novelraw Chapter 124 : This is Viral (1)
Chapter 124 : This is Viral (1)
This is Viral (1)
Viral marketing.
It was a type of marketing method utilizing word-of-mouth, but its image was generally negative.
The method itself was controversial, but there were also people who responded so sensitively that the term 'viral parrot' was even coined.
"Are you saying you'd like to proceed with viral marketing using Purple?"
That was why Park Juho's tone turned sharp. He adjusted his Anqing and continued questioning.
"No, even before that, I don't understand the reason for doing this marketing in the first place. Of course, it's true Purple's status has risen, but just explaining that you used that data isn't going to make people play the game more, is it?"
Lee Gyeongbok didn't stop his friend.
'I don't have a bad feeling about this, but it's not a bad idea to get everything out in the open.'
The head of business nodded, as if he understood their reaction.
"Yes, yes, I can understand why you'd think that. I suppose a more detailed explanation is needed."
He didn't look flustered, as if he had expected this question. Park Juho leaned forward, indicating he would listen.
"At this moment, the event itself is more successful than we expected. The viewer count alone went over 50,000. But the problem is, only the 'event' is successful."
"Isn't it good if the event's doing well?"
"Oh, of course, it's great. Very good. But this has developed into a rather unexpected situation."
At Gyeongbok's question, the head of business let out a short sigh.
"Most of the feedback about the event is positive, but the mode it's based on is negative. I think that's because the pattern of this tournament differed from what we envisioned."
"When you say 'what you envisioned'...?"
"We wanted the participants to show cooperative play. But as you know, that didn't happen. In fact, only the PerG-Day team managed to successfully defeat Killernoid, right?"
Gyeongbok and Park Juho nodded. Out of 100 participants in 25 teams, the only one to both survive and defeat Killernoid was PerG-Day.
"So from our side, it puts us in an awkward position. We wanted to show cooperative gameplay, but instead we ended up demonstrating that Killernoid is just extremely difficult to beat. Haah, at this rate the event mode itself might just be scrapped..."
The head of business let out a deeper sigh. Park Juho, unbothered by the man's expression, rolled his eyes in thought.
"I see... If it's revealed now that Killernoid's data is based on Purple, people's impression will change."
"Impression?"
"You're talking about reframing it."
Even after hearing the answer, Lee Gyeongbok looked puzzled, but a detailed explanation wasn't Park Juho's role.
"Yes, exactly! That's precisely what I wanted to say. If we just let things be like this, it'll be branded as a failed balance attempt. But if people know it's based on Purple's data, it'll become something of interest—a hot topic, right?"
The head of business spoke in an excited tone.
"And that's not all. Killernoid, who was just an event NPC, will turn into a challenge target."
"A challenge?"
What was he talking about now?
When Gyeongbok furrowed his brow, the head of business quickly explained further.
"Think of it in a similar vein to Over the Perfect, oTP. Why do viewers love OTP? Why do people take on challenges originating from Purple?"
"Well... isn't it just because they like me?"
"That's true! That's certainly part of it, but if you look closer, it's a bit different. Since those people are captivated by Purple's play, they want to resemble Purple and get closer to him."
Hearing that, Park Juho's eyes widened in admiration.
"I see! Approaching it from this angle, it stirs up a desire to challenge rather than complaints about the difficulty."
Killernoid is just a failed attempt at balance as an NPC. But if it's based on Purple's data?
A challenge against Killernoid is seen as almost identical to a challenge against Purple.
"That's right! You really do have a sharp business sense, manager. In fact, unless it's difficult, it wouldn't make sense!"
A perspective shift—a reframing.
With this alone, they could completely turn around the reputation of the event mode.
"A failed event will be thought of as another kind of OTP. And since it's not a real challenge, it won't damage Purple's standing at all. Rather, it'll be seen as a stepping stone. Like a gateway to challenge OTP? Something like that."
Hearing this, Park Juho gave his opinion to Gyeongbok in a low voice.
"It's not a bad suggestion. There will be streamers who use this as content, and that'll raise our profile too."
Gyeongbok nodded as well.
Perhaps the head of business sensed this was an opportunity.
"Of course, I'm not asking for this for free. If you just give your consent for the disclosure, we'll cover the tax and dues for the winner's prize this time."
"Tax and dues..."
"22%, 4.4 million won."
Before Gyeongbok could even calculate, Park Juho did the math instantly.
"That really isn't a bad deal. But I'm a bit curious about something."
"Curious, you say?"
"The data contract was about transferring usage rights. As long as we don't sell or offer the data externally without permission, we can use it freely. Then why are you bothering to ask for our permission?"
Actually, according to the contract, gGG could do this as they wished. So the fact that they were specifically asking for permission, and even offering compensation, seemed strange.
"There's no such thing as a benefit without a reason. That's what you're getting at, right? As expected, you're sharp. You've got a great manager."
The head of business smiled at Gyeongbok, then composed himself and grew serious.
"But you don't need to worry. I'm only making this suggestion from a business perspective as well. There are no gifts without strings attached."
"Then, what is it that you want?"
"I'm looking ahead to the future. I want to maintain good relations going forward."
At that, Park Juho and Lee Gyeongbok looked at each other.
"In the future?"
"It's still only my thought, but..."
He smiled, looking back at Gyeongbok.
"I'm considering recommending Purple as an ad model for Gunner Ground to the CEO."
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Sweeties dorm.
NewtonLord and Yoon Nara opened the refrigerator in the shared kitchen. What she took out was cold water and ice.
As the ice and water filled the glass, the surface quickly turned cloudy.
"Ha, seriously..."
Even though the water was cold enough to give her brain freeze, the heat in her heart couldn't be cooled so easily.
'I lost again.'
After shooting and swordsmanship, she lost in martial arts too. And it was a perfect defeat with no excuses.
'She even interacted with the viewers? How does she do that?'
This match had made it totally clear once again.
'Victory' was still a long way off, and she wasn't even sure she could reach it.
Yet, even with such an overwhelming gap, she did not feel like giving up.
'I'm improving, at least.'
Despite this match, not everything was bad.
'Your eye movement has gotten better. You practiced a lot.'
She had been acknowledged by Lee Gyeongbok himself—the very person who'd beaten her. His voice replayed in her mind once more.
'It's even more infuriating because he means it purely as praise.'
If the match had been more neck-and-neck, she would've written it off as bravado. But since the gap was so obvious, she accepted the praise at face value.
She wrinkled her nose as she drank her second glass of water.
'What's with this after-party dinner nonsense?'
It was something he'd mentioned before leaving after the event. But given her double life, there was no way she could join an after-party.
Yoon Nara let out a hollow laugh at her own thoughts.
'He probably just said it out of courtesy.'
Just an empty gesture, like the usual 'let's have a meal sometime.'
However, a different thought rose from within her.
'Isn't playing a game together fun, too?'
A question from while they were moving together. It was far too random to be just a broadcast remark. His facial expression and tone hadn't felt insincere at all.
'He really has an innocent side.'
She'd figured it out after hanging out with him a bit.
Lee Gyeongbok was a rare adult who retained a sense of innocence. Maybe, it hadn't just been a pleasantry.
Suddenly, she recalled her answer to that question.
'I know how fun it is to accomplish something together.'
She was the leader of Sweeties.
She'd made concerts happen with her members and staff numerous times.
But she'd never expected to find that same fun in gaming.
'I thought I'd always be alone, at least in games.'
NewtonLord and the idol Yoon Nara walked completely different paths. To NewtonLord, everyone else was an enemy—a target, nothing more.
But this tournament was different.
'NewtonLord, please create a blind spot.'
They had to join forces with the PerG-Day team to defeat Killernoid. Eclipse handled aggro, genome was responsible for suppression and erasing presence.
'This is the most important role.'
Lee Gyeongbok had given her a tough assignment.
'Isn't this, like, too dangerous?'
'If you fail, Purple Sir will be in danger.'
Genome and Eclipse had worried. But Gyeongbok had not.
'No, there won't be any failure. I know NewtonLord can do it.'
Reflecting on the situation, yoon Nara found herself returning to that question.
So, was it actually fun?
"Unni?"
Just as she was about to answer herself, a voice cut through her thoughts. Yoon Nara was startled and turned her head.
"Oh, sehee."
"What are you thinking about so hard? Did something good happen?"
"Something good?"
Yoon Nara opened her eyes wide in surprise, prompting Sehee to smile.
"You kept smiling, you know?"
"Me? Smiling?"
"Yeah. And with such a relaxed face, too—haven't seen you look like that since our first concert."
"What do you mean? What's different now?"
At her question, her sister gave a slightly bitter smile.
"Back then, you really enjoyed being on stage more innocently. I mean, you're happy now, too, but it's not quite the same. With our popularity growing, you've picked up more burdens, and since we have more people working with us, you've got more to worry about..."
As Sweeties' popularity grew, so did the members' responsibilities.
Yoon Nara gazed quietly at her sister, then pulled on Sehee's cheek with a laugh.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Just realizing how much you've grown."
"All of a sudden?"
"Because you're right."
She admitted it.
"It really was fun."
Both the first concert, and this event.
They'd been fun, without a doubt.
* * *
Late at night.
Gunner Ground's 'Time Warfare' event match was setting communities abuzz.
And one of those communities was 'Companion,' an anonymous workplace forum.
[〈Smile Door〉]
[Wow lol this GunG event is seriously legendary]
[- Honestly, I was just amazed watching it lol PerG-Day are honestly legends]
[- 〈Coral Abyss〉 I never expected Big Peach and Soldier A to go down so easily]
[- 〈Startup〉 Purple just went full Purple lol]
[]
[But what I don't get is, why give away skins for free? Don't they care about revenue?]
[- 〈Startup〉 -Lin-]
[- I mean, I shouldn't talk about being money-hungry, but read the mood, lol]
[- 〈New Company〉 This is why people call them gambling den owners, tsk tsk]
[NOXEN]
[Every time GunG gets big, I feel bad. If only Sudden Assault 2 had taken off!]
[- 〈New Company〉 Legendary Storm Electric lolololol]
[- 〈Startup〉 Hey, why did Stingray betray everyone!]
[- 〈Smile Door〉 Not even Purplecoin could save that lol]
Game company employees, as usual, showed the most interest.
But while it was an interesting event for gamers, it was different for employees.
[]
[For GGG, this Time Warfare was a poisoned chalice.]
[I get the intent.
It felt like they were trying to test the waters with a bit of SF flavor, like our company's Outlaw Universe.
But GGG folks just don't have any experience with this type of development, so the balance was totally shot.
Machines and robots are tough opponents, sure. But in this event, the power inflation was just out of control.
Killernoid itself was already strong, but when you look at the so-called future weapons they added—you wonder what they were thinking.
Even the commentators pointed out how OP everything was. They just tried to wash it over with co-op, and that's how we got this mess, lol.
Even for co-op, someone has to sacrifice themselves as bait. But if there's prize money on the line, who's gonna volunteer to die?
Honestly, it only worked thanks to PerG-Day. If it had been a regular team, they'd have been wiped and the event would've flopped.
I bet the insiders are writing up reports and the update is getting delayed.
They should have added some countermeasures, not just future weapons. Like, just off the top of my head: EMP grenades or armor-piercing rounds.
This event just ended up proving that GGG has no sense of balance.
I do work for a rival company, but it's a shame to waste an opportunity like this.
GGG people, go pay your respects 108 times daily to the PerG-Day team who saved your event at the last second.]
This critique about the event made it to the front page through recommendations.
[- As expected from the original SF experts, I immediately nodded when I saw this lol]
[- 〈Smile Door〉 Just reading this, you get it right away]
[- 〈New Company〉 Honestly, everyone except GGG benefited from this event lol]
[- For real lol Purple made 2 million, viewers got skins, gGG got flamed]
[- 〈Startup〉 I feel like playing Outlaw Universe for that SF fix lol]
The number of sympathetic replies increased with the upvotes.
[]
[All of you acting like you know everything, it's disgusting]
[I wasn't gonna say anything, but after seeing this on the front page, I just have to.
Isn't this a place where game company employees hang out? Don't you all know how much has to be prepared for an event?
And you're roasting them for this? As someone in the industry, there are things you should and shouldn't say.
Admittedly, our company gets a lot of flak for balance issues. So our dev team is actually racking their brains over this.
But this event in particular—we were really wronged.
Killernoid wasn't made from existing data. It was based on ONE person's data.
Guess who?
Purple—the guy you all love so much.
Honestly, no one in the company expected Killernoid to perform this well.
We thought we'd balanced it just right, but in an event where co-op breaks down, it just went wild.
We're already stressed about the event, so take it easy.]
When this rebuttal from a GGG employee appeared, the discourse became animated.
[- 〈Startup〉 What the heck, killernoid was based on Purple's data?]
[- 〈New Company〉 No wonder it was so hard lol]
[- 〈Smile Door〉 But wait, isn't it weird? If it used Purple's data, how did NewtonLord or Eclipse beat it 1:1?]
[- Maybe the guy writing this is a former employee? Maybe trying to ruin things on his way out lol]
Some were impressed by the revelation, others were skeptical.
[- Normal Killernoid only uses about 60% of the data. Still, it's so powerful there's already talk internally about nerfing it.]
The author replied instantly and even shared specifics, so the discourse began to lean that way.
[- 〈Coral Abyss〉 If it's based on Purple's data, that explains things lol]
[- 〈Startup〉 If that's 60%, then what's the original even like?!]
[- Whatever lol you could just make up a number and no one would know]
[- True or false, if it's Purple data, I want it too. After what I saw, it's perfect to model a boss character on.]
[- 〈New Company〉 Immortalized just in case]
As the community's attention focused on Purple's data, a sudden twist occurred.
The rebuttal post from the GGG staffer was suddenly deleted.
[- What? Why deleted? Did they flee the scene?]
[- 〈New Company〉 Must really be a resigned employee lol]
[- 〈Smile Door〉 Seriously lol if you bolt now, what's the point lol]
[- 〈Startup〉 For real lol it's already everywhere in the community]
[- So what—does this mean GGG is just a balance destroyer after all?]
The users grumbled, but soon lost interest. After all, the post had already been immortalized and spread everywhere, so it was up to the company to handle damage control.
To most, it was just a brief drama.
Or so they thought.
Until a new post went up near morning commute.
[]
[Guys, did you see this? GGG just uploaded a making-of film on Q-tube]
[- 〈Smile Door〉 Huh? Why a making-of for an event mode?]
[- 〈New Company〉 Only mega corps would do this......]
[- No, seriously lol this has nothing to do with company size]
[- 〈Startup〉 Must be something major lol what's in that making-of?]
A post appeared with a Q-tube link.
People didn't think much of it—at first. But the mood changed suddenly.
[- 〈Coral Abyss〉 Whoa? What? Why is Purple in this?]
[- 〈New Company〉 So the Killernoid using Purple's data was actually true?]
[- Why did this happen?]
It was a making-of film for GGG's major 'Time Warfare' update.
In that video, there was streamer Purple.
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