Jin-ho cleared his throat, his calm demeanour masking the anticipation he felt. He turned on the microphone at his stand, and the LED nameplate lit up in front of him. A few murmurs rippled through the crowd of CEOs, many of whom glanced around, trying to place the unfamiliar figure.
"Who is that?" one voice whispered. "Is he part of NexaCorp too?"
"That's Jin-ho," someone else responded, one of the few who were in the know. "He's one of the original members."
Others nodded, some still confused, but a small group leaned forward, curious to see what this lesser-known name had to say.
"Thank you, Matthieu," Jin-ho began, his voice carrying across the vast hall. His words were firm, but there was no trace of aggression—only professionalism. "The proposal for a World NexaRealm Championship is certainly ambitious, and I respect the vision behind it. However, I do have some concerns regarding the direction of this competition."
The room settled into silence, the murmurs subsiding as Jin-ho continued.
"My first point is about the core experience NexaRealm offers. We've always envisioned it as an immersive, open-world RPG—one that allows players to lose themselves in leisurely exploration. Introducing a high-stakes competitive element could risk alienating a segment of our player base, those who find peace in the slower pace of exploration and casual gameplay."
Matthieu nodded, waiting for his turn to respond, but the slight narrowing of his eyes showed that Jin-ho's argument had hit a point worth noting.
Jin-ho's words rang through, and though there was a smattering of nodding heads, others still whispered to one another, puzzled by who this person was and why he was challenging Matthieu. But a few—the ones who had heard whispers of Jin-ho's involvement in NexaCorp from the start—listened intently.
"Furthermore," Jin-ho continued. "The addition of competitive play presents significant balancing challenges. NexaRealm has an extensive range of gear and character builds, all crafted to suit the player's unique style. If PVP becomes a focus, it will inevitably lead to an imbalance. Some builds will outperform others, which could make casual players feel excluded or frustrated, especially those who have invested time in a playstyle not optimized for competition."
Matthieu, still seated, leaned back in his chair, his fingers pressed together thoughtfully. He knew these were valid points, but he was ready for a rebuttal.
"And there's the issue of toxicity," Jin-ho added, his tone shifting slightly, emphasizing the point. "While competition can certainly be healthy and engaging, it also has the potential to breed toxic behaviour. We've all seen how some players can turn to negativity, especially when rankings and rewards are involved. Our focus should be on building a positive community, not one where players feel pressured or demotivated."
Hye-su observed the room. She noticed how some of the new CEOs—the ones who hadn't been part of NexaCorp's earlier days—still looked sceptical, unsure of who Jin-ho was. Their eyes darted between Jin-ho and Matthieu as if trying to gauge whether this unknown challenger was someone to take seriously.
Prince Tarif glanced at Matthieu and then back at Jin-ho, nodding thoughtfully. Jin-ho's points were powerful, though perhaps less popular. It was easy to see why Jin-ho had stayed out of the spotlight; his perspective was more nuanced, less about the spectacle and more about protecting the core of what they had built.
"And finally," Jin-ho concluded. "Implementing a competitive scene requires extensive resources. These resources could instead be channelled into improving the core experience—adding new areas, refining the storytelling, and making the world richer and more immersive. We need to ask ourselves if this is the right direction to allocate our efforts, especially at this crucial stage of growth."
A brief silence followed Jin-ho's words, the weight of his arguments settling over the room. Matthieu straightened, a respectful smile forming on his lips. He knew it was time for him to address these points, but even he could tell that Jin-ho had presented them well.
"Thank you, Jin-ho," Matthieu said, rising from his chair, his smile both gracious and acknowledging the challenge posed to him. "Those are indeed valid concerns, and I think it's important that we take them into account. However, let me remind everyone that with every significant change comes risk. We need to weigh whether these potential issues are greater than the opportunity we have to create something truly groundbreaking for our players."
The other CEOs leaned in, their attention fully captured. This was not just a discussion—it was the very heartbeat of what NexaRealm could become. For now, the battle of ideals had just begun, and the fate of the first-anniversary celebration—and perhaps even NexaRealm's future direction—hung in the balance.
Matthieu swallowed hard, his confident façade starting to falter. As he looked around the room, he couldn't help but notice the shifting expressions of the other CEOs. It dawned on him that perhaps many of them weren't fully informed about Jin-ho's insights—details that only those deeply embedded in the game would know. And those insights were now causing ripples.
Matthieu wiped his brow with the back of his hand, the chill of doubt sneaking in. He had assumed he held the upper hand here, with his standing as a founding CEO and the allure of his proposal promising massive financial returns. But the murmurs and nods to Jin-ho's arguments were unsettling. The other CEOs seemed taken with Jin-ho's passion for NexaRealm's core experience—a passion that he lacked since his focus had been more on business metrics and corporate growth.
He had to act before the tides turned fully against him. Clearing his throat, Matthieu lifted his voice with renewed authority.
"Thank you for sharing your perspective, Jin-ho. I think it's important that we consider all viewpoints, but we cannot remain in debate indefinitely," he gestured to the CEOs gathered in the hall, a gracious smile playing across his face. "I believe the best way to move forward is to settle this with a vote. After all, this is a democracy, and each one of us here represents not just our country but the future direction of NexaRealm."
He straightened his posture, his hands steadying on the stand before him.
"I have faith that a vote will help us find the right balance between preserving the player experience and propelling NexaRealm to new heights—especially from a financial and business perspective."
A round of nods followed though it was impossible to tell where each CEO's loyalty lay. Matthieu continued, subtly trying to reclaim the room.
"It's important to remember that NexaRealm is not just a game; it's a thriving entity, a beacon of innovation. The competitive aspect could draw in not just players but sponsors, advertisers, and partnerships, ensuring future growth and financial security. This vote is crucial—not only for our players but for all of NexaCorp and its future."
Hye-su glanced at Jin-ho, catching his slightly tightened expression. She knew Jin-ho wasn't a fan of decision-making that leaned toward profit over player experience. Still, she understood Matthieu's point; NexaCorp had always been about a balance between innovation and sustainability. But where did that balance lie?
Prince Tarif, standing by as the facilitator, nodded in agreement with Matthieu.
"Alright then, esteemed colleagues," Tarif's voice echoed through the large hall. "It appears we will proceed with a vote. I ask each of you to consider both proposals carefully—the promise of expanding NexaRealm's reach into the realm of competitive gaming, and the appeal of keeping our focus on the leisurely, immersive experience that brought us to where we are today."
Tarif gestured for a staff member to come forward, who handed each CEO a small device for voting. There was a hushed silence as the CEOs readied themselves. On one side of the room, some of the newer CEOs, who had been appointed after the rapid growth of NexaCorp, seemed more inclined to favour Matthieu's argument—after all, they understood the potential profits involved, and their mindsets were business-focused, seeing the competition as a chance to capitalize on NexaRealm's success.
On the other hand, those who knew Jin-ho, or had a better grasp of the inner workings of the player experience, hesitated. Jin-ho's arguments touched on the very essence of NexaRealm, bringing up valid concerns about the game's atmosphere, its casual audience, and the resources required to implement such a large-scale competition.
Prince Tarif smiled, his gaze sweeping the hall.
"The time has come, ladies and gentlemen. Please cast your vote, and may our decision reflect the best for NexaRealm's future."
Matthieu took a deep breath, hoping that his belief in the financial growth of NexaRealm would resonate with the majority of the CEOs present. As everyone made their final decisions and prepared to vote, the fate of NexaRealm's future hung in the balance—poised between the promise of competitive glory and the preservation of the player's journey through an immersive world.
As the voting devices blinked to life, silence fell over the grand hall. Eyes shifted between screens and the resolute figures at their stands. The air felt heavy, laden with the anticipation of what this moment could mean for NexaRealm. Hye-su couldn't help but steal a glance at Jin-ho, whose gaze was fixed ahead, his expression unwavering. Matthieu stood across from him, maintaining a confident smile, though there was an edge of nervousness in his eyes.
Prince Tarif's gaze lingered on the gathering, as the countdown for the votes drew closer to zero, the room vibrating with a tension that seemed almost palpable. It was a cliffhanger that would decide not just an event, but perhaps the soul of NexaRealm itself. As the final second ticked away, the voting screens flickered, leaving the room in silence—awaiting the reveal.