Maestro Otonase

Otonase Hiroki was a Maestro, credited with leading Enjendo, one of the two major companies in the Japanese Game Industry, into its golden age. In fact, it was safe to say that almost every game series currently released by Enjendo had been influenced by him.

Now, due to his age, he has retired from the front lines, handing over all Director and Producer positions to his juniors.

Nevertheless, another epithet used to describe him was "eccentric."

One might think it an unfitting description for a Maestro who dominated an era,

but everyone who had worked with him or knew him closely agreed with it.

The reason? It is simple.

He committed truly extraordinary eccentricities.

An eccentric who championed innovation despite being part of the establishment.

A Maestro who pursued endless challenges had IP Rights that, even with a safe, commercially successful approach, could have been massive hits.

A developer called himself a merchant, yet agonized over the balance between art and commercialism more than anyone else.

This was the man, Otonase Hiroki.

Given who he was, it wasn't strange that he took an interest in Ji Hojin.

Throwing away his General Director position at a well-established Large Corporation, he joined a Competitor Company's subsidiary with an uncertain future, all to create the game he wanted.

His actions, constantly challenging different game genres with each new game he made, perfectly aligned with Hiroki's love for innovation and challenge.

However, perhaps because he needed a break, there had been no particular talk about him recently, so he hadn't been paying attention...

Then, EnsonGT's video, uploaded at an entirely unexpected time, completely captivated Hiroki.

The content of that video was precisely what he had envisioned and dreamed of in his youth.

A game where Players could continuously enjoy adventure, traveling every corner of the map, saving their progress along the way, rather than simply clearing/completing fixed Stages.

It was an Open World.

Although he had been unable to achieve his dream in his youth due to hardware limitations, eventually passing it on to a junior who considered himself his disciple,

seeing a young man attempting to implement an Open World with the limited resources of a mobile platform, a situation similar to his own past struggles, he couldn't resist.

Once his mind was made up, it was his nature to act immediately.

But at that moment, recalling his wife's nagging to think twice before acting, he sent a text message to his junior.

“This way, there shouldn”t be any problems.'

*Meanwhile, Yoshida Hideaki, the Junior who received the text from Hiroki, sighed and asked his PM.*

Didn't you say you knew someone at SFLAG the other day?

Ah, yes, I have a few close university colleagues there. But why...?

Just give me their Phone Number for now.

At his words, the PM wrote down his colleague's phone number and handed it to Hideaki.

Here's the number, but did something happen?

Our Grand Senior is heading straight to Korea the day after tomorrow to meet that recently famous Director... Ji Hojin, I think.

Hideaki's sudden Bombshell Statement.

The PM asked Hideaki with a bewildered expression.

He's still so energetic these days, isn't he? Shouldn't we come up with some countermeasures?

So, I've already sent him flight tickets and other things. Once that old man makes up his mind, no one can stop him anyway, so we might as well contact EnsonGT in advance.

Hideaki, cleaning up after Hiroki's eccentricities with an air of resignation, looked quite accustomed to it.

***

It wasn't a bolt from the blue; when I first received Tanaka's call, I thought he was playing a prank.

Otonase Hiroki, of all people, was coming to see me?

Who was the *Patriarch* of Enjendo who led it to its golden age?

After seeing the Promotional Video I uploaded a few days ago, I considered its impact.

However, it wasn't until I received a call from Enjendo, asking me to take good care of him and promising a reward later, that I realized it wasn't a prank.

“You really do see all sorts of things if you live long enough.”

Before Regression, I had no contact with Otonase Hiroki whatsoever, and After Regression, I hadn't done anything particularly noteworthy to catch his eye...

Anyway, though I didn't know the reason, it was an opportunity from heaven, so I decided to make the most of it.

He was a great figure who led Enjendo to its prime, so I was sure to gain something just by listening to him.

*The next day, after receiving Enjendo's call, he responded.*

I received a call from the Information Desk saying a visitor had arrived and was looking for me, so I went down to the first floor.

Although he had the epithet 'eccentric', he was still a Senior in the Industry, so I went down to the First Floor Lobby with a certain level of expectation, only to be overwhelmed in a different sense.

I clearly knew he was over 70 years old.

Hiroki greeted me with a hearty laugh, boasting a massive physique that made me, at 182 cm, have to look up at him.

Are you Ji Hojin?

Ah, yes... It's a pleasure to meet you. You're Otonase Hiroki Senior, correct?

That's right. I'm Otonase Hiroki. But how did you know I was coming?

Enjendo contacted us the day before.

At my words, Hiroki laughed heartily once more.

Those guys, honestly. I told them not to bother contacting you separately. Anyway, when do you finish work today?

Uh... The on-time departure is at 6 PM, but would you like to go to a cafe for now? I'll treat you.

No, that's fine. An office worker should adhere to their working hours. Instead, how about we have dinner together after work today? I'd like to discuss various things.

Of course, that's possible. I'll contact you right after work then.

Alright. See you later then.

After the appointment was made with Hiroki, the time reached 6 PM.

As soon as I left the company, I picked up Hiroki and brought him to *Hanayama*, a high-end Japanese restaurant located in Pangyo.

It had a great atmosphere, private rooms for customer privacy were well-equipped, and most importantly, the food was delicious, making it a frequent choice for game company employees in Pangyo for business entertainment.

Of course, the prices were equally formidable, so office workers couldn't even dream of coming here without a Corporate Card.

As the first Omakase dish we had reserved arrived, the full-fledged conversation began.

How long have you been involved in Game Development?

Just over 10 years now.

10 years? You're still in your prime.

Hearing my words, Hiroki chuckled and took a spoonful of the abalone porridge served as an appetizer.

From his expression, it seemed to suit his taste.

If you drink, perhaps something...

No, that's fine. When I was young, I drank all the alcohol I'd ever drink. So, it's been a while since I quit.

Is that so?

I wasn't confident I could handle his massive frame if he got drunk, so that was a relief.

As we both cleanly finished the abalone porridge, the second dish soon arrived, and stories related to games began to flow one by one.

The content ranges from the days of home consoles to stories about PC, console, and mobile games.

These were stories of the past that no professional in the Game Industry could be unaware of, but hearing them directly from a maestro who was active in that era made them uniquely engaging.

By the way, was the video you produced this time your idea?

Ah, yes. That's right. The 3D Modeling Work Speed was faster than expected, so I made the video during my free time, intending to use it for promotion.

So that project was entirely your idea?

This Project actually started after we purchased the IP Rights. So, I can't say it was entirely my idea.

I see... Was it someone else's idea then to make the Project's game an open world?

No, while the IP Rights themselves were acquired, choosing the Open World genre was my decision.

At that answer, Hiroki looked at me silently, seemingly lost in thought for a moment.

Feeling his slightly burdensome gaze, I picked up a piece of sashimi and ate it. Soon, as if he had gathered his thoughts, he continued speaking.

Do you know what my dream was when I was young?

*'Dream?'*

I had seen many interviews with Hiroki, but nothing specifically mentioned as a "dream" remained in my memory.

Uh, hmm... I don't really know.

I dreamed of making a game where characters weren't like dolls clearing fixed Stages, but could freely roam the map and enjoy adventures without any restrictions.

Hiroki, with a wistful expression, as if lost in memories, put a piece of sashimi into his mouth.

But in my time, it was impossible to implement due to hardware performance limitations. That's why I envy you and my junior now.

"Ah."

That's also why I took an interest in you. The challenge of trying to achieve a dream with the limited resources of mobile overlapped with that of my younger self, so I couldn't help but be interested.

Is that so...

Given the nature of the Open World genre, you'll face many difficulties in development and much hardship, but don't give up. It will be a great experience for you.

Faced with words that seemed to flow from deep experience, I could only nod my head.

By the way, Hiroki Senior.

Yes?

There's one thing I'd like to ask, if I may.

Go ahead.

Enjendo is famous not only for the quality of its games but also for its optimization, isn't it?

That's right.

If it's not too much trouble... could you offer some advice?

Why? Is optimization for mobile quite challenging?

It certainly is a bit.

My honest answer seemed to amuse him, and Hiroki, with a burst of laughter, motioned for me to come closer.

As I leaned in closer to him, he began to whisper quietly into my ear.

Honestly, I'm telling you this on a whim, so don't ever tell anyone else. In our time, we often shared knowledge like this, but these days, with Technology Leak concerns and all, it's a headache.

I nodded with a resolute expression at Hiroki's strong admonition.

I'll take it to my grave.

***

After finishing my first meeting with Hiroki, I was on the way home.

It was a simple dinner entertainment without any alcohol, but Hiroki's expression seemed quite satisfied before we parted.

He seemed very pleased to have given guidance to a Junior walking a similar path.

Should I call him an eccentric who remained consistent even in old age?

Thanks to him, I was able to personally receive guidance and forge a connection with Maestro Hiroki, making it a win-win encounter where both sides were satisfied.

Feeling satisfied, I returned home and rested, and when I went to the Company the next day, there was a bombshell on my office desk.

A common Document Envelope.

The title "[Opinion Collection Document regarding the Gacha Item Regulatory Bill]" was written on the outside of the Document Envelope.

'It's finally here.'