen's Story. It always made me think... that I want to make a game like that someday."
I smirked and asked a slightly teasing question.
"Have you been working late all this time just because you wanted to have a meal with me?"
"Well, not entirely, but to be honest, that was part of the reason!"
"So, how does it feel? Eating with the person who made a game you like."
"Uh… I'm not really sure yet…"
"I'm kidding, just kidding. You actually fell for that."
I put a spoonful of rice in my mouth, chewed, and swallowed before speaking again.
"How's work these days?"
"Well, I work hard at whatever tasks are given to me, but since this isn't the kind of game I want to make, I sometimes wonder what I'm even doing here."
It was a sentiment any developer working today could relate to.
As the game market shifted to mobile, games catering to so-called 'hardcore gamers' have dwindled, to the point of near extinction in Korea.
Many people enter the industry because they love games, but ironically, the games their companies actually make are ones nobody wants to play.
"Who isn't like that? I felt like I'd grow old and die waiting to make the game I wanted, so I just went and made Forgotten Andersen's Story myself."
"I guess it's too much to expect to make the game I want at a company, right?"
"You usually have to find your dreams outside of work."
"That's why I sometimes think about quitting and trying to be a solo developer… Ah! Not that I'm actually saying I'm going to quit."
For a moment, having revealed his true feelings, Assistant Manager Son waved his hands, as if afraid of the consequences.
The moment I heard that, I knew what Assistant Manager Son wanted to hear.
'He wants to hear some irresponsible advice, like, "Quit your job and make the game you want to make."'
People like him lack confidence in their own thoughts.
He wants to quit and become a solo developer, but he's scared of the various challenges, so he's seeking validation from someone like me, who has a successful title under his belt.
'Should I just brush it off and tell him to figure it out himself?'
Truthfully, there was no need for me to step in and give him advice.
I was going to leave this team soon anyway, and I'm not the type to meddle in other people's lives.
But… for some reason, I saw my past self in Assistant Manager Son.
And just then…
<>
[Sudden Quest / How to Help Others]
-You have had similar thoughts to Assistant Manager Son Seokjin, so you have a high level of understanding of him.
If you give him sincere advice from the heart, a good result will await you.
(1) Upon Clearing:
-'Understanding' system unlocked
-'Gain Experience Points'
'Oh... so that's how it's going to be.'
As if to push my hesitating back, God Game Maker displayed a new system window.
I didn't know what this 'Understanding' system was, but just like everything else so far, it would surely be a helpful ability.
This… was a quest I had to clear, no questions asked.
I took a deep breath and slowly… seriously, began to speak.
"Well. This might be overstepping, but I don't think that's the right way to go."
"Pardon? What do you mean…?"
"Assistant Manager Son, have you ever tried solo development before?"
"No, I haven't, but I know how to use some basic tools. I figured I could manage somehow once I started…"
"Knowing how and actually doing it are two completely different things. It took me three years to make Forgotten Andersen's Story. Are you rich enough to go three years without earning a single penny, Assistant Manager Son?"
"Not at all."
"Then you can do it while still working at the company. You haven't done it until now, but you feel like if you just quit your job, you'll suddenly be able to make a game super fast, right?"
I took a sip of water and continued.
"But that's not how it works. It's not just your body that has muscles; solo development requires muscles too."
I knew this well because I had experienced it firsthand. Humans are creatures of habit. You don't necessarily work more on your days off, nor do you work less on tough days.
Working on a personal project without anyone supervising you is simply a habit of consistency, and it's not something you can do just by making up your mind.
Just like exercising to build muscle, only those who have consistently developed on their own can create their own game.
I had gone through this process for over a year, so I was confident that even if I left the company right now, I could control myself within that habit and continue developing.
'Well… the influence of God Game Maker is also a factor…'
But to go out there unprepared?
Planning, graphics, programming, sound, marketing, distribution, legal issues, and even taxes…
Having to solve all these problems alone is no different from throwing yourself into the pits of hell.
"Only someone who has consistently worked on their own can do it. But quitting the company now without any preparation? I'd love to tell you to go out and make your own game, but if I did, you'd end up resenting me, Assistant Manager Son."
"I-I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry to me. If you want to make your own game, try it while you're still at the company. No matter how crappy this place is, if you look at it with an open mind, you can learn more than you think. The company uses Unity, right? That's more than enough to make your own game. And when the paychecks stop coming, your mind is the first thing to break."
This wasn't from my own experience, but something I knew from hearing it from Yoon Byeongjong, the webtoon artist.
I'd heard him talk my ear off about how much a person's mental state wavers when their income is unstable, and how difficult it is to pull yourself together and work every single day under those conditions.
"Well, if you were asking about the reality of solo development, that's my take on it. Does that answer your question?"
"Thank you! It-It was a huge help."
Assistant Manager Son nodded his head vigorously in response, genuinely moved by my answer.
"I'm half-joking, but if you do make a game on your own and it becomes a huge hit, don't mention my name. I don't want to get chewed out for putting ideas in an employee's head and encouraging them to moonlight, haha."
"Yes, I understand."
I ended the conversation with a light joke. Assistant Manager Son, perhaps embarrassed for having brought up the topic so recklessly, lowered his head, his face beet red.
And then…
<
<
<
A series of system messages from God Game Maker popped up.
Thanks to the level up, I must have gained 5 points, and in addition to that…
<
<
<
Judging by the flashy notifications, it seemed the new 'Understanding' system had been unlocked.
Then… a system window appeared above Assistant Manager Son Seokjin's head.
'Just as I thought… it's this kind of ability.'
[Assistant Manager Son Seokjin / Planner]
-A planner with a strong interest in game scenarios, concepts, etc.
-Was deeply moved by your game 'Forgotten Andersen's Story' and wishes to become closer to you.
-Assistant Manager Son Seokjin respects you.
※ As your Understanding increases, you will be able to learn more about Assistant Manager Son Seokjin.
-Understanding: E-
-'Planning' Stat: C- (※ A planner specializing in story, direction, and concept.)
Story - 23 / Direction - 19 / Concept - 20 / System - 5 / Balance - 4 / Level Design - 4
The status window displayed a brief description of Assistant Manager Son Seokjin, along with his detailed stats.
It seemed to be a system where I could learn more about a person by raising their 'Understanding' level through certain interactions.
'This is pretty damn good.'
I cheered inwardly.
A game company is a place where you can't survive on skill alone.
It's a world rife with politics and scheming.
In a place like this, being able to gain information about others was like giving wings to a tiger.
I couldn't be sure about right now, but once I become a PD, an ability like this would definitely be a huge help.
'That aside… Assistant Manager Son is practically a caveman at everything except story and concept…'
[A planner specializing in story, direction, and concept.]
Seeing God Game Maker's description of him and his actual stats, I could understand why Son Seokjin had taken an interest in me.
The reality is that in game companies, planners who focus on concept and story are often given the cold shoulder.
Because of that, even if they worked on concepts and scenarios, they were expected to be able to handle systems and balance as well. If they couldn't, their promotions would usually hit a ceiling.
That's why… Son Seokjin must have seen a glimmer of hope in me, someone who had achieved success based on scenario and concept.
'Hmm… he seems to have a talent for scenarios, though… Maybe I should give him a small opportunity.'
Just then, an idea flashed in my mind, and I broached the subject.
"Well, since I answered your question, Assistant Manager Son, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
"Anything, please ask!"
"You're in charge of the overall content and concept planning, right, Assistant Manager Son?"
"Yes, that's right."
"When we get back upstairs, I'll show you the world-building and scenario framework I've drafted. I want you to give me some feedback on how well it fits with our concepts. I'm too used to my own work, so I need a fresh pair of eyes."
"O-Of course! If you do that, it'll be a great learning experience for me."
I was planning to share the document with the team once it was finished anyway, but Assistant Manager Son nodded with a bright expression, seemingly happy just to be working on something with me.
He might be a bit clumsy, but at the end of the day, he had a passion for games. He had his uses.
My philosophy is that if someone has a good attitude, their skills can always be improved with some intense, short-term training. Assistant Manager Son was the type who could grow rapidly if he just had a good mentor. The problem was that his mentor was Go Yeongmi, whose incompetence was second to none.
"If you're done eating, let's head back up."
"Yes!"
After we finished our meal and went back upstairs, I immediately printed out the document I'd worked on today and handed it to Assistant Manager Son.
"Whoa, so this is how you've interpreted our system. Wow, this is really…"
"Don't just stand there in awe; I need criticism. This is going to the Division Head tomorrow."
Reading my document, Assistant Manager Son kept letting out sounds of admiration.
He was amazed at how the content and various concepts he had clumsily planned were now overlaid with a narrative, repackaged into something plausible.
If someone made crap, it was the scenario planner's job to add a narrative to it, turning it into at least somewhat edible crap.
"Manager Jo, is there some kind of foreshadowing in the name of the orb containing Phoenix's power, 'Makris'? A sub-character named Chris appears later, so I was wondering if there was a connection."
"Not particularly, but that could be a good idea to use. Thanks."
It wasn't a major critique, but Assistant Manager Son quickly poured out the thoughts and impressions that came to him.
Among them were some gems that could be used if polished, so I caught them and quickly jotted them down in my notepad.
"Oh, Assistant Manager Son. You seem to have a knack for this kind of work. I might have to treat you to something once this project is done."
"No, it's not talent… It's just that the framework you laid out is so interesting and good that ideas just keep popping into my head."
"That's usually what people call talent."
Left speechless by my definitive reply, Son Seokjin pressed his lips together. I ran a spell check one last time, then finalized the work.
Now, all I had to do was take this document to the Division Head tomorrow, get his confirmation, and then proceed with the work.
"Well, I'm heading out. Don't overdo it, Assistant Manager Son. You'll ruin your health if you don't sleep."
"Ah, yes, yes! See you tomorrow!"
I slipped on my coat and left the building. It was 11:30 PM.
It felt like I'd overworked a bit on my first day, but thanks to the company covering taxi fares for working past 11 PM, I could get home comfortably to my place near Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.
'So tired…'
Just in case the taxi driver tried to strike up a conversation, I put in my wireless earbuds and played some music.
It was a song called 'Nameless Artist' by an indie band that only a few people knew. The lyrics and melody were so lyrical that I often listened to it while making Forgotten Andersen's Story.
From the earbuds, the singer's emotional voice flowed out slowly, mixing with the day's fatigue and making me feel dazed.
「Nameless, I live where no one knows, and quietly disappear.
No one knows. No one calls my name. But… but…」
But, but… The chorus of the song began to play.
The lyrics of this part seemed to represent my feelings back when I was getting pushed around at the company, and it stirred a strange, touching emotion in me.
Things were completely different now, but whenever I listened to it, I could ruminate on the gloomy emotions of that time.
'I will continue to release games under my own name.'
I fueled my motivation, vowing never to return to the past.