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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: The Reason I Made Games Alone (3)
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When I opened the status window, the 'Expected Revenue' section, which had been displayed until a moment ago, now showed '???'
'Well, whatever. At least it has to be much better than before I replaced the graphic resources...'
It felt like a dream. I sat there blankly for a moment before gathering my wits and trying my best to understand the current situation.
The resources I applied were all real, and even now, suggestions for improving the scenario continued to appear before my eyes in the form of a status window.
'I don't know why this ability suddenly appeared, but if this is real...'
I couldn't be sure, but if this ability stemmed from the game I played, 'God Game Maker,' then the path it pointed to was clear.
To become a successful game developer by creating a masterpiece with my own hands.
The dream I've had my whole life, a reality I still want to achieve no matter what.
Now, an opportunity that could make it all happen had come my way, and I had no intention of avoiding it.
'I will use this ability to achieve my dream.'
To get a handle on the situation, I focused my mind and thought about what to do next.
'First... I need to figure out how to make the most of this ability.'
Since it was highly likely this ability came from a game, I immediately thought of a few possibilities and focused my consciousness.
'If this is like a game, is there something like a main screen?'
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1. [Developer Status Window]
2. [Developer Quest]
3. [Developer Shop: Opens after reaching Level 2]
'There it is!'
A status window-like box appeared, just as I'd expected.
I hesitated for a moment, then decided that understanding my current situation was the priority and selected 'Player Status Window.'
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[Protagonist / Jo Hyunsoo]
- A game creator who wants to make a moving masterpiece that will remain in people's memories.
Perhaps due to the influence of games he played in his childhood, he shows exceptional talent in storytelling and presentation planning. On the other hand, he lacks outstanding talent in all other areas. Honing his strengths to an extreme and finding good colleagues might be a great help in achieving your dream?
(1) Stats
- Planning (B+) - (Grade based on Story, Presentation, Concept, System, Balance, Level Design, etc.) [View Details]
- Programming (E+) - (Grade based on Server, Engine, Client, etc.) [View Details]
- Art (E+) - (Grade based on 2D Concept Art, 3D Modeling, Animation, Effects, etc.) [View Details]
※ Raising the stats of each category in Planning/Programming/Art can improve the average grade.
(2) Developer Level: 1
(3) Points: 0 (Can be obtained by raising the Developer Level.)
(4) Acquired Skills
- Story Improvement Solution (Can only be used on the title 'Forgotten Andersen's Story')
'Seeing it laid out in objective numbers like this is kind of hurtful...'
Since my job is a planner, it's natural for my Planning grade to be high.
But... I did study graphics and programming on my own from time to time, so seeing my objective stats laid out so miserably left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I clicked on the [View Details] buttons on the right for each category.
And then...
[Planning] B+
Story - 35 / Presentation - 25 / Concept - 25 / System - 15 / Balance - 8 / Level Design - 12
[Programming] E+
Server - 5 / Engine - 5 / Client - 7
[Art] E+
2D Concept Art - 5 / Pixel Art - 7 / 3D Modeling - 5 / Animation - 5 / Effects - 5
The detailed stats for the three main categories were displayed.
High stats in areas like story and presentation, but abysmal stats in balance and systems... the typical liberal arts major's stat sheet.
This was the objective picture of me, the game planner Jo Hyunsoo.
However, I didn't feel that my current situation was all that despairing.
'Now that I know what the problems are, I just need to keep moving in this direction. And... at least in storytelling, the fact that I have a strength there hasn't changed.'
No matter what path you walk, the truly frightening thing isn't the work itself.
It's the anxiety that the path you're on might have no end, or that you might be going in the wrong direction.
That's what exhausts people and wears them down the most, causing them to give up before reaching the end of the road.
But this mysterious power was showing me my situation objectively.
'And if I raise this 'level' thing, I might be able to get more help.'
Just then, another message popped up.
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[Main Quest / Forgotten Andersen's Story]
- Forgotten Andersen's Story, a solo-developed game in the works for over 400 days.
Successfully launch this Andersen's Story and prove your competence as a solo developer.
(1) Clear Condition: Release Forgotten Andersen's Story on its scheduled launch date with a rating of 4.0.
(2) Success Reward: EXP
(3) Failure Penalty: Deletion of the 'God Game Maker' system.
'...What is this brutal quest?'
Success grants EXP, but failure means this ability itself will be taken away. A brutal ultimatum.
This quest felt like a test to see if I had the ability and the will to possess this power.
'A 4.0 rating within three weeks...'
Fortunately, thanks to changing the graphic resource pack, the game's current rating is up to 3.0.
If I can just raise it by one more point within three weeks?
It seemed like I could clear this quest one way or another.
'Which area should I reinforce to raise the quality...'
I fell into deep thought.
The areas I could currently improve could be broadly divided into three: story and presentation, game systems, and graphics.
Time was limited, and so were my abilities. I needed a strategy to decide which part to fix to raise the rating.
Normally, it would be relatively easier to raise the score of the graphics or game systems, which were still low.
But... my thoughts were heading in a slightly different direction.
'In my experience, a game that is exceptionally... extremely outstanding in one aspect often receives better reviews than a game that's just okay all around.'
Rather than aiming for a safe 4.0, I wanted to create a work specialized in one thing... a game where the 'story and presentation' were absolutely phenomenal.
Besides, I now had the 'Story Improvement Solution' ability. I figured if I just poured my everything into it, it might actually be possible.
And... only by achieving this could I firmly establish my identity as Jo Hyunsoo—a person who, while not exceptional in all areas, was superior to others when it came to story and presentation.
"Let's see... I had a stimpack in the fridge."
I immediately ran to the fridge and pulled out two cans of Red Bull that had been stashed in a corner.
Then I opened my smartphone and sent a message to the PD.
[Me: PD... I'm sorry. I have a high fever right now. I think I'll need to go to the hospital tomorrow and get some rest... I'd like to use a vacation day.]
I still had over ten vacation days left anyway.
My plan was to use as many of them as possible before Forgotten Andersen's Story launched and frantically work on improving its quality.
After chugging a can of the energy drink, I grabbed the keyboard, a smile playing on my lips.
"Alright... let's go all out."
From the next day on, I worked like a madman on the development of 'Forgotten Andersen's Story.'
I kept taking vacation days, telling the PD I was sick as a dog.
It was just me rightfully using my legally guaranteed vacation days, but after getting ripped to shreds in the FGT review, he would've thrown a fit if I'd said I was just taking a break.
For nearly a week, every waking moment was spent in front of the computer, continuously refining the story and presentation.
"C-Crazy... I really thought I was going to die."
By the time the pile of empty energy drink cans on my desk surpassed thirty...
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I had finally reached my goal of 4.0.
"Still, it's clear... all that suffering made it a much better game than before."
Looking back now, I felt that pouring all my time into the story and presentation hadn't been a bad choice.
Usually, it's hard to find your own work fun unless it's truly exceptional.
But with Forgotten Andersen's Story, even as I was testing it, I could feel that the quality of the story, dialogue, and presentation was quite high.
'Now... all that's left is to wait for the release.'
Starting next week, I planned to go back to the office and watch how Forgotten Andersen's Story performed.
And if it became a bigger hit than expected, I was going to seriously consider the option of quitting my job.
Just as my thoughts were starting to settle, another system message appeared.
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'Oh, I can raise my stats? That's not bad.'
According to the description, it seemed I could use these points to develop my abilities, just like in a game.
Or, I could use them for other things, like acquiring skills.
I immediately went to the main screen and accessed the previously locked shop window.
[Developer Shop]
- Greetings! Welcome to the Developer Shop. The items in the Developer Shop are updated periodically, and the product lineup may change depending on the developer's level and situation!
(1). Leave it all to luck, Beginner's Random Package! - 10 Points
(2). Temporarily increase your work speed! 'Acceleration' - 5 Points
(3). Promote your game yourself, 'Single Title Promotion Solution!' - 5 Points
(4). Instant Shop Refresh - 1 Point
Looking at the list, there were some pretty interesting skills.
'Acceleration' seemed to be an ability that increased work speed itself, and the 'Promotion Solution' looked like a skill that would guide me on how to promote the game myself.
Having either would likely be a great help in game development.
But... it was hard to make a decision when I couldn't judge what specific benefits either choice would bring right now.
'Hmm... I'll hold off for now.'
In my experience, there was no need to make a choice prematurely with so little information.
I would use the points after 'Forgotten Andersen's Story' showed some results. By then, I'd have a better idea of my next move.
It seemed best to use these precious points then, according to the situation.
"Hoo, now to wait for the results."
And so, the stormy week passed, and for the first time in a long while, I fell into a deep, sweet sleep.