NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41
Inside the conference room of Enson GT’s 7th floor Head Office RA Studio.
After the official launch of Project RA, the first task was holding a meeting with Seol, who had participated in brainstorming sessions for the next project.
“Y-You called me, Department Head…?”
“You’re here? Have a seat.”
“Yes, yes!”
At those words, Seol carefully took a seat, and I handed over a document.
“Before I explain, take a look at this summary of the development direction I prepared.”
“Ah, yes!”
At the mention of the summary for the long-awaited next project, Seol’s expression turned serious.
As Seol quickly skimmed through the summary, I turned on the beam projector.
The screen hanging on the wall displayed the pre-prepared PPT.
After Seol finished reading the summary, a few minutes passed, and she finally spoke up with a serious expression.
“Um… it’s good, right…?”
“Is it?”
“Well… I admit, during the brainstorming for the next project, there were so many abstract ideas that I was unsure how to implement them.”
“I see. And?”
“Um… can you explain more, and then let me comment on the details?”
“Sure.”
Putting the document down, Seol looked at me, ready to listen to the PPT presentation. I began the explanation.
“First, we’ve determined the development direction for our next project, ‘Reverse Arcadia,’ based on three categories. I don’t need to explain those three, right?”
“Ah, no, I get it!”
“Good. First, we wrestled with the placement of units (towers) but eventually decided to go with a square tile system. The advantages of this system are….”
“When playing, the player only needs to check four directions—up, down, left, and right—which is simple for beginners and highly intuitive.”
Seol’s explanation matched what I was about to say, but with an air of excitement that made her seem more like a gamer eagerly anticipating their dream game than a developer.
Indeed, Seol’s spirited demeanor was quite different from her usual self.
“Exactly. That is why this system is perfectly suited for a mobile gaming platform.”
“I agree with the choice….”
Seol’s positive response prompted me to continue.
“Great. Next, this time we are fusing the tower defense genre with RPG character progression.”
“Character progression?”
“Yeah. Is there something wrong with that?”
Seol shook her head in response to my question, but her expression hinted at some reservations.
“No… it’s not that it’s bad. It’s just that it’s a bit different from what I had imagined.”
“Is it?”
“I was thinking more of a gameplay style where characters would be divided into different positions.”
“That sounds about right?”
“Huh?”
“If we hadn’t intended to have a role-playing experience, we wouldn’t have labeled it as an RPG, right?”
“Ah….”
“Think of it as adding a character progression system that does not reset with each playthrough.”
They say life is full of unexpected twists and turns. I couldn’t have imagined that my previous experience developing an RPG, which I had found so arduous before being reset to this life, would serve me well now.
Although the sub-genre was different, the process of setting roles and designing leveling systems remained constant, no matter the RPG game.
“Close range has four classes, long range has four classes… there are more classes than I imagined.”
“That’s the minimum needed for strategic depth.”
As I clicked the remote, the PPT screen revealed the list of classes.
Melee Classes:
Warrior, Knight, Thief, Paladin
Ranged Classes:
Hunter, Magician, Priest, Witch
“With so many variations, I’m sure the strategic elements will be robust.”
“More combinations will emerge than you can imagine.”
Just as I was finishing up this statement, it occurred to Seol that there was a daunting issue. She paled and asked anxiously.
“If there are eight classes, won’t we need to balance the game around these eight classes?”
“Indeed, we will.”
“So… won’t balancing all these classes be a headache?”
“That responsibility falls to the planning team.”
“Um… could we just cancel this, and limit the number of classes to three or so?”
“Sorry, that’s not an option.”
Hearing this, Seol despaired and slumped over her desk.
I felt bad for Seol but had no choice. Character segmentation and progression were core elements of the upcoming title, *Reverse Arcadia*.
Still, I reassured myself that with the adequate number of balance-focused planners in place, it wouldn’t be so taxing.
After a brief disruption, the explanation continued.
“Lastly, strengthening the variable elements. Instead of nitpicking at small details, I think giving variables in enemy movement paths would be best.”
As I concluded, I clicked the remote, and a crudely drawn diagram appeared on the screen.
“In certain stages, we can move indestructible objects to force enemies to detour. Or…”
Another click of the remote revealed a new graphic.
“We can use character abilities to ruin the paths. This is just the start, and we will continue to develop additional means of creating variables as we go.”
By the end of the presentation, Seol could only respond with one word.
“It’s perfect!”
“Is it?”
“Yes, absolutely! I never imagined the ideas I mentioned would be fleshed out this much.”
“So, can we start the project based on this plan?”
“Absolutely!”
***
With the final conceptual approval by the key contributor, it was now time to distribute the tasks.
The conference room was filled with senior developers.
“To start, the art team’s most urgent task is designing the main characters. Since the schedule isn’t very flexible, once the plans are confirmed according to the document, Yerin will design the final artwork, which needs to be quickly reviewed by me. Then, it should be forwarded for rough sketches so the finished art pieces can be produced in time.”
“Understood.”
“And Yena, once the final main character design is done, we’ll need a 3D model created in SD proportions for one of them. Is the schedule feasible?”
At this, Yena, who had been taking notes nearby Yerin, nodded enthusiastically.
“We’ve already sent the complete draft for the official comic, so it’s definitely possible.”
“Good. There’s no need to rush as we did for the Operator project earlier, so focus on quality.”
“I will.”
With that, I looked at Taeseon, who was next up.
“Next, the development team. There’s nothing too urgent for the development team at this point, so focus on creating a playable prototype. Once we’re done, I’ll pass along an equipment purchase request. Be sure to submit it when you get it, understood?”
“Understood!”
I appreciated how professional and eager Taeseon was as a newcomer.
A different type of ace from Myunghoon, I’d say.
“Next, the planning team. The most urgent task is to finish the synopsis and the first chapter of the main story to release alongside the trailer. Then, let’s move on to designing the settings of the characters per class. Once that’s done, we’ll draft the storyboard for the trailer. Please hurry with these, okay?”
“Yes….”
Though burdened, Seol’s expression showed slight concern but no complaint—it couldn’t be helped.
“Chae-young Senior, next… For music, we need an OST specifically for the trailer. I’ll personally head down to the recording studio. Is that okay?”
In response to my question, Chae-young nodded graciously.
“Let’s go.”
That was that.
Having distributed work accordingly…
Now, it was time to wrap up.
“Alright, this concludes today’s business meeting. Everyone, go back to work.”
“Yes!”
As always, Taeseon’s reply had the most enthusiasm.
***
The task schedule was gradually becoming busy.
Yumi was shuttling between the business team and our office, like many project managers do in the early stages of a project.
Meanwhile, Yerin looked frustrated as she worked hard on the character designs.
I wanted to help, but my assistance could only go as far as thoroughly writing the settings.
Transforming those settings into characters was ultimately Yerin’s job, and I couldn’t interfere with that.
Before Yerin could notice, I mentally encouraged her and made my way to the recording studio where Chae-young was.
Exiting one floor down from the studio office, I entered the familiar environment of the recording studio.
On the table, there were stacks of beer cans.
A headset hung from the microphone stand.
Sheet music was scattered around.
I noticed the chair was empty, indicating Chae-young might’ve stepped out for a quick bathroom break.
As I leaned against the studio wall and waited, Chae-young soon entered the room.
Her ash-blue hair was curled up, her sharp eyes framed by her oversized round glasses.
Seeing me waiting for her, she frowned slightly and put the toiletries away.
“Didn’t you get enough sleep again?”
“Can you not tell?”
“Rest more when the project’s not demanding.”
As she put down a towel she had been using, she slumped into the chair.
“Stop giving me so much to do if you’re going to complain about my work ethic.”
“Then, just use assets for what you can.”
“…You know me better than that.”
“Both you and Yerin are tough nuts, I see.”
At that awkward moment, I quickly turned the conversation to work.
“Anyway, Senior. There’s one other thing I need to discuss.”
“Another one?”
“It can’t be helped. But when Project RA enters its main phase, we can outsource some of the work for *Girls’ Memorial*. Please bear with me just a little longer.”
With a resigned sigh, Chae-young asked.
“So, what do you want exactly?”
“I thought about making the Reverse Arcadia trailer’s BGM more grandiose.”
“Hmm… What vibe are you going for?”
After briefly pondering, I carefully began.
“The highlight needs explosive power. The trailer’s theme revolves around escape and resistance.”
Hearing this, Chae-young took out her notebook and began jotting things down.
“And?”
“The intro needs a dark, ominous tone fitting the post-apocalypse background, gradually rising until the highlight where the electronic sound explodes dramatically.”
Chae-young paused to think, then finally responded.
“The conditions sound achievable, but let’s confirm the direction after seeing the storyboard.”
“Alright… no rush.”
And that concluded the discussion.