A/N Started this on Thursday night on a whim. You could just consider this a filler chapter because there’s really nothing new here. I just wanted to go back to those news reporters for some reason. This is the result.

There is a possibility of an update tomorrow if I figure out what I want to write and finish off some calculus homework fast enough. It’ll likely focus on Eve because she needs more screentime and her share of the spotlight.

Also, thanks to all the people that voted in the poll the last few days. I’ll be trying to figure out what I want Adam to actually do in game now. If you really want to see something specific happen eventually, leave a comment. Otherwise the story is subject to my whims as usual.

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Hello and good afternoon as always. As usual, Leslie and I are your seven o’clock news hosts along with Sam on the sports, Dave with the weather, and Selene, our on the scene reporter providing us with news from abroad.

So, Bob, would you consider yourself an avid gamer?

Well Leslie, I am guilty of dabbling in a bit of handheld games between news breaks but never got into console gaming. Handhelds are just so appealing with their sleek forms nestled in your hands paired with their convenience and portability.

Really Bob? You’re one of those people? I see you in a whole new light now. Anyways, thousands of avid gamers are waiting with credit card in hand to be the first official players to purchase access to Realtek’s brainchild, the first MMO virtual reality game, Eden.

MMO? What’s that stand for? Majorly major owsome game?

*facepalm*

Bob, it means massively multiplayer online. Please, just stop talking.

Okay, fine. Fine. Zipped it. Popped it. Locked it. Throwing away the key.

*double-facepalm*

. . . Ahem, where was I?

Right. Thanks, Dave, for the overly large cue card.

No problem Leslie, always glad to help. Don’t forget, rain isn’t the only thing that can make you wet.

Ugh, men. So, with the official end to Eden’s alpha test yesterday, Realtek will be releasing access to Eden’s servers in two weeks. From what requirements they have released, all you need to play Eden is a stable connection, a purchased access ticket or subscription, and a set of their VR gear.

Um, may I ask a question?

Fine Bob, you can speak.

Well, since there isn’t any highly specialized technology or dedicated hardware outside of the now relatively accessible and affordable VR gear, does the make and model of your hardware effect game play in any way?

Wow, an insightful question for once! I’m glad you asked. In an official statement, Realtek recommends the use of their Dive pod to access Eden for the best experience, but the Dive helmet and visor will also work for those with shallower pockets.

The only difference is the realism you experience and the fineness at which the player can control their avatar. Understandably, higher end models will yield a more realistic experience and game access is limited to the current generation of VR gear due to synchronization and safety concerns.

While little information has been released publicly on the contents of the game, Realtek posted this video of the closing event on Eden’s main site five hours after the alpha test’s end. Here, you can see for yourself what all the hype is about.

Hey, Jackson, play the video already.

On the large screen between the news hosts, the fight between the player alliance against the horde begins at the calm before the storm.

Um, Leslie, nothing’s happening. All I see is a bunch of cosplayers standing around on a big stone wall in front of a grassy field. Is something supposed to be happening?

*punch*

Ouch, that’s gonna leave a bruise. Fine, I’ll shut up again. Zipped i-

No need for more punches, please! Just put the fist down.

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Silence continues for another moment accompanied by the sound of whimpering in the background.

Shriek

Bloody ‘el! What was that?

I-is the ground cracking apart?

Dang, that’s a badass dragon… That’s a lot of monsters. Don’t they outnumber the defenders at this point?

Sigh, I give up.

Think happy thoughts. There isn’t an idiot sitting right next to you in the studio.

Whoops, looks like it’s spewing fire now. Guess the battle’s started.

There’s no idiot jabbering on. Only me, the display, and the camera. Breathe.

Haha, those players aren’t organized at all. They remind me of when I kicked anthills as a kid.

Oh look, those four at the central rampart look cool. Classic group, ignoring the jester of course. There’s a mage, archer, and knight.

In and hold.

As the four begin springing into action, the camera angles split into four views. One for each of the group.

And out.

Huh, the knight is doing knightly things, the archer is shooting pointy things, and I don’t even know what that mage is doing. Magey things? L-O-L, is the jester dancing?

Meh, it’s getting boring again. Jackson, speed it up towards the finale, would ya?

Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts!

After the initial four corner focus, each of the boxes shrink towards the corners leaving the center with a large aerial view of the battlefield. As the video is sped up, both sides can be seen rapidly decreasing in number. The next minute and a half is spent this way until only the dragon is left to be defeated.

And play now! This is where it’s getting good.

*bang-bang

Haha, like a bug against glass.

*bang-Crash!

...oops, spoke too soon.

They’re dead now. Wait, no! You can’t die mage girl! You can’t die now! You’re too cute to die!

I can’t look… Okay, maybe I’ll peek then.

Now viewing from a third person angle behind the female mage, the dragon draws near with a gaping maw, lined with teeth and dripping spittle. At the last second, she jumps up and thrusts her staff forward, releasing a large bolt of pure blue light.

Holy crap! Did you just see that Leslie!?! Did you just see that? It was like, roar, bang-bang-bang, rawr, clash, kablooey and then she killed the dragon!

With the battle now over, the video dims out and the camera returns to focus on the two hosts, Leslie and Bob. One nursing a new migraine, massaging her temples and the other animatedly bouncing in his seat like a school kid hopped up on sugar before bed.

And this is why I don’t go out drinking with coworkers. Well folks, you can clearly see why people young and old, gamer and newb, are waiting in anticipation for Eden’s release in two weeks.

Hey Leslie, did you see that? They had a freaking dragon. A dragon!

Next in the news, we will be going to Sam for the sports, then close with this week’s seven day forecast with Dave, right after a word from our sponsors.

It was all like, clang, swish, boom! And then, and then it died! That mage girl was just like those mahou shoujo from my favorite anime!

Sigh, they don’t pay me enough to deal with these idiots. Maybe I should have joined Selene to that ski resort scoop.

Today’s news cast was brought to you by...

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P.S. I accidentally used Selene instead of Leslie multiple times. If I forgot to change it, point it out.