Game Director from Hell

Chapter 50: Awards Ceremony (2)

Year-end, the time when the whole world was wrapping up the year.

Some were tidying up their year of school life, some were wrapping up their year of work at the office while being invited to year-end gatherings, and some were enjoying their last escapades for the year ahead.

In such a world, at such a time,

The gaming community was also paying attention to the year-end awards ceremony.

It was the intense competition between two indie games that had heated up the awards ceremony.

(Chat)WaitingforHellic3: Wow, the awards ceremony is really intense.

Is Minecraft really that great?

Honestly, I'm not into games that involve building things, so I never paid much attention, but I didn't know it could compete with Hellic.

<Comments>

DelayingMilitaryServiceInspector: I have a friend who's close to the US, and according to him, the fans of this game are crazy.

S2BoppiS2: The demo version had a phenomenal response! I found out it's being praised as an irreplaceable game overseas!

ClearWithoutT: It's fun.

LordOfBangbaedong: My nephew loves it. It seems like they've made it easy and fun enough for kids to play too.

The reviews of Minecraft were positive even within the community.

Survival in the wild, and building your own space on top of that.

How could anyone dislike satisfying their creative urge in such a free form, alongside the sensibilities of survival adventure?

Minecraft is often referred to as online LEGO, and especially for men who may have played with LEGO in their childhood, there was no way to have a negative opinion about the game.

Of course, that doesn't mean everyone hoped that Minecraft would beat Hellic.

Nevertheless, the desire for one's own country's game to win was a universal sentiment embedded in the users' perception.

The tension that existed within the community was not unique to it alone.

The impact of Hellic 2 had already spread beyond the gaming industry and had reached the general public to some extent.

Even in a relatively exclusive gaming culture of 2011, the moment when a country's representative stands on the world stage was the moment when the media started to pay attention to Hellic.

It was what people call calculated national pride.

"South Korea's college student development team, Studio Rewind. Moving toward the world stage."

It was an online article that was featured briefly in the morning news, but it had an impact on Studio Rewind's recognition.

However, not everyone could support Hellic.

North America had a different outlook.

Hellic had to be evaluated solely as a game, without any national affiliation.

Therefore, there was a somewhat raw expression of that sentiment.

"Minecraft, really? Bringing a package game that you only play a few times and then forget about.

If you want to play with blocks, go play with Legos, you bunch of kids. The Game of the Year is Hellic."

Both games had clear points to target from the opposite fan bases, recognition, fun, and sales.

For an ordinary person, it was natural to wish for their favourite game to win in such a case.

It was not a matter of grand ideals or conflicting ideologies; it was a natural phenomenon.

That's why the fight escalated.

It's quite a well-known fact, isn't it?

The anonymity of online interactions often amplifies people's aggressiveness.

Furthermore, the formation of factions within a community has been a form that aligns perfectly with the deep-seated human desire for group formation.

"Didn't we all graduate from playing with Legos back in elementary school? Isn't it childish to still enjoy building things in a blocky world?

You guys are more disgusting, acting like little Lolitas and staring at girls' butts while playing."

The tension escalated.

Of course, it was a temporary phenomenon.

The result is honest, and what the era remembers is always the winner.

They knew that very well.

"I hope there's no tie. Let's wait and see."

The Spike Game Awards.

There were five awards designated for indie games, and among them, Hellic and Minecraft each won half of the awards in their respective categories.

So the final showdown would be determined by the "Indie Game of the Year" award, which would score their overall performance.

Two groups attacking each other.

They said simultaneously,

"That Game is for the Noobs"

... Times may change, but people don't.

***

They had come quite a long way.

After completing their first awards ceremony schedule in the United States and then rushing to Europe, they were now back in the United States to finish the schedule.

Even the team members, who had initially been excited about the overseas trip, were exhausted by the tight schedule, and this was their final destination.

"Thank you to the guests who attended the awards ceremony..."

The host delivered a speech on the grand stage.

At that moment, both I and the team members couldn't help but be fully immersed in each moment, as if forgetting the fatigue of the journey.

Especially Han Seorim, who sat right next to me.

"Oh, seriously, this is so annoying."

Han Seorim, who had dressed up, bit her nails while sulking.

She was irritated. She had said it out loud, but one could easily tell that Han Seorim's true feelings were filled with anxiety.

She had been particularly nervous about this awards ceremony schedule.

Well, it was a sufficient two weeks to fuel the anxiety of Han Seorim, who was sensitive to evaluations.

And the outcome was still uncertain, which added to the inner turmoil.

Han Seorim wasn't the only one feeling this way.

Jo Ayoon was constantly exhaling deeply, clutching her chest, and Myungkyu was trembling with his head bowed deeply.

Even the lively duo that had been full of enthusiasm earlier were now quietly holding hands and closing their eyes, as if praying.

I was no different.

My mind wasn't exactly rational.

I had expected a close competition, but I hadn't expected it to be this intense.

It couldn't be helped.

Even in the previous D.I.C.E Awards, which were right before this, I thought there would be a close competition.

"...Exactly 17 to 17."

The award records were all different.

Hellic received high scores mainly for art, sound, and narrative, including storytelling.

Minecraft received high scores for its innovative developments.

The smaller awards were evenly distributed among the specialized categories.

Even the Game of the Year awards were held evenly

If we count the Indie Game Festival, IGF, Minecraft was dominating.

As the event had progressed to this point, I realized that despite all the efforts in terms of initial sales and advertising, we couldn't compete with Minecraft, the formidable opponent.

Is it really the sky above the sky?

But...

"It's not over. Don't give up."

I gathered my resolve.

"We can win. We just have to win here."

This awards ceremony was the precursor to The Game Awards.

In other words, it was a stage with enough credibility to be considered the most prestigious awards ceremony, and winning here meant winning in terms of quantity and reputation.

This was the place that would determine the final winner.

I looked at the stage.

The team that created Portal 2 was in the middle of the awards ceremony.

Even as I looked at the creator of the game I had once enjoyed so much, I couldn't think of anything.

I must have been nervous too.

As I watched quietly, something came to mind again.

It was still an event from a past life.

"This is where it happened."

In 2027, I died just before this stage.

That's probably why.

The time and place were different. Even the name of the awards ceremony was different.

Nevertheless, this awards ceremony held a special significance for me because of the pain of not being able to grasp that award just before winning Game of the Year, due to the sins I had accumulated throughout my life.

"Senior..."

Han Seorim called me. She looked a bit, well, quite tearful.

As the time for the verdict approached, she seemed like a prisoner withering away.

For someone as sensitive as her, the mental impact must be even greater.

I held her hand.

"It's okay."

I said, but I was also in the same situation.

Am I saying this to Han Seorim, or is she saying it to me?

I don't know.

Maybe it's neither.

I couldn't quite grasp what expression I was wearing.

I should be showing a composed appearance as a leader, but I couldn't help but feel frustrated that I couldn't do that.

On the other hand, I had a thought.

Wouldn't it be better if this moment ended quickly, whether it's a win or a loss?

I thought I should accept the outcome right away.

My thoughts didn't linger for long.

"Next is the Indie category!"

The moment had come.

The moment when the results would be revealed.

"This year, the competition in the Indie category was especially fierce. Moreover, it's a situation where there was a tie until today, so I'm sure the interest is even higher!"

Silence filled the awards ceremony venue.

It was a silence born purely out of tension and curiosity.

All eyes were on the host.

Time seemed to pass slowly.

Could I believe it if I saw even the way the host's eyes moved while scanning the audience?

"And the Indie Game of the Year goes to..."

The moment those words were uttered, I forgot to breathe.

It was only belatedly that I realized I was still holding Han Seorim's hand, that Jo Ayoon was clutching my sleeve, and that Myungkyu hyung had a grip on my shoulder.

All my senses became incredibly sharp.

My tense brain was even able to pick up my heartbeat, the irregularity of my breath, and the flow of blood.

I closed my eyes tightly and lowered my head.

I tried my best to suppress my emotions.

To do that, I kept repeating to myself.

"Yeah."

If there's anything to regret, I can improve.

If I've come this far against an opponent I couldn't have originally beaten, that alone is a significant achievement.

I've done everything I could.

I hadn't left anything unprepared, and there was nothing that would change even if I changed my mind now.

Thoughts along the same lines continued to repeat in my mind until the end.

"Let's accept it humbly."

Even if I lose, I shouldn't be too disappointed.

So,

"Congratulations! Studio Rewind's 'Hellic 2: Hell Of Alice'!"

I didn't immediately understand the words that pierced my ears.

"Come up to the stage!"

"Wow!"

Suddenly, my body trembled.

A thunderous cheer coursed through me.

It felt like someone was grabbing me by the hair and lifting my head upright.

Even amid the commotion, my sense of hearing felt muffled.

The stage lights spread, obscuring my vision.

Or was it?

For a moment, I felt a sensation where all my senses suddenly dulled, making it difficult to grasp.

"Baek!"

A voice penetrated my muffled ears.

"Sunbae!"

Clap! The sound surged.

Applause, Han Seorim's voice, and the sensations of being shaken.

"We did it! We won the award!!!"

"Yeongho!!! We got Game of the Year! Seriously, Game of the Year!!!"

Han Seorim laughed brightly as she shook my collar.

Myungkyu hyung shouted in my ear.

Jo Ayoon had a bewildered expression.

The uproarious duo cheered.

This scene, it was captured as is on the screen behind the stage.

My face on the screen looked dazed.

"Now, will you come up to the stage?"

The host said with a chuckle.

Until then, I was still in a daze.

Han Seorim lifted me up and led me.

The team members assisted.

We got closer.

The stage, what I had missed, what I had thought I might never get again.

"Please share your thoughts," the host handed me the microphone.

When did I suddenly step onto the stage?

It was a moment when my head was still in a daze.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The applause continued, the faces of countless people, their smiles, and their gazes.

And the spot where I stood.

I felt a shiver down my spine.

A numb sigh escaped my lips.

"Ah..."

So, this was it.

"Team leader! Congratulations on the win!"

Seeing it in front of me made it all feel real.

That sense of fullness, the ecstasy, that was exactly it.

"Sunbae, what are you doing...?" Han Seorim's urgent whisper brought me back to reality.

Right, I was supposed to give an acceptance speech.

I moistened my lips.

Even as I continued, my thoughts shifted between the past and the present.

"Acceptance speech... acceptance speech..."

I had prepared quite a few acceptance speeches in my past life.

This time, too, I had created a script in preparation for the award, thinking I shouldn't take it lightly.

I just had to speak it out.

I remembered everything.

However,

"...Thank you."

Nothing else came out.

Just those foolish words.

"Thank you..."

My mind was filled with one thought.

"We did it."

Indie Game of the Year.