NOVEL WEB Chapter 34
It has already been nearly three months since I visited Enson Korea upon the Chairman’s request.
After the private meeting with the Chairman, various changes occurred in my work life, the most significant of which was the collaboration with Enson Korea.
Certainly, there had been some collaboration before the private meeting, but many complained it felt like we were eating ‘leftovers.’ However, after meeting with the Chairman, such complaints disappeared entirely.
At first, I merely thought, ‘The employees must have resigned themselves to the situation.’ After all, such a change could not occur without reason.
But after visiting Enson Korea myself, I understood why the employees stopped complaining.
Out of curiosity, I called Su-yeon.
“Never heard of that,” was her response.
“Really?”
“Of course. If we had known about such a fact, why would we hide it from our Director?”
“Um… I see.”
If even the President was unaware, it must truly have been a secret order from the Chairman… Truly, something one can only partially comprehend.
Nevertheless, now that I knew, I couldn’t just let it pass. Through Su-yeon, I sent a gift to the Chairman.
Of course, it was nearly impossible to buy a gift befitting the owner’s family, so it was just a token of appreciation… But I believed the Chairman would understand.
The second change was regarding Su-yeon.
After she opened up on the day of the private meeting with the Chairman, I felt our distance grow closer.
At the office, we maintain our professional lives, so we don’t openly display it, but we’ve become close enough to occasionally have lunch together or exchange coffees when working late.
Just today, as an example, I was returning to the office after having lunch with Su-yeon.
Opening the office door, I heard a commotion.
Curious, I walked further in and found the source of the noise was the Art Team.
As I approached, I noticed the Art Team members had gathered around a monitor.
“What’s everyone doing here?”
Startled by my voice from behind, everyone turned to look at me with a ‘Gee!’ sound.
Among them, Yerin, who was nearest to me, greeted me with a slightly flushed face.
“Oh, you’re here?”
“Yeah, how about lunch?”
“I had it with Yena.”
“So, what is everyone gathered here for?”
“Oh, well…”
Yerin adjusted the monitor’s angle so I could see too.
It turned out to be a promotional video for an upcoming domestic mobile game on the screen.
“This is a new Korean mobile game that’s about to be launched. Have a look.”
After hearing Yerin’s words, I played the video. Familiar artwork appeared in the PV.
Titled “Liberty Unnon,” the only elements present were white background with some text. An underdressed character and a “Touch” button caught the attention of the viewers.
Even though it was a video and the button was unclickable, it seemed like the creators knew what they were doing when they pressed the button themselves. The touched area began to tremble as if vibrating.
Although the quality was basic — merely shaking a specific area — it was still quite surprising, especially given that this video was from the early 2010s, not the dopamine inflation era of the 2020s.
Judging by the commotion in the Art Team alone, it was easy to understand why. These team members were no strangers to adult-themed or fan works, yet this still set the room ablaze. The game was bound to make a splash when released.
Even in the world before my regression, there had been similar upheaval online and offline.
“Senior, what do you think of this game? It’s going to be a proper competitor to ours, right?”
“Competitor? Hmm…”
Even ignoring the fundamental difference that one game is from Korea and the other from Japan, this game wouldn’t be a competitor.
“Why not? While the illustration quality might not be as high as ours, it still has potential, right?”
As I pondered what to say in response to Yerin’s question, Yumi’s voice came from behind me.
“Director!”
Turning toward the voice, I saw Yumi approaching me.
“What’s up?”
“It’s not urgent… but I have a question.”
“What’s your question?”
“Community discussions and the customer service center are flooded with inquiries asking if there’s a Korean server in the works…”
“Is it that bad?”
“Yes… I checked the customer service center, as a precaution, and the volume is substantial.”
“Hmm…”
Even without Yumi’s information, I knew Korean users hoped for a Korean server since before. I was also consistently monitoring the community, just like Yumi.
However, opening a Korean server was realistically impossible. The Korean market was not yet ripe for subculture games.
Opening a Korean version of “Girls’ Memorial” would undoubtedly lead to a backlash.
Even knowing this outcome, making others understand it was an entirely different issue.
“How can I make them understand… Ah.”
“Yerin, when did you say the other game is supposed to launch?”
“Judging by the video, it’s probably next month?”
Unexpectedly, Yerin’s response made my head ache.
Again, the release date had been pushed forward. In my previous memories, from before the regression, “Liberty Unnon” was released around August. But like “Inmil-A” and “Cinderella Pervert,” this release date had also been moved forward by a month or more.
“This is going to require revising all my previous plans.”
“Yumi, ignore the public opinion and keep doing what you’ve been doing. The Korean server discussion will die down soon.”
*
Before the regression, there were several reasons why “Liberty Unnon” failed.
The user-hostile operation by its creator, Ryan.
A nerf-heavy balance patch.
Various controversies focusing on its explicit content.
The first two controversies didn’t arise immediately after launch, but the sensuality controversy was what broke its early momentum.
As a result, the game faced the humiliation of being removed from the Play Store.
While I, knowing all of this, could potentially help the creator Ryan to avoid these issues, why should I?
Given the game’s concept aimed at adult card games, there was a possibility it would reject my advice outright, and it made no sense to go through unnecessary hardship helping a potential competitor.
Thus, as time passed and nearly a month went by, “Liberty Unnon” was eventually released.
Having gained much attention for its provocative PV before release, it had immense impact upon release.
Despite being from a small studio, it managed to claim the No. 1 spot on Google Play Store’s sales chart.
However, only a month later, it faced a major crisis through a news article.
A sensational controversy over its explicit content.
[Exclusive] How far should mobile game exposure go? The gaming industry calls for self-regulation while one game, “Liberty Unnon,” goes against the tide.
(Kim Jae-hyun Reporter)
As efforts continue to block regulations, such as the Juvenile Protection Act, that negatively impact the gaming industry, one mobile game has sparked controversy for going against the current industry trend.
…
The mobile gaming industry needs more self-reflection than ever for sustained evolution.
Comments (338) [Order of Registration]
– These pedos are disgustingly dirty.
– Are you crazy, reporter? Did you get paid?
– Look at the illustrations; they’re atrocious.
– Round up all the defenders in the comment section, and we won’t need the Juvenile Protection Act anymore.
The comment section of the article descended into absolute chaos, turning into a gladiatorial arena of insults.
This fire quickly spread beyond the news article comments and ignited on various communities online.
No wonder Yumi, who was monitoring the communities, came all the way to the office.
“Director! Shouldn’t we create a contingency plan to prevent this controversy from affecting us as well?”
“It’s fine. Since we’re only operating in Japan, there’s no risk of it affecting us.”
“But… still…”
“Even if there’s some discussion about our game, it’ll just remain at that. It’s impossible to hold Japan-released games accountable.”
This was the precise reason we planned to launch the Japanese server from the start when conceiving “Girls’ Memorial.”
Because Korea wasn’t ready for mobile subculture games.
“Still, have the Korean server-related voices calmed down?”
“Yes! Luckily, most people were relieved that there was no Korean server.”
“Good, then. That’s good.”
This was why we planned for a Japanese server launch since the beginning.
“By the way, Director.”
“Hmm?”
Yumi, after starting a conversation, hesitated as if deep in thought.
“What’s wrong?”
“Um… I’m asking because Chae-young asked me to…?”
“Mm, go ahead.”
“Um, Chae-young asked if… if you have the ability to read the future, could you tell us this week’s lottery numbers?”
Facing Yumi’s absurd inquiry, I gave her a disdainful look.
“If I could read the future, would I be working here?”
Yumi, unsure how to respond to my reaction, eventually bowed and left my office.
“Phew…”
Once Yumi left and I was alone, I couldn’t help but feel a bittersweet sense of regret.
“I should’ve at least remembered those lottery numbers…”