Video Game Tycoon in Tokyo-Chapter 894: The Charm of Game Development

"Ishii, what's your favorite video game?"

Endo led Ishii Chika away from Nomoto's persistent attention and continued showing her around the department, casually asking her about her personal preferences.

"I really love Nier: Automata because the story is really touching."

Ishii Chika had originally wanted to say that her favorite game was Dragon Quest.

After all, Dragon Quest was the game series developed by this First Development Department, and it was also Gamestar Electronic Entertainment's top IP series.

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Compared to Dragon Quest, Nier: Automata was slightly less impressive.

However, Ishii Chika had actually grown tired of playing more traditional role-playing games like Dragon Quest.

Especially since the turn-based combat system in that game could feel somewhat tedious and sleep-inducing, which was one of the reasons why the development of the Dragon Quest series had temporarily halted. Occasionally, only some spin-offs were released, and the main series wasn't being actively developed for the time being.

They could certainly still cater to the diehard fans of Dragon Quest.

However, Takayuki, the president of Gamestar, hoped that a game could appeal to both the old players and attract new ones. The Dragon Quest series had also fallen into this kind of bottleneck, and Takayuki decided to put it on hold for a while. He was waiting for the right time when the turn-based mechanics could be presented in a better way before bringing it back.

Moreover, Takayuki had already done almost everything he could with the Dragon Quest series. He didn't want to ruin what was already a great franchise. He wanted to explore new territory, and he could either develop new IPs or find already successful new ones instead of tarnishing the older classics.

"Nier: Automata, huh? That's a really good game! I like it too. But to be honest, I'm more fond of 2B herself."

"I get it. The game's popularity is partly due to the character herself. Before I entered college, I might not have understood this behavior, but now that I've learned the essence of game development, I understand that creating a visually appealing game is meaningful and valuable in itself."

"Wow, your perspective is quite unique. Looks like we'll have more topics to talk about in the future."

Endo thought that his honest admission might make Ishii uncomfortable.

But his feeling about Nier: Automata was just that—if it weren't for the allure of 2B's character, he probably wouldn't have initially tried the game.

After all, there were so many great games at the time, it was overwhelming.

Then, after being attracted by 2B's charm, he also found enjoyment in the game's mechanics and its storytelling.

On this point, he couldn't help but admire the development team of the game; they told the story really well.

"So, Nomoto-senpai, what's your favorite game? Is it Dragon Quest?"

"Well, let me say this—Dragon Quest is like our child. We definitely love it, but if you really want to know what my favorite game is, I'd have to recommend Super Mario."

"Oh! I get it, I get it. That game is the most classic."

"The important thing isn't the classic status," Endo shook his head, "The important thing is that each installment of Super Mario keeps innovating, always staying at the forefront of the gaming world, and maximizing the fun of the game while embracing the latest technologies. That's what I like most about it."

Then, with a hint of apology, he added, "Oh, sorry, I may have a bit of a professional bias, but my love for the Super Mario series will never change."

"I completely understand."

"Alright, enough about that. Let me continue introducing the department. You'll probably be assigned to a desk upstairs because there's more space up there, and your work will initially involve simple program checks or organizing art, music, and other materials. I hope you don't find it too dull. The thing is, game development may seem very exciting from the outside—it looks like a job for artists—but in reality, it's more like an industrialized assembly line, and it can be quite boring."

"An industrial assembly line... I know about that. It's the game development approach that Takayuki has always advocated. I learned about it in my university courses, and I was taught that the only motivation to stick with this tedious work is the sense of achievement when the finished game is released."

"You're absolutely right." Endo nodded, then proudly said, "Video game development has never been easy. Even independent game developers face various tedious and frustrating challenges. But the thing that keeps them going is simple—it's the sense of achievement when the project is completed, like the joy of a child being born."

The two of them found themselves unknowingly discussing the philosophical aspects of game development.

At that moment, a voice from a nearby office interrupted.

"I believe every character in Night City should have their own story and charm, just like living, breathing people. This is completely different from the formulaic sandbox game Assassin's Creed that we developed before. That's why I'm insisting on using more funds to develop this. Because this time, I need the details. Do you understand the importance of the details?"

Such a familiar voice...

Ishii Chika immediately recognized the voice coming from the office. She quickly realized who it belonged to.

It was Takayuki, the president himself.

The president was actually here in the First Game Development Department!

Ishii Chika suddenly felt a little frozen. She was eager to see her idol in person.

Since she first became interested in video games and later went to university to study them, she had learned about Takayuki's illustrious career. This man was a legend, and meeting him face-to-face would be an honor.

Just then, the door to the office opened.

Takayuki, along with the head of the First Game Development Department, Muromachi Yuuki, and several key figures from the department, walked out.

"I know that building up these details is very difficult, even requiring a backstory and programming for each character. That's the problem we need to overcome. If there's any issue, always go to Tsukino. When it comes to creating each character, this time we absolutely cannot compromise. We are developing a game that will be a milestone—a game that will usher in a whole new generation of gaming."