The Game Director Who Returned from Hell - Chapter 4 (Part 1):

 

 

 

Speaking from a common sense perspective, that was the case.

 

“…None at all?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You know there are famous ones like racing games or shooting games. Have you not tried any of those?”

 

“Yes, my brother likes them, but I’ve never been interested, so I haven’t tried.”

 

Typically, people entering the gaming industry had some knowledge about games, or at the very least, they had experience playing games.

 

The same was true for art. No, it was even more so.

 

Usually, those in the design field had a wide range of career options, but if they lacked interest, they wouldn’t even consider the gaming industry.

 

Given this, most art majors who applied for the game sector had a deep involvement with games.

 

Naturally, a question arose.

 

‘Why did Han Seo-rim become an art director in the first place?’

 

Could it be that she developed an interest in games in the future?

 

As I was digesting this, Han Seo-rim shrugged her shoulders.

 

“I was busy with studying and exams. Anyway, if you’re done seeing me, I’ll be on my way.”

 

Han Seo-rim turned around.

 

At that moment, my body moved on its own.

 

Thud!

 

I grabbed hold of Han Seo-rim’s wrist.

 

“…What is it?”

 

Annoyance was evident on her face.

 

I realized it was foolish, but there was no turning back.

 

I had no choice but to confront her.

 

“Just 30 minutes.”

 

It was a gamble.

 

“Could you spare just 30 minutes to listen to what I have to say? It’s the time I need to convince you. If you’re not interested here, then I promise you won’t be bothered with the same matter again.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Han Seo-rim hesitated for a moment, rubbing her chin.

 

Then, with a sigh, she answered.

 

“Okay, 20 minutes, but it’s not just a casual conversation. I really have a lecture.”

 

“That’s sufficient.”

 

“Good, come with me. Let’s talk in our study room.”

 

Han Seo-rim gestured inside.

 

I followed her in.

In the study room, there were two female students.

 

As Han Seo-rim and I entered, they opened their eyes wide like rabbits. For some reason, their faces suggested they were about to do something troublesome.

 

“I’d like to talk with this man for a moment. Could you please make some room?”

 

“Yeah! Absolutely! We must!”

 

“How long should we leave you two alone? An hour? Two hours?”

 

“What about him? Two hours is too long…”

 

“20 minutes should be enough. Would you mind stepping out?”

 

Han Seo-rim’s voice mixed with a growl in their gestures.

 

The two of them left the room, giggling.

 

Our eyes met for a brief moment, and a shiver ran down my spine.

 

Thud—

 

The door closed.

 

Han Seo-rim let out a deep sigh.

 

“…Let’s keep our composure. Please have a seat.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Although I initially thought young people would be full of vitality, seeing Han Seo-rim right in front of me made me think otherwise.

 

Perhaps it was a difference in disposition.

 

Anyway, that’s not important.

 

The hastily arranged 20 minutes was essentially a presentation time for the recruitment proposal.

 

I handed her the proposal document.

 

“Could you take a look at this first?”

 

“What is this?”

 

“It’s the game proposal for the game I’m creating.”

 

Han Seo-rim accepted the document and skimmed it quickly.

 

“There’s no title?”

 

“It’s still in the planning stage.”

 

“Hmm, survival horror action?”

 

“Yes, that’s the genre of the game.”

 

I modulated my voice.

 

Now was the time to start a real conversation.

 

“As indicated in the proposal, the genre is horror. The setting will be in hell. Consequently, unique designs that evoke a distinct impression are needed. Since horror is completed through visual shock, that’s why I chose you, Han Seo-rim. Your designs are distinctive.”

 

“Didn’t you consider drawing them yourself?”

 

“My drawing skills are horrendous.”

 

“You’re being honest.”

 

“In the work of creating something, self-objectivity is important, don’t you think?”

 

“I acknowledge that.”

 

“So, that’s why I’m asking for your help.”

 

I’m not foolish enough to lay it all out without asking for anything in return.

 

To make Han Seo-rim interested in my proposal, I had to appeal to her.

 

“Don’t you think it might trigger your desire for approval?”

 

“If you don’t like that, you can look the other way. I’ve heard that a strong portfolio is important in the design field. This, I’m sure, will be the ultimate portfolio. If I say I designed this game, everyone will recognize it.”

 

“But it’s not finalized yet.”

 

“…You’re right.”

 

She hit a sore spot.

 

That was the problem. Promises from inexperienced planners couldn’t be trusted.

 

I had to acknowledge the truth.

 

Silence arose.

 

It was a cold silence that seemed to stand firmly.

 

Breaking it was Han Seo-rim’s sigh.

 

“I understand roughly what you’re trying to say. I know it’s not a trivial project. But… Can I ask a question if I still don’t quite understand?”

 

“You’re free to ask anything.”

 

“So, what is this game you’re talking about?”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“Okay. Going even as far as visiting someone’s Mini Homepage who doesn’t even know your face, searching for people, asking them like this, and the person might not even help you. Why do you go to such lengths just to request this? What kind of game is it that you’re doing this for?”

 

Han Seo-rim raised an eyebrow.

 

In that moment, I felt a little dazed.

 

What is a game?

 

The question was piercingly insightful, delving into the essence of it.

 

I asked first.

 

“Is it important?”

 

“Well, somewhat?”

 

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

 

Her poker face was solid enough that it was hard to read something from her expression.

 

I didn’t know what she was thinking right away.

 

But it didn’t seem like she was joking.

 

So, I pondered for a moment.

 

It was an important question.

 

Perhaps the answer to this question could move Han Seo-rim’s heart.

 

Therefore, it required careful consideration.

 

After finishing my thoughts, I finally managed to speak out the answer.

 

“…A game is play…”

 

“I didn’t ask you that.”

 

”A completed result that is faithful to play. To put it in perspective, that’s accurate. But you probably didn’t want this kind of answer. Is the game great enough to do this? Is that what you want to know?”

 

Han Seo-rim nodded her head.

 

I answered.

 

“At least for me, it’s impressive.”

 

“In what sense?”

 

“In the sense that it can captivate people. In the sense that you can use countless means to achieve that.”

 

A comprehensive medium of art.

 

In the near future, it’s the name that society will use to denote games.

 

Games utilize art, music, sports, literature, and all other means available.

 

All for the sole purpose of ‘fun.’

 

To make humans enjoy as humans.

 

There were also derivative concepts that stemmed from this.

 

“Adding to my junior’s question, it will also lead to the question of how you define ‘gameplay.’ Because that will be the criterion for determining what makes a good game.”

 

“What’s the criteria for defining that ‘gameplay’?”

 

“It’s something that can’t be defined.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“In reality, that’s the case.”

 

Han Seo-rim frowned slightly, but regrettably, this was truly a question without a definitive answer.

 

If there were a hundred people, each of them would have a different opinion on what constitutes gameplay.

 

There’s a famous saying.

 

The developer of the legendary game ‘Doom,’ which gripped the 20th century, said:

 

”Story in a game is like a story in a p*rn movie. It’s expected to be there, but it’s not that important.” That’s what he said.

 

He succeeded with that theory, proving that his words were practical, but that doesn’t mean games with stories are bad.

 

In fact, games fully realized as stories have also dominated the industry.

 

What is important in games ultimately varies depending on the game.