“Mr. Thomas since you announced the release a few months ago fans have gone crazy once again, how do you respond to the fan backlash about the general lack of information available about the game, even though it comes out soon we know next to nothing?”
“Many companies have gone wrong from over hyping their game” a smile forms on the mns face as he looks towards the camera “If I was to say that this game would change people lives forever would you all applaud me? Or still criticize? So if I say something or nothing, it won't change that people will still be upset”
Nodding his head in approval he looks at Mr. Thomas “Some diehard fans of your other games are saying this one is play to win, even though you have had a fashion shop for a while you have never done something like this. They say that the fact that you are releasing three different gaming devices with varying prices wealthy people will have some sort of advantage, do you have anything to say in response?”
Letting out a breath Mr. Thomas shakes his head, turning towards the host they lock eyes “Fine, Fine” A smirk begins to creep on his face “This game is run by an AI and every NPC in the game will have their own personality. The game world is huge, and players will start off on one of thousands of possible planets in varying solar systems and even different galaxies” a sinister smile appears on his face as he takes a drink of water, letting the host hang off the edge of his seat “Because we are going for realism in the game things will of course take a long time, so you say pay to win...you're not wrong, so let me answer your question” adjusting his tie “The fist option, the game helmet only cost 1000 Fed Dollars, which will allow most people to play. The second option is a full body sensor suit costing 5000 Fed Dollars allowing your senses to enter the game with you allowing for a more….enjoyable experience. Now let me tell you why this is important, game time will be accelerated twenty-four times reality so one hour in real life will be one day in the game.” looking at the host for a few seconds he lets the information sink in “The last option is a game cabin with life support systems and comes with a Robot programmed with a limited AI to take care of your needs while in the pod. By using the pod your body will be put in suspended animation allowing you to stay in the game indefinitely, plus your AI robot will be able to join you in the game. So I guess that can be described as pay to win, but tell me….can you leave your real life behind to start anew?”
“Th-That's ridiculous?!? Stay in game indefinitely?? What is the price again! What is the price??”
“400,000 Fed Dollars”
“My god?? Won’t wealthy people get an unfair advantage in the game? Just the eight hours people spend sleeping eight days will pass in game! If you miss one day of play time, almost a month of in game time will go by!”
“Hahah why are you so upset?”
“Ha….sorry, sorry that was the gamer in me crying out for the injustice”
*Click*
As the light from the TV fades the room is plunged into darkness, light occasionally flickering in the room as the draft caused by the vents blow the blackened curtains revealing a man with empty eyes in a wheelchair. Lifting up his arm he spins the dial on his watch, cycling through different apps till he finds the one he wants. Clicking on the watch face a number is displayed on the screen, 720,000 Fed Dollars.
Seeing the number he smacks his lips, Twisting the dial on the watch again he taps the screen.
A deep Booming voice escapes from his dried lips “Call Snow Storm Entertainment” after waiting for a moment the call connects.
“Snow Storm Entertainment this is Jackie speaking how may I help you?”
“I want to order the game cabin!”
“Sir? Are you sure you don't mean the helmet? If you buy in bulk you can get a discount”
“No! I need the cabin, place the order”
“Sir that will be 400,000 are you OK with that?”
“Hmh go ahead and do the charge”
Waiting a few minutes the voice returns “Ok sir, your information and payment has been retrieved from your wrist comm, the game cabin will be delivered in 10 days and the game will be released next month on the first!”
Hanging up the call a small smile forms on the corners of the man's mouth. “Finally, Finally!” using his hands to massage his legs “Mom..Dad, has something good finally come from the accident? After all the lawsuits, I only have the money you left me.”
Letting out a breath he rolls towards his desk and taps a button, looking at the computer starting up he taps his wrist watch again “Call Boss”
“Matthew? What do you want?”
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“Boss! I quit”
“What Matthew what is this all of a sudden? You're scheduled to work tomorrow how are we supposed to replace you on such short notice?? Nonono you have to come in! If you don’t you can forget about working again! I'll use all my connection to make sure no one ever hires you! So you better be here!”
“Hmh Hmh good talk” pushing the button he hangs up the call.
“I wonder if there really is no information about the game” grabbing the mouse he begins to navigating the browser looking at Baloogal for information. The longer he looks the closer his eyebrows come together, a frown ever deeping on his face “What is this? There is almost no information! No race information, class information, nothing!”
Looking at his wrist comm a look of hesitation appears on his face, shaking his head he struggles before tapping the watch face “Call Zack.”
“Matthew!! The boss is freaking out!! He's storming around the office cursing up a storm hahah! Whats up bro, why you quit??”
“I won't have time to work anymore anyway so I may as well quit now, Zack are you going to play Amongst the Stars?”
“Dude...who is not going to play? Why ask me this? Wait, don’t tell me you're playing to!”
“Sure, why cant I play? The guy on the TV said you control an avatar in the game with your mind so I might be able to walk again, so I decided to give it a shot and live in the game!”
“Live in game…..oh my god! You watched that TV broadcast too?? You bought the game cabin?!? how do you have that kind of money!”
“That is not important, what I want to know is do you have any info about the game? I searched for a bit and found nothing and I know you like this kind of stuff”
“Look man don’t nobody knows nuttin and I mean nuttin! There was no beta test for this game and all the info people know about it is only the three types of devices discussed today!.”
“Why the secrecy? Do they really need to seal the info so tight?”
“Don’t tell anyone I told you this but a friend of mines mom’s brother’s best friend’s godson’s girlfriend happens to work for the company and she said the start is so random it can completely ruin you somehow, and every person only gets one character! No redo!”
“Fuck! That's so harsh!” rubbing his head he stares hard at his comm “Zack thanks a lot, I hope I see you in game”
“Haha no way man i'll probably never see you again! The game is to big to meet up unless you are lucky, anyway man take care”
Hanging up the call Matthew shuts off the computer knowing he wont find anymore information. Rolling towards a bookshelf he stops in front of a pictures of his parents, gently rubbing the glass he heads towards his bedroom.
The next few days went by in a flash, on the 5th day Matthew realized from looking at the forums online that the cabin would need an IV solution in order to support suspended animation. Calling Snow Storm he ordered enough to last the next year for 20,000 Fed dollars.
On the 10th day there was a knock on the door. Rolling towards the door he hesitated before reaching for the knob, taking a deep breath he opened the door. To his surprise no person was outside the door, instead two silver robots where holding a huge wooden box. Looking at the robots Matthews eyes goes wide.
“Robots?? Are these my AI robots?”
“Hehehe” from behind the box a cute giggle permeates the surroundings. A young woman steps out from behind the box holding a tablet in her arms “Are you Matthew Conner?” nodding her head without waiting for a reply “No, these are not your robots, they are here to deliver the package” holding up the tablet “Sign here and we will install the machine.”
Looking at the short woman with light brown shoulder length hair his mouth slightly opens then closes before opening again “Why did you sneak up on me?”
Not replying to his question she shoves the tablet closer to him.
“Fine, fine” taking the tablet he swiped his wrist over the screen.
Taking the tablet back into her hand she checks over the information on the screen while nodding her head “Everything looks good here” pointing her finger “Take it in boys!”
Seeing the robots move towards him he wheels backwards into his house while pointing at a corner.
Setting down the box they remove the covering revealing a silver metallic rectangle. As they lay the device down on its side the girl walks up to Matthew “Place your hand here and the cabin will be register to you!” pointing at a cretin part of the box the girl looks him in the eyes.
Rolling up he places his hand on the spot. As his hands come in contact with the cool surface the rectangle beeps before the sides start folding down revealing a gold bullet shaped cabin. Connected to the back of the cabin is a fridge like device housing the year supply of IV solution. The former casing continues folding down until ia silver cube the size of a normal chair takes shape. The cube begins to reform itself, twisting and turning till an outline of a humanoid is formed.
Staring wide eyed at the girl he points “Whats is this?”
With a smug look on her face she puts her hands on her hips “Your robot, cool right?” wiggling her eyebrows she smirks at Matthew.
Nodding his head he looks as the robot as it moves into the final stage of its transformation.
Vibrating slightly the robot looks at Matthew before a monotone voice leaks from its new mouth “Master”
*Clap clap clap* clapping her hands she looks at Mathew “Ok my jobs done, lets go boys” turning on her heels she heads out the door without waiting for a reply.
Looking at her retreating back he turns towards the robot “Go close the door?”
Standing there for a moment the robot’s head begins to turn before he spots the door “Master, ok” walking towards the door he reaches out grabbing the frame gently, and closes the door.
A smile forms on his face as he sees the smooth actions of the robot “I was expecting some clumsiness but it looks like its OK” looking at the robot as it walks towards him “What can you do?”
“Master, I can do a variety of task, I can take care of the house while you are in the game and make sure no problems occurs with the life support systems, including cleaning the waste products.” looking back towards the cabin “I am also connected to the cabin so while you are in game I will be able to join you”
Nodding his head “Great, great is there anything else?”
Taking a moment “Master, I am to inform you that there is an option available to everyone who bought the cabin” walking towards the cabin the robot touches it causing the side wall to lift up revealing a tub like compartment “Because you chose the cabin even though the game is not going to be released for another 19 days you are allowed to enter now, but if you do you're not allowed to exit the game till launch day so you will have to spend 1 year and 91 days in game”
Matthews eyes go wide as a devilish smile emerges on his face “Lets do it”