The studio had officially been established.
With Professor Oak’s full support, a professional development team, and comprehensive logistical backing now involved, the burden on Gray’s shoulders instantly became much lighter.
Red and the others were fine for having fun, but when it came to real testing, that still had to be left to professionals.
The first test cartridge of Pokémon FireRed/LeafBlue, along with the detailed project proposal, had already been handed over to an experienced testing and production team by Gray.
As for how to polish and refine every detail, all the requirements had already been clearly written in black and white within the proposal.
All he needed to do was make sure the overall direction remained correct.
The rest could be entrusted to professionals.
The promotional campaign and pre-release marketing had also begun rolling out today.
The game had officially entered its preparation phase before launch, simply waiting for the right moment.
After finally fixing a crash bug in the single-player Demo version, Gray looked up and immediately saw Gastly holding a Pokédex in its mouth while facing the television screen, shouting excitedly.
“Gaaaas!
Gaaaas!” Its body floated wildly up and down in the air from excitement.
Gray rubbed his temples in frustration.
Ever since yesterday, when it had watched Professor Oak play the game, this little ancestor had become completely obsessed.
The moment it had free time, it would squat in front of the television and immerse itself in the game.
To make battling easier for Gastly, Gray had even specially programmed a command translation system for it.
Still, he couldn’t indulge it too much.
If it really became addicted to gaming, that would be troublesome.
After all, this was his own child.
Its healthy development was something he had to care about.
Gray opened his phone and logged into the group chat.
The chat was bustling with activity.
[BattleMan]: Ash got Top 4 in the Silver Conference and came back to Pallet Town today.
@TheNurturer [TheNurturer]: Tsk.
I already prepared a special training plan.
What I can’t understand is how, after all of us teaching him together, he only managed to get Top 4?
[EvolutionSage]: The shame of Pallet Town.
[BattleMan]: +1 [TheNurturer]: +1 [Healer]: You shouldn’t say that…
Ash has only been traveling for a year, and he was alone.
Making it into the Top 4 is already the result of a lot of hard work…
Gray silently lurked in the chat, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
That fool…
He remembered the passionate boy who was always following behind him, grinning as he talked about his dream of becoming a Pokémon Master.
Honestly, expectations couldn’t be set too high.
Ignoring that inhuman physique of his, reaching the semifinals of a League Conference after only one year of travel was already an extraordinary achievement.
After all, not everyone could be as ridiculous as the group of cheaters gathered in this chat.
[BattleMan]: Do you think Brother Gray still hasn’t fixed the bug?
It’s already been two or three days!
[TheNurturer]: No idea.
But Brother Gray borrowed the old man’s professional team.
I guess the game has finally entered the proper development track.
[BattleMan]: So what does that have to do with anything?
[EvolutionSage]: Idiot.
It means they don’t need amateurs like us for testing anymore!
[BattleMan]: !
[BattleMan]: But that game is really fun— [BattleMan]: @Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato [EvolutionSage]: He won’t answer you.
[Healer]: @Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato, Big Brother Gray, are you there?
Being directly tagged by Yellow, Gray felt embarrassed continuing to lurk.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: Good morning, Yellow.
[EvolutionSage]: ?
[EvolutionSage]: Who are you?
[EvolutionSage]: Why do you have his account?
Gray raised an eyebrow.
Too lazy to respond to Green’s jealous remarks, he ignored him entirely.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: @TheNurturer, send me a Gastly training guide.
[TheNurturer]: You really know how to order people around…
Wait.
[TheNurturer uploaded a file: “Basic Gastly Training and Trait Research.pdf”] [TheNurturer]: Why do you want this?
Suddenly interested in Ghost-types?
Gray glanced at Gastly, who was still having the time of its life, then recorded a short video and uploaded it.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato uploaded a file: “Gastly’s Gaming Addiction Documentary.mp4”] In the video, Gastly was skillfully manipulating the Pokédex buttons with gaseous tentacles while its huge head was practically glued to the television screen.
[BattleMan]: The game bug is fixed!
Wait, no!
Brother Gray, you’ve decided to raise Pokémon again?
Unbelievable!!!
[TheNurturer]: !
[EvolutionSage]: !
[Healer]: !
In the minds of all four of them, Gray had always been a powerful and mysterious Trainer.
Whenever they encountered difficulties, he could always provide precise guidance at critical moments and help them overcome obstacles.
Unfortunately, none of them had ever seen Gray personally raise Pokémon or participate in battles.
Most of the time, he simply guided them toward solving problems themselves.
That only made them trust and respect him even more.
Looking at the flood of exclamation marks on the screen, Gray was speechless.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: Is it really that surprising?
[TheNurturer]: Yes.
[TheNurturer]: Wait.
Don’t download that file I sent earlier.
[TheNurturer deleted a message.] [TheNurturer uploaded a file: “Advanced Potential Development and Emotional Guidance for Gastly (Suitable for Highly Active Individuals).pdf”] [TheNurturer]: Judging from the video, this Gastly’s emotional activity and psychic fluctuations are extraordinary.
Its talent is astonishing, and its future potential is enormous.
As expected of a Pokémon chosen by Brother Gray.
[Healer]: Big Brother, are you planning to build a new team?
When are you coming back to Pallet Town?
Everyone…
really misses you.
[EvolutionSage]: If you need Evolution Stones, held items, or commemorative Poké Balls, choose Green’s Shop!
Grand opening sale!
Buy one get one free, buy two get two free!
I’ll practically bankrupt myself for you…
I mean, twenty percent off!
@Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato [BattleMan]: Brother Gray!
Let’s battle!
Ignoring Red’s battle invitation, Gray downloaded Blue’s revised training guide and began reading it carefully.
After all, he was raising a ghost in his house.
Being cautious was necessary.
There was no way he could allow his precious little prince to suffer developmental issues because of mistakes in training.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: @Healer [Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: I’m not planning to become a Trainer.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: I just happen to be raising a little cutie at home.
I don’t want it to feel uncomfortable because of my negligence.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: As for returning to Pallet Town, let’s wait until I’ve finished my current work.
You all could come visit the Huaxia Region for tourism too.
[Healer]: Oh…
okay…
[BattleMan]: Then I’ll go with you when the time comes!
Gray was astonished.
This kid Red…
When did he finally figure things out?
For a brief moment, he felt pleasantly surprised.
Unfortunately, that feeling was shattered almost immediately.
[BattleMan]: Brother Gray!
Let’s battle when that time comes!
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: Thanks for the invitation, but we’re not that close.
Anyway, I’m logging off.
My phone’s out of battery.
[BattleMan]: Wait!
Gray watched the screen with interest, feeling sorry for Yellow.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: What?
Can’t bear to see me leave?
[BattleMan]: Not really…
[BattleMan]: Um, Brother Gray…
the game…
does the game still need us to keep testing it?
I guarantee we’ll find some problems for you!
[TheNurturer]: Idiot.
[EvolutionSage]: Idiot.
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: ?
[Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato uploaded a file: “Pokémon FireRed & LeafBlue Single-Player Demo Update Patch v1.01.7z”] [Dream Is To Retire And Be A Potato]: Just overwrite the original game cartridge files.
The Demo only goes as far as the first Gym battle.
The full release won’t be far away now.
When it launches, remember to buy the official version.
This single-player Demo was a special backdoor he had intentionally left for Red and the others.
Gray had discovered that the version he personally created generated more BP Points than the professionally polished version.
Still, he didn’t particularly care about the small amount of BP Points Red and the others could provide.
The real source of profit would definitely be the future players.
[BattleMan]: Received!
[BattleMan]: Nothing else then.
You can log off now.
[BattleMan]: @Everyone, gather at the research institute!
(End of Chapter) TN: Huaxia Region is China.