Chapter 66: Beta Test (Part One)
[Beta testing is about to begin. Retrieving data…]
[Data retrieval complete. Beta duration: 365 days]
[Countdown to beta test start: 3 days]
"The beta test."
"It's finally here."
Cassius looked at the information on his screen, exhaling a plume of flame in anticipation.
He vaguely remembered there was a beta event in his past life, though he wasn't sure of the exact timing since he hadn't been among the lucky ones to receive a beta account.
Besides, "Erezaghe" was practically unknown at the start, with no commercial advertising whatsoever. The official site merely posted a purchase link for game pods. The game's popularity came later, thanks to its exceptional quality, eventually going viral worldwide.
This beta version was also known as [Fallen Star Origins], with only a thousand player slots. Players would spawn in the Tiefling refugee camp without any main storyline, free to choose a faction—be it aiding the Tieflings, joining Lackman, or venturing to other northern nations.
The beta's finale was marked by players uncovering Duke Brad's schemes, leading the Tieflings back to Northwind Fortress under Medrolash's leadership.
This was also why Cassius chose to shelter the Tieflings.
Medrolash, to Cassius, was a complete pragmatist, someone who suited his tastes. After the players arrived in the previous timeline, Medrolash quickly recognized their formidable potential and used it to bolster his own power, opposing the then-powerful Lackman family.
However, Cassius remembered clearly that just months after this beta phase ended, "Erezaghe" launched for general release, not adhering to the time frame indicated on his NPC screen.
"Time flows differently in Erezaghe than on Earth."
"Only when players enter do the two worlds sync, and Erezaghe time progresses four times faster than on Earth."
"When players returned after the first major update, over a decade had passed in Erezaghe."
Cassius mused to himself.
But this worked out well enough; he didn't want to sleep as a dragon for decades only to wake up and find the players fully geared and ready for a dragon hunt. That would be humiliating.
[Data retrieval complete.]
[Unlocking player interaction template.]
Evidently, this was the template for interacting with players. While the players hadn't arrived yet and the feature wasn't active, Cassius would be able to assign quests, sell items, teach skills, grant classes, and even adjust his rapport with players.
Cassius had experienced this firsthand.
In his past life, dealing with the NPCs' mood swings was standard—one wrong word could wipe out rapport, turning friendly NPCs hostile in an instant.
[Unlocking faction alignment template.]
[Unlocking player forum.]
"Is this thing accessible to me too?"
Cassius was somewhat surprised; the player forum had been a hub for entertainment and discussion in his past life.
While waiting to respawn, players would chat on the forums, saying things like, "Getting crushed by a rock isn't really dying," or "I didn't get one-shot; I was tanking," as well as serious discussions on class builds and gear.
In the forum, you could either laugh at posts or put yourself in the spotlight. Some even posted cringeworthy declarations of love, drawing waves of mockery.
Cassius clicked into the forum, finding it completely empty.
"It'll be active once the players arrive, I suppose."
"But before then, I need to talk with my followers."
With that in mind, the red dragon stepped out of the cave, ready to instruct his followers in the art of handling players.
The core approach was "entice with rewards, threaten with force."
Otherwise known as the "carrot and stick" tactic.
As for "reasoning with them or appealing to their emotions"?
That was out of the question. It would only provoke some players' rebellious attitudes.
When players first arrive, it's bound to create a fair amount of discord; Cassius knew these unruly individuals all too well. After all, he'd once been one himself, causing trouble left and right and maxing out everyone's hostility without even realizing it.
And afterward, he'd feign innocence, posting on the forum, "I didn't do anything, why is the whole town after me?" It was infuriating.
[Username: I Eat a Mantou]
"Mantou" was a game content creator whose videos primarily featured live gameplay of new games.
He was a semi-wealthy guy with little to worry about, with over a dozen of the latest gaming pods at home. His daily job was to scour the internet for new games to try—whether *My Virtual Girlfriend*, *LOTR: Gollum*, *Kong vs. Qin Shihuang*, or *Junkyard Simulator*.
He didn't care much about game quality; as long as it garnered views, it was worth it.
"Ah, the materialistic age."
In this era of fully immersive gaming, new titles were constantly emerging, but Mantou was starting to feel a bit digitally impotent.
Even with an interactive beauty right before him, he felt nothing, unable to recapture the thrill of his younger days.
Then, by chance, he came across a promotional video—or rather, gameplay footage—of "Erezaghe", featuring no extra commentary, just a vivid world of swords and sorcery: "Dragons soaring through the skies, knights raising their swords high."
This reminded Mantou of why he played games in the first place—fantasy.
Who wouldn't want to be the hero who saves the world?
So he placed an order without hesitation, happily claiming a new game pod with a balance now reading -8000.
"What? No character customization?"
"It's a facial scan system? That's going to turn off a lot of character design fans."
"And maybe some players who enjoy role-playing opposite genders… uh, don't ask me how I know."
In this age of fully immersive games, online relationships were a deep pool.
Action, voice, appearance—none could determine gender anymore. Mantou knew this from a past, rather embarrassing online romance incident.
"Since it's a face-scan game, I guess my custom cosmic being is out."
[Connecting to neural network]
[Scanning your body data]
[Constructing your character]
[Character construction complete.]
[MantouEats]
(Note: Standard human attributes are 10)
Strength—10
Dexterity—10
Constitution—11
Intelligence—12
Wisdom—10
Charisma—9
"Well, thanks for acknowledging my intelligence."
"But why is my charisma only 9—?"
In the game pod, Mantou found himself once again shedding bitter tears, recalling an instance of being ghosted after revealing his appearance in an online relationship. Perhaps it wasn't the game pod's fault after all.
"There goes the immersion."
Mantou sighed as he kept up his usual gripes.
[Confirming starting location…confirmed!]
[Beta start location, coordinates 17834.4524.455, Baator City.]
[Preparing for arrival]
[Welcome to Erezaghe!]
At last, the players had entered, inspired by a legendary creator.