NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45
Chae-young was on a call in the recording studio.
Ultimately, she seemed to have called Kay as she couldn’t decline the proposal I had handed over.
“Ah, yeah… Right. A rest day? Really? No, it’s not about that; there’s something I wanted to ask.”
Listening to the conversation from the side, it was clearly going as I had anticipated.
The routine of Kay’s rest day I had accidentally seen during an interview before the reset.
After all, I only asked Chae-young based on that information.
Of course, the interview I referenced was one that was released much later in the current timeline, so there was a chance the routine had changed and my expectations would be off…
Judging from the details of the call though, it seemed that the current routine wasn’t too different.
“Ask for the guide recording sample to be sent over? Yeah, yeah. Got it. By when? Monday? That’s too soon. I’ll send it by Friday. Yeah. Take care.”
As the call seemed to be wrapping up, Chae-young said her goodbyes and hung up.
Even after the call ended, Chae-young appeared deep in thought, biting her lips as if pondering over something.
I quietly waited without disturbing her.
After a little more time passed,
Chae-young let out a deep sigh and said while glaring at me.
“…I’ve agreed to send over the guide sample by Friday, and if the agency approves, we’ll commence recording next month.”
“If the guide sample is going to be done, I assume the guide vocalist is you, right?”
“Who else? I’ll do it. You brat.”
“Why are you mad?”
“Shut up.”
“Still, thanks a lot today. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve had a hard time finding a singer.”
“…Then you should treat me better normally if you’re so grateful.”
Chae-young muttered while glaring at me, but I just laughed it off.
I already knew that her feigned anger wasn’t sincere.
Our relationship wasn’t so fragile that a few harsh words could make it awkward.
“And remember, I’ll come to claim the whiskey we bet on once the project is done. Be ready for that. Got it?”
That seemed genuine enough.
***
After the OST project was successfully concluded,
With the official commencement of Project RA’s development, a wave of work assignments started rushing in.
The art team was finalizing their 2D designs, conducting 3D modeling, and working on UI/UX graphics.
The development team was busy closing out the prototype production.
The planning team was handling class balance and finalizing various storylines, as well as the UI/UX work.
Meanwhile, the sound team was presumably deep into the guide vocal recordings…
The whole studio was submerged under the workload tsunami when we received some good news.
“Did you say the teaser image is done?”
“Yes, I’ve sent it via email, so please check it out.”
Though usually Emlin preferred face-to-face reports, she must be incredibly busy as she relayed the information via the phone this time.
“One moment.”
I quickly opened my email and launched the teaser image Emlin sent.
What unfolded on my monitor was a barren apocalyptic landscape, with girls glaring directly at me.
It was almost as if they’d pulled the exact image of Reverse Arcadia that I had envisioned in my mind.
“It’s good, right? The quality seems fine?”
Indeed. On the pristine snow-covered ground, the ruins of a burned-out city stood, along with flames burning the buildings.
Impressively, there’s ‘Henrietta’ crushing the head of a fallen police officer with an axe under her heel, while the members of the Resistance stand behind her.
“As you mentioned, senior, we managed to highlight the Reverse Arcadia image prominently while keeping the game genre vague.”
“It’s good. It matches the feeling I had in mind.”
“Right?”
“Yes, I don’t see any need for additional feedback. I’ll confirm it as is.”
“Alright, but if anything needs adjusting, please let me know whenever.”
“Got it.”
After the call with Emlin ended, I looked back at the teaser image floating on my monitor.
‘Two weeks left until the teaser image is revealed.’
According to the business team, they’re planning to reveal the teaser image while also introducing Project RA…
This means the users will surely notice that the director has changed to Myunghoon.
Although the public opinion around Girls’ Memorial didn’t warrant such a heated reaction just for revealing a new game,
There had been a recent issue regarding insufficient content, so it seemed prudent to have at least a minimum contingency plan.
As I dialed Myunghoon on my smartphone, I prayed silently.
‘Hoping for no issues…’
***
Jae-hyun lately found no enjoyment from games.
Although he wasn’t the type to immerse himself in games anyway,
Lately, it was mostly because he had grown bored with Girls’ Memorial.
Upon thinking about the reasons, there just wasn’t much more to do.
In the early days, the stories were overflowing, the characters were charming, and although the content was lacking, it was enjoyable because it was his first mobile game experience.
But the fun lasted only six months.
With the stories consumed, reaching the top spot in PVP competition, and exhausting all content with his favorite characters, that’s how exactly half a year flew by.
Though he said it this way, Girls’ Memorial wasn’t neglecting updates or anything. He still enjoyed them each time, but there was a lingering dissatisfaction.
So much so that the 2nd-creation discussions in the community these days outweighed in-game stories.
Especially for Jae-hyun, a professional illustrator who earned his living through art,
Naturally, his focus shifted from the game to second-creation content.
As he was browsing the community after uploading a self-drawn spring Operator meme that day,
An eye-catching post caught his attention.
[Nickname: ??]
[Title: Anyone know if Enson GT is developing a new game?]
[Attached: Enson GT New Project Teaser Image News Capture]
{News Link}
I saw it, so I’ll share while I read. Gotta keep up.
[Comments][View Order]
– This speed is insane lolol
– Reposted something posted just a minute ago lol
– This guy’s a savage lol
‘Enson GT’s new game? Is this the sequel to Girls’ Memorial?’
Immediately spellbound, Jae-hyun clicked the news link.
[“Is a Second Girls’ Memorial Myth in the Making?” Enson GT Reveals “Project RA” Teaser Image!]
(Yoo Hakjun Reporter)
The director behind “Girls’ Memorial,” Jihojin, and AD Yerin, known for their work on the game, involved in development.
[Project RA Teaser Image]
Enson GT unveiled the teaser image for its new subculture title “Project RA” on the 27th, following the success of “Girls’ Memorial.”
Project RA is a new title in development by RA Studio under Enson GT, headed by Department Head Jihojin, known as the inaugural director and overall head of Girls’ Memorial.
Girls’ Memorial’s Jihojin Department Head (former General Director) will oversee the project, with Yerin AD responsible for the characters.
…
Enson GT has announced plans to sequentially disclose information about Project RA through various channels going forward.
Right after reading the article, Jae-hyun had the same thoughts as the news comments.
“What happens to Girls’ Memorial with the sequel coming out?”
Of course, there was no way Enson GT would shut down Girls’ Memorial, which was still dominating the sales charts, but he couldn’t help but feel some unease. Expecting a heated community discussion or backlash against Enson GT, he checked the community, only to find a surprisingly festival-like atmosphere there.
[Nickname: ??]
[Title: EnsonGT << These guys are definitely out to bleed our wallets!]
[Project RA Teaser Image]
Honestly, Girls’ Memorial was just a game flaunting its character design, but
Wow, Project RA takes it even further lolol
At this rate, how much more will EnsonGT bleed us dry!!! [Comment Section][View Order]
– This is hilarious lol
– The chick stepping on the cop’s head at the front is a sight to see lol
– Looks like a main character based on the pose lol
[Nickname: ??]
[Title: Project RA feels so opposite from Girls’ Memorial, which is a good thing]
[Project RA Teaser Image]
Girls’ Memorial kinda had a youthful vibe that felt a bit childish,
But this new game really hits my taste.
By the way, I don’t have middle school syndrome lol
[Comment Section][View Order]
– Next you’ll say you have it lol
– Totally going dark and edgy, right?
– Honestly, the new characters are striking lol
[Nickname: RA]
[Title: Analyzing Project RA based on the teaser image]
[Project RA Teaser Image]
First of all, it’s clear the city is in ruins, right?
It’s apocalyptic.
Last year’s “Snowpiercer” is a good reference point.
If you compare the structure of the collapsed buildings, you can see the architectural style resembles that in Girls’ Memorial.
[Comparison photos of Girls’ Memorial and Project RA buildings]
The styles are very similar, right?
You can also see what looks like a central clock tower.
Whether it’s intentional or to save time on assets, considering Enson GT’s obsession with backgrounds and character design, it’s likely deliberate.
Thus, Project RA and Girls’ Memorial share the same world.
Whether this is set in the future of Girls’ Memorial or there’s some twist, I’m not sure yet.
Regardless, I’m really excited about this new game dud.
EnsonGT << these guys are geniuses at messing with our heads!
[Comment Section][View Order]
– Not bad analysis
– Comparing them like that, they’re really similar lol
– Will operators like Karin appear in the new game then?
-Nah, probably not lol
Impressed after going over the community posts, Jae-hyun thought,
“There were Easter eggs hidden in just the teaser image, huh?”
He wanted to join the community’s fun and speculation, but he had no choice but to pick up the tablet pen.
It was clear the new characters of Project RA would be the talk of the industry in the first half of this year.
If he wanted to get ahead and grab attention, he had no choice.
“Guess I’ll start with the black-haired character who seems to be the leader.”
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