Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary!

Chapter 212: Haunting [1]

Subject: Invitation to Nova Studios and Meeting Confirmation

Dear Mr. Thorne,

We at Nova Studios would like to extend our warmest invitation to visit our studio. After reviewing your email, we are pleased to inform you that we are still very much interested in moving forward with you.

Additionally, our CEO has agreed to a direct meeting to discuss potential collaboration.

Would 7:00 P.M. today be a convenient time for you?

Kind regards,

Nova Studios

———

”Today?”

Staring at the unexpected email, I didn’t know how to reply. I checked my schedule, and seeing that there was nothing else that I had to do, I replied with an ’Okay, sounds good to me’, but in a more formal way.

”Well, that’s that.”

I could more or less predict how our conversation was going to go.

’They’re either going to be overly formal or immediately condescending. I’m also willing to bet they’ll try to lower the terms they originally proposed.’

I was all too familiar with bullshit studios like these.

”It’s whatever. It’s not like I’m planning on joining to begin with.”

There was something more important at the moment.

Staring at my phone and seeing the notification, [You’ve received: $100,000], I could barely contain my excitement. It took everything I had to keep it together.

”Okay, okay. Let’s not waste time.”

With this money, I planned on immediately improving the game.

After a lot of research and testing, I realized that I didn’t need to worry about the game being developed by others. The ’special’ softwares could still be added right after the game was developed.

In this regard, hiring a temporary team that could help me with the development of the game was rather easy.

There were many websites that offered freelance work from experienced members.

All I did was select the top ten programmers available and messaged them with the same message.

In short, I needed help from them and I was willing to pay them to work with me and form a team for a week in order to help establish a multiplayer feature into the game.

If possible, I also wanted to improve other aspects of the game.

”...That’s ten. I should be able to get a response in not too long.”

Once I was done sending them a message, I leaned back onto my chair and stared at the ceiling of my office.

Drumming my fingers on the table, I looked around the place.

’The place looks much better after I cleaned it.’

There were no more papers scattered across the ground, and the smell was also gone. I had turned on the ventilator and sprayed some spring breeze all over the room.

With that being said, the room was rather plain.

Besides the painting on the wall, it lacked any real decoration.

”Should I get a TV?”

...It was more so to contain Mr. Jingles.

With a TV, Mr. Jingles would be able to stay there at all times and watch over the place.

”Well, I’ll think about it more later. For now, I should focus on gathering funds and developing the game.”

Lifting my head up, I turned my attention towards my computer.

My eyes lit up when I saw a response.

Opening the mail, I clenched my fist when I saw that one of the freelancers had accepted the offer. They did ask questions about the game and how much they’d receive, but they appeared to be on board.

I quickly replied to them before getting another notification.

Another acceptance.

”Good.”

My eyes lit up with excitement.

Things were starting to look up, and in the following several hours, I spent most of my time managing my emails while addressing any questions from the freelancers.

I could tell that a couple of them were on the fence about the project, but I knew I had to remain patient.

The pay was good.

I didn’t see why they’d reject such a job.

Before I knew it, the time for the interview with the CEO of Nova Studios had arrived, and the ecstasy I’d felt earlier had settled considerably.

”...So far, I’ve gotten eight responses. Most of them are neutral, but there’s hope. There are two left, but even if they don’t plan on working with me, I think I’ve got enough people to help me with the game.”

I didn’t even need that many people to begin with.

However, in order to ensure the best possible upgrade, this was a necessary step.

”Ehm. Ehm.”

Clearing my throat, I turned my attention towards the monitor in front of me. As I did, I reached for the nearby box and grabbed the red ball as I fiddled with it.

’I’ll put you to good use today.’

I waited right until the clock struck 7 before calling.

Drr Drrr—!

The line rang for a couple of seconds until a figure appeared before my screen.

”Hello.”

He looked entirely different from the CEO that I had seen in the photo. He was a lot slimmer, and with his hair parted to the side and glasses, he looked a lot more refined than the CEO in the picture.

’No, this isn’t the CEO.’

”Hi...”

I still nonetheless answered.

—Mhm. My name is Matthias, and I will be conducting the interview. If you are ready, then we can begin.”

His voice was rather firm, carrying a professional tone.

But...

”That’s...”

”Is something wrong?”

Matthias raised his brow, looking at me questioningly.

I quickly snapped out of it and shook my head.

”No, nothing in particular. I was just a little confused. I thought I was going to be having an interview with the CEO.”

”Ah.”

Matthias gave a nod of understanding.

”Yes, that will happen. However, first, I’d like to interview personally.”

I tried my best to hide my frown as I slowly nodded my head.

”Sure.”

This wasn’t part of the email, nor what I had requested.

However, in order to get what I wanted, this was necessary, and so, after quickly calming down, I began answering every question that came my way.

”How long have you been developing games for?”

”About seven years.”

”Have you worked for another company before? One in the same industry?”

”Yes, Nightmare Forge Studios.”

”Oh?”

Matthias paused, looking a little surprised.

”They’re not bad. Any reason why you left them?”

”...I was fired.”

There was a short pause in the moment as Matthias’s hand paused.

In the end, he continued.

”Any reason?”

”...A lot of layoffs due to the most recent failure with their game.”

”I see. That does make sense.”

Following that moment, Matthias began to ask me even more questions about my experience in the industry and all my achievements. I answered all without much of a struggle.

Some answers were even half-hearted.

I never really planned on joining their company, so there was no need for me to try very hard.

The entire interview didn’t last very long.

It lasted for about ten minutes before Matthias lowered his writing pad and looked at me.

”Alright, this is enough for the questions. While we’re not entirely satisfied with what we’ve managed to gather, you’ll still be a great fit for the company.”

He then smiled.

”I’d like to formally greet you at Nova Studios. Welcome.”

”...Ah, yes.”

I stood up for a moment, but then recalled it was a video call and sat back down.

Matthias looked at me weirdly before speaking again.

”A contract will be quickly sent to you by email. If you could please sign it, we’ll have the process ready.”

”Hm, but...”

”Pardon?”

Matthias paused while looking at me.

”Is there anything wrong?”

”...Err, that. Didn’t we say that the CEO was going to be here? When can I meet him?”

”Oh, right.”

As if recalling his previous words, Matthias smiled.

”The CEO is busy right now. I’ll have him get in touch with you when he’s free. You’ll also meet him once you’re here.”

This motherfucker!

He never planned on letting me meet with the CEO from the start!

I nearly flipped my desk over.

It took every part of me to hold myself back as I stared at the man in front of me. In the end, trying my best to remain calm, I asked, ”Just out of curiosity, what exactly is your position?”

”Me?”

The man looked a little confused by my question.

But in the end, he still answered.

”I’m the Chief Manager of Game Oversight. I take care of all the matters regarding the games that come out of our studios.”

”Is that so?”

I fiddled with the red ball in my hand.

”Yes, that’s correct. My position may not be as high as the CEO’s, but if we’re strictly talking about the games, I’m the one who managed them. The CEO’s job is more about attracting investors and managing the firm.”

”...Oh.”

I pretended to look surprised while clenching the red ball in my hand.

’You’ll do.’

The ball vanished the moment I squeezed.

Ding!

A notification appeared shortly after.

[Would you like to start haunting?]

▶ [Yes] ▷ [No]

I smiled at Matthias while pressing [Yes].

”In that case, I am very satisfied.”

Ding!

[Conditions have been me!]

[You have begun haunting]

[Target : Matthias Silverstone]