"We're live in 5...4...3...2...1"
“Hello and welcome to the next Livestream here at MMO World! Today we have something special for all of you! Because today the new full immersion MMORPG Verrata Online launches! We don't know much about this game because even while beta test are running for 1 year now nobody could talk about the NDA that was enforced on testers.
From the small interviews over the development of the game we know that Verrata Online will bring fresh ideas into the world of gaming. It is one of the few games that make use of the full immersion technology that was primarily used for education and in the military until it came available for everybody two years ago.
The developer also stated that it will feel incredibly realistic to real life. With injuries being portrayed like in real life and even pain will be something the players need to be aware off, of course it will be muted so people don't get overwhelmed while playing. The biggest thing is in our opinion the total lack of a UI and traditional quest system. The world wants to feel real and organic so you need to figure everything out for yourself, at least you can call up a status screen that shows your current level, class and stats.
The developer, Digital Entertainment, said before launch that people will receive some kind of guide for the game after many beta testers complained about the total lack of it. Still, they kept quiet how this guide system would work.
That was all for today! We hope you enjoy playing Verrata Online, of course we will keep you updated from now on, until next time!”
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Max just was just staring at the casket while it slowly got lowered into the grave, his grandfather wrapped an arm around him and pressed his shoulder gently. He didn't even notice it, his gaze fixed on the polished wood of the casket until it was covered in a thin sheath of dirt. Turning around on the spot he walked away from the graveyard and towards his grandparents car, leaning against it he finally could let loose. Tears streamed down his face while he just tried to understand why all this happened. But before he could organize his thoughts he heard footsteps, quickly he wiped the tears away and looked up.
His uncle Benjamin approached him, a sad smile on his face and a box under his arm. He put it down and forced Max into a hug, waiting until the young man's tears dried and his breathing became normal again.
“I know it's hard for you Max but remember we're here for you if you need anything, your aunt and myself. Your grandparents so just ask okay? Well, I have something for you, a present from your mother. She told me to give it to you.”
He grabbed the box and put it in the car, patting him on the shoulder before he left again, wanting for the boy to have the time he needed alone. Max was silent, just looking at the box through the window, even when his grandparents got into the car and drove home with him he just stared at the box.
When he found himself in his room again he gently opened it, his fingers trembling. He noticed the logo of Digital Entertainment right away but focused on the folded piece of paper. Gently, fearing it could break apart he folded it open. Reading his mother's message. "I bought you this with the money I earned, I already knew that I would die since the day the doctor told me I have cancer. I was never truly there for you but I want you to know I love you. This is at least something I can do even if I'm not there anymore. Max, I hope you live a good and happy life, I will always love you." - Mom.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
The note slipped from his fingers, fresh tears streaming down his face. His mother bought this, but why a game if it could be anything else? A photo album or something useful, he couldn't understand it. His mother always knew he liked video games but this wasn't what he expected.
Max thought about if he should use his mother's gift or not but in the end curiosity won, after all it would at least bring him some much needed distraction. After plugging it in he inspected the headset. It was made from glossy black plastic that vaguely resemble an open face motorcycle helmet. He lays down on his bed and pulled the helmet on. Pressing the start button and closed his eyes, it felt like drifting into sleep.
A moment later he stood in a completely white room, the only thing besides him in this void was a black archway. He approached it, surprised how natural it felt to move around in this blank space. After a moment of hesitation he stepped through the archway and found himself in another room, looking around he noticed it was a library. Still hesitant he made his way through the seemingly endless rows of books. After what felt like an hour of walking he noticed the bookshelf getting fewer and the space more open. A simple desk with some books on it, a single candle fighting the darkness stood on one corner. Max approached it slowly and looked around.
“Hello? Somebody here?” He heard a crash followed by a curse until an old man appeared from the rows of bookshelves and looked at the young man.
He sits down behind the table and searches for something before pulling a piece of paper from between two books. He clears his throat.
“Well, hello...sorry, I didn't think somebody was coming. Alright let's get started. I'm the Keeper and will help you at the start of your adventure and also assign a guide to you. First what name would you like in this world?”
Max wasn't very creative but he always liked the name Nox, it was simple and easy. So he grabbed the pen and wrote it at the bottom of the paper.
The man took it, nodding and put it in the drawer next to him. “Now, I think it's time to find the guide that will help you.” He opened a book and put it in front of Max/ Nox. Slowly the pages turned, picking up pace until the pages were just a blur in his vision. When it finally stopped Nox leaned forward, a black snake with red eyes was visible on the page. But the next moment he flinched and took a step back, the snake was peeling itself from the page until it was sitting on the book. Nox took a step forward, looking at the creature and reaching out to it. The snake coiled around his arm, the scales felt warm on his skin as it slowly moved towards his shoulder and wrapped part of his tail around his neck, her head resting against his skin.
“Well, that was a surprise, usually people get cats or dogs. Sometimes a bunny but I never saw a snake before.” He strokes his beard and shrugs. “Alright....I wish you luck on your journey, Adventurer Nox.” With that he snapped his fingers and in the next moment Nox found himself falling. Wind pulled on his clothes and hair and when he finally managed to rotate himself his eyes grew big. The ground was approaching fast but at least he could see the game world from up here before he started the game with his first respawn. He looked down, a courtyard was quickly growing bigger in his vision until...the wind got stronger and his descent slowed to a crawl, he panicked trying to get his feet under him but in the next moment he landed on his belly and face with a dull thud.
He groaned and pushed himself from the ground, rubbing the blood away from under his nose. Before he could look around a message appeared in front of him.
Welcome! To Verrata Online the full immersion MMORPG where you write your own story!