"I will never forget the day that my fate changed."
"The day which it changed for millions of people…."
"the 25th of January 2120…."
"For this would forever be remembered as the day of the announcement…."
"The announcement that would change the world."
Reginald Coulan, creator and head of House Aurellion in dynasties online.
…..
"Thank you, Mr James Larent, for accepting this interview. Many people across the country and the world are curious about your new game Dynasties Online. We are hoping you can sate their curiosity."
A news host said enthusiastically as she sat in the comfy light brown leather chair in the news studio wearing formal attire. Sitting just over from her in another similar chair was a man with chestnut brown hair and cold turquoise eyes, which seemed to pierce into the news host, observing any and all secrets she holds.
"Thank you for the interview and I would be delighted to shed light on what I can on my company's new game."
Said James, his expression as calm as still water.
"What will the goal of the game be?"
James slightly smiled at the question as he said in his usual calm voice.
"That will depend on the player, some may want to become rich merchants in the medieval esq world, some kings others, famous blacksmiths and farmers. In this game, you can be whatever your heart desires as you build up your dynasty and live through different generations of your dynasty."
"So, there is no set goal for your game?" The reporter asked, intrigued by this game as she continued down the list of questions that she had in front of her.
"Technically no, except for your dynasty to survive somehow in the world but remember that people can sell their in-game currency for real-life money. What I give you is a sandbox medieval fantasy world with its own history, kingdoms, politics, wars, empires and atrocities for you to explore."
"You said there was an ability to turn in-game currency into real currencies such as dollars and pounds. Can you tell us how that will work exactly?" She asked, her ears perking up to listen to the answer to the question which is on everyone's mind.
"There will be 2 ways of turning in-game currency into real currency." James began passionately.
"The first way is through the system this will take a 1 silver to 1 GBP however also take a 20% commission from it so take for example you have 10 silver and want to trade it this way into real-life currency due to the 20% commission that the system takes you will get £8 out of it."
"The second way is to sell it to other players, which will also be the only way to buy in-game currency and items. The system will also tax all transactions by 5%. There will be a way to connect your bank account to the system and once the transaction is verified, it will happen of course, players will have to find out how when they enter the game."
"I would also like to add that there will be no way to buy currency from the company as such if people wish to purchase in-game currency, they must do it through players within the game."
"That certainly is an interesting way of doing things…." The reporter asked, a smile on her face however this could not hide the scorn she had inside.
'Is this person an idiot? How the hell is this scheme going to make money? You may be rich but I doubt you can upkeep something if millions of people are playing and making money off it! Ahhh, who cares as long as we are making money from the broadcast, and we were even paid for this interview.' she thought while continuing with the questions on the white paper in front of her.
"People are also interested in how accessible this game will be as VR games like the one you are realising are expensive to upkeep. As such, some people won't have enough money to buy the gear required for this game. So how accessible will this game be for people? Where can they get it and how much will it cost them to buy?"
"First off, the game will be sold on a subscription basis, so people will pay a fixed fee every month now, this will change depending on income and money available. As such, those with lesser incomes or on UBI will be able to play the game and if they gain real-world assets, then their monthly fee will increase until they can afford to pay the basic fee. This will allow anyone to access the game."
"What about acquiring the equipment necessary to play the game?"
"There will be 2 ways of acquiring the equipment necessary to play the game. First off will be through renting it. To remind people, this is a way for those on lower incomes and UBI to be able to play and access the game of course, you can also buy it if you wish. We will even allow you to pay for the equipment in instalments over a period if you wish. However, if you pay a lowered rent, then like with the subscription, in the event that you gain more real-world assets, the rent will go up accordingly. There will be a way to switch from a renting plan to an instalment-based purchase plan if people have the money and wish to buy the gear instead of renting it."
"There will also be a basic specialised VR headset or a capsule available for purchase with the capsule giving slightly better performance, enhancing the immersion in the game and providing better comfort than a basic headset does."
"These will be available at the end of this month from various places around the world as well as all major cities with servers starting on the 3rd of February at 8 AM GMT. Please visit our website to find the nearest stores where you can buy the equipment and the game. Due to the need for calibrations with the advanced equipment, we cannot deliver them, which I apologise to users in advance unless you order the gaming pod, which will then be installed and calibrated in your home."
He said he slightly bowed his head for the apology before looking up again.
"Character Creation will be available on the day the equipment is sold and I recommend you make your character before the server starts; I will also mention that those who do this will have increased character creation choices."
"With that, I wish you all good luck, happy gaming and look forward to seeing the rise and fall of your dynasty in the game."
As James said the final statement, he calmly left the studio, not a change in his expression as his black suit slightly blew back as he left, leaving a stunned host who was not expecting the sudden exit at all.
'The bait has been cast, time to prepare the nets'
James thought as his lips revealed a scheming smile.
...
In the kitchen of his student hall accommodation, Reginald had just finished watching the short interview on his phone, the plate in front of him was desolate as he devoured the food on it subconsciously while watching the interview.
After the interview was finished, he locked his phone and turned toward his friend Carter as he asked.
"What day is it today?"
"the 25th of January?"
"6 days before the equipment releases…."
Reginald said with a sigh.
"You plan on getting the game and joining it on the release date?"
Reginald asked in a calm and nonchalant voice.
"Yeah, I mean, apart from studying, we have nothing better to do and we can have fun and maybe even make a bit of money off it."
Carter replied in a resigned manner.
"Why does it feel like we are being baited in by an offer too good to refuse?"
Reginald asked, a creeping feeling of dancing in the palm of someone else's hand washing over him like a puppet on a piece of string as he is railroaded into playing this game.
"Because for people like the unemployed and us, this truly is an opportunity too good to let go even if it only lasts for a bit, we can get some money off it at least and with the protections in place that they stated in the interview it's not like people on lower incomes or university students like us have anything to lose anyway."
Carter replied, thinking it through logically.
"It still does not feel good being baited in like this…."
Reginald said quietly to himself as he quickly bid farewell to his friend and left for his room, going back to playing video games however his performance visibly dropped as he was thinking about something completely different.
As the darkness passed and the silvery moon made way for the break of dawn and the morning dews, snowflakes dropped from the heavens creating a blanket of white on what was once a green landscape. As the days and nights passed, the white blanket receded and was replaced with green, but throughout the business circles, one burning question was on everyone's mind, as well as a name.
'James Larent….'
'What the hell are you up to?'