~* 3 Weeks Later *~

“...that’s all for me! Until next time, may the shadows keep you safe!” I said. After waiting a few seconds for the delay I clicked to end the stream. While I enjoyed streaming everyday I really couldn’t wait to get back into the dream world. They never gave me a name for it so that’s what I’m calling it from now on DreamWorld. Anyway the only issue is that no one's been able to access it since that night. The morning after our first beta test we got an email stating that the world will be down for maintenance while they finalize the UI changes and they would be in touch as well as a reminder that we were under a binding NDA. Shortly after I was invited to a group chat by Malthiel along with most of the other testers. Since there was no one but each other to talk to about the game we kept in touch. So far no one in the group had any contact from the company.

An alert popped up letting me know that I got an email. Much to my delight it was from Cryo-Medical.

Dear Beta tester,

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation. Unfortunately while we were finishing up our maintenance we were alerted to a NDA breach. One of the testers in our program decided to leak information about the game to the public. Unfortunately for them, in their haste they failed to properly cover their tracks and we found out who they are and removed them from the beta program and also banned them from playing the game ever. Even more unfortunate is that had they waited they would have found out this piece of information. At midnight tomorrow night the NDA will be lifted and you will be able to post videos and other content about the game. A week after that point we will be starting an open enrollment for a large scale beta test. The open beta will begin at the beginning of next month. You, our original beta testers, will be allowed to play from now on starting tonight. Gather your footage for your respective videos and I cannot wait to see what you put together.

Mike Swarson

President of Cryo-Medical

PS: Styx, attached you will find the footage we took of the first trial run along with some promotional splash screens for you to use with your videos. -GM

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

As I was reading the email I heard several dings from the messaging app. It seems we all got the same email at the same time, aside of course from the post script which it seemed the GM added at the end personalized with each of our respective footage. Everyone was excited, from talks about creating videos and playing the game, to speculations on who leaked the information. Assuming no one was lying in the group chat, and why would they, we were able to rule each other out which just left the 5 members who never accepted the invite. I guess we would find out soon enough. Just as I was wrapping up chatting with them I got another message, this time from my best friend.

Jason: Hey man, great stream!

Me: Thanks~ Was a good game I was quite shocked about the ending twist.

Jason: I’m glad you took my suggestion. I knew that ending would get you.

Jason: whatever happened with that beta?

Me: What beta?

Jason: Early this month you said you got into a beta but then I never heard another word, what gives?

Me: Wasn’t much to say really.

Jason: That doesn’t sound right. You don’t have to answer but I think you’re still in it and under a NDA. I don’t want to get you in trouble so I won’t press.

Me: lol, if you say so…

Jason: Hey did you see this article? Apparently Cryo-Medical is creating a game and someone leaked it. *Link to article*

Me: Clicking on the link just gives me a 404 error.

Jason: Damn they were quick at removing that, it was just posted like an hour ago. Looks like a cool one. You should see if you can get an invite to play on stream.

Me: You know I’m always looking for new stuff, I’ll keep my eye open.

Jason: Well again great stream and we’ll talk tomorrow ya?

Me: Oh yea, we’re still on for that new restaurant right? Lunch is on you?

Jason: I don’t know where you got that idea, you’re paying for your own meal mr. big time streamer man. But I’ll see you then.

*Jason has left the chat*

It makes sense that he would put the two together, especially after the leak. At least after tomorrow I won’t have to keep it a secret anymore. As I look back at the email I remember that I have to make a promotional video. But I really want to play! Oh well, best get started. What’s the name the put on the splash screen anyway? “Arc of Heroes”, that sounds sufficiently vague. Oh well, I’m still going to think of it as DreamWorld. Best get started.

Almost two hours later I’m finally finished. While the video they captured between was awesome, in both first and third person views during our fight with the goblins, I still needed to do some audio recording and I’ve never been great at this whole video editing thing anyway. But with that out of the way I can finally dive back in. As I’m getting ready for bed I can’t help but think…. Let the games begin!