"Alright, I'll take it."
Ishino Mika could only accept it with tears in her eyes. Who told Aoki Haruhi to be the President?
But then Aoki Haruhi handed her another script, titled "LIFE-LINE."
After reading it, this poor girl burst into tears again.
Damn it!
Is this something a human can write?
She held two documents in her hands, compared them, looked up, and asked with tear-filled eyes:
"These were all written by Maeda?"
"Hmm?"
Aoki Haruhi was stunned, "Why do you have such a question?"
Ishino Mika composed herself and said, "Because… the narrative styles of the two game, the way the plots unfold, and even the tear-jerking techniques are quite similar."
"I saw Maeda writing this document a few days ago, but I didn't expect to see two copies at the same time today."
Speaking of which, this feeling is also very strange. Although the stories told by the two game are different, and the character names are also different, they give people a strange sense of connection.
"The feeling is really too similar. It's emotionally similar, and…" Ishino Mika placed the two documents side by side on the table.
On the left was CL, on the right was LL.
"It's like two existences that complement each other but are also independent. It's really interesting. If these two game could be released at the same time, no, if they were released one after another, they would definitely generate a lot of buzz."
Aoki Haruhi's eyes lit up. It was truly rare for Ishino to be able to keenly capture the similarities between these two scripts.
Originally, CL was also by Maeda Jun, but Aoki Haruhi had simply processed it himself.
Strictly speaking, it's not wrong to say that both works came from the same person.
Moreover, Ishino being able to keenly discover that these two game stories are independent yet have some subtle connection is truly rare.
"Mm-hmm."
Aoki Haruhi nodded approvingly, "So Ishino, you just said released one after another. If it were up to you, which game would you release first?"
Ishino Mika wiped her tears while contemplating, her eyes darting back and forth between the two game scripts.
After two seconds, she pointed to CL.
"It should be this one. If CL goes first…" As soon as she thought of the storyline inside, Ishino Mika felt a pang of heartache, with an urge to strangle Maeda Jun.
"First CL, which can be considered a prelude, and then LL as a mirror, which can better evoke endless memories of the two game for players."
Clap, clap, clap…
Aoki Haruhi clapped his hands together, applauding her, with a relieved smile on his face, like an old father watching his daughter finally grow up and become successful.
"Splendid~"
But for some reason, when Ishino Mika saw the smile on his face, a cold fear inexplicably welled up from the depths of her heart.
"Excellent, brilliant analysis. I think so too." Aoki Haruhi said, "If CL is life, then LL is inverse life, which is memory. So putting life first is the most reasonable arrangement.
Ishino, you really have a lot of potential."
"Huh? Uh… President Aoki, you flatter me."
"Then you will be the Producer for both game. I believe in you." Aoki Haruhi showed a happy smile on his face.
"Huh?!"
Ishino Mika's almond eyes widened, looking at Aoki Haruhi in disbelief.
President Aoki, are you a devil?
Making one CL is miserable enough; who knows how many players will send her razor blades.
You also want me to be the Producer for LL. Do you think I have too long to live?
She was directly scared to tears, "No, I can't… Taking on one CL is already scary enough, cough cough, busy enough, let alone taking on two game. I can't manage two game simultaneously."
Ishino Mika's brain spun rapidly. At a life-and-death moment, one's instincts are always stimulated: "President Aoki, you yourself have also served as a Producer, so you must know the hardships involved. This is not just about supervising production and assigning tasks; it requires you to invest yourself wholeheartedly and do every detail well.
It will consume a lot of energy and time, and I definitely can't handle it alone."
"Hmm…"
Aoki Haruhi folded his arms and nodded silently, acknowledging Ishino Mika's words.
Indeed, it would be too difficult for Ishino to be the Producer for two game alone.
Starting to lack Producers again…
Aoki Haruhi thought, why am I so short of Producers?
By the way, what is Nasu Kinoko doing now?
"Otherwise…" Just then, Ishino Mika cautiously probed, "President Aoki, would you consider making a comeback?"
"Comeback?"
"Yes." Ishino Mika nodded, "Furuhara Tsubaki returned to Pokeni."
"Ah, this…"
Aoki Haruhi frowned. He originally wanted to refuse, but swallowed the words back when they reached his lips.
Is it really good to announce a comeback after only one year of leaving?
Aoki Haruhi hesitated for a while, "Let me think about it. You first take charge of the CL production content. Work will start after the new year."
What's more, he is also very busy now, with two projects on hand: diablo ii and Pokémon.
The development difficulty of Pokémon can be ignored; at most, he participates in some character design meetings.
However, the development content of diablo ii is extensive and complex, and he also has to participate in meetings with the programmer regarding the feasibility of the game. All of these consume a lot of time and energy, and Aoki Haruhi is not confident that he can simultaneously hold two game.
After the game console prototype from Sony comes out, Pokeni will also have to produce new 3D game, and there will be even less time then.
Damn it, it's all because he knew the answers in advance and wanted too many things, leading to Pokeni's rapid expansion now, but without enough talent.
…
When Aoki Haruhi left work in the evening, he turned off the lights and locked the door, but heard sounds coming from the experience room.
He glanced over and saw that the lights were still on inside.
Is this haunted?
He pushed the door open slightly and peeked inside, finding that it was Miyazaki Hidetaka, the young man, playing game inside.
This guy has been playing like crazy here ever since he signed an internship contract with Pokeni.
When his university courses are not too busy, as long as he has time, this guy rushes to Pokeni and tries out all the game available in the experience room.
Terrifying.
Even Aoki Haruhi felt a chill down his spine.
It can only be said that this guy was restrained too much as a child. The more he lacked something, the more he wanted to experience it with a vengeance at this time.
Aoki Haruhi gently pushed the door open and found that this person was playing The Witcher.
Miyazaki Hidetaka glanced back and quickly put down the controller.
"President Aoki."
The chubby young man stood respectfully, extremely introverted, not daring to look directly into Aoki Haruhi's eyes.
This habit never changed later, even when giving acceptance speeches on international stages, he would always dodge and hide, always giving people a sense of a perverted uncle with a lewd look.
"It's nothing, I just saw the lights on here after work, so I came to take a look." Aoki Haruhi looked at the screen of the television. This person was almost at the vampire castle.
"Do you have any insights?"
"Mm." Miyazaki Hidetaka nodded seriously, his chin tucked in and the corners of his mouth slightly upturned. Although his eyes were not looking at Aoki Haruhi, they were sparkling, "The biggest feeling is that game can be made this way."
"Elaborate?" Aoki Haruhi asked encouragingly, then found a chair and sat down.
"I haven't played The Witcher to the end yet, probably because my operational skills haven't improved." Miyazaki Hidetaka said a little shyly.
This young man turned his face sideways, tucked in his chin, and occasionally looked up to glance at Aoki Haruhi, then immediately shifted his gaze back to the game screen.
Sometimes he really acts like someone with social anxiety.
"So far, the game gameplay, story, and background are combined quite well." Miyazaki Hidetaka said, "It truly gives people a feeling of adventuring in a fantasy continent. And I really like the game's combat design.
Gorgeous combos, fluid actions, when facing enemies, you always have to go through it in your brain first to see if there is an optimal strategy."
"The design of the game levels is natural. You might loop around and return to the starting point, then piece together the story through fragmented small clues, guiding subsequent exploration. I think this design is excellent.
The monsters also seem to have their own strategies, which gave me a whole new understanding.
Wow, so game can be designed like this."
Miyazaki Hidetaka chuckled sinisterly, "It's like creating a whole new continent, and on this continent, there really lives such a group of people: vampires, humans and animals infected by vampires and turned into monsters. Some of them have intelligence, some act purely on instinct…
And unexpectedly, while you are exploring, they will suddenly appear from unexpected places.
This feeling is really too exciting.
I was thinking, if we could design more unexpected monsters with more cooperation and actions, wouldn't it be even more interesting?"
"Also, in The Witcher, many of the monsters and BOSSes have very fixed patterns. You can find countermeasures after playing a few times. It's not that it's not good enough, it just gives a mechanized, formulaic feeling."
"I was thinking, perhaps the fallen heroes, with their splendid moves after transformation, and the strategic changes that can occur with the players' actions, would be more realistic?"
…
Miyazaki Hidetaka continuously spoke about everything he had experienced during this period, wanting to share the happiness and joy he had felt.
It could be seen from his face that playing game was truly enjoyable.
As expected of someone born for game.
Very good.
Aoki Haruhi even wanted to stand up and applaud him.
Incredible, to be able to enter the identity of a designer so quickly, it's truly amazing.
Many people experience game, often observing from the perspective of a player.
Isn't that obvious?
Experiencing game is definitely from a player's perspective.
But there are always some meticulous people who will reverse their thinking and think from the perspective of the Producer.
For example, regarding level and monster design, most people would probably complain that this monster is too difficult, or that this BOSS is really cool and charming, while Miyazaki Hidetaka would think from the enemy's perspective—
How should I attack and defend against the player, and how should I choose different strategies in response to the player's actions.
This guy, to put it nicely, is [naturally born to make game].
To put it not so nicely, this person naturally has the heart of a villain.
Anyway, he is the chosen one.
As expected of a top game Producer who dances on the altar, Aoki Haruhi expressed great anticipation for his growth.
"Hmm, quite good. To have such profound insights after playing game for such a short time." Aoki Haruhi said with a smile, "You are truly the most talented game developer I have ever seen."
"Really?"
Miyazaki Hidetaka smiled shyly.
"Really." Aoki Haruhi said seriously, "Miyazaki, you need to have more confidence in yourself. You have unlimited potential, and you must not feel uneasy just because you haven't played game before, or entered the game industry late.
You are very talented."
"Thank you, thank you, President Aoki." Miyazaki Hidetaka's eyes sparkled.
He was praised by the President Aoki.
So good.
President Aoki is really a good person.
"Keep it up."
Aoki Haruhi stood up and patted his shoulder, "I'm rooting for you."
"Thank you, President Aoki!"
Finally, after thinking for two seconds, Aoki Haruhi said with determination, "If you've experienced enough game, then join the development of diablo ii after the New Year."
"Eh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Miyazaki Hidetaka's eyes. He looked up in disbelief, "Really?"
This was probably the first time he looked directly at Aoki Haruhi, only to feel that the man in front of him was handsome, tall, and mighty, radiating a golden glow all over.
"Thank you, President Aoki!"
Aoki Haruhi smiled casually, then pushed the door open and walked out.
"By the way, remember to lock the door when you leave."
…
Two days later, Aoki Haruhi took the initiative to contact Hayao Miyazaki and invited him out for dinner.
The animation Producer, who was over fifty, was very happy to hear that it was Aoki Haruhi and gladly accepted the invitation.
The two had some communication and contact since their last "porco rosso Completion Interview" at Ghibli, but it wasn't particularly deep.
However, both had a sense of mutual appreciation.
Aoki Haruhi admired Hayao Miyazaki more, while Hayao Miyazaki appreciated Aoki Haruhi's understanding of game and also liked Pokeni's game works.
Everyone was very keen to have a deeper exchange, and this opportunity came along perfectly, so it was a match made in heaven.
Aoki Haruhi arranged to meet at a Western dessert shop. After Hayao Miyazaki arrived, he asked the waiter to bring a chocolate mousse cake. The two shared it and started chatting while eating.
"Well, it's presumptuous of me to invite you out, but I mainly have some questions I'd like to ask you." Aoki Haruhi said.
"Not at all, President Aoki, you are too kind." Hayao Miyazaki laughed heartily, "Aoki-san, I think we shouldn't be so formal, just be natural."
"Really?" Aoki Haruhi said with a smile, "Then I'll treat you as a friend."
"Hahaha, aren't we already friends?" Hayao Miyazaki smiled with pursed lips, two large dimples on his face, truly adorable.
Alright then.
With the old man's words, Aoki Haruhi didn't hide anything and went straight to the point, "Then I'll be bold and ask.
Senior Miyazaki, do you feel no guilt at all after retiring and then making a comeback?"
"Pfft, cough cough…"
The old man choked on the cake and coughed violently.
Please Support me by becoming my Patreon member and get 20+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon