“Wow!”
Every hunter who finished the normal demo and then put on the VR headset could not stop gasping.
Taeyeon, pleased with the reaction, said, “Turning this into a full feature will take a lot of work, but even this trial build will earn rave reviews.”
Takizawa Satoshi only smiled wordlessly in agreement.
Excited players filed out of the booth. Some stopped the staff to ask questions.
“Excuse me, are you a game master?”
“Yes, I am GM Yamsuni.”
“Great! I have a few questions…”
Most questions concerned Monster Eater Online, yet a few were off-topic.
“Can we play Pantheon here?”
“I brought my limited edition of Breakthrough. Could I get Director Yoo Taeyeon’s autograph?”
“I am a Kingdom of the Sword player and—”
Many fans who had come for Taeyeon’s signature were stunned to discover that the man standing beside him was Producer Takizawa Satoshi. A spontaneous autograph line formed inside the booth, but security quickly dispersed it.
“Producer Takizawa’s signing session will be held after the new-title showcase. Time and place will be announced!”
News of the commotion spread through the festival app in real time.
- Takizawa is at the Nexple booth!
- He is with Producer Yoo Taeyeon!
- I brought all my limited editions. I am getting those signatures!
For gamers, a world-famous producer is like a pop idol. Monster Eater fans swarmed the booth hoping to glimpse Takizawa. Watching the crowd, Taeyeon nudged him in the ribs.
“You are a superstar. People will think you are an idol.”
“…”
“I am jealous.”
Taeyeon kept poking until Takizawa, trying to stay composed, finally burst out laughing. The two had grown close enough to joke without reserve.
Eleven a.m.
The main stage was packed. A giant display rotated through Nexple, subsidiary and partner logos, then began playing game trailers. A sweeping orchestral score rolled out of the speakers.
When the hall went dark, the audience held its breath. Suddenly Nexple’s Development Director, Son Youngsang, stepped onto the platform and the crowd roared. For first-generation players he was the very definition of a star developer.
“Greetings, gamers. I am game developer Son Youngsang!”
The hall chanted his name. He smiled and continued.
“I am delighted to stand here as a developer and as Nexple’s head of development.”
After the brief greeting, cheers faded and everyone listened.
“Let us skip the small talk and go straight to the point. Nexple is currently preparing fifteen new titles!”
The lights dropped again, and trailers rolled one by one. Each time a long-awaited title appeared the audience shouted. When Monster Eater’s trailer hit the screen, the reaction turned into a near-scream.
When the last video ended Son spoke again.
“As I mentioned, Nexple is developing fourteen new games. Three will launch this year: two mobile, one PC. Excited?”
“Yes!”
“Which one do you want most?”
“Monster Eater!”
“Monster for life!”
The answers were almost identical. Son, clearly expecting it, laughed it off.
“Very well. Let us begin the reveal of our three upcoming titles.”
I am going to go mad, Taeyeon thought backstage, headset on, throat burning with nerves. He gulped more water.
Takizawa watched and asked in Japanese, “If you keep drinking, what will you do if you need the restroom on stage?”
“My throat is desert-dry…”
Takizawa chuckled. This anxious side of Taeyeon was rare; to him, Taeyeon was always confident.
“Just think of the audience as little kids, not judges. If you freeze, the show gets dull.” He pointed to the crowd. “See? Innocent, adorable.”
Indeed, offline audiences differed from the internet. They laughed at small jokes and applauded good footage.
“Even the shy developers handled it fine. You will do better.”
Bolstered, Taeyeon steadied himself. At last Son announced, “The highlight you have all awaited: Producer Takizawa Satoshi and Korean project manager Yoo Taeyeon!”
The two developers exchanged a smile and strode onto the stage.
Waaaa!
A thunderous cheer far louder than anything before shook the arena.
Here we go!
Monster Eater Online!
The presentation was live-streamed across multiple channels; online viewers leaned in.
It’s really Takizawa!
He said he’d be at the show and he’s on stage!
Camera flashes lit the dark auditorium. Chat windows exploded with messages.
“Hello, I am Yoo Taeyeon, project manager for the Korean version.”
“I am Producer Takizawa Satoshi.”
They began a free-flowing dialogue, recounting the journey toward the Korean release. Taeyeon handled all interpreting, so the tempo stayed lively.
That Korean dev speaks well.
Is he an MC?
Great presentation!
They emphasized full localization: text, audio, dedicated GM team and a local call center. The crowd went wild when they revealed plans for a Korea-exclusive quest line and content developed jointly with the Korean team—something never done in the series.
For the Q&A dozens of hands shot up. One man got the mic.
“The VR demo was amazing. Do you plan full implementation? Also, many players say the Sword Master’s effects and animations are flashier and stronger. People claim Producer Takizawa is biased. Any balance patches coming?”
“Yeah! Sword Master bias!”
“Buff the Striker class!”
Taeyeon translated, smiling. Takizawa sighed theatrically.
“To be honest, we still have technical hurdles, so I cannot promise full VR yet. And… yes, I am a Sword Master main.”
Booooo!
“Producer bias confirmed!”
“What about the poor Fist Vanguard?”
The jeers were playful but pointed. Takizawa conferred quietly with Taeyeon; the hall quieted to listen. Taeyeon then spoke for both of them.
“I have long felt the same. We are already working together on balance patches, skill effect and animation upgrades for other classes, and on tougher boss AI.”
The audience erupted.
“Yoo Taeyeon! Yoo Taeyeon!”
“And one more thing.” Taeyeon pointed at the screen. It flared to life with brand-new footage: revamped motions, cute and dynamic.
“These changes, plus awakening skills and cooperative finishers for every class, will arrive in the next quarter’s patch.”
Takizawa finished, “We are polishing them now. Please look forward to it!”
The hall roared; viewers online spammed chat. The showcase ended, but the cheering did not.
The presentation was a triumph. Nexple staff swarmed the two men backstage with praise.
“I have never felt such energy,” Takizawa said. “Thanks to you I keep gaining rare memories.”
“Your game earned it,” Taeyeon replied. “One day I want to create an IP as global as yours.”
Takizawa smiled warmly. “You will. You have passion, purity and talent I have never seen.”
“Thank you.”
After lunch, the signing session began. Taeyeon stayed beside Takizawa as fans queued with boxes and posters. A few asked Taeyeon for autographs, but this day belonged to the Monster Eater director.
That evening Taeyeon accompanied Takizawa to the airport and saw him off.
“I leave with wonderful memories. Next time come to Japan and let me host you.”
When the producer was gone, Taeyeon went straight back to prepare for day two of the festival.
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