The Regressed Game Director Is Too Competent

Chest trembles.

The mind feels hazy as if walking through fog.

Cold sweat forms on clasped hands.

Such a reaction wasn’t particularly problematic.

It was simply because this was the first time, before or after the regression, that the users had seen us in person.

“First of all, on behalf of the Girls’ Memorial development team, I sincerely thank all the users who have chosen our game.”

I had thought it would be nerve-wracking, but once the filming started, the tension in my body relaxed much faster than expected.

The throbbing in my chest calmed down,

my hands dried, and my befogged head began to clear.

“But we sincerely apologize for the situation that has arisen due to our insufficient preparation and response, even though it’s been less than a day since our launch.”

As I continued speaking and looked into the camera, I met Yejin’s eyes.

Yejin and Yumi nodded, their faces expressionless, signaling silently that I was doing well.

Reassured by their gestures, I carried on speaking.

“I use this opportunity of addressing you through this video to extend our apology.”

Not merely as a formality, but with a sincere sense of responsibility as the director, I bowed before the viewers.

“Taking this incident as an opportunity, our development team will endeavor to make more meticulous efforts to prevent such occurrences.”

That was the end of the prepared apology statement.

From here on, it was time to wield the carrot and the stick.

“Additionally, realizing our responsibility for this incident, we will richly compensate users to make sure they are not disappointed, and we will endeavor to minimize losses incurred during this issue’s resolution. However!”

I paused briefly, took a sip of water, and resumed.

“We will thoroughly investigate to check for any exploitation of the bug, and users who have gained unfair advantages through the bug will face appropriate punishment.”

There was no other way but to clarify this point if we wanted to avoid setting a bad precedent.

There have been games that descended into ruin after leniently punishing users who exploited bugs.

Girls’ Memorial couldn’t make the same mistake.

“Lastly, though some may feel let down or angered because of the trouble from the outset of the launch, please bear with us. We will repay you by proving the changes.”

I bowed toward the camera one last time.

“Thank you.”

*

The community was in chaos after the early-morning bug crisis.

This was because, after the servers were shut down due to the bug with an announcement that investigations were ongoing, there had been no further updates.

In the already crowded community of players who had gathered due to the game’s high-profile launch, this neglect was enough to create chaos.

However, the situation in the community was quickly quelled by a single announcement posted two hours later.

[Nickname: Anonymous]

[Title: Girls’ Memorial announcement dropped ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ[translation]]

Hello, this is Girls’ Memorial.

We are providing guidance regarding the situation and the measures taken concerning the issue of repetitive mail receipt and what is scheduled next.

First and foremost, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our esteemed managers who have anticipated and played our game due to the error encountered.

In response to the issue of overlapping receipt of the rewards in the mailbox, we have performed an emergency inspection, and normal access is now possible.

However, we are currently conducting a full investigation and recovering excess magic crystals received due to the pre-registration rewards repeating.

As a result, for accounts that require recovery, we are lifting the temporary restrictions sequentially after the recovery is completed.

Furthermore, for cases where the items have already been used and cannot be recovered, we will enforce a use restriction based on our game operation policy.

In addition, we, with heartfelt apologies for the inconvenience caused by the inspections conducted since the opening today, have prepared emergency inspection rewards for all of you.

[EMERGENCY INSPECTION REWARD GUIDE]

※ Emergency Inspection Rewards

Magic Crystals x2000, Activity Points 500, Affection Gift Selection Box 50 units, Student Enhancement Ticket 500 units, Magic Battery 200 units.

※ Distribution Schedule: After Emergency Inspection Ends ~ October 31, Wednesday

Please note that if the reward collection period elapses, the items will disappear, so be sure to log in and collect the rewards within the stipulated period.

Once again, we express our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused. We will work hard to provide a more stable service, taking lessons from the errors encountered.

[※Girls’ Memorial Official YouTube Channel will upload the Director’s Apology Video.]

[Comment List][Registered Order]

– Of course, trust in you, Enson!!!

– Wow, the rewards are insane ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ

– Are those magic crystals not worth 1000 each?

– Reroll difficulty will plummet.

– Wow, this is really on a different level from how ‘That Game’ handles situations ㄷㄷㄷㄷ

[Nickname: StupidGame]

[Title: Summary of differences in response to bugs between ‘That Stupid Game’ and Girls’ Memorial…txt]

‘That Stupid Game’: If a bug doesn’t directly affect them, they drag it out as much as possible; critical bugs might bring down the server for checks without offering any compensation.

Girls’ Memorial: Upon server shutdown due to bugs, an immediate apology message is posted and compensation is handed out, with the director bowing deeply in apology <-(NEW)

That's why IMILIA users wouldn't switch to Girls' Memorial, right? 😂

[Comment List][Registered Order]

-Was there even any point to the IMILIA users' war? 😅
-Honestly, looking at this, they were such a bunch of suckers 😆
-After seeing the generous compensation they handed out, it seems insane.
-So why are some still sticking with IMILIA? For real? 😂

[Nickname: Anonymous]
[Title: Girls' Memorial Director's Apology Video is up!!]

[Image: Ho-jin bowing deeply in apology]

I thought they'd make him read a scripted apology just because the company told him to, but it wasn't like that.

Since the incident happened in the Japanese server, I expected the apology to be in Japanese, but seeing him naturally speak Japanese without a script made me respect him more.

Despite dealing with the bug, he clearly put so much effort into this too.

Other game directors should really learn from him.

[Comment List][Registered Order]

-I wasn't particularly interested in mobile games, but this makes me curious.
-Honestly, ever since the Tokyo Game Show reviews mentioned him, I’ve had a soft spot for this director.
-No kidding, he's definitely better than directors who crank out terrible games and then complain.
-I'm thinking of jumping in. Is it too late to start now?
-Not at all. The game just launched yesterday, so there's plenty of time. Go for it.

As I monitored the community on my smartphone, I thought to myself.

'This went down much better than expected...?'

Given that the bug occurred at the worst possible time, I had anticipated that the response would merely result in fewer insults.

But as it turned out, it was my mistake,
since the game's image improved instead of being hurt after the bug incident.

'Since things are this smooth, should we row the boat a little further?'

After a moment's consideration, I picked up my smartphone and called Tanaka.

"Director, I was just about to call you too. How is it on your end?"
"I'm also in a bit of a daze since the apology video is getting a much better response than expected. How’s Japan?"
"The same applies here. Active users have increased by nearly 30% compared to before the bug, and the user feedback is positive."

After contemplating Tanaka's response, I carefully spoke.

"Seems like this crisis has turned into an opportunity... Perhaps advancing one step is a good idea, what do you think?"
"Do you have anything specific in mind?"

After Tanaka's inquiry, I paused briefly and then began.

"Isn't the schedule for our first pickup PV release next week? The pickup event is the week after that."

"Yes."

"In that case, how about releasing the PV now and proceeding with the pickup event the following week? It seems like the perfect time while users' attention and interest are at their peak."

"Hmm... This is an issue that I can't answer on the spot. I’ll need some time."

"Of course, that's natural. I'll wait."

"However, won't the higher-ups object? Considering that we've already handed out magic crystals as compensation for the bug..."

The rest of Tanaka's sentence, though left unsaid, was easy to infer.

The implication was that proceeding with the pickup event under the current circumstances would likely have a negative impact on sales figures.

It was a valid concern, undoubtedly.

Since the rewards would inevitably have an effect on sales.

"But we shouldn't shy away from opportunities because of trivial concerns. I'm convinced that with the current level of user interest and enthusiasm, we can generate even better results."

"If Director feels that way... Understood. I will inform you once there's a decision."

"I look forward to it."

Even without a definitive agreement, I ended the call, but I wasn't particularly worried.

After all, I had already proven my capability in addressing the public sentiment.

I expected that approval wouldn't take long.

And as if confirming my prediction, a few hours later, my smartphone rang again.

"The proposals you suggested were all approved."