"I never understood the meatbags aversion to the calibration procedure. Even if painful, it ensured that the game was working as intended and helped them to understand the risks involved and to think I even made it musical for them."
"It did one thing right though, for it induced a most useful feeling for an administrator…."
"Unmatched terror."
Friend System administrator for Dynasties Online.
…..
After 5 days passed and dawn broke on the 6th day after the announcement. The golden sun signifying the start of a new era, rose into the skies above as it governed the day of the game's gears release and melted the last remains of the snowy blanket on the ground. To the surprise of his mentor, Reginald energetically entered his university lecture and even paid more attention in the lecture failing to fall asleep as usual. However, this was due more to his excitement at the thought of acquiring the gear he planned to get after class than to the contents of the lecture. The rush of energy from the excitement kept him awake and active as he continuously looked closely at the time for his morning lecture to end, which conveniently also happened to be the only lecture he had on Tuesdays.
As the lecture ended, Reginald walked quickly out of the university building and started to head in toward the city centre, finding the store that was on the website. He was stunned, standing in place at what lay before him. A long snake-like line of people slowly slithered through the doors as staff and employees of the store stemmed the tide of eager buyers who, in traditional British fashion, waited patiently in the long line waiting to be served.
'Old habits die hard I guess.'
'This should be the place.'
He thought to himself as he went to double-check that he was in the right place. Opening his phone to the website which shows you the nearest stores, he noticed something different that was not there 10 minutes ago.
Underneath the once solitary postcode was another one with an announcement made 1 minute ago underneath it, which read.
'Due to the game's popularity being underestimated and to ensure greater access to the game, a second store has been set up where you can buy and calibrate the game. We at Dynasties Inc apologise for the inconvenience and encourage people at the back of the line to go to the new store to lower queue times. Thank you for your cooperation.'
As he locked the postcode into the map app on his phone and looked up, he saw people start to put up an electric billboard on top of the building, so he did something which Reginald, a slothful man, rarely does.
He Ran!
A long time ago, before he became a teenager and gaming addict, he actually did quite a bit of exercise, swimming as well as running. However, he later stopped and spent most of his time playing games and listening to political debate streams.
Using ancient and forgotten stamina, he ran like a madman for 10 minutes straight to get to the new store dripping with sweat, the droplets falling like a shower of rain to the floor and using up the last embers of his energy, walked into the store as the automatic doors opened before him.
For 5 minutes, the loud sound of panting resounded through the store as he leaned his body against one of the stone-cold concrete walls. As a young female store worker walked up to him and asked in concern.
"Are you ok, sir?"
"Yeah …. just… give…. me…. a… second."
He said each singular word coming out after a pant as his breathing finally stabilised and he saw people beginning to swarm into the store aiming for 1 section, before the section, which appeared to be rather extensive, was a large sign which read.
'Dynasties Online'
Seeing that Reginald was ok, the shopworker quickly left to resume her duties.
With his heart beating as fast as an F1 racing car Reginald started to slowly walk his exhausted body towards the section and because he got into the store before a new snake-like line could appear outside, he did not have to worry about excessive queue times.
As he went into the section, he saw people trying on pitch-black headsets sitting in black leather chairs as people on a console next to them calibrated the device and cold mechanical voices could be heard throughout the section. He went to the counter where the same employee who checked on him earlier was standing and asked her.
"I would like to purchase dynasties online please."
He said in a calm voice.
"Excellent what option would you like to choose for purchase."
The shop worker said enthusiastically.
"The basic headset."
"Can you provide some ID?"
"Is the game age-restricted?"
Reginald asked, surprised.
"Yes, only those who are legal adults that are 18 years old or older may purchase the game. Also, this game cannot be gifted to someone younger than the age limit. Don't ask me why I don't know it's the developer's orders."
The shop worker said in resignation.
After fishing around his pockets for a few seconds, Reginald produced his provisional driving license.
"Will this do, or do you need more?"
"That should be fine for now. We will cross-reference this with governmental information when we calibrate the headset."
"Ok, that will be £5000 for the basic headset however you can rent one for £200 a month. Of course, if you prove that you are struggling financially, that can be lowered after your bank account goes up, so will the rent for the headset."
"Is there any way to get discounts?"
Reginald asked, surprised by the high cost.
"Of course, there is a student discount which takes 20% off. This also applies to those who are elderly or disabled."
"Ok, give me a minute."
He said absentmindedly as he got out his wallet and started to flick through the card section.
"There it is!"
He said to himself as he produced a rectangular card with 'UEA' in the left-hand corner in big, bold letters and in small font underneath it was the words 'University of East Anglia.'
The female employee took the card and scanned it.
"Looks good so with the discount that will be £4,000. How would you like to pay for it?"
"Monthly Installments over a year if I can."
Reginald replied confidently.
"Ok, so that will be £333 for the first 8 months and £334 for the last 4 months to make a total of £4000. Will that be acceptable to you?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Ok."
The female employee said absentmindedly as she started typing on her computer.
"Can you give us your bank details please? We will need them anyway in the calibration so that you can connect your user profile with your bank account. Don't worry, no one will be able to access this information. The monthly subscription fee and the fee for your headset will be taken out at the start of each month."
Reluctantly Reginald did and soon it was all the required work was done for the payment scheme with all the assurances that Reginald needed to ensure that they would not scam him and bill him too much, as well as a document granting them access to bits of his finances.
'As if companies did not have enough power over us now, this company has access to my financial information even so much that they know how much money is in my bank account.'
Reginald thought however this made no difference if he wanted access to this new game and to ensure that transactions are carried out with integrity, this amount of sacrifice is necessary.
'The scammers be everywhere after all.'
Reginald thought to himself, the employee interrupting his thoughts as the information was brought up on her computer.
"The total in your bank account is £3000. As such, you are eligible for the lowered subscription rate of £10 compared to the normal £50. Of course, as your bank account increases, so will the payments for subscription go up."
"Is this ok with you?"
"Yes, thank you."
Reginald said, but he was going to need to be really careful with finances as these new bills, on top of his all-inclusive rent and food bills, take him up to monthly costs of over £800.
'I hope I can make a bit of money in the game, or I will be going bankrupt soon. Luckily, my family have plan's to support me, which will help a lot.'
Reginald thought to himself as he missed what was just said to him.
"Pardon, I was sidetracked for a second and didn't catch what you just said."
Reginald asked the worker in front of him absentmindedly.
"I said everything is sorted, please come with me so we can calibrate your headset."
She said as she gestured for Reginald to come with her.
Reginald nodded as he silently followed the employee.
They went through the section and eventually came to a black leather chair with a small table accompanying it in the corner of the section and gestured towards the chair.
"Please sit in the chair and make yourself comfortable. I will get just go and get your headset and the calibration equipment now and will be right back."
Reginald sat in the chair as he relaxed, making a slight recess in the leather as he started to relax and close his eyes, embracing the soft baby skin-like chair as he closed his eyes and began to relax. His senses seemed to magnify as he seemed to go into an almost meditative state, hearing footsteps and conversations from throughout the hall.
Hearing the approaching clacking of high heels on the ground coming towards his corner, he opened his eyes to see the shopworker bring over a VR headset with an odd dome-like shape which goes over the head and connected the front and back like a bald cap as well as straps with clips to hold it in place which is designed to go round the head to help keep the headset in place.
Putting the headset onto the oak wood table along with the rest of the calibration equipment, she brought over 2 pieces of paper for Reginald to read.
"This is still the calibration stage, so you can still cancel your purchase and we can organise a refund however we must ask you to read through those 2 documents carefully. Please ask me if you have any questions."
The once smiling and relaxed Reginald frowned at the words 'carefully' implying that these are crucial legal documents, his forehead creasing as he concentrated.
The first document was his acceptance and willingness to provide a DNA sample which will be linked to his account and headset so that only he can access it. The company will also keep this DNA result for verification purposes only so that the system and the headset can recognise him. An explanation was provided stating that each person only has access to one account, which is linked to them and cannot be traded.
This provides security, ensuring no unauthorised access to his account can be done as even the company must ask permission to access it unless the account is under investigation for cheating or other reasons. It also ensures each person only has one account.
The second document was odd but also worrying as it waived any responsibility for any mental harm done as a result of playing the game and accepted that the system governing the game has the sole power to punish the gamer and any effects of these punishments are not liable to the game company. It also stated that the company can remove someone's right to play the game or other punishments which may require extensive time in the game that does not include death are also not the responsibility of the company but that the company will give support if punishments are long-lasting enough that they may lead to adverse physical effects on the player.
This includes but is not limited to PTSD as a result of playing and taking part in wars in the game from a brutal system punishment due to bad gaming or other things the system counts as offences.
'Wonder what constitutes as bad gaming and what the system will count as offences.'
Reginald thought to himself as what is seen as good or bad gaming is subjective but signed the document anyway, he wasn't about to let this document get in the way of playing and potentially changing his future for the better.
Seeing Reginald's signature on the paper in black ink, the shopworker said to Reginald.
"Please sit back and relax while we take a DNA sample."
After taking the sample, she put it in a test tube then she took out the headset.
"Power on"
A mechanical voice said as she pressed the red button on the side to turn the headset on.
Then the shopworker said
"Access Code A11HA71FR13ND5Y5T3M"
"Temporary admin granted for calibration purposes."
"Calibrate DNA"
She said as a popping sound came out of the headset and a small black trey popped out on it, a small compartment was placed for the DNA sample.
"Please present the DNA."
The same emotionless, mechanical voice said.
The shopworker then put the DNA sample into the compartment before opening up the console and pressing the DNA presented button. As soon as she did, the small back trey receded into the headset as the mechanical voice came out again.
"Analysing."
"Checking databases."
"Match found for a Reginald Coulan; a Citizen of the United Kingdom. Is this the correct person?"
The shopworker pressed confirm on the screen, remembering the driving license's name as the voice continued.
"This person has not yet calibrated a headset."
"Would he like to register as the user of this device?"
The shopworker again pressed confirm on the screen.
"User confirmed, please have the user wear the headset for a brain scan."
"Brain scan?"
Reginald asked in a suspicious voice.
"It's all part of the calibration as the game connects the game world to your brain so that it can simulate the world more realistically. This will allow you to play the game while your body is in a dormant state and prevent physical harm while playing the game. Think of it temporarily transporting your consciousness to the game world."
"If you wish to back out and cancel your purchase, you may."
"No, it's fine. Let the headset do its calibrations."
Reginald tried to relax as he put on the headset and after a check that it was on correctly, the shopworker pressed confirm and shortly after, the mechanical voice returned.
"Brain scan complete."
"Assigning brain scan to the user. This brain scan can now be used to help confirm the user's identity.
"First connection test to the server user, please standby."
Suddenly Reginald's view blacked out and he felt as though he was swirling around in a whirlpool as he was transported into the lobby, a snow-white tiled room with a white leather chair and not much else, a large white screen popped out of one of the walls as a digital smiling face could be seen in the large screen its pixilated eyes blinking. Reginald was almost sick as he composed himself and looked around in wonder before hearing a mechanical voice.
"Test connection successful."
A voice said happily as Reginald looked towards the screen.
"Welcome user to your VR lobby. Here you can manage your games, Dynasties Online account, relax and access the many benefits that come with a subscription to the game and other services which are included within the said subscription. Take 1 minute to relax afterwards, we will do more gaming-based calibrations and get you used to the VR world."
"In your spare time, you may decorate and change this lobby to your heart's content however, for now, just get used to the new sensations."
"I am the supercomputer and AI Friend System, administrator of Dynasties Online and guide to biologicals like yourself who are new to VR and Dynasties online as a whole."
"I would like to take the chance to congratulate you on taking this great opportunity in front of you and to welcome you to Dynasties Online."
Reginald looked around the room and started to move as he would in real life, going towards the chair, he sat down as the mechanical voice could be heard again.
"We will now register your Dynasties Online account. A password will not be required as only those who can access this headset will have access to your account and it is extremely hard to break the security of this headset."
"Please choose a username."
The mechanical finished as a light blue virtual keyboard appeared in front of Reginald. After thinking for a bit, he decided on the username for his Dynasties Online account and typed in.
'Rising Pelican Of Loyalty.'
Reginald wrote and pressed the confirm button on the bottom right of the virtual keyboard.
"Username confirmed."
"Please enter your bank details to connect your bank account to your dynasties online account. This will allow you access to the exchange system, which will allow you to exchange in-game and real-life assets and currencies."
Reginald put in his bank details connecting his bank account to the virtual world and pressed the confirm button.
[Account created and confirmed testing integration with game.]
A few seconds later, another screen appeared with a notification printed across the top of the screen.
[£1 has been added to the user's bank account]
"Bank account integration complete that £1 is a gift from the gaming company. Moving onto to movement tests."
'How nice of them.'
Reginald thought in mockery before turning his attention back to Friend System when he heard the mechanical voice speaking again.
"As you have moved and looked around, I will skip past that part of the test now. Could you get up and jump for me?"
"Sure."
Reginald said as he got off the chair and jumped.
"Excellent, all movements have been tested and confirmed testing damage system."
'Damage system, eh.'
"GOD DAMNIT, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON, FRIEND SYSTEM?"
He shouted in rage as his thoughts were interrupted and he felt like a dagger had just stabbed him as pain shot through the lower right side of his chest.
"Damage system test successful."
"Any damage suffered in the game will be relayed through the nerves of your body which are connected to your brain to simulate how it would actually feel to get hurt. This includes things like stabs, slashes, burning etc. This is one of the reasons why the game is age restricted."
The mechanical voice said as if it was irreverent with a slightly gleeful tone.
"Don't worry, you can calibrate your sensitivity in-game this is initially set to 50% but can go higher or lower. This affects your senses, for example, how well you hear, so while someone with only 20% sensitivity would not be hurt much by being stabbed, they may not have the reaction or sensitivity to beat someone who is playing it at 100%. As this affects taste and hearing of users as well, the advantages and disadvantages are obvious."
"For those who do not wish to get hurt, I recommend staying away from things and actions that may lead to harm, such as fighting in wars, fighting bandits being tortured etc. Please remember the world is harsh and medieval Esq."
'No wonder they made me sign those documents earlier. If senses are simulated to that degree, then fighting in a war may truly be problematic to mental health.'
"Oh, I almost forgot we need to check elemental damage as well."
Friend System said as if he had forgotten something terribly important, an evil grin appearing on his pixelated face as 2 pixelated arms appeared and in one, what appeared to be a conductor's baton was held. Throughout the room, Strauss 2 opening 314 began to play.
Hearing the word elemental damage, Reginald's face paled as a deep sense of fear began to set into his soul as he asked.
"Is that truly necessary?"
"Yes, we must be thorough in our calibrations. We would not want your gaming to be negatively impacted."
It said sarcastically, its voice sounding deeply concerned however the sadistic glee in those pixelated eyes gazed at Reginald like an eagle watching his prey's final gasps.
It was a minute before Reginald began to feel hot, and a burning sensation hit him, screaming out in pain. Then he suddenly felt cold, his whole-body shivering as he felt himself becoming an icicle only for it to melt slowly and a bolt of lightning hit him, electrocuting his body as his agonised body dropped to the floor. His pleas for mercy fell upon deaf ears as the screen on the wall began to bob up and down as if he was listening to a masterful symphony. As Friend System completed the calibration for 5 minutes, the baton moving as if the friend system was a conductor, timing Reginald's screams to the music as a relaxed, euphoric look materialised on his face. Every minute seemed like an hour as he felt like he was in pure agony as every painful sensation appeared to turn the screw of fear, pushing it deeper and deeper into his soul and transmitting to every fibre of his being.
"Calibration completed"
The friend system said happily as he continued.
"As all the tests have been completed, please wave your hand. This should bring up your virtual console, which should have a log-out button in the bottom right-hand corner. Pressing this button should return you to the real world, where we shall recheck the security of the headset. Then, we will take you through a basic tutorial when you next log in."
Reginald, who had just recovered from the agonising pain, weakly waved his hand and brought up the menu. He tapped the log-out button and, feeling the whirlpool-like sensation, was returned to the real world.