114. Blizzard’s Future(2)
Warcraft was a very meaningful game for Blizzard.
Not only because it recorded global sales based on Warcraft, but because it is a game that gives Blizzard, who enjoyed RTS (Real Time Strategy) games here, an opportunity to focus on new RTS games for a while.
‘And the end of RTS game research is StarCraft.’
This is why warcraft is so important.
Afterwards, Blizzard, which is called Diablo once more, peaks in StarCraft.
“Then, how far has the Warcraft project been completed?”
“I have thought of the basic worldview and opposing races. And the game method has also been considered.”
“Could you please explain?”
“of course. The worldview is a world where various intelligent races other than humans coexist or confront each other, and the opposing race will be humans versus orcs. Do you know what an Orc is? I’m not talking about Orca…”
“I know about orcs. I enjoyed reading Tolkien fantasy.”
Alan admired Hoyoung and said.
“Boss also enjoys fantasy literature. I’m glad you know orcs. Then the story might go faster. First of all, it is a game that depicts the confrontation between humans and orcs, and the game method will be played in a similar way to Dune 2.”
Dune 2 is a game that is called the father of RTS in the future and is considered to have established the RTS game method.
Immediately after its release, Warcraft was evaluated as an imitation of Dune 2, but Hoyoung did not care.
Anyway, the game that survived until the future was warcraft.
“You waited a long time. We have been printing meetings and decisions related to Warcraft.”
While Alan and Hoyoung were talking, Michael Morhaime, who was away to pick up related materials, returned with a bundle of papers.
“You worked hard. Please come here.”
Hoyeong received a wad of paper from Mohaim and unfolded it.
And I started reading all the things related to warcraft.
“good. It feels good. I wish I had prioritized Warcraft over other games.”
“Is that so? That’s good.”
But there was one more thing Hoyoung had to check.
“What are you going to do with the story?”
“Buying the rights to Warhammer Fantasy is being discussed to drive sales through brand awareness. What do you think?”
As soon as Hoyoung heard Alan’s words, he opened his mouth.
“I don’t think it’s very good.”
“okay?”
“yes. If you buy the rights to a story and make a game, you can’t help but be interfered with by Warhammer. Doesn’t Alan know best that copyright infringement is terrible?”
Alan nodded with a firm face.
“I can’t help but think about that. Not long ago, when we were working on The Death and Return of Superman, the entire company was under tremendous stress due to interference from DC Comics.”
“Warhammer is better than DC, but it is by no means easy. So I would rather create my own worldview.”
After hearing Hoyoung’s story, Alan clapped and said if there was anything that came to mind.
“Even though the developers came forward and said they wanted to create a world view.”
“Then let them do it. It looks like something fresh will come out.”
“All right. Let me give it a try.”
Hoyoung nodded and opened her mouth.
“Is there an employee named Chris Metzen at Blizzard right now?”
“Chris Metzen…”
Alan opened the file containing the personal information of the employees for a while and said.
“Sorry, but there is no such temple yet.”
“okay.”
Hoyoung said calmly on the inside, but on the inside, he was not so calm.
‘Without Chris Metzen, Blizzard’s direction itself may change in the future.’
Chris Metzen is a person who completely establishes the worldview of Blizzard’s franchise games, starting with Warcraft and continuing into the future, such as Diablo, Warcraft series, and StarCraft, and writes the story.
‘If it’s the original history, it won’t be until 1994 that he joins the company. But at the current rate, Blizzard could develop Warcraft 2 before then.’
Warcraft was a game that mass-produced hardcore fans not only for its gameplay but also for its solid worldview and well-crafted story.
Hoyoung was concerned that even if Blizzard went ahead without Chris Metzen, who created the story, that would rather ruin greater success in the future.
“Once I know. Then I’ll get up for today, and I’ll come back tomorrow.”
“Are you awake already?”
“yes. Now that I know I’m moving in the right direction, I can’t get in the way of my work any more.”
“Haha, fortunately, it looks like you’re on the right track.”
Hoyoung smiled and patted Alan on the shoulder.
“yes. Just do it like you do now.”
“What are you planning to see tomorrow? I will prepare in advance.”
Michael Morhaime stepped forward slightly.
It was a remark that was conscious of the fact that I had hardly participated in the meeting because I had been printing out materials about Warcraft at today’s meeting.
“Tomorrow there may be someone to come with. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”
“All right. Enter carefully.”
Hoyoung is seen off by Alan and Michael.
I left the Blizzard building.
“Director. Shall we take you to the hotel?”
“no. I have a place to stop for a while.”
“All right. Where shall we go?”
“Irvine College, please.”
“Yep.”
After taking out a map book and checking the map for a while, Miru started driving.
Irvine College is about an hour’s drive from Blizzard.
Hoyoung pondered over the impact of his actions while the car was moving.
‘If I hadn’t come here, Blizzard, which makes games without Chris Metzen, might not have the same stature as it did in its past life.’
It was because I thought that letting Blizzard freely focus only on games did not bring only positive results unconditionally.
‘From now on, I’ll have to plan and invest a little more carefully.’
Hoyoung reflected on his actions and promised to be more thorough in the future.
While worrying and resolving, Miru’s car arrived at Irvine College.
“Director. We arrived at the front gate of Irvine College.”
“Let’s see… The time has just reached the afternoon. It’s perfect. Could you wait here for a moment?”
“The director’s safety…”
“You don’t have to worry as we will only move inside the school building.”
“All right. If anything happens, please contact me.”
Miru said while holding up her cell phone, and Hoyoung nodded before entering the university building.
Irvine College, despite its name, was a small school, only about the size of two high schools in Korea.
It had nothing to do with the campus, and the college was all about two tall buildings facing each other.
And Chris Metzen was currently attending Irvine College.
As soon as Hoyoung remembered, he had come here to scout Chris Metzen.
“Let’s see… The band room…”
Hoyoung looked at the campus map on the first floor of the school and found the band room.
And without hesitation, I walked towards the band room.
Giggijing –
When he arrived in front of the band room, he was greeted by the sound of an electric guitar.
Hoyoung slowly opened the door.
‘That face, obviously Metzen.’
The band was in the middle of rehearsal, and one of the few young men on the vocals was apparently Chris Metzen.
His cool voice was audible, but Hoyoung, who checked him out, deliberately pretended to be human to them during practice to let them know that he was here.
“uh? What did you come for?”
Then, Metzen found him and approached Hoyeong.
“Are you Chris Metzen?”
“yes. I’m Chris Metzen. Who are you?”
Hoyoung handed over his business card and said.
“hello. I am Yoon Ho-young, the CEO of Gaia Investment. It might be difficult for you to call me, so please call me Yoon.”
“yes. did you come looking for me? what brings you here?”
“Can we talk for a minute?”
“Um, can I ask what the subject is?”
Chris Metjet looked up and down Hoyoung’s attire.
A luxurious suit and shoes from head to toe.
He thought that Hoyoung would have nothing to talk to him about.
“Actually, I came here after receiving a recommendation from someone I know. I’ve heard that your artwork has a great personality. I came because I wanted to scout if the atmosphere seemed to match my game company and the direction was right after looking at the picture, but would you have a hard time?”
Chris Metjet looked at Hoyoung with a surprising look and said in a slightly softened voice.
“Having a conversation isn’t a problem, but it’s practice time now. About two hours later there is a pub called GOLDFISH by the front door. Shall we meet there?”
“All right. I’ll see you in two hours then.”
Hoyeong bowed lightly and turned around and left the college without saying a word.
As Chris Metzen said, there was a pub right in front of the front door.
He took Miru, who was waiting in the parking lot, into the pub, had a drink, and waited for Chris Metjet.
About two hours later, as promised, Chris showed up at the pub.
He came out with a stack of sketchbooks and a bunch of drawings at his side.
“Sorry for making you wait so long. It was a place where the band all made time to practice once a week, so I couldn’t leave alone.”
“I understand. Thanks to that, I was able to have a leisurely time.”
“thank you. These are the pictures I have drawn so far.”
Chris handed Hoyoung the stack of sketchbooks he had brought with him.
Hoyoung slowly began looking at each of the paintings he had drawn.
Since I was not a professional painter, but a person who started drawing as a hobby and has been drawing until now, the lines are messy and there are many poor artistic aspects, but the dark atmosphere and strong drawing style were impressive.
‘As expected, Chris Metzen. Blizzard’s identity is complete only with this person.’
Hoyoung thought it was good that he came here as soon as possible.
“Chris, have you ever heard of a game company called Blizzard?”
“blizzard···. Aren’t you the same company that released The Lost Vikings a while ago?”
“you’re right. Do you know?”
“Because Lost Vikings was one of the games that got a lot of attention recently.”
Fortunately, he seemed to be very interested in the game.
“By the way, I don’t think Blizzard and my drawings are a good fit. Taking Lost Vikings as an example, we use a cheerful and cute drawing style. Is there really a place for my painting to be used there?”
As he worried, Blizzard was still making games with cute characters.
“I really like your picture. Maybe you don’t like our Blizzard?”
“It is absolutely not. Actually, band activities are good, but I was thinking about getting a job. However, I am grateful to you for coming to me in person.”
Chris Metzen’s attitude was positive.
Hoyeong happily continued turning over his sketchbook.
“uh?”
Hoyeong, who was flipping through her sketchbook, was surprised to see a picture.
“What about this painting?”
“Oh, is this painting too grotesque?”
The picture that Hoyeong was surprised to see was a picture of a woman’s face.
A woman staring straight ahead, with spiky hair like Medusa.
“Oh, no. It’s very similar to the atmosphere of the game I think.”
It was rough, but Hoyoung could feel his heart beating slightly.
‘It can’t be helped that my heart keeps beating at Blizzard. By the way, did you have this setting before joining Blizzard?’
A woman who resembles Medusa, who is startled by Ho-young.
If you are a gamer, especially a gamer in Korea, how can you not be thrilled when you see this woman’s face?
Because it’s beautiful? never, no
Rather, it was a grotesque and even frightening face.
But a few years later, it could be said that it was the face responsible for the loading screen of the most famous game in the world.
“Chris Metzen, come to my office right away. I will treat you with no regrets.”
A painting of a woman by Chris Metzen.
Although she didn’t have a name yet, Hoyeong remembered her name clearly.
The name of the main character in the painting was ‘Sarah Kerrigan’.
