Game Director from Hell

Chapter 47: CSAT Jo Ayoon (2) + Collaboration

Transition to emergency mode.

Studio Rewind temporarily became an entrance exam academy.

"How's Ayoon doing in her classes?" It was an orderly meeting led by the principal, Han Seorim.

"In math, she's steadily at a Grade 3 level. Even if she fails a few killer questions, she can still maintain her grade."

"For Korean literature, she's at a Grade 4. It seems challenging to raise it further because of the memorization workload."

"She's going back and forth between Grade 3 and Grade 4 in Science."

Subject teachers began their briefings.

Han Seorim raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. "Why is she struggling? It should be the easiest subject."

It was known as the easiest subject.

Kim Hyeji, the responsible teacher, spoke as if she were unjustly treated. "Well, it's because of Ayoon..."

I felt like I knew what Kim Hyeji was going to say. Suddenly, I remembered what Jo Ayoon had said.

"Imagine if a missile suddenly came and killed everyone; that would be fun..."

It was something she said while watching a touching family movie together. Jo Ayoon, addicted to dopamine, had a unique sensibility and worldview.

Han Seorim couldn't bring herself to admit this fact and shivered before surrendering to reality. "...Teach her to memorize. Just tell her to memorize."

"Understood!"

Finally, it was my turn.

"Senior, how is Ayoon doing in foreign languages?"

Foreign languages, huh? Give me a definite answer.

"It's very close."

"?"

"Ayoon is weak in languages."

Chin-ups, and she was going back and forth by just one question. Despite mastering one more type of listening problem out of the 30s, she was still struggling.

The reason? Well...

"She can't focus during listening."

"She makes mistakes in listening?"

"She says she starts to analyse classical music during the listening section."

"What nonsense is that?"

"I know, right."

There was nothing we could do if she claimed it herself. It was truly regrettable that the listening, which was supposed to be a breeze, was a stumbling block even though she could get the rest right.

"But there's nothing more we can do."

The lifespan of Entrance Exam Academy Rewind was only two days.

It was D-2 before the college entrance exam.

Exam takers receive a lot of consideration from society. This tendency is especially evident in the adults around them, as they all understand the tension of that time from their own experiences.

Ayoon was no exception.

"Ayoon, did you sleep well?"

Early in the morning, people from her parents' workplace came to greet her in front of the test centre.

The mid-November weather was starting to get chilly.

With so much attention focused on her, Ayoon felt embarrassed and nodded.

"Yes, yes..."

"Did you eat well? How about going to the restroom? Oh, you've stopped listening to music, right? You're not supposed to listen to it for a week..."

"I'm, I'm fine..."

Ayoon confidently nodded her head.

"Should I have worked a little harder?"

Suddenly, a feeling of regret surged within.

"I knew it, I shouldn't have spent a year playing games secretly at the PC."

"I should have studied for an extra hour each day and learned 10 more words."

"I shouldn't have used the excuse of refreshing my mind to lie down and sleep."

"Should've, should've, should've..."

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Ayoon had the same regrets that most students commonly have.

Of course, that didn't turn back time.

Ayoon felt guilty about the warmth of Seorim's embrace, filled with affection.

It felt like a needle poking her heart.

In that moment, Seorim whispered.

"You can do it. Unni believes in Ayoon."

"Yes, yes..."

"Ayoon, Ayoon! Here, eat some chocolate! You need to eat something sweet for your brain to work well!"

"Here's some coffee... it promotes diuresis, so let's have warm honey water instead!"

The chocolate that melted in her mouth was sweet.

Then, the warmth of the honey water, trickling down her throat, helped relieve the tension.

"Go, Ayoon!"

Myungkyu said.

Lastly, it was Yeonho's turn.

"Crush it and come back. You can do it."

Shaking his fist with a stoic face, Yeonho was truly himself.

Ayoon couldn't help but smile at his appearance.

Receiving the expectations and support of others was still unfamiliar to her, but it was a happy thing.

She wanted to repay their kindness.

"Yes, I will!"

The exam venue was the front gate of the high school.

Among the many people who came out to support the test-takers, Ayoon raised her fist above her head and said.

"I'm going to crush it!"

With a surge of determination, she said.

That's how she entered the exam venue amidst cheers.

"Whew..."

Jo Ayoon was relieved.

Fortunately, the lowest possible grade in the mock exam was a pass.

***

-Oh! Boss! I can't thank you enough for being the boss. I wonder what would have happened to our Ayoon if you weren't here. Thank you so much...

Jo Ayoon's mother expressed her gratitude.

It was beef.

"Hehe, it's delicious..."

Jo Ayoon was delighted, regardless of the outcome, she was happy that her mock exam result was a success.

Two weeks after the real exam.

There was one way to describe the change in Jo Ayoon.

"During this time, she levelled up to 20."

"Yes! I grew all night!"

"Isn't that a regression?"

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

Yeah, now that the exam is over.

Let's stop thinking about it.

Now, I need to start thinking about work.

There happened to be one very important matter.

I returned to the office after the company dinner.

I opened my email and read the invitation I received the day before.

[Congratulations!

Your game "Hellic 2: Hell of Alice" has been nominated...].

In a word, that's it.

"...An award ceremony."

The game had been nominated for an award ceremony.

In other words, the end of the journey called "Hellic 2" was right around the corner.

It was a moment filled with emotions.

I had run towards this moment, and now the finish line was in sight, with all sorts of thoughts flooding my mind.

Among them, the one that pierced deepest was none other than this.

"...I'll go see it now."

Memories of my past life resurfaced.

The time when I had created an identity and died from exhaustion.

Back then, I had a guaranteed spot for winning the award.

Public opinion was like that, and the numbers were like that.

The impact of the game was immense.

Well, it's a game I made while wrecking my body, so why not?

'In the end, I couldn't participate in the awards ceremony.'

I died while packing my stuff.

I was on the phone with Jo Ayoon, and there were less than seven hours left until my flight.

The moment came vividly to mind and then disappeared.

It's not important now.

'I'm back.'

That was all that mattered.

I was about to challenge a landscape I hadn't seen before.

The proof I had longed for on that day was now reaching out to me once again.

What should I say?

About this feeling, this sensation.

When I think about it, my gaze inevitably turns towards the office.

"Myungkyu, Myungkyu! Are you up for lunch?"

"Oh... Boss! Myungkyu is playing games again..."

"Ah, Ayoon! What are you all doing during office hours!"

Seeing the chaos in the office, a sigh and a laugh suddenly rose from within me.

'I'm not alone this time. It's different.'

It was different from the past.

I was standing in the same place, but I had a different appearance.

I can't erase that time.

But I can say that I've improved since then.

At least, I'm different from back then, when I was so immersed in my own world that I couldn't see what was around me.

And there's another difference... Yes.

'This time, it's not even a confirmed award.'

It wasn't good news.

But it was definitely news that fuelled my determination.

When I looked at internet articles, I immediately saw a competing game mentioned in the game news.

"Studio Mojang's Minecraft Sweeping the Industry!"

Minecraft had been released a while ago.

It was showing devastating sales numbers, just as I remembered, and it was predicted to continue dominating, just as it had before.

This Minecraft was the rival I had to compete against for this year's awards.

A complete victory was impossible, of course.

But I wasn't in despair.

'It's worth competing. Especially in this age where everything depends on initial sales.'

Of course, Minecraft was Minecraft.

A masterpiece that could never be surpassed in the history of indie games, and an absolute sales record that no one would be able to beat in the future.

A phenomenon transcending the realm of games.

That's why it was being elevated to such heights, even in the future.

To win Indie GOTY, I had to sell at least as much as Minecraft and I had tried every aggressive marketing tactic I could think of for that reason.

It was necessary, and this trophy would be sweeter than anything.

This award would not stop at GOTY this time.

'There's nothing else out there.'

This was the only opportunity to obtain the title of the Indie that defeated Minecraft, hovering somewhere in the stratosphere and mesosphere, with its rocket not yet launched.

I needed to consider the factors for that.

Each webzine talks about the best game of the year, which is obviously the GOTY.

So, the types of GOTY also number in the hundreds, and naturally, not all of them are considered equal.

Nowadays, the trend is to base it on the number of awards, even in the GOTY category.

But even that is ultimately a story within this Korean peninsula.

And the stories of a few overseas gamers.

That, too, will change in the future.

In the end, what is widely recognized are the so-called "Big 5" game awards.

Among them, the most unique standard for GOTY is The Game Awards.

Currently, it's called the Spike Game Awards.

Fortunately, I had been nominated for all five of the Big 5 game awards.

I was aiming for the Indie category in those Big 5 game awards and the IGF GOTY at the Indie Game Festival.

'Your award history is your company's reputation.'

The game's award history becomes a different form of the IP's power, especially in places where evaluations directly affect sales.

In conclusion, since award history can also affect sales in this market, it is important for the future.

Well, let's aim for the AAA level next.

Suddenly, I recalled a memory about the protagonist of Hellic 3.

• Lebosio. You there. O heavens. You dreadful one.

To shed light on their journey, we need amount of content that matches that.

I was lost in thought.

"Sunbae! Aren't you eating lunch today? We're going to a Chinese restaurant."

Han Seorim asked.

I checked the time.

It was already 1 o'clock.

I wasn't particularly hungry.

I had a lot to sort out, so I didn't have an appetite.

"You guys go ahead. I have some business to take care of."

"Oh, is it the flight ticket for the awards ceremony?"

"Yeah, and I need to start looking for accommodations too."

Just the Big 5 Game Awards would involve a long journey back and forth between North America and Europe.

My team members were excited about the opportunity to travel abroad, but as the person in charge, I had many troublesome tasks ahead of me.

Fortunately, our sales were good, but the cost of plane tickets alone was a burden.

I was in the process of coordinating the schedule.

Ring!

Suddenly, I received an email.

"Hm?"

Was it an invitation to another awards ceremony?

As I thought about it, I opened the email.

"?"

It was an unexpected email from an unexpected source.

[Hello! Burger's Pride! This is Burgerland!]

The email began with this greeting, and it was an official email from a hamburger franchise.

In summary...

• Hey, how about collaborating with us?

"???"

I didn't understand English.