NOVEL NEXT Chapter 99
Recently, game communities had been in an uproar over one particular topic.
Game communities were buzzing, and the reason was none other than open-world games.
To be precise, it was due to two new games that highlighted the open-world genre.
The new title from EnzenDo, *Rain’s Legend: Breath of the Kingdom*, and the new game from Enson GT, *Chronicle Connect: Relink*.
Because both games openly declared themselves as open-world games, it was natural that they ended up in a competitive stance against each other.
Looking deeper, it wasn’t solely because both games belonged to the open-world genre that they were seen as rivals. It was rather because the two games, from start to finish, occupied completely opposite positions, creating a rivalry scenario as if scripted.
The traditional powerhouse in Japan’s gaming industry, EnzenDo, versus the rising star from Korea, Enson GT.
Mobile gaming versus packaged gaming.
Enson GT, which specialized in subculture games targeting specific demographics, versus EnzenDo, which focused on family-friendly games.
They were companies that had reached the peak from completely opposite positions. As such, it was inevitable that their fan bases would have opposing tendencies.
Opposing tendencies meant it would be that much harder to respect each other.
Therefore, a clash between the two fanbases was inevitable.
[Nickname: Anon]
[Title: Honestly, isn’t EnzenDo the clear winner between EnsonGT and EnzenDo?]
No matter how well EnsonGT is doing as the first Korean gaming company to win GOTY, it’s still just a mobile gaming company at the end of the day.
Is it even possible for them to beat EnzenDo?
The PV for the new *Rain’s Legend* looks insane in quality.
Honestly, to even compete to this degree is already impressive.
When would Korean game companies even dare to rival EnzenDo? Haha.
[Comment List][Registered Order]
– Let’s support EnsonGT if you’re Korean!
-NLGG LOL
– Honestly, my brain side with EnzenDo, but my heart hopes EnsonGT wins. Haha
– *Chronicle Connect*’s 2nd PV also looks insane. Honestly, I think we’ll only know after we see more.
-NJRL LMAO. Calm down with the nationalism already.
Just by looking at the community’s reactions, it was clear that these two companies should never have been in direct competition under normal circumstances.
No matter how EnsonGT might be excelling with mobile games and gaining dominance in the subculture market, their rival was EnzenDo, which had reigned in the gaming industry for over half a century.
If it were Enson Korea or NDSoft with poor public sentiment, they’d probably be getting beaten up by users for underestimating EnzenDo in this situation. However, because EnsonGT maintained good public relations, it was only natural that many users supported them.
Thus, while the competitive dynamic was set, aside from the trailers, neither game had released any concrete material, so the focus naturally shifted to the upcoming Tokyo Game Show where both games were participating.
***
Three days before the Tokyo Game Show.
Yui, summoned unexpectedly to the conference room upon my request, clearly appeared flustered.
The reason was simple—I had just briefed her on the matters concerning EnzenDo.
Yui, with functioning ears, surely knew about EnzenDo’s unprecedented participation in the Tokyo Game Show. However, what she likely didn’t anticipate was the fact that EnzenDo’s participation was directly related to us.
It was almost impossible to predict that a company like EnzenDo would behave this way.
Hence, after my full explanation, Yui looked slightly disconcerted.
Yui questioned me, seemingly baffled.
“Um… so EnzenDo’s participation in the Tokyo Game Show this time is because of us?”
“Well, I haven’t directly heard it from someone at EnzenDo, but it’s almost certain.”
“Hearing this out of the blue is a bit shocking.”
Although she said that, Yui’s expression didn’t seem much different from before she heard the news.
“You seem surprisingly calm.”
“Yes, that’s true… Honestly, I don’t give it much thought. If we do well, that’s all that matters, isn’t it?”
“Exactly.”
“If I were the type to worry about every little thing, I wouldn’t have quit and left SignGames in the first place.”
Yui’s eyes looked unusually sharp compared to usual as she spoke.
“I understand why you told me this, but you don’t need to worry. I trust in my game.”
“Understood…”
“Anyway, I have some preparations to finish for the Tokyo Game Show, so I’ll go ahead.”
With that, she bowed slightly and left the conference room.
I couldn’t help but reassess Yui’s character.
I had brushed off the story about her resisting project cancellations and quitting in protest, but now after witnessing her true nature, I realized it wasn’t an exaggeration.
Of course, such a personality doesn’t hinder development in any way—it might even bring more benefits.
***
Two days before the opening of the Tokyo Game Show.
Tanaka, as previously arranged, greeted us upon our arrival at Narita Airport for our participation in the Tokyo Game Show.
If only Tanaka had come alone, but that was the problem.
“Finally, good to see you again. Nice to meet you.”
Hiroki Otonase cheerfully greeted us with a wave, his voice uncharacteristically energetic for his age.
I glanced at Tanaka, who awkwardly shook his head and sighed.
“What brings you here?”
“Brings me here? I heard you’d be participating in the Tokyo Game Show, so I came to meet you.”
“Is that so…”
“That’s right. Let’s talk as we go.”
With that, Hiroki’s arranged van carried the team and me towards the hotel in Chiba, where the Tokyo Game Show was to be held.
During the ride, I asked Tanaka,
“How did he know about our arrival time?”
It wasn’t Tanaka who responded but Hiroki.
“How did I know? I asked him.”
“Ah, I see…”
“There you go. There are still two days before the Tokyo Game Show starts. It’s hard to just sit quietly until then.”
Hiroki remained as self-centered as ever, but surprisingly, it didn’t bother me.
Perhaps it was because I’d given up trying to understand him, or maybe I’d grown accustomed to his character.
“Anyway, don’t give this guy too much trouble. I forced him to come along, and he’s feeling a bit sorry about it.”
“No, that’s fine.”
Hiroki’s words prompted Tanaka to shake his head.
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Haha, thanks.”
In such a mood, we arrived at a hotel in Chiba.
Hiroki stopped the van in front of our hotel and asked,
“So, how about it? You’re going to go head-to-head with my junior at the opening of the Tokyo Game Show. Are you confident?”
Hiroki’s expression remained calm as he questioned me, genuinely asking how I felt, not prying for information.
“Of course.”
“Yes. You’re not the type to panic in such a situation.”
After confirming that the rest of the team was inside the hotel, Hiroki turned to me and, placing an arm around my shoulders, quietly said,
“Here’s an interesting piece of information. A friend who is part of the association organizing the Tokyo Game Show mentioned that your booth and EnzenDo’s have been placed right next to each other.”
“…Is that really true?”
“Yes. The friend wouldn’t lie about something like this. It just goes to show how desperate for excitement the Tokyo Game Show has become.”
“Thank you for the information… but why do such favors for a rival company of EnzenDo?”
Hiroki, stroking his beard while contemplating my question, eventually replied,
“Why not just call it the whim of an old man? I like you, that’s all.”
“…Thank you.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. See you at the venue the day after tomorrow.”
Hiroki patted my shoulder and left.
This happened the day before the Tokyo Game Show.
***
The day before the Tokyo Game Show’s opening always focused on final preparations.
We were assigned a booth size of 28 squares.
Our booth was, surprisingly, assigned right in the center of the event.
Compared to five years ago when, with the help of Enson Korea, we secured a side booth during the *Girls’ Memorial* era, this was a dramatic improvement.
Meanwhile, confirming the information Hiroki had given me, across from us stood the EnzenDo booth, suggesting a direct confrontation.
Well, if the organizers are pushing for this, we might as well play along; there’s no other way.
“Alright, everyone gather here!”
In a temporary conference room with the team, we started the final check on the setup.
Most preliminary preparations had already been handled by the staff that arrived earlier, so now we needed to finish the final checks and set up the booth itself.
“Taeseon, have you finished checking all the tablets and smartphones at the experience zone?”
“Yes! All good to go. We only had to replace two faulty tablets, but everything is ready.”
“Great job. When we’re done here, run through a test play and also double-check the demo clients.”
“I’ll do that.”
We planned to release only the first chapter at the Tokyo Game Show—a protagonist recovering memories, waking up in the first region, and defeating the first mid-boss.
It was the perfect amount—just enough to intrigue.
“Chae-young, please manage the audio area as usual, and Yumi and Yerin, you help with booth coordination with me.”
“Okay.”
“Yes!”
“Yui, please manage the users in the experience zone with Taeseon.”
“Got it.”
“Alright, lastly, we have plenty of staff support this time, so there should be enough to run two shifts. Speak up if you’re feeling tired… Does anyone have any more questions?”
Seeing the staff remain quiet, I nodded and concluded the briefing.
After all the preparations were complete, we headed out, leaving the booth for tomorrow.
As we exited our booth, I noticed that the preparations across from us at the EnzenDo booth were also complete as people were leaving.
Among them, a middle-aged man caught my eye.
Though we didn’t exchange words, I could tell who he was.
Hideaki Yoshida, the director and producer of *Rain’s Legend*, seemed to recognize me, as his gaze lingered on me.
Even without speaking, there was an understanding between us.
We briefly held this strange moment and then nodded casually to each other as we passed by.
The following morning, after this unique experience,
The Tokyo Game Show officially opened.