The first sequence was the same as at Universe Studio.
Chairman Yoo Jinseong, Directors Son Youngsang and Lee Taeyoung, along with Producer Takizawa and his development team gathered while Taeyeon gave a presentation.
The topic was the process of localizing Monster Eater Online and the launch strategy.
In fact, Taeyeon had to invest even more effort in this presentation and the workshop schedule than he had for Universe Studio. There were more people and important clients were present. He printed handouts in both Korean and Japanese and hired professional interpreters for the Japanese guests.
From the start Taeyeon stated his ambition.
“I want people to say that the best, richest place to enjoy Monster Eater Online is Korea.”
There were essential conditions for that.
Stable server operation, teamwork within the localization team, and fair operation that excluded personal gain. Teamwork between development and operations was also vital. The dev team had to listen to the ops team’s requests, and ops had to study player trends and deliver the events and content they wanted. The project manager’s job was to make every cog turn smoothly.
“Producer Takizawa and the Japanese developers have promised full cooperation. I do not intend to overstep, but as the Korean service project manager I promise to do everything I can for you and for the users. If we succeed it is thanks to you, if anything goes wrong the fault is mine.”
Cheers broke out.
“Incentives will be distributed as fairly as possible, and salary increases will follow your results. I will show no favoritism and will do my best to ensure stable work and peace at home.”
Taeyeon pointed to Chairman Yoo and the two directors sitting behind him.
“This is not just my promise. It is what the chairman and the directors guaranteed on the condition that I continue as project manager. You can trust it.”
A roar rose. They had never heard anything like this in an official setting, so everyone was even more excited. If he would pledge his own name, they could not help believing.
“I hope Monster Eater becomes the game of all your lives. I will end the presentation here.”
When Taeyeon bowed, Chairman Yoo and everyone else applauded with all their strength. The seminar truly began.
Among the workshop programs were lectures and a talk session by the Monster Eater development team. All of this was planned by Taeyeon to close the distance between the Japanese team and the localization service team and to share vision.
Days flew by in a blur. There was no idle drinking or aimless loafing. Before returning to Seoul with the two directors, Chairman Yoo shook Taeyeon’s hand.
“I am very satisfied with the workshop. You filmed everything, correct?”
“Yes, as you directed. All of it is being recorded and will be edited for sharing. The Universe Studio video is already finished and has been given to the company’s welfare support team.”
“Good. With a program this thorough and high-quality, the staff will not think the workshop is a waste of time. Keep it up.”
“I will do my best.”
After Chairman Yoo and the directors left, Taeyeon sighed.
“Why do I feel my workload keeps growing?”
The second day included a Monster Eater raid competition and other lighthearted activities. If it had been only study sessions it would have been dull and exhausting, so Taeyeon added breaks. With full support from CEO Kim Myung-wook, prizes were set for every corner, and Taeyeon worked hard so that as many people as possible could win something.
He realized the more effort he poured in, the higher the workshop’s quality and satisfaction became, so he spared no effort. Everything was recorded by a high-definition camera for later sharing.
The three days flashed by.
“All right, let’s go have fun.”
“Yeah!”
When the workshop ended Taeyeon began his promised duty as tour guide. He rented a good van that could hold the whole development team and drove them to famous sights and food spots in Seoul and other regions.
The developers loved it, but for Taeyeon it was a death schedule. Even the eccentric Producer Takizawa spoke earnestly.
“You did not need to go this far… I am receiving treatment beyond imagination. Thank you so much.”
Taeyeon grinned.
“We are friends and colleagues. When I visit Japan, you will treat me the same way. No need for awkward thanks.”
Apparently, his words moved the whole team deeply. After completing the four-day trip, Taeyeon returned to the front line of development.
With Taeyeon as general manager, his salary contract changed. The annual salary that had only been tens of millions instantly doubled. Chairman Yoo ordered it personally, saying Taeyeon was handling many tasks and producing clear results, so proper treatment was due.
The talent management department, which had become a great help to Nexple’s public image, could no longer function without Taeyeon. Securing the world-class Monster Eater IP and other Crying Soft titles was entirely his doing. The public and ordinary staff might not know, but the executives did.
Nexple Plus, created to manage those games, had already hired seventy high-quality staff and was deep into localization. The way the internal chaos settled quickly was also thanks to Taeyeon. No one inside objected when his pay was renegotiated.
Recently, Universe Studio faced a curious situation. Transfer requests from other studios were pouring in. At first, they processed them casually, but the inquiries only increased. Finally, Taeyeon asked the HR head,
“What is going on?”
The HR chief smiled.
“Employees are sensitive to rumors and atmosphere.”
“What do you mean?”
“Simply put, rumors say the environment in the two studios you run is really good.”
“What kind of rumors? I hardly did anything…”
The HR chief pulled out his phone, opened an app, and showed some posts.
Taeyeon asked blankly,
“What is this?”
“It is an app called ‘Reed Field Forest’. Employees post company-related comments anonymously. Almost every Korean office worker uses it. You did not know?”
He did not. Taeyeon searched the Nexple tab and found countless posts updated in real time.
“Try searching Yoo PD, Universe, Space, Monster Eater, Nexple Plus.”
He did and gasped.
“Universe team atmosphere is great, are there still openings?”
“I am sick of my life, office politics everywhere and specs thrown out the window. Heard Yoo’s team has none of that, is it true?”
“A friend works in Nexple Enter and says the mood there is wonderful, everyone is talented and nice. I want to work there.”
“I am exhausted, forget the money, I just want to be happy. Maybe Universe Studio is the answer?”
He soon saw why.
“Our studio is awesome, no overtime needed, with proper leadership we produce tons of quality results. Best studio ever.”
“PD Yoo is amazing, not just his dev skill but his eye for people. No bad apples in the studio, everyone is great. I want to work here forever.”
“They match salaries, there is no talk of overtime or weekend work. Important specs are set during TF so nothing gets scrapped. You can save up overtime and use about three flexible hours a week. Where else can you find this?”
The pride posts from Universe and Nexple Plus staff were the source of the fuss. Taeyeon’s expression hardened and the HR head asked,
“Isn’t this good news? It shows high employee satisfaction.”
“That is true, but this means other studios’ leads and producers will look at me badly. That worries me.”
“I see…”
“Thanks for the information. I need to tighten people’s lips.”
He rose quickly.
“And we have no immediate hiring plans, so please tell those requesting transfers. If needed I will come to you.”
“Understood.”
He did not want unnecessary enemies. That was his honest feeling, so he could not smile even with this good reputation. One never knew what disgruntled producers or directors might do.
By the time he grasped the situation, it was already late. A producer and director from another Nexple studio confronted him.
“Because of you many of us are getting flak we don’t deserve. How do you manage your staff?”
“…”
“Could you rein them in? Thanks to you some PDs are now branded as old trash.”
Then do your job well in the first place, he wanted to say, but that would start a fight. He pressed his lips together and bowed.
“I am sorry. I will do my best so these comments do not appear again.”
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