Chapter 94
To consult with Youngjin, as requested by my aunt (Paternal), we moved to a cafe near my family home.
When I saw his dejected expression, it seemed he had been scolded by my Aunt (Paternal) before coming to me.
“What would you like to drink?”
“...I’ll have an Americano.”
Holding the two Americanos I ordered, I sat down and asked Youngjin first, who was sitting on the opposite side.
“You said you wanted to become a Game Planner?”
“...Yes.”
“Why do you want to be a Planner?”
In other words, the fundamental reason why he aspired to be a planner.
I planned to determine the direction of this consultation based on Youngjin's answer to this question.
For example, if I judged it to be an Escapist Aspirant, as I had expected, I wouldn't hesitate to give him some harsh advice out of familial affection, making him feel the cold reality.
However, Youngjin's explanation was completely different from what I had anticipated.
“So, you decided on this career path because you found the experience of making games with your Club friends during Club Activities at school really fun?”
“Yes. Honestly, we started without much thought, just gathering with club friends to try it out, but once we actually made one, it was more fun than I expected...”
“Hmm...”
I reflected inwardly on Youngjin's answer.
I had assumed, without even listening to his story, that he was aspiring to be a Planner as an Escapist Aspirant because his grades weren't good.
In reality, there were many such Escapist Aspirants among Planner Aspirants.
“Youngjin, how old exactly are you this year?”
“18 years old.”
“18 years old, huh... Could I perhaps see a game you’ve completed?”
“Uh... just a moment.”
Youngjin took out his smartphone, fiddled with it for a moment, then handed it to me.
“I don’t really carry games on my phone... I’ll show you a review left by a user who played our game.”
Listening to Youngjin, I checked the Smartphone, and the familiar UI of the Gallery (Online Community) caught my eye.
Name: ㅇㅇ]
[Title: Review: Brief Review of the Punk Bunny I bought yesterday]
<FL>【Title Screenshot depicting a Rabbit Nun in Pixel Art Cyberpunk Style, drawn in a running pose】</FL>
It appeared as a new release on Steam the day before yesterday, and since no one seemed interested, I bought it to try out.
Since the price was cheap anyway, I figured if it was a dud, I could at least post it for laughs
Roughly, the story is simple. In 2043, an Unknown Explosion occurs on a planet inhabited by Rabbit Beast-men, and the Protagonist, an Agent, uncovers the incident and conspiracy.
The story itself is just okay, but surprisingly engaging, making me watch it without a break.
. . .
The Game System is simple: every Attack has a combo, and filling that combo gauge fills the Karma system's gauge.
But this Karma system is a double-edged sword; it increases attack power against enemies, but also increases the damage taken from enemies.
They probably added this system to keep Veteran Players from getting bored easily, and I thought it was quite innovative.
Honestly, I wrote All Praise, but at its core, it's an Indie Game with limited volume and many other shortcomings.
Still, the visuals and in-game play are decent, so I recommend giving it a try.
[Comment List][Newest]
-(Did you bring another new game?con)
-The game seems surprisingly fast-paced wow
Reply to ㅇㅇ It was good
I was surprised when I saw the review Youngjin showed me.
It was an unexpectedly glowing review.
Given that countless Indie Games either get no reviews and are forgotten, or sink after receiving only Long Reviews that are criticisms disguised as insults,
This was a clear indication of how well-received Youngjin's Indie Game was.
Moreover, this game was made by active High School Students.
Considering that AI Tools for Coding and other Game Production assistance didn't exist Before Regression, as they do now,
Youngjin and his friends were definitely worthy of high praise.
“...That’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“Really?”
Youngjin, who had been looking anxious, as if expecting to hear bad news, brightened at my compliment.
“Yeah. I’m not one to give empty praise about games, and for a game made by high school students to receive this kind of evaluation, it really is amazing.”
Youngjin nodded, his confidence seemingly restored by my praise.
“Speaking of which, Hojin Hyung.”
“What?”
“I didn’t get a chance to ask earlier... which game company do you work for, Hyung?”
“Me? Didn’t Aunt (Paternal) tell you?”
“No. I just heard you work for a big game company...”
Come to think of it, I hadn't specifically told my relatives the company name.
Since my relatives didn't particularly say anything, I hadn't even realized it myself.
“Do you happen to know the games Girls Memorial or Reverse Arcadia?”
“Of course I know those games. They’re super famous, aren’t they? They are very popular too.”
“Then you must have played them?”
Youngjin shook his head at my question.
“For some reason, I just couldn’t get into Gacha Games.”
“In that case... you know about the uproar regarding the Debate on Probabilistic Item regulations a few months ago, right?”
“Of course. The Community was quite noisy about it. But why do you ask?”
“What was the name of the EnsonGT Representative on the pro-side at that Debate?”
“Who was it... I think it was Ji Hojin...”
Youngjin thought for a moment, then suddenly looked at me with a shocked expression.
“No way... was that you, Hyung?”
“Correct.”
“No, you’re lying.”
At my sudden remark, Youngjin gave me a look full of disbelief.
Instead of explaining, I immediately handed Youngjin a business card.
The card had engraved on it the name Ji Hojin, EnsonGT Director.
“Wow...”
“How about it, do you believe me now?”
“No, really... was it really you, Hyung? I thought the face looked similar...”
“What? Still don’t believe me?”
“No, it’s not that I don’t believe you... it just doesn’t feel real... Wow... no...”
Youngjin looked dazed, as if he still couldn't believe that the Celebrity he'd only seen online was his own Hyung.
I looked at Youngjin, and a thought suddenly struck me, so I asked.
“Speaking of which, why did you want to go to a Game Training Institute or an Academy? Was it because your grades weren’t good?”
“No, I saw online that there isn’t really a Specialized Major for Planners at university, so it’s more beneficial to go to an Academy or Educational Institution to gain Practical Experience... Even now, my grades are in the 2nd-3rd Grade Range.”
“Is that so?”
Indeed, Youngjin certainly didn't seem to be the weak case I had imagined while thinking of escape.
If that's the case, I should help him out of familial affection, but how should I help...
After a moment of thought, I asked Youngjin.
“Youngjin, do you have an urgent schedule after the holidays?”
“No... I don’t think so?”
“Then, would you like to take a company tour of Hyung’s company?”
“A tour? Of course, I’d love to!”
“Really? What about school?”
“It’s fine. These days, if you apply for Home Study, there’s no problem missing school.”
“Is that so...?”
The world really has changed a lot.
“Then I’ll contact you after the holidays, so be ready. I’ll talk to Aunt (Paternal) and Patriarch myself.”
“Yes!”
The day after the 3 Nights, 4 Days holiday, which felt both short and long, arrived.
Early in the morning before work, I went to my Paternal Younger Uncle’s house, picked up Youngjin, and returned to the company.
It was fortunate that my Paternal Younger Uncle’s house was close...
Otherwise, I would have had a tough morning.
Youngjin, visiting the Skyscraper District of Pangyo for the first time, was looking around frantically, finding everything fascinating.
“I’ll show you around Pangyo after the tour is over, so let’s go in for now.”
I led Youngjin, who had snapped out of his daze after hearing my words, into the First Floor Lobby.
The Lobby was fortunately uncrowded, probably because it was a little past the morning commute hours.
“Wear this around your neck. It’ll be a big problem if it gets lost.”
As I led Youngjin, wearing the Temporary Access Card for Visitors I handed him, through the Security Gate, employees who recognized me offered greetings.
As we moved to the elevator, more than 10 employees greeted us, and Youngjin whispered to me with an impressed expression.
“Hyung, honestly, I didn’t think much of you until a little while ago, but seeing how the employees treat you...”
“Now you think Hyung is a bit amazing?”
“Yes...”
“It’s nothing special, so don’t be nervous and follow me. The tour starts now.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the elevator arrived at a good time, and we stepped in, beginning the full-fledged company tour.
***
Youngjin felt like he was dreaming.
He had only vaguely imagined a Game Developer.
And it was an opportunity to see and experience the site of a large game developer firsthand.
The scene he first saw when the elevator doors opened was.
That scene was truly a different world.
Usually, the image of a company brings to mind a bleak, rectangular interior design in monochrome colors,
But the space Youngjin was currently seeing was the exact opposite of that image.
Office walls are made of glass, and a corridor with grass is laid out.
Other spaces were also decorated with splendid ornaments that matched the image of a game called Chronicle Connect, captivating Youngjin’s gaze.
Youngjin stared blankly at the Interior Design, which literally seemed integrated with the game they were making.
“It’s quite different from a typical Office, isn’t it?”
“Yes...”
Hojin smiled and asked, seeing Youngjin’s dazed reaction.
“Alright, shall we officially begin the Studio Tour?”
Thus began the Studio Tour.
Youngjin gained a lot from this tour.
The Art Team was wrestling with tablets or mice at their respective desks, where dozens, perhaps around 100 people were.
The Development Team, slightly fewer in number than the Art Team, but still many Employees tapping keyboards incessantly while looking at monitors.
And finally, the Planning Team, where Planners, to whose profession Youngjin aspired, were discussing and listing numbers.
This sight of Professional Developers gathering, cooperating, and working together was undoubtedly something that only a Currently Working Professional could see.
Youngjin realized that all this goodwill was thanks to Hojin.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have so readily granted a tour during the sensitive Project Development period.
After the eventful tour, we were on the way home.
Youngjin expressed his gratitude to Hojin from the passenger seat. “Thank you so much today, Hyung.”
“How was it? Was it helpful?”
“Yes. Seeing you today really gave me motivation for my studies. Honestly, until today, I just thought you were a hyung who worked at a game company, but seeing you today...”
“Why? Do I look different somehow?”
“Yes... Honestly, you seemed like someone living in a Different World. Can I become like you, Hyung?”
“Why not? When I was your age, I was only debating whether or not to do Game Development.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. So don’t give up, go to university, experience various things, and when you graduate, come to Hyung. I’ll help you no matter what.”
“Really? You promised.”
Youngjin nodded, his face full of anticipation at Hojin’s promise.
Hojin couldn’t help but chuckle at Youngjin’s expression.
This should be enough; no additional consultation is needed.
***
After the holidays and the Younger Cousin consultation were finished, and daily life was resumed, time began to flow at a fast speed.
One day in October, as I went back and forth between home and work, I was engrossed in the Chronicle Connect Project.
Surprising News was delivered that neither I nor anyone else had expected.
It was the news that Reverse Arcadia had been nominated for GOTY.