Chapter 63
Three days after my meeting with Suyeon in the CEO's Office,
I received a call from Taeyun.
The interview schedule is set for the day after tomorrow at 2 PM.
“That was faster than I expected, wasn't it?”
Yeah, I thought it would be at least a week or two later.
“Did they call you directly?”
Yeah. I got a call from an unknown number, and it turned out to be your Company's phone.
“And?”
After that, nothing much, really. We talked about how they liked the proposal, and when they asked when I could interview, I said anytime, so they immediately set a time.
“That's good. So, what happened with ND Soft?”
Don't even ask. When I submitted my resignation to the Department Head, he blew up, asking how I could resign in the middle of a project, even though people were already deserting in droves.
“See? I told you escaping was the only answer.”
At my words, Taeyun let out a hollow laugh.
Anyway, I submitted my resignation right away, and I'm going to your company for the interview the day after tomorrow.
“Then come a bit earlier than the interview time.”
[Why?]
“Before the interview, it'd be good to say hello to Yerin and check out how the Company operates. You won't have anything else to do that day, anyway.”
That's true. Then I'll call you when I arrive around 1 PM in front of the company.
“Okay. And hyung, did you talk to your sister-in-law about it?”
Of course, Seoyun and I talked, so the interview...
“No, hyung, not about your job change. Like I mentioned last time, is your sister-in-law not thinking about a return to active work?”
Was that what you meant...? I don't know. I'll ask Seoyun after work.
“Please talk to your sister-in-law nicely. That way, you'll be more comfortable too.”
What's that supposed to mean?
“Wouldn't it be more comfortable for you to work with your sister-in-law than with some random artist you've never met before?”
That's true.
“So, try to persuade your sister-in-law a bit.”
Alright, I get it, you punk. Anyway, I'll be at your company the day after tomorrow, so pick up my call.
“Okay.”
After the person hung up, various thoughts began to surface.
Thanks to ND Soft's blunders, I succeeded in bringing Taeyun to the Company, which was good, but...
After that, there were countless other tasks that came to mind.
I needed to conduct Job Training for the General Director, talk to the HR Team to recruit Additional Personnel for the New Project, and so on...
Most importantly, I prioritized Taeyun's training.
No matter how well a game is made, if it clashes with the users, it's bound to go nowhere.
Just imagining what would happen if *a User-hostile Operation* or careless remarks ended up on the Community, like Before Regression, made me dizzy.
Back then, Taeyun's Company was a *startup*, so only his game suffered, but...
At this point, with the EnsonGT name attached, if he caused trouble, not only Taeyun's game but also mine would undoubtedly suffer complete damage.
First, I should start creating the Training Materials when I have some time...
***
Two days later.
After Taeyun completed his interview, his transfer to our company was successfully confirmed.
Given the CEO's reaction to the previous proposal, it was a natural outcome.
Anyway, after his transfer was confirmed, the schedule moved quickly.
Within a week of the interview, Taeyun completed all the handover procedures and transferred to our company.
I had hoped his sister-in-law would also make a return to active work, just in case, but unfortunately, that didn't pan out.
She said she wasn't planning on a return to active work yet...
Although it was a shame that part of the plan went awry, the Project started as scheduled.
and the first step of the Project was to train Taeyun.
One day, about a week after Taeyun started working at our company
Believing he had adapted to the Company to some extent, I called Taeyun to the Conference Room.
Taeyun hurried to the Conference Room at my summons.
His expression had definitely brightened, indicating his work life was more comfortable after the transfer.
“Hyung, your expression has really improved lately.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yeah. Last time you came to me for advice, you looked like death with those dark circles, but now you're glowing.”
“It's comfortable for now, probably because we're still in the preparation phase. I don't know what it'll be like once Development begins seriously, though.”
I chuckled at Taeyun's words and said,
“By the mid-to-late stages of Development, you'll miss this very moment.”
“That's not from experience, is it?”
“Why wouldn't it be?”
After exchanging such trivial banter, I confirmed that Taeyun had completely relaxed and got to the main point.
“First, before we start today's training, I'll briefly explain the training content.”
At my words, Taeyun nodded and took out his writing utensils.
“Actually, calling it 'training' is a bit grand; just think of it as advice. There isn't really a curriculum or anything like that.”
“Saying it like that makes it even more daunting.”
“There's no need to feel pressured. These are truly basic things, so when you hear them, you might even say, 'Isn't that obvious?'”
Feeling Taeyun's gaze from the opposite side of the table, I began to speak.
“Alright, Taeyun, what do you think a General Director should be most careful about first?”
“Hmm... actions, maybe?”
Shaking my head at his words, I pointed to my mouth with my finger and said,
“The answer is your mouth.”
“My mouth?”
“Yes, your mouth. Why do you think that is?”
“Is it because if you say the wrong thing, it could cause big trouble?”
I shook my head at Taeyun's answer and replied,
“That's not wrong, but the real answer is that every single word a General Director says becomes official.”
“Official?”
“Yes. A General Director is ultimately a Spokesperson, so every action is exposed to the Users, and every statement accumulates to form the game's image. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Roughly.”
“That's why a General Director must be extremely careful with his or her words. Avoid careless remarks as much as possible, and when talking to Users, get into the habit of thinking two or three times before speaking. This is the most basic yet crucial advice, so never forget it.”
At my strong admonition, Taeyun also nodded with a weary expression.
I wished I could just say it once and be done, but I couldn't.
Before Regression, Taeyun failed to uphold this simple principle, leading his game to ruin.
Rather than letting that happen again, preventing it in advance was absolutely right, even if it meant making him suffer a bit more.
“And the second thing I want to tell you, Taeyun, is to view and judge everything from the User's Perspective.”
“Is this also from experience?”
“Of course. There's no need for examples here; you know how Girls Memorial succeeded, don't you?”
Taeyun seemed to ponder my words for a moment.
Then, as if something clicked, he nodded.
“Now that I think about it, Girls Memorial started gaining traction after your Apology Broadcast bug, didn't it?”
“Exactly. Isn't it funny when you think about it? In any service industry, it's natural to apologize to a customer if you make a mistake.”
“Right.”
“If Users were seen as legitimate Consumers, it would be normal for the Person in Charge to come out and bow his or her head in apology when an operational mistake occurs. But people in the Game Industry call this 'innovation'.”
Even as I spoke, the absurdity made me let out a hollow laugh, but Taeyun's expression was stiff, as if he had realized something.
“Ultimately, what I want to say is this: you don't need to try hard to operate well. Just operate in a User-friendly way, based on common sense. If you're really unsure, it's a good idea to observe how Service Industry businesses treat their Customers.”
After finishing my words, I was thirsty and took a sip of water.
Even with this much explanation, he surely won't mess up operations like Before Regression, right...?
***
Two days later.
“Alright, everyone, please follow me slowly! We'll take the elevator in groups of 10!”
It was a typical weekday morning in the EnsonGT First Floor Lobby.
Normally, the Lobby would be quiet except for those commuting to work, but for some reason, it was bustling.
Of the large number of people, most, at least 50 of them, were wearing temporary access cards, suggesting they were job seekers here for interviews or new employees.
However, such a large number of people gathering was a rare sight by EnsonGT standards, so everyone gathered in the Lobby in small groups to watch.
After all, it was clear that no one would be able to use the Elevator until everyone had gone up.
Lee Seungjin, the Team Leader of Team 3 of the PC Game Development Team, and the Team Leader of Team 2 were among the gathered individuals.
Their nickname was Perpetual Team Leader or “old clunker”.
Unlike Hojin, who had secured a Director position within five years of joining, they had held their Team Leader positions for ten years, resulting in these nicknames.
Of course, these nicknames were never used in front of them...
The Team Leader of Team 2 whispered to Seungjin, looking at the Lobby.
“I heard those are the Additional Personnel for the New Studio of the Mobile Game side.”
“Nah, no way. That must be a rumor.”
Seeing Seungjin's disbelieving look, the Team Leader of Team 2 continued with a “Feeling Unfairly Treated” expression.
“Didn't you hear? The new director for the Mobile Team is Director Ji's acquaintance. The HR Team told us directly.”
“This is ridiculous. We asked for Additional Personnel because we're short-staffed, and they barely sent us a few as a Token Gesture. But for them, because they're doing well, they just push them through immediately?”
“You guys are at least better off. Our performance bonuses are the lowest right now, so I'm scared to even make eye contact with my Team Members.”
Saying that, the Team Leader of Team 2 let out a deep sigh.
But, noticing that Seungjin's demeanor was different from usual, he soon asked him,
“Hey, is something going on with your team?”
“What are you talking about now?”
“No, usually, you'd sigh and complain along with my misery, but today you seem completely unfazed.”
“This guy and his words. Anyway, something *is* going on.”
“What is it?”
“Our team is sharpening its knives and preparing something this time.”
“Are you finally going for one last big score with a highly toxic business model before shutting down the service?”
“Don't talk nonsense. This is what we've been sharpening our knives for. What do you think?”
The Team Leader of Team 2 took the tablet Seungjin handed him and checked it.
*Inside the tablet was an illustration of a beautiful girl, appearing to be in her early teens, with silver hair and red eyes, immersed in ice water.*
“Is this a new character prepared for Summer Vacation?”
“This is not for Summer Vacation, but for a character we're preparing to release next year. We subtly leaked only a rough sketch to the Community, and the reaction was explosive.”
Hearing Seungjin's story, the Team Leader of Team 2 checked the Illustration on the tablet once more.
The beautiful girl's appearance fits the Android Concept marked with an asterisk in the blank space of the Illustration.
The Illustration clearly seemed to be of unusual quality, even to the Team Leader of Team 2, who had little knowledge of Subculture genres.
“What do you think? This much should definitely work, right?”
He sighed and replied to Seungjin's gaze, which seemed to know exactly what the Team Leader of Team 2 would say.
“Yeah, you punk. It looks like you're really going to make a big splash this time, so while you're at it, humble those Mobile Team guys a bit.”
In response to the Team Leader of Team 2's answer, Seungjin glared at the area where the New Employees were gathered and said,
“Of course, I will.”