"Damn it! We've done so much already, why do we have to change the script again?!"
"If the worldview also needs to be changed, then the art department will basically have to start from scratch."
Mr. Sakata Taiji, the art director, finally understood what the 'danger' Master Akanishi Ken was talking about meant.
This is more than just dangerous, isn't it?
It's like God creating half the world, realizing it's not suitable for humans, and then preparing to destroy it and start over.
This is a cosmic-level disaster!
As the art director, Sakata Taiji absolutely could not forgive such behavior.
However, as a member of Pokeni, he couldn't directly scold the President.
Holding back a fire in his heart, even though he knew Gen Urobuchi was just a messenger, he had no choice but to criticize him severely.
Urobuchi has been a bit too jumpy lately; if we don't show him who's boss, the artists won't be able to work in the future.
"Urobuchi, do you know what you're doing?" Sakata Taiji asked sternly, "How can we continue with work like this in the future? Who knows if we finish this time, there won't be massive changes again."
"Definitely not," Gen Urobuchi responded loudly, "I guarantee that this change has also been approved by the President."
Although he himself was unsure, he still tried his best to appease them every time the art colleagues asked.
"Shinji Mikami, what do you say?" Sakata Taiji turned around and asked Shinji Mikami.
After all, this guy is the Producer of The Witcher project team.
Fortunately, Aoki Haruhi and Shinji Mikami had already communicated about the previous changes, and after he read Gen Urobuchi's new script, he felt that the revised content seemed even better.
Moreover, in this new proposal, the specific combat flow was also refined by Shinji Mikami.
So Shinji Mikami bit the bullet and appeased him, "I've seen Urobuchi's plan, and actually, I participated in this change as well.
While the new plan will lead to some rework, it's not as severe as starting completely from scratch.
But aren't we supposed to have higher demands on ourselves now, to create a game that satisfies people?"
"Shinji Mikami…"
Sakata Taiji felt extremely uncomfortable, yet he didn't know how to refute it.
...
"President, we absolutely cannot agree to this this time. Such things have happened more than once."
The artists felt very wronged, as if all the time spent over the past few months had been wasted. Although Shinji Mikami was right that it wouldn't be a complete restart, a considerable amount of work still needed to be redone.
The workload itself could be estimated, as it was objectively quantifiable, but everyone was emotionally unable to accept it.
This wasn't the first major revision.
And each time, it originated from Gen Urobuchi.
No, to be precise, the mastermind behind it was the President.
Akanishi Ken had already analyzed this thoroughly for Sakata Taiji: if it weren't for the President's eagerness for quick success, being misled by Hayao Miyazaki into wanting to rewrite the script and strive for a considerable level of ideological depth in the game, such a thing would never have happened.
Yesterday, Sakata Taiji was full of admiration for Master Hayao Miyazaki, but today, Sakata Taiji hated Master Miyazaki to the extreme.
The Master's ideals are not necessarily our ideals.
President, it's not your first day making game; these two cannot be conflated. We still need to eat!
In short, it's unforgivable.
Under the instigation of his junior artists, Sakata Taiji would not compromise no matter what!
Aoki Haruhi's lips curved into a smile, and he didn't show any sign of displeasure or anger due to Sakata Taiji's rudeness, maintaining a gentle expression the whole time.
Scolding Sakata at this moment, while it might show the President's authority, would be futile and only add fuel to the fire.
"So, have you seen Urobuchi's proposal?" Aoki Haruhi asked lightly.
"Hmm, I've seen it," Sakata Taiji said, sticking out his neck.
"What do you think?"
"I..."
Sakata Taiji choked for a moment, then said very reluctantly, "It's quite good. Although the style is quite different from the previous work, I personally actually quite like the new version of the story."
"It lacks that sentimental, overly emotional touch, but it inexplicably makes people feel dark and fearful. I even find myself recalling that the sense of oppression permeates every corner of the game."
Aoki Haruhi couldn't help but chuckle when he heard his comment.
Darkness, that's very much in line with Gen Urobuchi's style.
This can be seen from puella magi madoka magica.
It can only be said that Urobuchi Gen in this timeline, under his urging, has grown at an astonishing speed.
If this continues, he'll start worrying about Urobuchi Gen's mental state.
"Then isn't that enough?"
Aoki Haruhi smiled, "Since you also approve of Urobuchi's new plan, and we all think this one is better, then why not do it? Rather than releasing a less excellent game that disappoints players and ruins our reputation.
Why not make a better game that players will praise?"
Sakata Taiji frowned, "President, you said that last time too."
And now, Sakata Taiji no longer held any hope for the President's promise of "no next time."
He had probably come to terms with it. Based on his many years of work experience, getting a promise from the President not to change the game was easy; getting them to truly not change the game was almost impossible.
He could only say that he could try his best to consider the artists' emotions and make the project planning more reasonable and far-sighted.
"We are all constantly improving."
Aoki Haruhi soothed, "Sakata, think back, in terms of drawing ability and management talent, how do you think you compare to yourself a year ago?"
"I..."
Although he didn't know why Aoki Haruhi asked this question, Sakata Taiji still answered truthfully, "Of course, there's been progress. A year ago, I didn't do enough in many aspects."
"Exactly," Aoki Haruhi said, "This shows that Sakata, you are excellent. If you look back at yourself a year ago and there's not much difference from now, then it means you haven't made progress this year.
If you feel that you were a piece of crap a year ago, then congratulations, you have achieved significant growth."
Eh?
Sakata Taiji froze for a moment, seemingly feeling that something wasn't quite right.
But then, he inexplicably felt that the President's words made so much sense.
"Growth brings both joy and pain," Aoki Haruhi said, "Take Urobuchi as an example. When he first joined the company two years ago, he was a clueless greenhorn. Now, he can stand on his own.
And Shinji Mikami? Even more so. Not only can he handle matters within his own field, but he can also help others solve problems, gaining a deeper understanding of game, more accurate judgment and control over projects, and significant progress in communication skills.
Let's put it this way: if there were such a thing as a game training school in the world, then Pokeni might seem strict, even cruel, in its teaching, but the growth gained here is the most significant."
Hmm.
Sakata Taiji nodded, indicating agreement.
In fact, many outside companies are already trying to poach Urobuchi and Shinji Mikami, which is enough to show their significant progress.
In fact, it's not just the planners; the programmers and artists have also grown through successive new projects and new creative concepts.
But just as Aoki Haruhi said, it makes people feel pain.
Akanishi Ken and the others have almost lost all their hair just from writing the monster AI in Diablo.
Of course, Akanishi Ken didn't have much hair to begin with.
"The starting point of all our work, isn't it to make the game good enough?"
"But there's no such thing as 'good enough' in game," Sakata Taiji frowned, "There will always be better solutions, so does that mean we have to start from scratch every time we think of a better one?"
"Iteration, iteration, do you know the word iteration?" Aoki Haruhi said, "Our game development is a spiraling upward process. Although the ascent is endless, there is also a relatively stable range. We are just pursuing the maximization and rationalization of this range.
This time, Gen Urobuchi's revision of the game's worldview and script is a very important node, and we are fully capable of supporting it while the game is not yet fully developed.
So why not?"
"This..."
Sakata Taiji opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
He thought for a long time, then could only sigh bitterly, "But the artists can't accept it emotionally. I'm afraid there will be resistance."
"That's why Pokeni needs you," Aoki Haruhi couldn't help but laugh, "Sakata, think about it, why are you the art director and not someone else?"
Before Sakata Taiji could answer, Aoki Haruhi continued, "It's not just because you have extremely strong professional abilities, but more importantly, everyone respects you. You've done an excellent job in art scheduling, personnel management, and atmosphere regulation.
That's the talent required to be an art director.
The rest of the work should be completed by you. How to explain to the artists, how to make them accept it, how to advance the project—isn't that the art director's job?
So I've told you so much today, and I have every reason to believe that you can handle the next steps very well."
...
Sakata Taiji's expression completely changed, from the anger he wore when he entered to the relief, and even a little joy, when he left.
Xiao HR Ayase Akane had no idea what had happened in that short hour.
She served Aoki Haruhi coffee, and couldn't help but feel a little worried for the President.
"President, what did you say to Sakata? I feel like his attitude is completely different now. You know, an hour ago, Sakata was furious, almost ready to eat Urobuchi alive."
Aoki Haruhi chuckled, slowly taking a sip of coffee.
Although HR-chan's coffee was very bitter, it somehow tasted a little sweet.
He slowly put down the cup and asked, "Do you think Sakata came to confront me?"
"Isn't he?" Ayase Akane asked, puzzled.
"He just needed a reason he could give his juniors.
Even if Sakata Taiji could accept Urobuchi and Shinji Mikami's new proposal, as the elder brother of the artists, he needed something to appease them."
Aoki Haruhi understood this point very well—
Sakata seemed to be there to confront him, but in reality, he was there to ask him for a'Shangfang Sword' (a metaphor for supreme authority).
Otherwise, he couldn't explain it to his juniors.
So, as long as Aoki Haruhi became the scapegoat, took the blame, and gave Sakata a sufficient reason to convince his juniors, the conversation would be over.
"Eh?" Ayase Akane was startled, "Is that so?"
"Otherwise?" Aoki Haruhi rolled his eyes, "I can't just beat up Urobuchi, can I?"
So now the pressure was back on Sakata Taiji.
However, Aoki Haruhi was still very confident in his abilities.
...
Tsk tsk.
The President seems to be getting more and more narcissistic now.
Ayase Akane raised an eyebrow dismissively, and as she watched Aoki Haruhi drink coffee, she remembered something.
"Oh, right, President, I recently got some important news. Do you want to consider it?"
"Hmm?" Aoki Haruhi looked up at her, puzzled.
"Aren't we short-staffed in the music and sound effects department?" Ayase Akane said, "There just happens to be a good candidate."
"Really?"
Aoki Haruhi indicated that the music and sound effects department was not just short-staffed, but severely understaffed. Besides Atsushi Shirakawa, a good and creative musician, the other two young men were only barely competent.
Yes, as of now, there are only 3 people in the company responsible for music and sound effects.
This weakness has existed for several years.
It's just that Shirakawa was too excellent, which covered it up a bit, making the department seem not as weak as one might imagine.
But Atsushi Shirakawa also has his strengths and weaknesses. He's very good at healing, soft, and classical styles, but when it comes to creating something with ups and downs, something more international and inspiring, or even something that sometimes requires heavy metal rock, Shirakawa seems a bit insufficient.
Especially when encountering Urobuchi Gen and Shinji Mikami, who are particularly good at dark-themed game, Shirakawa's music always feels like it's missing something.
It scratches at your heart, but never quite hits the spot.
It's probably that kind of feeling.
...
"So, what kind of candidate have you found?" Aoki Haruhi asked, "A fresh graduate? Or someone poached from a street band?"
"It can't be an artist changing careers, can it?"
Seeing Aoki Haruhi's interest, Ayase Akane smiled mysteriously and said, "A colleague. I heard that Yoko Shimomura from Capcom is leaving the company.
The rumor is that she's about to transfer to Square.
But it doesn't seem to be finalized yet."
"What?!"
Yoko Shimomura leaving Capcom?
Is Capcom having problems?
This was Aoki Haruhi's first reaction.
You know, Yoko Shimomura, in his previous life, was known as "the world's most famous female video game composer," creating music for many famous Capcom game. She could be considered a treasure musician of Capcom. Is she really leaving Capcom?
HR-chan looked seriously at Aoki Haruhi, "Whether we can successfully poach her, I think it mainly depends on the President."
"Huh?!"
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