Chapter 58
600,000.
This is the number of Pre-registrants up to this point.
Compared to the First Launch, which exceeded 1 million, it was slightly disappointing, but considering the population difference with Japan and the number of Korean users who had already started on the Japanese Server, it was more than just a good performance; it was a success.
Initially, most Team Members had estimated the Number of Pre-registrants to be around 300,000.
One weekday afternoon, buoyed by such encouraging results, as we were accelerating towards the launch,
I received a call and went down to the First Floor Starbucks to consult with Yerin about her concerns.
“...So, the Henrietta Hanbok Skin, the Pre-registration Reward, still isn't finished? Why?”
At my question, Yerin nodded with a gloomy expression, then showed me two design drafts.
“We have to choose between these two drafts, but the Art Team is split 50/50...”
“This... is certainly something to deliberate over.”
Checking the two Henrietta Hanbok Skin drafts Yerin showed me, I found it clear why opinions were split down the middle.
One draft was a modern Modernized Hanbok style, similar to Henrietta's overall image, with a fair amount of exposure.
The other draft was a traditional Hanbok style, opposite to Henrietta's image, with less exposure.
Both drafts were high-quality enough to immediately be completed and Update, but their concepts were diametrically opposed.
However, when I stepped away from personal preference and looked at it from a Director's perspective, it was clear which one to choose.
“If it’s too difficult, should I choose for you?”
“Are you, Senior?”
“Yeah. I can tell exactly which one to choose.”
Hearing me say that, Yerin spoke with a disbelieving expression.
“Go ahead and choose.”
“In my opinion, between these two drafts...”
Along with my answer, I picked up one of the drafts Yerin had shown me.
“I think this is the right answer.”
The draft I chose was Henrietta's traditional Hanbok style, with less exposure.
Yerin tilted her head and asked, as if my choice was unexpected.
“Really? I thought Senior would choose the opposite draft, so this is surprising.”
“Me? Why?”
“Well... for Subculture, isn't this usually the case? In Subculture, Female Character designs with more exposure are usually more popular, aren't they?”
I shook my head at Yerin’s words.
While it was generally true, this case didn't fall into the usual category.
“Of course, in the Subculture genre, designs with more exposure tend to be well-received... but occasionally, there are cases where the opposite is true.”
“Opposite cases?”
“Yes, for traditional attire like Hanbok, qipao, or kimono, many people typically prefer traditional designs with less exposure.”
“Ah.”
Yerin's expression was as if she'd been caught off guard.
Seeing that expression, she seemed to have something click for her.
“Furthermore, Henrietta’s basic design already has a lot of exposure, so a traditional design like this is more likely to be well-received. There’s a ‘gap,’ you see.”
“Now that Senior mentions it, that certainly makes sense...”
“Right?”
Yerin, her expression relaxed as if she had made up her mind after my advice, stood up.
“I have a lot of work piled up, so I’ll get going. Thanks for the coffee!”
“Alright, once it’s done, send me the results by email for final confirmation.”
“I will!”
Seeing Yerin leave the Cafe with a noticeably more relaxed expression than before, I couldn't help but sigh.
Who should I consult about my own worries?
***
Currently, I have two main tasks within the Project.
The first was providing feedback on Team Members' Work, like in Yerin's case.
And the second was Publishing Work.
While it was an expected outcome from the moment I declared we wouldn't use a Publisher for the Korean Server...
The sheer volume of work was beyond my imagination.
*Were operations always this much work?*
Recruiting and selecting Operations Team Employees (naturally, I chose individuals who wouldn't cause gender conflict).
Negotiating with various companies to reduce costs for Game Service Infrastructure Expansion is ongoing.
And even report writing to the CEO and Executives for weekly meeting reports.
This was the amount of work, even with the Advertising Agency handling advertisements.
It was fortunate that at least the advertisements were entrusted to the Agency...
If I had to do this myself, wouldn't either Yumi or I have collapsed?
Anyway, the Advertising Agency we contracted with sent an employee the very next day after the agreement.
Her name was Jung Daeun.
She was the female employee sitting on the opposite side from me.
The Agency said it sent its Ace...
Well, I'd find out once we talked.
“I apologize for making you wait. I had an urgent call to take.”
“Oh, no. It’s fine. I haven’t been waiting that long...”
I stopped Daeun, who was about to stand and offer a greeting, and handed her a business card.
“I am Ji Hojin, EnsonGT Director.”
“Thank you! I am Jung Daeun, dispatched from Pixel Pro. Here is my business card...”
After putting the business card I received into its case, Daeun stood up and bowed her head in greeting.
“Today, I will support the Director with all my heart and soul!”
Thus began the Business Meeting.
The first thing Daeun presented was the Advertisement List.
“What’s this?”
“If the Director selects the advertisements you want, I will optimize them and provide a quote. So please, feel free to choose.”
“I’d like some recommendations.”
“Ah, yes! Typically, Game Advertisements are dominated by Online Advertisements like video or Banner Advertisements, so I recommend focusing on those. They have a high Synergy Effect and are cheaper than Offline Advertisements, so they are widely preferred.”
I slowly nodded at Daeun’s recommendation.
Indeed, games have a large user base that is familiar with online platforms and spends a lot of time there, so online advertisements do have good synergy.
But Online Advertisements alone weren't enough.
The marketing I wanted was to attract as many people as possible who had never heard of our game and get them to play it.
Offline Advertisements, not online, were desperately needed for such marketing.
Our online recognition was already more than sufficient, overflowing even.
However, as I was scanning the Advertisement List, finding nothing particularly appealing.
I finally found the Advertising Method I wanted.
“What do you think about Subway Advertisements?”
At the mention of Subway advertisements, Daeun asked me back with a very surprised expression.
“Subway Advertisements... did you say?”
“Yes.”
“Director, if you don’t mind my saying, may I share my personal opinion?”
“Please, speak freely.”
“Subway Advertisements... personally, I don’t recommend them. While Subway Advertisements offer significant exposure and are a good advertising method for reaching the general public, Reverse Arcadia is a subculture genre.”
“There’s a high chance the general public will feel repulsion?”
“Yes, yes... Marketing is ultimately about instilling a positive image, but since there’s no precedent for subculture in this area, subway advertisements might have a bit of a negative reaction...”
I understood what Daeun was trying to say.
From my perspective, launching a Subculture genre with Subway Advertisements at this point was literally an unprecedented gamble.
From the Agency’s standpoint, it would be a task they’d want to avoid as much as possible, needing to achieve results with advertisements.
But my gut feeling told me Subway Advertisements were the answer.
“If the reaction is negative, I will bear the responsibility, so how about we try proceeding with it?”
Daeun’s expression finally relaxed when I said I would take on all the risk.
“If Director insists to that extent, there’s nothing we can’t do... but I must warn you, I did clearly caution you.”
“Of course.”
“Well then... may I explain a bit about Subway Advertisements? It’s quite complex...”
“Please do.”
At my reply, Daeun began to explain with a professional smile.
“Subway Advertisements can broadly be divided into In-train Advertisements and Station Advertisements. First, Station Advertisements are—”
Daeun’s explanation, once started, continued for longer than I expected.
“So... the unit price varies for each Subway Line, and in detail, the unit price can also change depending on the number of electronic display boards at each station and the number of cars in the train?”
“Exactly. That’s why preparing a quote can be a bit tricky.”
“Then, how about we contract for all lines while we’re at it?”
“So, contracts usually focus on specific lines... What?!”
Realizing the strangeness of my words a moment too late, Daeun asked me back with a surprised expression.
“D-did I mishear you? You said all lines, didn’t you...?”
“You heard correctly.”
At my words, Daeun stared blankly at me, then quickly composed herself, opened her notebook, and began writing/drafting.
“An advertisement of this scale is new to me... If there’s anything else you need, please tell me now.”
Pondering for a moment on Daeun’s words, I recalled a subway advertisement that had remained vividly in my mind from Before Regression, and then spoke.
“Now that I think about it, there are also Wrapping Advertisements for entire subway cars... I’d like you to look into that as well.”
Daeun, perhaps judging it difficult to handle on her own, sighed and asked me at my final request.
“Excuse me, would it be alright if I made a quick call...?”