The Game Director Who Returned from Hell - Chapter 4 (Part 2):

 

 

 

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

 

“But still…”

 

Nevertheless, there was one clear fact.

 

Among the many criteria for judging gameplay, there was only one truth that would never change.

 

“I believe this. Gameplay is determined by how faithful it is to the ‘fun of play.'”

 

Form doesn’t matter.

 

What elements were used also didn’t matter.

 

The only important thing in a game was ‘fun as play.’

 

This was also why I hated my previous job.

 

The company pursued not the fun of play in games, but the fun of consumption.

 

Of course, it can’t be said that this direction was entirely wrong, but at the very least, it wasn’t the way I thought games should be.

 

For instance, it’s a difference in direction.

 

Well, anyway.

 

“Once again, that is the reason why juniors are needed. To make the game I want, I need the sensibility of juniors. Did you get the answer?”

 

After speaking so much, my throat felt a bit hoarse.

 

Han Seo-rim started to gaze at me intently.

 

Her expression was blank, and a certain impression crossed my mind.

 

Given her naturally sharp impression, she looked quite cold with that blank expression.

 

Meanwhile, Han Seo-rim opened her mouth.

 

“…Alright. I have a rough idea of what the game is.”

 

“Then…”

 

“I have one more question.”

 

My body froze.

 

Han Seo-rim went on immediately.

 

“I get that you think games are impressive. But why are you going this far? I heard you’re really good at studying, so shouldn’t you be focusing on your grades?”

 

This was a much easier question to answer.

 

Compared to the previous question, I was more comfortable responding to this one.

 

“Because… why?”

 

Even hesitating felt ridiculous.

 

Why am I doing this?

 

I could live a new life. So why am I returning to the same path with my youthful vigor?

 

The answer had been decided from the start.

 

“Just because…”

 

Despite dying in my previous life, despite achieving my goals, the thirst was still overwhelming.

 

Moreover, what I saw in my mind couldn’t be erased.

 

And because I wanted to the point of madness.

 

“…If I don’t do this, I feel like I’ll die.”

 

For me, that was the only reason.

 

***

 

That evening, Seo-rim lay on her bed, contemplating the events of the day.

 

More precisely, she was reflecting on the words of Cheon Yeon-ho.

 

“I feel like I’ll die if I don’t do this.”

 

He was a peculiar person.

 

He had come so passionately just because he liked the picture she had drawn on her Mini Homepage.

 

His attitude was too sharp to be an attempt to capture attention.

 

Seo-rim was someone who could make such distinctions.

 

She didn’t give an immediate answer.

 

It seemed like a matter that required careful consideration.

 

“If I don’t do this, I feel like I’ll die.”

 

Repeating his words, a sudden question arose in her mind.

 

‘Did I ever feel like that?’

 

Had there been something she wanted so desperately, something she thought she might die if she didn’t do it?

 

Was there something she wanted to pursue to the point of abandoning a stable future?

 

Her head turned.

 

At the end of her gaze was a shelf.

 

One side of Seo-rim’s room wall was filled with trophies she had received in her previous life.

 

‘…No, there wasn’t.’

 

She hadn’t been desperate about anything.

 

Her household was affluent. Her parents were kind, and her social relationships were good.

 

The same was true in terms of achievements.

 

From a young age, Seo-rim excelled in everything she did.

 

She quickly grasped anything and easily grew tired of it.

 

Choosing art was also for that reason.

 

If she would get tired of anything anyway, she thought it would be better to engage in something creative rather than repetitive.

 

That’s why Cheon Yeon-ho seemed unfamiliar.

 

She was also curious.

 

“I’m going to create a game.”

 

Why would someone go to such lengths for that game?

 

Did it possess a power so strong that it would drive someone insane if not pursued?

 

In that moment, her thoughts drifted to the document she had stashed in her bag.

 

She immediately pulled it out and looked through it.

 

Hell, emotion, illustration, pixel art, UI.

 

Is making things like that fun?

 

Her contemplation deepened.

 

That was the moment.

 

Ding dong—

 

The door lock clicked open.

 

The irregular speed made it clear who it was.

 

Seo-rim snapped out of her reverie, scowling, and headed out of her room.

 

“Did you drink again?”

 

“Oh, our little sister!”

 

Her older brother, Jin-kyung hyung, who was completely drunk, was giggling as he took off his shoes.

 

Then he stumbled and fell flat on his face.

 

“Oof!”

 

“Ugh, you reek of alcohol.”

 

This guy, who was celebrating his fifth year in high school, was excited, but he seemed to have come home after drinking more.

 

What kind of nonsense is it to congratulate for fifth year in high school?

 

Shouldn’t he be reflecting rather than celebrating?

 

At least he should pretend to be remorseful if he can’t actually feel remorse. What is this situation?

 

“…Ugh, what am I even thinking about?”

 

It’s his life. He’ll figure it out.

 

Pulling him roughly by the collar, Seo-rim guided him to the living room sofa, where she laid him down. She sat across from him and rested her chin on her hand.

 

Looking at Jin-kyung’s face, contorted like a rice cake, a realization struck her.

 

‘Come to think of it, this guy is young and foolish.’

 

 

Seo-rim gave Jin-kyung’s cheek a firm slap! slap! to wake him up.

 

“Hey, hey, get up.”

 

“Uhh…”

 

“I have something to ask.”

 

“Uh-huh?”

 

“There’s someone named Cheon Yeon-ho in your department, right?”

 

“Ah…”

 

Jin-kyung, who had been mumbling, burst into laughter and replied with a big smile.

 

“The one who doesn’t know how to have fun!”

 

“He doesn’t know how to have fun?”

 

“Oh my! He is quite the honor student. He doesn’t even touch alcohol and studies diligently!”

 

The Cheon Yeon-ho Seo-rim had met wasn’t that kind of person.

 

Perhaps a unique individual was more fitting than an honor student.

 

It was intriguing.

 

Jin-kyung might not know other things, but he had an exceptional ability to see through people.

 

“Hmm…”

 

‘Couldn’t this guy figure it out?’

 

He provided an answer to the dilemma that was leaning towards hesitation.

 

More precisely, he sowed curiosity in Seo-rim’s heart instead of hesitation.

 

‘Should I give it a shot?’

 

Honestly, she wasn’t very interested in the game itself yet.

 

A portfolio? It would be useless if she wasn’t going into the game industry.

 

It was merely a matter of curiosity.

 

How is someone who wants to do something desperately different from her?

 

By being around such a person, would she learn about that kind of pursuit as well?

 

Standing up from her seat, Seo-rim said.

 

“Grow up.”

 

“Get a good night’s sleep, statue!”

 

As Seo-rim walked back to her room, a small smile lingered on her lips.

 

Her interest had been piqued.

 

She didn’t know how far it would go.