In mid-April, the 86 game was completed.
This game was actually quite simple to make, and there was nothing new in terms of game mechanics; strategy games were already a very mature genre in Japan.
Logically, such a strategy game would take about half a year to a year to complete, and with Pokeni's development capabilities, it might take even less Time.
However, the main reason it took a year, from the first half of last year until now, was that:
This Time, Pokeni adopted a brand-new 3D presentation, meaning all game characters, including the mechs used, were modeled.
Moreover, a large number of animations were created to enhance the game's expressiveness.
In the game, the UI also adopted a new, futuristic style, and auxiliary lines were added to the board; for example, when a character moves in the strategy game, attack ranges and enemy attack ranges will be displayed around them, and walking paths will be more intelligent.
In combat, when targeted by an enemy, many auxiliary markers will appear above their heads…
In other words, Pokeni undertook a complete iteration of the strategy game genre; this game can't even be entirely called a strategy game anymore.
In the current strategy game field, 86 - eighty-six is absolutely unique and will surely make the whole world tremble.
…
Actually, the current 86 is relatively simpler compared to princess mononoke and The Witcher: Devil's Egg.
There are no new black technologies that need to be developed by programmers in the game; it's simply about providing more effect support for the UI.
So, the artists and programmers in Ishino Mika's team were very happy.
The only potential issue was, is Maeda Jun's script really okay?
"Don't worry, Maeda Jun's script is great, no problems at all."
In the Director's office, Aoki Haruhi said to the worried Ishino Mika and Maeda Jun.
Don't I know if there's a problem?
I wrote the script outline!
However, the script outline provided by Aoki Haruhi actually only contained the content of the first part of 86.
Moreover, there were significant discrepancies in many plot points compared to the 86 he had seen in his previous life.
The most crucial change was that Aoki Haruhi altered the plot where the 86, as if having been subjected to manipulation, not only had to die for others but also died without any value.
As someone who had received nine years of compulsory education, Aoki Haruhi stated that there should be no such thing as merely accepting oppression without resistance.
Even Spartacus, as a slave, had moments when he wanted to resist.
What's more, the 86 are not slaves at all; they should live with more dignity, and instead, it's those white-skinned pigs in the country's upper echelons who are the ones who should die the most.
So, in the entire storyline modified by Aoki Haruhi, the original character settings, world view, and basic settings were retained, but the storyline itself was entirely different.
Though tragic, they must die for a worthy cause.
This is what Aoki Haruhi wanted to convey to the players.
86, you carry a very important mission.
When Maeda Jun and Ishino Mika saw Aoki Haruhi's outline, they were also shocked.
This Time, Maeda Jun was essentially following Aoki Haruhi's outline and communicating with his soul.
"I'm not even sure myself," Maeda Jun scratched his head and blinked, "Director, I always feel deeply shaken by the plot, but I'm not sure if I have the ability to grasp it."
In reality, Maeda Jun has his comfort zone; he is very good at describing stories on a small scale, such as a school or a city, but once it escalates to the national level, especially the macroscopic human narrative, he becomes somewhat strained.
Charlotte from his previous life is a good example; the first half of Charlotte was a classic, but once it entered aspects like conspiracies, wars, and national interests, it seemed too naive, still operating on a high schooler's mindset.
This Time, Aoki Haruhi essentially forced him to learn a great deal, to learn Aoki Haruhi's way of thinking during game production, also so that this guy could become more mature when creating animations similar to Charlotte in the future.
Urobuchi Gen, for example, has been very well-trained by Aoki Haruhi.
His performance in The Witcher: Devil's Egg is evident for all to see; it not only contains Gen Urobuchi's Specialties's Dac and loving elements but also a grand human narrative, profound questions about war, and philosophical reflections on a human level, all of which indicate one thing—
Gen Urobuchi has grown; he has matured, and this guy has completed his transformation, becoming more profound in his thinking.
This is a very good thing.
This is also what Hayao Miyazaki and Aoki Haruhi discussed back then—
Games are a cultural medium and our tool of expression, just like animation; we need to bring in more people, and at the same Time, we need to tell them things with deeper spiritual meaning.
The entrance should be wide and large, and the exit should be high and narrow.
Aoki Haruhi has always remembered Hayao Miyazaki's words and has implemented this philosophy into his games.
Urobuchi Gen is the best student he has taught.
The current Gen Urobuchi is very much worth Aoki Haruhi's pride.
And what remains is to mold Maeda Jun into a more mature Maeda Jun.
He has his natural advantages, such as his ability to portray delicate emotions—not just family affection, love, and friendship, but Maeda Jun can accurately grasp and write these things quite well—and in other areas, Aoki Haruhi hopes to guide him, and then Maeda Jun will experience and improve during production.
Take the current 86, for example; Aoki Haruhi has read the script from beginning to end and discussed it many Times with Maeda Jun, making many revisions.
Only then was the final draft settled.
Aoki Haruhi is quite satisfied with the current 86 script.
"So don't worry, Maeda-san, you have to believe in your own abilities, and I also believe in your abilities; 86 is definitely an excellent game, and as a strategy game, it has already reached the peak level of this Time."
"Thank you, Director." Maeda Jun still lacked confidence.
This guy always demands too much of himself, pursuing things too perfectly; even with masterpieces like CL and LL, he still falls into self-doubt.
Is there something wrong with me here, or not good enough there? Will players really accept this way of expression? Will this plot lead to hate mail?
"Maeda, making games requires a big heart," Aoki Haruhi patted his shoulder. "Don't view hate mail as your sin; view it as an honor.
If players don't like you and aren't moved by your work, they wouldn't express such intense affection."
"Affection?"
Maeda Jun and Ishino Mika were both stunned.
Director, you actually call that kind of thing affection?
Although we are easily swayed by your sweet talk, this Time it's really a bit too much.
"Think about it, if players didn't care, they would be indifferent. If the game wasn't good enough, what would our many sales mean?"
Aoki Haruhi stood up, sat back in his chair, and smiled calmly.
"So, have confidence."
"Okay, Director." Maeda Jun nodded.
Sometimes he really envies the Director and Urobuchi; these two are sometimes thick-skinned to a certain extent, and when they lie, they even deceive themselves.
It's truly not easy to reach that level.
"Director, if we release it like this, do you think I and you will be hacked to death by players?" Ishino Mika asked with some concern.
Aoki Haruhi frowned deeply.
Why include me?
You're the one who made the game; you're the Director and Producer!
However, these words were on the tip of his tongue but he couldn't bring himself to say them.
He had already sensed the strong resentment and murderous intent in Ishino Mika's eyes.
The desire to harm someone cannot be hidden.
"Ahem," Aoki Haruhi coughed twice and comforted her, "Don't worry, this game is so amazing, it will surely surprise the whole world. I want to show the world that we can still do so well in the strategy game genre!"
I don't know if it will shock the world.
But I'm shocked.
Ishino Mika said that she felt a bit depressed during the process of making the game herself.
"Oh, Director, I'm particularly curious, are we going to develop a sequel for 86 later?"
"Of course." Aoki Haruhi nodded seriously, "I've already written the script outline."
"Ah… I see."
Ishino Mika suddenly regretted being too talkative; why ask such a question?
The game hasn't even been released yet, isn't she just creating new workload for herself for no reason?
If the Director suddenly gets impulsive and makes them work on it seamlessly, that would be too difficult.
But… it's quite impressive that the first 86 turned out like this and can still have a sequel.
In short, these few people discussed for a long Time in the Director's office about the future direction of 86 production, as well as the upcoming release, and so on.
Of course, most of the Time, Aoki Haruhi was giving them pep talks.
"Don't worry too much, just focus on making the game; leave the rest to me, understood?" Aoki Haruhi said with confidence.
"Okay, Director."
The two walked out of the Director's office, once again fully revived.
Shinkai Makoto, who was working outside, was stunned.
Good heavens, you two just walked in looking so dejected, Senior Ishino was so anxious, and Maeda Jun had a similar expression, but after a trip to the Director's office, you're full of confidence as if you've been injected with adrenaline?
Does the Director know some kind of sorcery?!
…
In the evening, Shinkai Makoto also came to the Director's office, seeking Aoki Haruhi's counsel.
If even Maeda Jun and Ishino Mika could gain enough motivation and energy here, he must be an amazing psychologist.
"Director."
"What's wrong? Shinkai-san."
Hearing Shinkai Makoto's voice, Aoki Haruhi looked up and was startled.
Because Shinkai Makoto's condition was simply too terrible.
His eyes were hollow, his face pale, his eyes Dac, his head drooped, and he walked like a zombie.
As if all vitality had left him overnight.
His fingers unconsciously rubbed together in front of him, making dull sounds that created a suffocating atmosphere.
Shinkai Makoto's heart was filled with confusion and pain. He didn't know why he had fallen into such a state, nor did he know how to escape this predicament.
He tried to find answers, but his heart was like a chaotic ocean, making him unable to find direction.
"What's wrong? Did they bully you?" Aoki Haruhi saw his state, quickly stood up, and poured Shinkai Makoto a cup of milk tea.
Normally, Ayase Akane would do this job, but this Time Aoki Haruhi didn't call her.
To be honest, it was the first Time Aoki Haruhi had seen an employee in such a terrible mental state.
This guy felt like he had been staying up for a very long Time.
Shinkai Makoto sat on the sofa, holding the milk tea cup in his hand, then gently shook his head, "No one bullied me."
"Have you not been sleeping well lately? Is it because 86 - eighty-six is about to be released?"
"Not really, the company doesn't advocate for overtime, so Ishino-senpai has been urging us to leave work."
Then...
Why is that?
Aoki Haruhi was a little confused.
"Did Ishino Mika and Maeda Jun do something to you?"
"No, my seniors are all very good to me, and Maeda Jun is also a very good colleague. We even went out for barbecue together sometimes."
Then why?
Aoki Haruhi was starting to feel depressed from being tormented by him.
However, after thinking for a moment, Aoki Haruhi suddenly realized:
"I understand, being the artist for 86 - eighty-six, it's easy to get caught up in that emotion."
Aoki Haruhi had seen phenomena like Shinkai Makoto's many Times before; Yokoyama was also like this before.
Working on Gen Urobuchi's game makes one collapse, especially when you invest emotions in characters and then find out that these lovable guys will all die under Gen Urobuchi's ruthless iron hand, and die particularly tragically. That feeling is very difficult to bear.
Some people even become anxious for a while.
But all of this will pass.
Now, Yokoyama has already become immune to Urobuchi Gen's blades.
Sometimes he even complains that Urobuchi Gen's blade isn't sharp enough, or that his'slicing' isn't artistic enough.
For example, in The Witcher: Devil's Egg, Yokoyama suggested to Miyazaki Hidetaka more than once that he hoped these characters could lose even more.
Even after Eve's head was cut off, she should still retain enough perception within her demon body. If players could enter her inner depths, they would discover that Eve actually always knew what was happening outside.
But her soul was sealed by the demon body, so she couldn't express herself, only to become a tool for the queen.
This would create an even greater pleasure of soul lashing.
At that Time, after hearing Yokoyama's suggestion, Miyazaki Hidetaka himself began to doubt life.
Isn't one Gen Urobuchi enough, Yokoyama, are you possessed? You actually want to go a step further on top of Gen Urobuchi's foundation?
What do you want to do?
Fortunately, Miyazaki Hidetaka didn't listen to him in the end, and luckily Gen Urobuchi didn't hear Yokoyama's suggestion, otherwise, the number of blades would probably double.
So, in Aoki Haruhi's view, Yokoyama went through it, and he was cured, so now, calculating by Time, it's almost Shinkai Makoto's turn.
Poor Shinkai Makoto, you actually have this day too?!
Think about what you did in your previous life?
You are almost as significant as Urobuchi Gen.
Aoki Haruhi actually found it hard to imagine how a simple and slightly turbulent plot like 86 - eighty-six could make a tear-jerking master like Shinkai Makoto feel depressed?
After Aoki Haruhi tried to comfort him, Shinkai Makoto slowly shook his head and smiled bitterly, "It's not like that, President. Actually, I'm very satisfied with the plot of 86 - eighty-six, and I think if it can be made, it will definitely be a very remarkable work."
"Then why?" This Time, Aoki Haruhi was a bit confused.
...
"I don't know why either."
Shinkai Makoto shook his head, "Lately, I always feel that going to work is particularly dull, and I don't know what's wrong with me. I always have a sense of detachment.
It's as if this place isn't real. Every day I come to this place to work, but my soul stands behind me, watching myself.
Continuously drawing, drawing.
Then modifying the content according to the planners' demands.
Make my drawings better, make the characters in 86 - eighty-six better, make them all become guys with souls.
I have always stood behind, watching myself do such things, from a God's perspective.
To be honest, there's a sense of unreality.
I also don't understand what's wrong. 86 - eighty-six is about to be released soon, and I think this game will definitely be a big seller.
As the lead artist, I will also receive enough praise.
No matter how much Ishino-senpai and Maeda Jun are criticized, at least players are very kind and tolerant towards the art.
I know all of this.
But, I also don't understand why I suddenly lost all my strength, as if I've been drained.
Am I sick?
President.
What should I do?"
Shinkai Makoto covered his face in distress, appearing unusually dejected.
Aoki Haruhi, watching from the side, seemed to be able to feel this strong atmosphere.
If it were drawn as a comic, Shinkai Makoto at this moment would definitely be emitting a thick black aura, as if possessed by a demon.
These black auras also had a strong contagiousness; if not careful, in a while, everyone in the company would be affected by Shinkai Makoto's emotions.
"But, when I see Ishino-senpai and Maeda come here and leave happily, I really envy them."
Shinkai Makoto looked up and said to Aoki Haruhi, "So I want to ask the President to give me an answer, so I can go back and work properly."
...
Aoki Haruhi also fell silent.
Actually, he had also experienced a situation like Shinkai Makoto's; that was in his previous life, alienation caused by exploitation by capitalists.
Spiritual alienation.
But, it shouldn't be, I should be quite good to them.
"I understand."
Just then, Aoki Haruhi suddenly remembered a question—
Shinkai Makoto himself was not a person who lacked money; his family was a very reputable prominent family in the area, belonging to the kind of person who had hundreds of millions in family assets, and if he couldn't work well and support himself, or start a career, he would be forced to go back and inherit the family fortune.
Shinkai Makoto was a young master.
When money is not an issue, what else could make a young master feel depressed?
Is it a woman?
If it were a woman, he wouldn't have come to him, would he?
Aoki Haruhi didn't think he could help him with a woman who couldn't be solved by money.
Then it still had to be related to work.
"I understand, Shinkai-san."
Aoki Haruhi sat down and said to him seriously, "Do you feel that making game at the company is not fun, not what you want?"
"Huh?"
Hearing Aoki Haruhi's words, Shinkai Makoto suddenly looked up.
For some reason, his eyes turned red.
"Ah... is that so?" Shinkai Makoto himself was also a bit lost.
"Shinkai-san, do you like making animation?" Aoki Haruhi continued to ask.
"Huh?"
Shinkai Makoto hesitated for a moment, didn't deny it, just stared blankly at the sky outside the President's office window.
"Liking the sky, liking the starry sky, liking things that float above humanity, just goes to show that Shinkai-san, you are an idealist."
"Go bravely chase your dreams," Aoki Haruhi encouraged with a smile, "If you feel that game is not suitable for you, then leave here."
"Eh?"
Shinkai Makoto was completely shocked, looking at the President in disbelief.
He hadn't expected to hear him say such words.
However... the President's words were like a key, unlocking the deeply hidden door within his heart.
"But, if you want to make animation, I do have a new job to offer you." Aoki Haruhi smiled.
"I have a film and television company outside, and we will also establish a new film and television animation company later. If you are willing, you can come and be the President of the subsidiary company. In the future, you will be able to make the animation you want yourself.
Fully unleash your talents.
And I will fully support you."
"Eh?"
Shinkai Makoto was completely stunned, but the President's words truly hit him in the heart.
He had never been this clear before.
Everything Aoki Haruhi said was right. For Shinkai Makoto, he didn't like game. His biggest ideal in this life was to become someone like Hayao Miyazaki.
"Really, President?" Shinkai Makoto's voice was clearly choked with emotion.
"And I will use my connections to help you," Aoki Haruhi smiled, "You haven't made animation before, and you don't have relevant experience.
However, I am very familiar with Kyoto Animation and Studio Ghibli. I think they should all be able to help you.
At that Time, we'll recruit some experienced and capable staff, and Shinkai Makoto's animation will definitely go global."
"Ah..." Shinkai Makoto was so moved he was almost crying. At this moment, he didn't know what to say.
"Oh, and Shirakawa's music is very suitable for you. If needed, whether it's Pokeni's music or art, they will give you enough support."
From the day Shinkai Makoto joined, Aoki Haruhi had long been prepared for this day's arrival; everything before was paving the way for him.
A guy like Shinkai, whose family is rich enough, lives for his ideals in this life and certainly won't stay at the company for long.
But this is also good. If Shinkai Makoto can become the President of Moon River's animation film subsidiary, then in this world, there will be one less game original artist, but one more animation film production master.
And this master was cultivated by him.
Very good, let that old man Hayao Miyazaki witness your greatness!
"Shinkai-san, what do you think?" Aoki Haruhi smiled.
At this very moment, in Shinkai Makoto's eyes, the President had never seemed so tall.
He was like a sun, radiating warm light all over.
"Okay, President, I'll be in your care from now on!"
Shinkai Makoto stood up, his hands pressed to the seams of his pants, and bowed deeply.
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