The Game Developer Who Left the Company Is Too Competent

58. end of service

“It is time to make a decision.”

“Existence itself is a loss. I don’t know if the headquarters has a symbolic meaning, but it’s not like that… … .”

“In fact, it was amazing that it was maintained until now. There are so many great games in the same genre now. It’s just an old game that no one is looking for anymore.”

After the meeting, I headed to a nearby cafe with Park Myung-hoon.

Park Myung-hoon asked cautiously.

“Is this the third time?”

“… … ?”

“Once during Dream Soft, once during Bless, and this time. Didn’t it hit you three times?”

“ah… … .”

Taeyeon nodded.

“okay. that’s right. This is the third time.”

still alive

Two games that were forced to end their lives due to operational issues.

“Your first game was Survival Magic, right? Casual battle royale action… … .”

“that’s right. It was very popular at the time because it was cute and fierce competition for survival.”

However, it was not able to adapt to the rapidly changing online market, and the service was terminated due to limitations in technology.

Taeyeon, who was the head of the Empire’s sword planning team at the time, was in charge of the finishing touches.

“The second game was ‘Bless’, a non-target MMORPG created under the name of the company.”

It was a game that raised bigger expectations than breaking the limit, and it was a game that was quite popular at the beginning of the actual launch.

However, it collapsed due to operational failures and repeated irrational updates.

Taeyeon was also in charge of the finishing touches.

Taeyeon said.

“Everworld has become the third game.”

“… … .”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve been through this, and this time it’s not my job, and I feel very depressed. It feels like cutting off a young life with my own hands.”

“I agree. In fact, that experience was the most depressing thing in my previous job. It was unavoidable, but to end the lifespan of the game with my own hands… … .”

The two developers couldn’t hide their gloomy faces.

It was.

What was decided at the executive meeting just now is a casual MORPG that started with the history of Nepple. It was Everworld’s decision to end its service.

When Taeyeon entered, the atmosphere at Everworld Studio became heavy.

A middle-aged woman in gold-rimmed glasses stood up from her seat, crying. They are guessing the purpose of Taeyeon’s visit.

“Please pay attention for a moment.”

A total of 25 developers are looking at Taeyeon.

‘It’s like terminally ill patients waiting for a death sentence.’

No, to be precise, it is the feeling of seeing the patient’s family.

It means that you have a deep love for this game.

“You have worked hard for 15 years.”

“ah… … !”

At that word, sighs erupt from all over the place.

“I will end the service of Ever World.”

From nob le mt l dot com

Middle-aged developers, including the director, were already weeping.

“You have worked hard so far, and I hope you will do your best until the end.”

And I told the director, Kim Sang-hee.

“Let’s talk.”

* * *

“It was a game I devoted my youth to. Because I really really loved it. this game… … .”

From the moment he entered the meeting room, director Kim Sang-hee cried endlessly.

Taeyeon quietly listened to her story.

“With this game, I was able to meet someone I love, get married, give birth to and raise children, and send them to elementary school. From one moment on, Everworld was everything in my life.”

Taeyeon sighed quietly.

As a game developer, I fully sympathized with her feelings.

“I-over there… … .”

“Tell me.”

“Our game… … Can’t I do something?”

“… … .”

“Is there any way to come back to life? PD-nim revived several games, including Atlansia! Wouldn’t our game work somehow too?”

“… … .”

“I really can’t finish like this! I mean, they’re like children. Whoops!”

Everworld developers gathered near the conference room.

Hearing loud cries, he couldn’t stand it and gathered.

The door opens cautiously with a knock.

“listen… … may I come in?”

They were developers of the same age.

Taeyeon nodded and the crowds rushed in as soon as they sat down.

“CEO. Can’t you really give me one chance?”

“It’s a small number… … There are still many users who love and enjoy Everworld. Even looking at them… … .”

Taeyeon also thought of several ways.

To launch a remake by replacing the engine and upgrading the system and graphics.

‘But that’s why it’s not Everworld.’

Gamers have a very strange part.

There is a strong tendency to demand the same as you know and love rather than something new.

Even if the form is old and shabby.

‘The story is different from Atlansia and Battle World.’

This game has been through a lot over the years.

Director Kim Sang-hee, in front of me, was a person who only took over the director’s position five years ago.

She couldn’t be blamed for Everworld being driven to the point where it couldn’t be revived.

Just like sports ball games, games are also PD play.

‘I have to change to a better look… … It’s not the Everworld that users have already loved.’

It could be made into a mobile game, but… … It is not a wise decision as a representative.

It’s not a topical IP like that, and the main systems, including the world view that is the backbone of the game, are too low in quality.

‘It’s right to end here.’

This game has reached the end of its lifespan.

That was Taeyeon’s decision.

“… … .”

But Taeyeon couldn’t say anything.

I have never seen a case where the love for the game in charge was this intense.

“For now, the game will end within this month as scheduled.”

“ah… … .”

Sighs and cries break out again at the unchanging decision.

Taeyeon stood up from her seat.

before leaving.

“… … .”

I looked back at Everworld’s frustrated developers.

‘I don’t feel comfortable.’

A heavy sigh leaked out.

* * *

In the afternoon, after returning to the office building in Gangnam, Taeyeon accessed the Everworld website.

[Notice of end of service.]

‘A notice has been posted.’

It was a notice written in tears by producer Kim Sang-hee.

The disastrous feeling of having to announce the end of the service was revealed throughout the content.

The status of the bulletin board… … .

– No density. It’s the end of the service.

-I thought that this kind of day would come someday… … I thought I was ready mentally, but I guess I wasn’t. I’m sick… … .

-I can’t let you go even if I die!

It was filled with the tears of users.

While reading the article, the client was downloaded and installed.

‘Shall we connect?’

in its heyday.

So, since it was a game I enjoyed 12 years ago, the account was still alive.

When I connected, for some reason, there was a congestion sign on the integration server.

‘It seems that users came with rumors.’

Yes, the server capacity is so small that the number will not be much, but… … .

I thought so and managed to connect successfully.

“… … !”

There were more users in the plaza than expected.

Two-headed characters decorated with various avatars were gathering and talking in a medieval concept plaza.

– I came to hear the news of the subspecies.

– It was the game of my life… … Oh, something doesn’t make sense.

-It’s my favorite game… … ㅠㅠ

On the one hand, I feel like this.

‘Come now… … ?’

If this person logged in every day and activated the game… … If the current atmosphere had continued… … .

‘… … Still, I must have made the decision to subjugate.’

First of all, the majority of Everworld developers are long-term employees who joined Nexple in its early days.

That means the salary is decent.

In addition to labor costs, including maintenance, etc., maintenance was a loss in terms of sales.

‘But I can’t reduce the number of developers.’

Still, the update will go ahead somehow… … .

‘It’s just a respiratory replacement job.’

It means nothing.

When accessing the battle room, the capacity of ten users is filled in an instant.

And start playing!

Two-headed characters with different personalities in a light green tone and magical forest background enter survival.

run behind! And fall behind again!

‘In a way, it’s similar to Battle World in terms of gameplay, but… … .’

Fatigue rises several times.

This was the first problem with the game.

Excessive fatigue.

It’s fun when you do it with enthusiasm, but when you think about doing it again, you feel rejected.

‘AOS games can even use strategy tactics, this is pure gear, item speed, plus luck is important.’

Anyway, if the remaining users are still there, it means that they are deceased users.

Unconditionally, you have to use the latest equipment to hit the full river, and you have to synthesize the avatar and equip it with a rare and unique full set. And as a cash item… … .

‘I’m tired just thinking about it.’

still… … .

‘It’s definitely fun if you focus on it. The immersion is also good.’

By modern game standards, everything is lacking.

Impact, control, balance… … .

‘It’s fun though.’

Above all, the advantage is the communication function.

It was the first game to introduce the housing system in Korean online game history.

Guild members have fun collecting money and ideas to decorate the guild house and guild manor as best they can. Its scalability was also good, so it was possible to create a city of the desired shape.

In fact, this guild system, rather than battle royale battles, could be said to be the secret to survival.

‘I think it’s right to go with the Sims style… … .’

However, there are many problems with the territory decoration and invasion system to enjoy online.

When my hard-decorated territory and guild territory are invaded and ruined, the motivation to play the game disappears at that moment.

So many guilds collapsed, and users quit the game.

‘I have my own little fun, but… … .’

Again, I can’t see the proper way out.

I don’t know if the world view, scenario, system configuration, etc. are changed, but… … .

‘There’s no point in doing it that way.’

No, is it meaningful in itself to be doing this?

It was all negative thoughts.

‘The team atmosphere and unity don’t seem to be bad, so I guess I’ll have to make a new game with director Kim Sang-hee at the center.’

Originally, in this situation, all personnel who have nothing to do are sent to ‘charge’.

In fact, it was a waiting team.

Until other studios pick it up, they will only analyze and review the game.

It’s great if you can convince producers and executives to invest in them with an amazing game presentation, but that’s not possible for anyone.

‘I’m telling you to leave on your own.’

Taeyeon got rid of this team as soon as she took office.

Because I thought it was useless, and it was a place that only undermined the developer’s pride.

He had the ability to see the status window and had a lot of development experience, so he used it and placed it in the right place.

The unfortunate thing here is that you can’t blindly put them in the team they want to go to.

Those who could not narrow their differences here resigned themselves.

‘Have them organize a TF team, and give them the opportunity to give three presentations in six months.’

If you can’t show good planning, the team will be disbanded.

It will be like a separated family.

‘Let’s do that for now… … .’

Taeyeon looked at the game.

It’s an old game that has been around for decades, but it was really cute and cute 2D dot graphics.

In an instant, a smile appeared on Taeyeon’s face.

‘I’m going to have to knead this resource at will.’