Inside the Headquarters of Cantos Industries, Head of game and resource development. On the 64th floor sits all the major senior developers of Odyssey.
A man of African descent, with dark brown and a bald head, says, "Director, according to initial data sets. The Unlimited class is currently unsustainable. We are seeing multiple instabilies from the source code fragmentation."Through his datapad, he sends a series of datasheets and graphs to all the seniors present. They murmur amongst themselves even as the Director and his advisors see the various problems.
The Director says, "These samples are most telling and distressing, Ike. As head of control development, does lieutenant Rogers have anything to say?" A young man wearing a black turban looks up suddenly. Gathering his thoughts and his observations from the Odyssey.
Lieutenant Rogers says, "Director, we believe that the problem mainly comes from the fact that the Unlimited system is a fundamentally different system from the current combat systems. This makes it impossible for Overwatch to follow the orders as stipulated by protocol ten...." Rogers' commander is not a fan of the Protocol Ten. So he has to undermine it constantly. Roger, himself likes and appreciates the protocol ten.
The strongest supporter of the protocol speaks next. She is the leader of a Steller habitat and the protocol is critical for those outside the earth to have a fighting chance. Damo Rosa says, "The protocol ten must be maintained. We have already outlined how the removal of this protocol is impossible. If you want this iteration of the game to have the impact, we need it to have, the protocol should in fact last to level 20."
The Director, shaking his head says, " Anyone else, we might as well list all of the concerns and work through them now." He is sincere and patient, looking at each developer and seeing if they have anything to add.
Senior developer Isaacs, "Director, thanks to us being able to meet the one thousand player minimum mark. I believe these results speak for themselves all research and developed using the computational data from unlimited lifestyles players. Have seen an increase in success rates of over 24%. I can only recommend the government consider the proposal from the Outer powers about the unlimited system."
Senior Medical officer says, "That is impossible if we allow for another round of uncontrolled development. The number of unsuccessful test subjects would be at least eighty percent of the entire connected population. The current source stresses as outlined by the delineation provided by Overwatch. Of changes presenting in game-like classes changing without notice and sometimes entire history disappears. I'm tracking how this affects the rank 6 and above classes the most. "
Lieutenant Rogers, "Dr Lee, just say it plainly. You always dance around it. People die if it's eighty percent that is unacceptable. Then what is acceptable because all this talk is useless if we don't know how far we can go. The unlimited system is responsible for our market dominance. You're telling us we can't roll it out large scale. Then Doctor, what scale can we use.
The Director whispers with his advisors, listening and checking the laws and directives from the various superpowers. Then the director says, " Very true lieutenant, Doctor Lee, you are a woman who is always prepared. Do you have a possible solution?"
Dr lee brings out her other scenario running them through Overwatch. Of the backups, one has an acceptable risk in terms of lives possibly lost. She adjusts her glasses and says, " Prioritising the safe development of the unlimited system, will require a source based framework. We can roll out a small patch to the implants to increase sync ratios, reactivating the sigma nanites and alphas biological protocols. By limiting the amount of gamma exposure in the pool to those already in the initial phase. We should be able to mitigate ninety-nine percent of deaths. Additionally, the framework has to be implemented immediately."
Everyone leans back in their chairs. This is beyond anything they expected. This breakthrough, if handled properly, will make everyone in this room rich and famous. A lady who has only been taking note moves her hair out of the way and speaks in a distinctly posh accent.
Annemarie says, "The framework already exists. We implemented the unlimited system with the framework in an old fighting game of ours. The hiccup is that we have no way to explain the changes that our framework will bring in lore. Doctors can handle the real-world changes."
Sergay one of the Director's aides, speaks, "I am familiar with that system as a loremaster myself. I think the development team can say that the unlimited system is related to the ascension process. This will push the demon storyline back a few years, but at least. We will make the changes, update the implants and unlimited, bringing them all into alignment. Then it's just sorting out the current system.
Several background developers are typing away, testing the possibility and most of them have a way to implement it on every corner of the game except for nine players. An egg head dressed in a nano isolation suit. Besides the light blues and other visual functions, they can't see inside. In a soft mechanical voice, the egghead says, " The nine players are part of the experimental program. we agree to your implementations so long as they are given this framework system too."
Reading over the sheet Rogers is first to complain, " This system benefits the players too much! Not only are you suggesting that the players part take in the ascension system before training but they will receive specific guidance in-game. That is unacceptable."
The director says, " Not as unacceptable as allowing all military personal to have a unique race. Balancing them has seen an increase in power for every other race in all five realms. Plus, according to this document, the guidance is not mandatory."
A livid Lieutenant Rogers says, " Solar defence deemed it necessary for the defence of the system! Sirs, I will remind you. What happens when the implants fail.
Equally incensed by Rogers insinuation that the outer powers are to blame for the incident fifty years ago Damo Rosa says, "the solution is simple..." With venom in her voice..."Extend the Protocol ten we can review it once players reach a certain level od development."
Most people in the room nod the lore masters are already working on how the gods will be responsible for the change in the unlimited system. Rogers wants to teach that woman a lesson.
Developer Issacs says, " That would work if the unlimited players, including lifestyles and the normies, are given framework system. They will grow experience horizontal scaling. This will also improve dynamic gameplay. The nine players are anomalies anyway. We all agreed that they take part in this. We will not go back on our contract now."
Rogers says, "Still look at this, the players will pass the first leg of the game with little suffering, it will undermine the training program."
Dr Lee says, " sir respectfully no it won't. This implementation is going to increase the numbers of those outside the military. Beyond your ability to control or even recruit. It will, in fact, make the game much more difficult. These players will be pushed to their developmental limits. The nine are wholly outside our control, but I approve this version of the plan."
Sergay says, "Director, we already have possible implementations, on eighty percent of Odyssey beside the nine who have their own system. We can roll out the update in an hour. The only issue will be the increased difficulty of Shifting Islands."
Director says, " Fine, we will implement the changes as stated. The nine experimental players are under the control of Overwatch and by extension Cantos. Protocol ten will be extended to twenty at least. This should help mitigate the strength lost through focused development. Finally, the implants will be updated accordingly and a report will be filed to the powers. As agreed in the concord of the Iliad and it will pave the way forward for humanity."
---Director Priority Message---
Central cascade failure....error 2077
---End of Message---
The director leaves without a change in his expression, still as cold as ever. Except for one thing, his hands are shaking ever so slightly. It must be said that when he had a heart attack, all he said to his wife was, "Honey, I think I need to go to the hospital."
Back inside Odyssey in the heavenly plain. Celestial temples burst into existence, each as large the world and infinitely more complex. Of the nine Temples, Seven have light-up orbs. On the inside, these beings older than gods are being born anew. Gods old and new scramble to secure their several NPC factions accelerating their plans. Numerous demon gods sensing the change in power cobble together. Others hiding away, trying to build their powers in shadow.
On the continent of Deguria, the players here are all mostly either Dragon kin, half draconic or Dragon-slayers. Are in turmoil since the launch of they have only been able to move around their cities. That is, until a massive golden bound temple with an orb covered in dragons wings appeared in the sky and launch a new campaign.
Numerous sleeping gods pulse awake. In the lower realms of Odyssey. A golden light shines all over everyone at once. The phenomenon which has not been reported on the forums leaves players in a frenzy. However, certain players are pulled into a strange miniature worlds. These players are those that use the unlimited system. Are being visited by the spirits of the gods and shown a new way to fight, build, research, to develop. The various systems are more involved, mirroring real-life more closes. They have a choice to keep using the mini-games or experience a greater challenge. Medium Bunz smiles and says, "Of course, I want the challenge. One day I will make enough to have a real bakery."
Of the marked nine players, seven are already active. Including Tyr, he like the other seven have been pulled into a realm like It on others. The only way he can describe it is endless. Tyr is then greeted By the Image of Lord Nogu.
Lord Nogu says, " It seems my power has finally grown in you. It seems I was right to have faith in you my boy. This power can help you to shape the universe. Here have a look at this."
Do you accept the race conversion Celestial [yes/no?]
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