Starting as a Manga Editor-Chapter 212: Are You Interested in Coming to Work?

"You're utterly incorrigible!"
In a cramped office,
A man with a crew cut glared furiously at the bespectacled, scholarly-looking man with shoulder-length hair before him, shouting: "You've played FGO yourself! Can't you see the writing on the wall? Pay-to-play games? You must be out of your mind! Do you really think players will buy into that?
Even if some do! How many do you think will actually purchase it!? How can you possibly compete against games with in-app purchases? Who do you think will support us financially? Who will fund continued development?
I finally found an investor! I kept telling you to add in-app purchases! But you stubbornly refused! Now look where we are! What now!? Wei Chi! Tell me!"
"..."
The scholarly man named Wei Chi listened quietly to the outburst before responding after a long silence: "Chu Jian, I've already sent the game demo to Avalon. If they're interested, we could use their platform to release a trial version and maybe crowdfund or continue developing it ourselves slowly..."
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
Chu Jian grew even angrier: "Avalon makes FGO! You think they'll care about your broken game with no monetization!? Wake up! There's absolutely no chance! Commercial companies care even more about profits than I do! Your game will get rejected in the first round!"
"I don't think so."
Wei Chi shook his head after another pause: "They take games seriously."
"What does their attitude have to do with your game!?"
Chu Jian looked ready to tear his hair out: "Get your head out of the clouds! You play mobile games too! Can't you see the trend? Stop being so stubborn! While mobile gaming is hot and investment money is everywhere, pivot! If you don't want gacha mechanics, at least add in-app purchases! Stop chasing these impractical, flashy structures!"
"...Must all games follow the same model? I believe quality pay-to-play games can recoup costs through long-tail sales and word of mouth."
"There are multiple game models, sure! But what you're doing now is a dead end!"
"No, artistic merit and uniqueness matter too. I'm certain players will appreciate it."
"You..."
Chu Jian took a deep breath, calming himself before asking quietly: "Are you absolutely set on continuing this way?"
Wei Chi nodded: "Yes."
"Fine."
Chu Jian inhaled sharply again before turning abruptly away: "Then I'm out. I won't waste my career prime on this low-probability experimental project. I'd rather join another studio—at least they aren't as pigheaded as you, stubbornly persisting down the wrong path. Good luck doing this alone. Goodbye!"
With that,
He stormed out, slamming the door violently behind him.
"..."
Wei Chi sat stunned before slowly lowering his gaze and collapsing into his chair dejectedly.
Surveying the now-empty cramped office, he felt disheartened.
His resolve wavered.
Had he...
Really been wrong all along?
The gacha monetization model epitomized by FGO had proven itself as mobile gaming's golden goose.
During this investment boom, demonstrating profitability potential quickly was crucial.
But Chu Jian hadn't just wanted to add light monetization to mitigate risk... He'd sought to completely overhaul the core gameplay. Wei Chi had long known Chu Jian wanted to clone FGO for a quick payday, but he'd always refused.
Now, with Essence failing to secure funding, Chu Jian had brought it up again.
Only this time, it wasn't just grumbling.
Had he truly been mistaken?
Searching his heart... Wei Chi admitted some regret, but more than anything, he felt unwilling to concede.
Was it wrong to want to make interesting games?
Yes.
This Wei Chi before us was the creator of Essence.
Of course.
Now he commanded an army of one...
With diverging visions and fading hope, everyone else had left.
Chu Jian had been the last holdout.
Finding like-minded collaborators...
Easier said than done.
"Maybe Avalon will..."
Wei Chi pursed his lips, gazing at Avalon's official website on his screen, at the gorgeous FGO banner image, murmuring to himself.
Yet.
Mid-sentence.
He trailed off, lowering his head slowly.
Right.
Chu Jian hadn't been wrong—as industry pioneers, they'd naturally prioritize the gacha model.
Why would they care about Essence?
Putting himself in their shoes...
He wouldn't even consider it either.
When it came down to it, how universally viable were games emphasizing innovation and artistry?
Perhaps.
He'd been too idealistic.
Perhaps.
Game development wasn't for him—maybe he should just get a regular job.
Things seemed hopeless now anyway.
But... why did he still feel so unwilling to give up?
At this thought.
Wei Chi gripped his mouse, closing the browser window to stare at his design documents, lips pressed tightly together.
Just then.
Ding-ding—
His monotonous ringtone abruptly sounded.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Wei Chi checked his phone and nearly declined the unknown number's call.
He wasn't in the mood to talk.
He needed time to process this bitterness.
Yet.
After spacing out momentarily, noticing the persistent ringing.
He hesitated before finally answering: "Hello?"
Li Xue's gentle, pleasant voice came through: "Hello, is this Wei Chi, creator of Essence?"
Wei Chi blinked, replying automatically: "Yes."
"Hello, I'm Li Xue, a manager at Avalon. Regarding your company's Essence—"
"..."
At these words, Wei Chi's mind went blank with static, missing everything that followed.
Only one thought remained—
Avalon... actually contacted him?
Until Li Xue's voice sounded again: "Mr. Wei? Are you there?"
Wei Chi snapped back to reality, voice hoarse: "Sorry, I zoned out. You were saying...?"
Li Xue repeated: "Would you have time to visit Avalon? Your Essence is quite intriguing, though it has some issues. Our CEO wants to discuss your vision for the game personally."
Wei Chi was dumbfounded: "...Avalon's CEO? Discuss my vision?"
Holy shit!
What had he done to deserve this!?
Li Xue: "Yes."
While processing this shock, Wei Chi cautiously probed: "...Might I ask what this is specifically regarding?"
"The game shows promise but needs refinement... Of course, I'm not a developer myself. You'd better hear the details in person."
"Well... truth be told, our studio just dissolved."
Hearing "needs refinement," Wei Chi stiffened before sighing with resignation: "If this is about adding monetization features, I'm afraid I can't—"
"Dissolved?"
Li Xue sounded surprised before pausing: "Then... would you be interested in employment?"
Wei Chi blinked at the sudden topic shift: "Huh? Employment? Where?"
"Avalon."
"...?"
Simultaneously.
At Jiuxiao Headquarters.
"What do you mean they won't accept triple salaries?"
Shen Lun held documents, eyeing Yan Yun—head of Jiuxiao's Online Game and Interactive Entertainment Division—as he slowly voiced his confusion: "Not a single taker? Such loyalty?"