Chapter 4 - "New paths"

Chapter 4 - "New paths"

My stomach reminds me, that i am hungry. But i cant retreat myself from the fascinating lecture. The notification, that Sammy received yesterday was a Memo. It informed all testers, that a firm date for the big beta-test lunch was choosen, and that they had agreed on an environment, witch we will spend the two months in:

["Vortex"]

That's the name of the World, that was chosen for us. A Fantasy - "Massive Multi-player Virtual Role Playing Game", short "MMVRPG". I have little experience, with this kind of entertainment. I mean, i played RPG's before ... at home ... at my computer, and i had fun with it. But In-Hous "C-D" Equipment ... thats something, only rich people can effort. And one hour at a C-D Studio costs as much, as i earn in 5 hours of work.

People who play VRPGs, or MMVRPGs, are saying that ordinary gaming is not even comparible wit "C-D".

The only Ciber-Diving experience that i had before, was a flight above the Brazilian jungle, and a diving tour in the Caribbean sea. But that was before my time here on “Hellman interactive”. And my dives here were also rather unexciting.

I find it surprising that such a complex simulation was chosen for utopias first Beta-test. My reasoning tells me, that the PR-department probably has promised something again, without a consultation with the developer team and in the the end, everything will turn out different then expected. But my burning anticipation is greater then my concerns and i place my hope over my realism ... a rare decision!

I'm already sitting for hours in my quarters, flipping through the digital pages of the presentation, swallowing the tutorials and watching commercial videos about this game ... i am overwhelmed! The developers are promising a level of customization and personalization options, that I haven't seen in any other game. Adjustment of clothing, skill behavior, terrain, interactions and a lot more. Then there is this long list of different classes, witch seam to play completely different. Parallel to that is a rich professional system. But what fascinates me the most right now, are the numerous methods to find a place in the world, that you can call your own. From a humble habitation in a big City, or a residence on the country, up to your own dimension.

The last one may sound exaggerated, but it fits the design of the World. When it comes to the story, then it explains that the world “Rashara” was hit by a huge catastrophe and was sucked in to the limbus, where it shattered into shards. The only way of travel between the shards is the Magical “Vortex” - Practically a teleport system. If a group fulfills the necessary requirements, than they can explore a new shard and claim it for them selves. It basically generates a new Instanced Zone in the Game. But to use it, it needs to be conquered first. You could say, its supposed to be for guilds, since a single player, or even a small group couldn't stand up against the challenge.

The way character growing is working, is also unusual. There are experience points that you can earn, but no character levels in a traditional way. The Experience points are functioning like a currency to acquire new skills and abilities. But i will tend to that later ...

Right now my attention is captured by an article with the intriguing header of “Changing World”. It describes how dynamical events are generated through complex algorithms and provide new challenges and can even leave lasting changes to the game world ... [really interesting]

I am torn from my toughs when my door bell rings. A slight feeling of anger rises inside me as i am in the middle of a paragraph and i realize, that i would have to read the whole article again later. I shake up the upcoming frustration and open the door. As my desk is right next to the entrance, i don't even have to stand up for that.

The electric sliding door opens with a familiar hissing sound.

???: “Oh – did i disturb you? ... i – ahm ... should i come later ... ?”

The uncertain look, the tense posture, the pressed voice ... its Nina.

Nicolas: “No its fine, i am not busy.”

That was a lay, but in this case it should be better that way.

Nicolas: “What can i do for you?”

Nina: “Ahm - You were not in the cafeteria for lunch. ... And, ah, ... i thought, i should bring you something.”

She uncertainly steps from one foot to the other and than presents a transparent bag, that contains 2 sealed aluminum trays, a soda can and a pudding.

[Lunch ...] I take a look at the clock on my pad. [2:32 pm – that means ...] I'm already sitting here for over 5 hours. Its not surprising, that i am getting hungry.

Nicolas: “What? It's that late already? I totally forgot about the time."

Nina: "Oh - so i did disturb you, after all ..."

I get up from the chair and stretch myself demonstratively. It feels good.

Nicolas: “No, you actually came in the perfect moment, i just noticed that im getting hungry.”

She shows a relieved smile, but her uneasiness doesn't go away. In her company i cant help myself, but to feel uneasy myself. I think its because of her uncertain nature – it infects others. In the first days she looked so lost and confused, so i helped her here and there, explained a view things. She is constantly looking for my company, since then. Sometimes, her attachment is … suffocating. Did she fall in love with me? Or is this something like a „big-brother-complex“? Or are we just friends in her Eyes? Her inhibitions are hard to understand ...

Nicolas: „Please, come in ...“

I turn the Chair around, so she can sit down and sit my self on the Bed, which is just a view steps away. The rooms for the stuff here are very … functional. I would even say ascetic.

Stretching my legs feels good.

Nina: "Ehm – is it really ok for you?"

Nicolas: "Sure, why not??

I feel the urge to, share my excitement about the game with someone.

She hesitates for a bit, but then enters the room and gingerly sits down on the edge of the chair, like it's divine, or like it could break at any moment. She also wears this billowing greenish scarf, that totally doesn't fit the rest of her outfit. She had a surgery on the neck recently. I don't know the reason for that, but it didn't heal well and left a scar that draws from her earlobe over the chin down the neck to the clavicle. That's why she often wears scarfs or tops wit high collars, but you can see it anyway.

Nicolas: "What was on the menu today?"

Nina: "Ha? - Ahm ... we had potatoes, backed with cheese and sauce and steamed vegetables ... and Pudding. ... Ah! - and i brought you a Limo ... its the one you like so much ...”

At the end, her voice is getting quieter and she looks away. I take a closer look at the can in her bag. [Cola with Mango-apricot ... ] Its true, i like that flavor, but ... [I never told anyone that i like it ... did she observe me?] I hope, she will not begin to stalk me! Or is she doing that already?

A strained grin grows reluctantly on my face. The next moment i feel like an idiot for grinning like that.

Nicolas: "Sounds good ... Ah, i haven't even thanked you."

Nina: "Ha?"

Nicolas: "For the food. Thanks!"

Nina: "Ah, ahm ... never mind."

The Scent of backed cheese and cream sauce fills the room. The food cooled off a bit, but that dosn't bother me. While i tend to my meal using plastic fork and knife, i think about the best way to start a conversation. Because, if i don't say anything, we may sit here in silence for hours.

Nicolas: “Did you have the time to take a look on the game we will be testing?

Nina: "Ahm ... you mean this "Vortex"?"

Nicolas: "Yea, that."

[What else could i possibly mean?]

Nina: "Well, yes, ... but I don't understand much of it. I am not a Gamer."

[Gamer...] Do I count as one? Sure, i am playing games from time to time, I also know all the terms, But is that enough to call myself a “gamer”?

Just as I'm about to ask her what she doesn't understand, there is a concerning thought popping up in my head: When i start to explain everything to her now, than she will also be clinging to me all the time inside the VR. [On the other site ... ] i could use that to my benefit. I could advice her to play a support class, and help me out the whole time. It would probably not matter for her, which role to choose, anyway.

But this way she would become even more dependent on me.

While I'm delightfully chewing on the crispy cheese crust and think about it, i come to an Idea, that feels slightly genius: Why is she so affectionate in the first place? [Because she is lacking in self-confidence!] If she would be more confident in her self, then she would probably stop clinging on others. To reach that, i could advise her to pick a more aggressive Class. One, that doesn't need the Help of others and is not dependent on other players. [But witch one?] In my thoughts, i go through the available character classes, that i already extensively inspected this morning:

The “Summoner” is a quite self-reliant class, but its very complex and not advisable for beginners. And besides that, i wanted to play it myself. If Nina would be playing the same class, then she would probably end up copying me.

The “Wild-Hunter” would surly be welcomed in any group, but he doesn't depend on that. He would also be good on his own, If he plays carefully. Besides that, he does have a reliable pet. This could trigger a protective instinct in her.

Then, there is the Necromancer … but she is totally not the Type for that. She could even take it as an insult, if i recommend her a class like that.

And the Last one that comes to my mind, is the Mercenary, a close-combat fighter. He is balanced in attack and defense and is able to heal him self. He is best suited for solo-players. At least, thats what the guide said.

[Hm, so its down for Wild-hunter or Mercenary] The Mercenary would clearly be batter if you want to play solo. [But this is not about efficiency.] To look your Enemy in the Eye in a live-realistic VR, that could be too much for her. The Hunter allows more distance for that ... its decided!

Nicolas: "What part didn't you understand, maybe i can explain a view things."

Only now i realize that the dish with the potato is half empty.

Nina: "Ha?"

I guess i have torn her from her Toughs.

Nina: "Ahm, I don't know ... everything, i guess ... I've read a little about it, but all this gamer-terms ..."

We spend the rest of the afternoon with reading articles and explanation. Later, i asked Sammy to join us, because there were a view things, i didn't understand myself. I have a Plan: I would help her – on a long term! She would gain more confidence and she wouldn't be hanging on my sleeve the whole time. Two flies with one stroke.

In the end she asks me about, what class i would be playing. My answer is, that i haven't decided yet. It's a lie, but in this case its better that way.