บท 48: Busy Day
As Mark and his team were dealing with their setbacks. Michael and his team of six were like moving train with the Grand Theft Auto project. At Blue Star Interactive's second headquarters in a separate building right next to the main headquarters.
Unlike the original development of Grand Theft Auto which originally had a protracted four-year development, which included a title change and numerous attempts to halt development.
This, however, isn't the case for Michael and his team who already had the basic design and story outline for the game all planned out. The only thing taking their time was making the top-down gameplay work properly which was a first for the time.
While ensuring engaging gameplay for players. Michael worked as lead designer and programmer on the game. With the assistance of a second programmer named Lucas Martin.
Michael also had the title of Creative Director to his name not only for this project but, also for Castle Wolfenstein 3D episodes two and three. Which were reaching now completion before, their public releasing to the public.
With the increased team sizes and more specialized disciplines in the games industry, certain game designers are called "creative directors".
A creative director in a video game company is usually responsible for product development across several titles and is generally regarded as the prime design authority across the company's product range.
Alex had decided to implement this in their game studio after gaining a total of 30 employees. Not including the three founders themselves. Splitting them into teams of six or seven for a total now five teams working on separate games simultationally.
This structure is greatly needed to help manage the teams. Overall Michael, Alex and Mark were at the very top of this structure. Mark hadn't been designated as a Creative Director yet. He only managed his team, unlike Alex and Michael for the time being.
Alex and Michael also felt it was a little to much pressure on their friend who had recently gained more self-confidence in himself. As a creative director, there's an important responsibility in the gaming industry. The director must devise ideas to lead a video game project forward and has many responsibilities.
Which involves working with various individuals or teams spread out within the entire project or video game production. This can include cross-functional collaboration with the various disciplines involved in game development
Academically speaking, a creative director is usually degree-educated but there are some circumstances where a high school education strongly focusing on aspects such as art, graphics, computer science, and math can be acceptable and provide some valuable insight.
Which the three of them all possessed from working on Wolfenstein 3D together. They all have a solid grasp of all these topics individually. Back to Michael and his team who were working on Grand Theft Auto, were currently in the process of 2D array which can be used by both the perspective and the isometric engines.
Consisting of a grid editor which is used to place blocks on a grid, with a separate grid for each level, and allowing any block to be placed at any level. The game wouldn't have any 3D building, and much of the gameplay was drastically overhauled by Michael.
Who was given full charge to improve on Alex the original concept for the game. Which Michael enjoyed doing as he fully intended to make this game his own.
Looking at the time Michael realized it was already close to four o'clock. As he looked at his watch Michael still being a minor could only work for 8 hours a day legally. Previously before dropping out of school with Alex and Mark along with Duke.
They could only work for about three hours on weekdays and five to six at most on weekends during a school term. Now those restrictions no longer apply to three of them, four including Duke, Alex older who's the same age as him. Allowing Michael to spend more of his time doing what he enjoys making great video games.
Michael upon seeing the time decided to end work here for the day and go check up on the progress of the second team his in charge of. Heading downstairs to the living room Michael found everyone standing around a single computer monitor.
Walking towards the computer monitor to see what was going on. Michael soon found that everyone standing there was watching gameplay of Castle Wolfenstein 3D. With Michael's current height of 5 foot 11 or 1,87 centimetres, he could easily see what was going on.
Which he could instantly tell were the new levels created by the team with new enemy types. " Oh, Michael you're here?" Steve the team leader greeted Michael upon noticing Michael standing next to him.
" Seems all of you are enjoying yourself here. " Michael complemented, as he looked at everyone who had now noticed his presence. Everyone in the team greeted Michael, to which Michael reciprocated.
" Hey, Mike let Michael test the gameplay out. " Steve suggested. Mike didn't have any issues with leaving his seat for Michael who took the reigns and began playing the game. The two new episodes had a total of 8 and a half hours of gameplay each if one focused only on the main objective.
But, if you're a gamer who strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 9 to 10 Hours to obtain 100% completion of each episode respectively. As Michael started a new game five more people entered the living room through the front door.
These were the members of Mark's team who had come over to the second building headquarters to see what the other teams were up to. There were a total of three teams in the second headquarters and two teams in the main headquarters.
One of those teams were working with Alex in New York at the Fire Foxx production studio. With his second team returning yesterday as they prepared to begin working on a fourth new game title.
The two buildings had the same setup the living room and two bedrooms on top were used as a workspace for the teams. While the third bedroom is used as accommodation for the two live-in employees. The basement doubles as a storage and meeting room.
However, there is currently still one unused room in the first headquarters. Hence, it was currently used as the main meeting room for all teams when having private discussions. Which had originally been used as a private working space for the three boys.
" Oh, what are all of you guys doing here?" Steve asked, jokingly as he looked at the new arrivals. " What we can't come over and visit? " Luke rebuttals, at Steve's question his discontented mood easing away as he looks around at his colleagues.
Steve had also noticed the deflated expression of Luke and the others. Seeming like they ran into problems in their project. This can be said to be a normal occurrence when working on new video games, that require new methods of implementation.
Michael also glanced over his shoulder at the new arrival but, decided to focus on testing the game for now. He could always ask later if there was a problem from Mark himself, rather than hearing or inquiring about the situation from his team members.
That would be a little inconsiderate of him to do as a team leader himself to another. The two teams discussed fervently with one another as they all watched Michael play the game. None of them touched on the reason why most of the DOOM team project suddenly came here during work hours.
Especially in front of Michael who is testing the game. There are no rules forbidding those types of discussions between different teams. However, it is best to understand when and when not to touch the subject in front of another team leader.
Michael tested both new episodes of the game for about fifteen minutes each. Before nodding his head in approval at the new team's work. " This is definitely another hit, good job on the project guys. " Michael complimented, the team working on the project.
The game itself was as good as ready to be released, however, that would have to wait another month or so after the release of the DOOM demo. Which had been decided to be released in three days internally by their game studio.
Turning to look at everyone Michael had a pleased expression on his face. However, he did notice the slight dejection on the DOOM team expression. Sighing in his heart Michael got off the computer deciding to go home for the day.
But, not before making sure to give his honest thoughts on the gameplay, before saying goodbye to everyone as he left the building. Once outside the building headquarters, Michael looked at the time on his watch. Which indicated that it was now four thirty-six, as he stood outside waiting for Mark to work home together.
Soon enough he saw Mark leaving the duplex building acting as their temporary headquarters, for Blue Star Interactive. As Mark exited the building he found Michael waiting for him as Grey accompanied him out the door.
" Hey, don't stress yourself out okay. " Grey spoke up as he looked at his younger brother who gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Mark headed down the stairs and walked towards Michael who was waiting for him.
" Hey, you to stay safe on your way back. " Grey yelled to the two as he raised his arm in the air. To which the two responded with a wave and a smile of their own before turning their backs to leave. Both Michael and Mark lived in the same block which was only two blocks away from the headquarters.
" So, how was your day?" Michael asked as the two walked back home. " Huh... we ran into a huge problem today with the game. As you might have already noticed. " Mark replied with a sigh escaping his mouth as he adjusted his glasses.
" It's that big of a problem," Michael asked in surprise at the way Mark made it sound. " Yeah, it's a really big problem. " Mark stated, once again sadness filling his heart once again.
" Hey, don't beat yourself over it. Okay." Michael encouraged as he wrapped his arm over Mark's shoulder pulling the two closers. " It just means three of us have to come together to think of a new solution to the problem. "
This wasn't the first time they had challenges during the game development. The development of Wolfenstein 3D had come with its own slew of challenges. As the worked on the game together, this is just part of the job nothing more nothing less.
As Mark and Michael made their way home, at the William residence Ji-woo had made herself familiar with her new surroundings. One of the first things she did after settling in was take a warm bath.
Before taking a good nap on Jennifer's bed, which she hadn't had in the two weeks upon since arriving in New York. Only waking up around four o'clock in the afternoon.
Still feeling a bit strange waking up in a new environment especially, under her current circumstances. She was now even more reluctant to return home fearing the consequences upon her return.
These thoughts ran through Ji-woo's mind as she lay on the bed. After a while she suddenly lifted herself upright and shook her head vigorously, dispelling such thoughts. She wasn't going to go away if she continued thinking like this.
She had come here to make something of herself and not a tool for others. Upon reinforcing her resolve she finally got out of bed. Changing out of the pink pyjamas she'd be wearing into a short one-piece white dress, with a pair of white slippers.
Making sure com her hair was proper before finally existed the room. Waking through the corridor passing by the Duke and Alex room towards the stairs leading to the living room. She took a few seconds to look at the few family photos of her two friends and family members placed across the walls heading downstairs.
Which she hadn't paid much attention to during her arrival earlier. Looking at the picture she could see the strong bond between everyone in the pictures. It took her a couple of seconds to carefully look at all the pictures before, continuing walking downstairs.
Upon arriving downstairs she walked towards the living room. Where she quickly began hearing a noise that sounded like they were coming from the kitchen. Turning the corner Ji-woo found Ashley and Jennifer both busy making dinner.
Jennifer quickly noticed Ji-woo as she cut up the tomatoes into pieces. " Oh, look who finally woke up. " Jennifer began teasing, with a smile after taking a bath and laying on her bed.
She quickly fell into a deep sleep lasting five hours. Leaving the two sisters to busy themselves around the house as they waited for their friend to wake up. However, they never expected her to spend nearly the whole afternoon asleep.
Ashley also looked over to see Ji-woo finally up after falling asleep on her sister's bed in the afternoon. " Oh, hey it's good to see you up. Hope you had a good rest. "
Ashley knew Ji-woo had likely been stressing over her situation for quite a while now. Being able to fall into a peaceful deep sleep lasting nearly five whole hours was a good sign in her opinion.
" We're just getting started on making dinner you want to help. " Jennifer offered, usually guests weren't supposed to do any chores around their house. However, Ji-woo was currently taking refuge and already expressed wanting to make something of herself here.
And would likely not be willing to return to her own family before achieving that. Jennifer didn't think it was the right decision, however being forced to drop out of her studies and made to marry someone who had some sort of blood relation to herself is even worse.
" Yes, I would love to. " Ji-woo agreed readily happy to start doing anything she could to help around the house. She had no plans of being idle and fully intended to work hard.
As the three girls made dinner together, Oliver finally returned to the office around four o'clock earlier in the afternoon with John. Having spent the afternoon discussing with three different package companies, before deciding on one located in New York Queens.
Which they would be paying for packaging their books. Using their own Star Horizon logo print on the package in bold letters with an arrow that looks like a smile. Stopping in front of the office building Oliver looked over to John who seemed exhausted by the little trip.
" Are you alright you look exhausted," Oliver asked as he turned off the car's engine preparing to exit the vehicle. " Aren't you tired of driving up and down?" John asked questioningly removing his seat belt.
" No, just show you're still not used to working around the clock. " Oliver replied as he exited the car, with John doing the same.
" Well, I have only been working here six months now and that was mainly just sitting on a computer screen all day. " John replied as he got out of the car and closed the car door.
" Should I take it this means we need to send you out more on this type of job?" Oliver asked as he glanced over at John. Upon hearing Oliver's words John hurriedly shook his hands, " You know I'm quite alright with my current work, if that alright with you. " John answered quickly.
Previously he had thought constantly having to sit at a computer desk all day and make orders was boring. But, spending nearly the entire afternoon driving about and sitting in boring long discussions he would preferred his current work condition.
Oliver frowned at this thinking about his struggles in life. Support a family of four at the tender age of 16 working hard long in construction sites, bars, restaurants and even cleaning jobs. All while working on getting a degree in business management and accounting.
His children had it much easier just having to sit in front of a computer screen. He didn't want them to have a hard life but, he was also a bit worried if they had become too comfortable now. The world isn't fair and he wants his kids to understand this fact for themselves.
Understanding that everything wouldn't go your way no, matter how good everything seems to be going. Being able to pick yourself up from those types of challenges is what made Oliver and his wife strong in the face of uncertainty about the next day.
" Alright, let's finish up for the day. " Oliver said finally as the two headed inside.
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