Azukai
Zuki
Realm Industries: Core Facility - Restricted Access Wing
1:48 am
May 31st, 3032
"Of all the times."
A middle aged man, showing signs of nervous fatigue, was hastily jogging through the restricted access wing. Had the incident waited twelve more minutes, it would have been his replacement's job to deliver the news, yet here he was, stuck with the responsibility of facing the boss on the eve of the launch. His mind was racing with potential angles that might soften the blunt of his announcement, but ultimately, nothing came to mind other than an urge to yawn. Beads of sweat began to well on his forehead as he finally arrived at his boss' door. In front of him was a thick sheet of sliding steel which required an additional set of access requirements that only the highest leveled engineers were granted. Might as well get this over with, he concluded before reaching for the hand authentication scanner on the adjacent wall.
"Aldrich is not here right now, Viktor."
The man known as Viktor froze in place. His eyes were focused on the scanner which had spoken to him in a unnervingly familiar tone. Viktor's mind once again began to race. The voice he had heard; it wasn't possible for her to be speaking to him in such a manner, yet he was certain that it had been her. "I-I see." He stammered, unsure of what to entirely say. "I-I have an update concerning the launch of the beta test."
"I am already aware of the data breach occurring at the Access Point C. After analyzing the situation, I have determined that the incident is a non-issue in regards to the launch of the beta test. I have isolated ten participants who will be routed through the underground network portal to Access Point C. There is a 94.6 percent success rate with only a 7 percent mort--..." The feminine voice gave a sudden pause, leaving only silence in the air. Several seconds went by this way, until she once again began speaking. "My apologies, Viktor, it seems your access level does not leave you privy to any further details on this manner. Consider it resolved, and please have a good day."
Once again, silence filled the air and gave no comfort to the man who remained frozen in place. Suddenly, his fatigue was gone. What the fuck is happening...
Varied times
May 31st, 3032
Seven long months had passed since ICE had been announced to the world--months in which there had been next to no communication with anyone but the fifty selected participants. Apart from the promised footage of a minute-long gameplay sequence, Realm Industries had gone off the grid in preparation for the beta. Even those who had been selected to participate had received minimal communications apart from a chain of automated emails confirming their participation, required documents, acknowledgement of the beta's terms and conditions, and acceptance of the non-disclosure agreement--the latter of which even included not revealing one's position as a tester. It was needless to say that on the day of the beta, the entire tech and gaming communities were fervently awaiting any official or leaked content to be streamed.
From the tester's perspective, however, life couldn't have gotten any better. Not only were they mere hours away from experiencing the world's most anticipated game; they had also been gifted a first class experience to boot. For most testers, personal chauffeurs had been waiting at their homes in order to deliver them to the appropriate airports. There, private flights had been booked in their name, leaving only the tedium of airport security as a barrier to departure. While this experience might have seemed like total overkill to the participants, it was an important detail in ensuring each wave of testers arrived in Blue Springs at a relatively similar time.
Without a doubt, the flight was a luxurious experience, complete with high-quality meals, beverages, and alcohol; however, the biggest surprise was the gift provided by the stewardess on entry into the plane. It was a box that had come with simple instructions--get comfortable, open and enjoy the contents. Inside, were three devices. On top was a laptop labeled "start here" by a sticky note, while underneath was a white smartwatch-like bracelet, the very same that had been showcased in the gameplay trailer, and a peculiar white headpiece of sorts.
The moment the laptop was opened a middle aged man appeared on screen with an excessively tired expression on his face. "Hello tester..." He began, only to pause for an abnormally large yawn. "Congratulations on your acceptance into the very first ICE beta test. You are one of the lucky hundred candidates who were chosen from a pool of literal millions...." Once again, he paused for yet another excessively large yawn. "My name is Viktor, the lead development architect for the ICE project. I'm pleased to announce that this laptop contains a brief guide explaining the hardware, lore and systems surrounding ICE. Use the time on this flight to familiarize yourself with the game so that can enjoy a smooth start to the beta. Please be aware that any devices connected to the laptop will be unable to access the local file system. This is a measure put in place to prevent any of this information from leaking to the public. As a tester who has signed the non-disclosure agreement, please make sure that all knowledge and experiences about ICE remain confidential."
Viktor disappeared from the screen, his recording replaced by a spinning 3D model of the bracelet. His voice continued. "This is the User Interface Controller. Like any watch, please fasten it to the wrist of your choosing, ensuring that the band is as tight as comfortably possible. Not only will the controller act as a biometric monitor for your health and safety, it will also control all in-game user interface elements and other features such as voice communication. Next..." The watch vanished from the screen, this time replaced by a 3D model of the head piece. "...we have the Artificial Reality Renderer. As its name suggests, it is the hardware responsible for rendering the game world if you are within the confines of an ICE access point. Simply place the device around your ears, allowing for the band to wrap around the back of your head."
Once again, Viktor returned to the screen; however, this time, he was wearing both the controller and renderer as a means to demonstrate its proper application. "To prevent misplacement of these devices, please affix them to your body now. You will find that they are quite comfortable to wear, even after long periods of time. After this presentation, you will have access to several documents outlining the lore and in-game systems that I mentioned before. At a later date, either myself or one of my colleagues will be interviewing each of you about your experiences with the game. Until then, I hope you have a great trip, and above all else, I welcome you to the World of ICE."
The recording came to a close, and as promised was a replaced by a series of accessible documents that outlined detailed information about the game. Whether or not the participant wished to read it was up to them; however, due to information security reasons, it was ultimately the only entertainment available for the remainder of the trip.
1:00 PM, give or take a few minutes.
May 31st, 3032
With neither customs nor baggage claim being a necessity, the arrival process for each tester was incredibly simplified. The time it took to exit the plane and reach the guide waiting for them in airport lobby was in a matter of minutes--a truly unheard of experience at any international airport.
"Welcome to Blue Springs." Every guide would have begun to say. "Rest assured that your luggage will be delivered to your shared-housing residence in its entirety, barring any incidents outside of our control. Originally, I was supposed to escort you to your residence as well; however, due to a unforeseen sever error we are currently very behind on registrations. I do apologize, but we must be on our way to the main facility to get you registered into ICE. There are a large number of players arriving in a short window of time, and only so many technical assistants." Once again, every guide would have dawned a similarly apologetic expression after explaining the situation. "Once again, I do apologize, but for now, if you would please follow me. There is a private subway line connecting the airport to Realm. It is the fastest way to arrive."
As promised, there was in fact a private subway tunnel located adjacent to the public system. It was accessible through an authorized-personal only entrance that existed prior to the subway's ticketing gates, and inevitably led into a rather luxurious waiting platform. Once arrived, the guide would have given a small goodbye before returning to the airport's lobby in preparation for the next arrival. Marble tiles lined the freshly waxed floor, while each of the walls were covered in a cohesive mural that depicted a scene from ICE's gameplay trailer--the four players in horizontal combat against one of the red-eyed dog monsters. To add to the luxury, a sleek custom subway with only two cars waited for their soon-to-be departure.
"Welcome to Realm's Private line." Yet another guide would have said upon any new arrival. "Please make your way into any of the two cars. Once inside, feel free to choose any seat and enjoy any of our complementary beverages and snacks. Once settled, please ensure that your controller and renderer are affixed to your body, prior to the train's departure. The train is equipped with an generalized calibration Access Point and will serve as your first experience in Artificial Reality. Other than that, mingle with the others and enjoy your trip."
1:48 am
May 31st, 3032
"Of all the times."
A middle aged man, showing signs of nervous fatigue, was hastily jogging through the restricted access wing. Had the incident waited twelve more minutes, it would have been his replacement's job to deliver the news, yet here he was, stuck with the responsibility of facing the boss on the eve of the launch. His mind was racing with potential angles that might soften the blunt of his announcement, but ultimately, nothing came to mind other than an urge to yawn. Beads of sweat began to well on his forehead as he finally arrived at his boss' door. In front of him was a thick sheet of sliding steel which required an additional set of access requirements that only the highest leveled engineers were granted. Might as well get this over with, he concluded before reaching for the hand authentication scanner on the adjacent wall.
"Aldrich is not here right now, Viktor."
The man known as Viktor froze in place. His eyes were focused on the scanner which had spoken to him in a unnervingly familiar tone. Viktor's mind once again began to race. The voice he had heard; it wasn't possible for her to be speaking to him in such a manner, yet he was certain that it had been her. "I-I see." He stammered, unsure of what to entirely say. "I-I have an update concerning the launch of the beta test."
"I am already aware of the data breach occurring at the Access Point C. After analyzing the situation, I have determined that the incident is a non-issue in regards to the launch of the beta test. I have isolated ten participants who will be routed through the underground network portal to Access Point C. There is a 94.6 percent success rate with only a 7 percent mort--..." The feminine voice gave a sudden pause, leaving only silence in the air. Several seconds went by this way, until she once again began speaking. "My apologies, Viktor, it seems your access level does not leave you privy to any further details on this manner. Consider it resolved, and please have a good day."
Once again, silence filled the air and gave no comfort to the man who remained frozen in place. Suddenly, his fatigue was gone. What the fuck is happening...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flight to Blue Springs
Varied times
May 31st, 3032
Seven long months had passed since ICE had been announced to the world--months in which there had been next to no communication with anyone but the fifty selected participants. Apart from the promised footage of a minute-long gameplay sequence, Realm Industries had gone off the grid in preparation for the beta. Even those who had been selected to participate had received minimal communications apart from a chain of automated emails confirming their participation, required documents, acknowledgement of the beta's terms and conditions, and acceptance of the non-disclosure agreement--the latter of which even included not revealing one's position as a tester. It was needless to say that on the day of the beta, the entire tech and gaming communities were fervently awaiting any official or leaked content to be streamed.
From the tester's perspective, however, life couldn't have gotten any better. Not only were they mere hours away from experiencing the world's most anticipated game; they had also been gifted a first class experience to boot. For most testers, personal chauffeurs had been waiting at their homes in order to deliver them to the appropriate airports. There, private flights had been booked in their name, leaving only the tedium of airport security as a barrier to departure. While this experience might have seemed like total overkill to the participants, it was an important detail in ensuring each wave of testers arrived in Blue Springs at a relatively similar time.
Without a doubt, the flight was a luxurious experience, complete with high-quality meals, beverages, and alcohol; however, the biggest surprise was the gift provided by the stewardess on entry into the plane. It was a box that had come with simple instructions--get comfortable, open and enjoy the contents. Inside, were three devices. On top was a laptop labeled "start here" by a sticky note, while underneath was a white smartwatch-like bracelet, the very same that had been showcased in the gameplay trailer, and a peculiar white headpiece of sorts.
The moment the laptop was opened a middle aged man appeared on screen with an excessively tired expression on his face. "Hello tester..." He began, only to pause for an abnormally large yawn. "Congratulations on your acceptance into the very first ICE beta test. You are one of the lucky hundred candidates who were chosen from a pool of literal millions...." Once again, he paused for yet another excessively large yawn. "My name is Viktor, the lead development architect for the ICE project. I'm pleased to announce that this laptop contains a brief guide explaining the hardware, lore and systems surrounding ICE. Use the time on this flight to familiarize yourself with the game so that can enjoy a smooth start to the beta. Please be aware that any devices connected to the laptop will be unable to access the local file system. This is a measure put in place to prevent any of this information from leaking to the public. As a tester who has signed the non-disclosure agreement, please make sure that all knowledge and experiences about ICE remain confidential."
Viktor disappeared from the screen, his recording replaced by a spinning 3D model of the bracelet. His voice continued. "This is the User Interface Controller. Like any watch, please fasten it to the wrist of your choosing, ensuring that the band is as tight as comfortably possible. Not only will the controller act as a biometric monitor for your health and safety, it will also control all in-game user interface elements and other features such as voice communication. Next..." The watch vanished from the screen, this time replaced by a 3D model of the head piece. "...we have the Artificial Reality Renderer. As its name suggests, it is the hardware responsible for rendering the game world if you are within the confines of an ICE access point. Simply place the device around your ears, allowing for the band to wrap around the back of your head."
Once again, Viktor returned to the screen; however, this time, he was wearing both the controller and renderer as a means to demonstrate its proper application. "To prevent misplacement of these devices, please affix them to your body now. You will find that they are quite comfortable to wear, even after long periods of time. After this presentation, you will have access to several documents outlining the lore and in-game systems that I mentioned before. At a later date, either myself or one of my colleagues will be interviewing each of you about your experiences with the game. Until then, I hope you have a great trip, and above all else, I welcome you to the World of ICE."
The recording came to a close, and as promised was a replaced by a series of accessible documents that outlined detailed information about the game. Whether or not the participant wished to read it was up to them; however, due to information security reasons, it was ultimately the only entertainment available for the remainder of the trip.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Springs: International Airport
1:00 PM, give or take a few minutes.
May 31st, 3032
"Welcome to Blue Springs." Every guide would have begun to say. "Rest assured that your luggage will be delivered to your shared-housing residence in its entirety, barring any incidents outside of our control. Originally, I was supposed to escort you to your residence as well; however, due to a unforeseen sever error we are currently very behind on registrations. I do apologize, but we must be on our way to the main facility to get you registered into ICE. There are a large number of players arriving in a short window of time, and only so many technical assistants." Once again, every guide would have dawned a similarly apologetic expression after explaining the situation. "Once again, I do apologize, but for now, if you would please follow me. There is a private subway line connecting the airport to Realm. It is the fastest way to arrive."
As promised, there was in fact a private subway tunnel located adjacent to the public system. It was accessible through an authorized-personal only entrance that existed prior to the subway's ticketing gates, and inevitably led into a rather luxurious waiting platform. Once arrived, the guide would have given a small goodbye before returning to the airport's lobby in preparation for the next arrival. Marble tiles lined the freshly waxed floor, while each of the walls were covered in a cohesive mural that depicted a scene from ICE's gameplay trailer--the four players in horizontal combat against one of the red-eyed dog monsters. To add to the luxury, a sleek custom subway with only two cars waited for their soon-to-be departure.
"Welcome to Realm's Private line." Yet another guide would have said upon any new arrival. "Please make your way into any of the two cars. Once inside, feel free to choose any seat and enjoy any of our complementary beverages and snacks. Once settled, please ensure that your controller and renderer are affixed to your body, prior to the train's departure. The train is equipped with an generalized calibration Access Point and will serve as your first experience in Artificial Reality. Other than that, mingle with the others and enjoy your trip."
