Game Market 1983

Chapter 226: Complete Joy

"The tickets to participate in the live don't require a separate purchase. You can substitute them with the heroine nurturing points earned through your gameplay."

Kang Junhyuk, the director behind Virtual Idol, delivered a simple yet impactful explanation. This revelation, alongside the game's release, created quite a stir...

Perhaps it was because of witnessing Sheryl and Azusa's outstanding live performance just moments ago, but discontent brewed among the users in the audience over what they deemed as overly stringent policies.

But here's the thing.

Reflecting back, every game created by Director Kang Junhyuk was nothing short of challenging, from the very first to the tenth.

He threw down the gauntlet to users with 'Dragon Emblem,' an ultra-difficult game since his family days.

Even in its second iteration, the game retained a similar system where player data vanished upon character death. Users back then also complained about Dragon Emblem's excessively tough gameplay.

Frequent party wipes occurred due to players ignoring tactical actions during party play. At one point, Director Kang Junhyuk rebutted these criticisms in a gaming magazine with a single statement.

"The Dragon Emblem series is meant to be enjoyed this way."

While some in the industry found his response disrespectful towards users, I wholeheartedly agreed with his words.

Users who shared my sentiments formed a trustworthy alliance, taking on dungeon raids together. It was as if the camaraderie found in RPG games had transcended into reality due to Dragon Emblem's insane difficulty.

Some gaming publications even joked that above the difficulty levels of EASY, NORMAL, and HARD, there existed a 'Kang Junhyuk' level.

Perhaps it was the peculiar thrill conveyed by the name Kang Junhyuk that led to these expectations? All the games he created until now had consistently been massive hits.

Had he deviated slightly to accommodate user feedback, critics would have accused him of losing his originality...

The gaze of people is always like that.

When something even slightly clashes with their standards, they persistently delve into that aspect, striving to tailor it to their preferences.

In reality, games that had released lite versions to accommodate user complaints about excessive difficulty during the Super Family era ended up with poor sales, leading to the dumping of the original games as well...

In that sense, Director Kang Junhyuk exhibited an unwavering determination never swayed by user evaluations.

But would someone like him really implant such a cruel system into an idol nurturing game?

"Still, his signature style of pushing users to their limits isn't restricted to a specific genre..."

On one hand, it's truly commendable for his consistency. When a user sitting in the front row questioned him:

"How exactly do we use these nurturing points you just mentioned? Do we need to bring a Complete Raon to the live headquarters?"

Come to think of it, how do we actually use these points? As everyone's attention turned to Kang Junhyuk, he, rather bewildered, asked us:

"Isn't everyone here carrying at least one Raon in their bags?"

In that moment, I recalled the instructions for Complete Raon that I had seen at the restaurant earlier.

Could it be...?

"When you select the synchronization menu on the main screen of Virtual Idol, you can link your gameplay data to the portable Raon. Note that this synchronization feature will be incorporated into all games released by Pentagon in the future."

"For games like Virtual Idol, the linked Raon allows you to enjoy mini-games externally. Additionally, through the Pentagon Shop's terminal, you can check the heroine's point statistics in real-time and download new stage costumes updated weekly."

"Wow... That's... amazing."

I found myself sighing in awe upon hearing Director Kang Junhyuk's explanation.

The Complete Raon he created completely shattered the existing framework of console games. Could a portable gaming device expand the game's variations to this extent using the previously released portable gaming console?

The port used for linking the portable Raon seemed like a device merely intended to cater to existing users...

However, in that moment, I realized my previous thoughts were entirely contrary to his intentions, as elucidated by Director Kang Junhyuk.

"He's using the link port to further boost sales of the previously released portable Raon...!!"

The portable Raon was an excellent peripheral device on its own.

With a mini display device projecting the game screen and the Raon itself doubling as a gamepad, it was more than just a remarkable peripheral.

Yet, due to the synchronization feature with Virtual Idol, the portable Raon swiftly ascended from being merely excellent to becoming an 'absolutely necessary' peripheral.

Moreover, his subtly provocative statements were sufficient to chip away at the pride of users who didn't yet own a Raon.

It felt as though he was asking, "What? You still haven't got a Raon? Then what about all the points you've accumulated?"

His demeanor went beyond rudeness and almost appeared daringly assertive.

"But getting a portable Raon isn't just a small expense... And unless you already have one, it wouldn't be easy to buy, right?"

At that moment, a screen behind Director Kang Junhyuk displayed the portable Raon.

It introduced various functions that could be accessed using the existing Raon on a touch-type device.

"Ah, if you use the portable Raon in Full Metal Gear Solid, you can receive the MAP screen and radio transmissions through Raon..."

"It seems like the Raon's synchronization feature can be used by third parties too, huh?"

Though it was merely the wireless reception through the portable Raon, the realism it provided was extraordinary.

With the multi-effect of two displays, another wave of admiration emanated from the audience.

"I can't resist this anymore. After this, I think I'll have to go down to the first floor and buy a Raon..."

"I can't. If I buy a Raon now and go back, I'll be kicked out by my wife..."

"How about disposing of the box and carrying just the device in your bag?"

"Are you insane? How can you carry only the device without the package?"

...Right. Even the box needs to be carefully stored to truly qualify as a gamer.

Besides, you could get a better price when selling it secondhand.

But somehow, playing the same game with a portable Raon seemed like it would be more fun...

While that was happening, the remake video of "Streets Without Me" revealed the ultimate persuasion for purchases. It showcased the secret album mode of "Streets Without Me," which appears upon integration with Complete Laon.

Introducing an album containing memories with the heroines, along with 30 letters he left behind for the heroine before his demise, a user in the audience sprang up, exclaiming loudly, "Wow! Darn it, I'm going to buy it right now!"

Users who had been fond of Pentagon's "Streets Without Me" couldn't hold back anymore and started leaving their seats. It seemed like they were preemptively purchasing to avoid potential sold-out situations.

At that moment, lively sound effects emanated from the speakers, momentarily detaining the people heading towards the exit. At this point, I couldn't help but acknowledge Director Kang Junhyuk's cunning marketing skills.

"To celebrate the release of Complete Laon, the consumer price for the existing Laon will be reduced by 30% for a month starting today."

"Wow!"

"Darn it. Even if my spouse kicks me out, I have to buy this."

"I already have it, but I might as well get another one for collection purposes."

"Darn it... my wallet's thinning out."

Reducing the price at this timing... It was truly an awe-inspiring strategy.

Back in university, I took a marketing course, and the professor once praised Pentagon's marketing strategies. Director Kang Junhyuk seemed to possess not just game development skills but also a genius sense in marketing, evident from boosting "Streets Without Me" sales using public sales counts, the unique costume event on Valentine's Day, and even showcasing at CES.

Come to think of it, I vaguely heard a story that even the "Golden Cartridge Limited Edition" in The Legend of Karin was actually his idea.

"Now, let's wrap up the additional explanations about Virtuoid's idols and the integration function with Laon. Please look forward to Erica and Tsubaki's stage coming up."

Remaining calm until the end, as Director Kang Junhyuk left the stage, Mayumi beside me murmured, "Impressive. I've felt this before, but that person exudes confidence in every action."

Ugh... reluctantly, I absolutely agreed with Mayumi's opinion. The atmosphere in the live hall was undoubtedly flowing exactly as he intended.

Shortly after, as the stage darkened for the live performance, Erica's image appeared on the screen.

"Oh, it's Kanna's song."

"Shh. Junhyuk said Kanna's name is a secret..."

"Oh, right. I almost..."

As Erica calmly plucked the guitar strings on screen, the restless atmosphere in the hall gradually settled down. And moments later, when Kanna, portraying Erica, stepped into the spotlight and began singing, her serene beauty captivated me, causing an involuntary swallow.

I've felt something similar when meeting Mayumi before, but right now, she was shining brilliantly on stage, almost doubtlessly beautiful to this extent.

Her songs, with a unique bright voice, had gained explosive popularity among people in their twenties to thirties, offering support to those tired of everyday life. Though perhaps not as impactful as Cheryl's Beating Heart, her songs held an enduring simplicity, like Tsubaki's "Please Hug Me."

However, today seemed a bit different...

At that moment, perhaps sensing similar emotions, Mayumi watching Kanna spoke up. "What's up with Kanna? Why does she seem so sad today?"

"Yeah... She's singing well, but it's like her usual cheerful tone isn't coming through."

Moments later, as Kanna finished singing with closed eyes, she descended from her chair, preparing for the guitar performance. She then took hold of the microphone.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Kishimori Kanna, playing the role of Katagiri Erica in Virtuoid for the first time. It's nerve-wracking to greet you all for the first time, but unfortunately, I have to deliver slightly disappointing news."

"Hmm... What's going on?"

Kanna, noticing the puzzled reactions, briefly displayed a worried expression, looking around the stage.

After receiving a message from someone there, she pursed her lips and began speaking.

"The voice actress for Tsubaki, who was supposed to perform next, is unwell today and can't sing."

"Oh no! Not good!"

"This is disappointing..."

"I was really looking forward to hearing it again after listening to the speaker in the morning..."

"Oh no... to not even reveal her appearance..."

Amidst users expressing dissatisfaction from all corners, Kanna on stage wore a visibly sad expression.

"Does this mean the live ends here?"

"It feels anticlimactic not to see the final performance..."

"Yeah, right..."

Considering it was deemed the climax of today's live, it was disheartening for it to turn out this way. Even Mayumi seemed quite disappointed not to witness Tsubaki's stage.

Observing the murmurs around, Kanna, looking out at the audience, slowly brought the mic to her lips.

"... If it's alright with everyone, can I sing 'Please Hug Me' by Tsubaki in her place?"

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