cccorp: (Default)
CyberConnect Corporation ([personal profile] cccorp) wrote in [community profile] altimit2023-07-27 08:51 am
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⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.

//CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WON! 🙂

On a day like any other, you're checking your email when one in particular catches your eye. We invite you to Fragment, the subject line reads, and the sender is a name everyone is familiar with: CyberConnect Corporation.

It doesn't matter whether you signed up for Fragment's closed beta months ago or simply found the mysterious email sitting in your inbox. The fact remains that you are one of the select few chosen to participate, and in a word gone fully digital, you can't afford to turn down such an opportunity.

Those who accepted the invitation were given much more than a free pass to beta test the latest and greatest MMO. Upon confirming their participation, employees of C.C. Corp arrive at their homes and outfit them with top-of-the-line internet — a must to play such an advanced game — a brand new PC, and a state-of-the-art VR headset created by C.C. Corp themselves specifically for this beta test. You may call it excessive. They call it necessary.
Welcome to The World's first event! Your plotting post is here.

//YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS SIMPLY.

When the morning of July 29th rolls around, you're finally able to access Fragment and create your character. By default, your avatar resembles your real world appearance, but naturally you're able to fully customize your look from head to toe. Want green skin? You got it. What about twintails that stretch down to the floor? You won't have to worry about those clipping through your armor in a game as advanced as Fragment. The sky is truly the limit!

Once you've settled on your avatar's appearance and class, you log into your home Root Rown: Mac Anu, a city forever at twilight with a series of canals snaking through it. It's done up in a series of flowing banners and balloons, glitter and confetti carried along by a gentle breeze you can feel along your cheeks.

Players are given some time to wander around the Root Town and acquaint themselves with the feeling of being fully immersed in a digital fantasy world, but after some time, a soft, playful voice echoes all across the Root Town.

"Hi, everyone! It's time to begin! Meet me at the Chaos Gate!"


When everyone gathers for the meeting, they're greeted by the cheerful face and pitchy voice of an enthusiastic young boy. Unlike you, a level 1 newbie without a single GP to your name, targeting the boy reveals a few things: his name is Zelkova and he's level 100. Huh. Is he cheating? Maybe he's someone important?

In either case, you'll have your answer when Zelkova begins to speak, sweeping his arms out wide to greet all the new beta testers.

"Welcome! I'm Zelkova. I'll be your point of contact during Fragment's closed beta! Before we start celebrating, let me give you guys your armor and equipment. You can't fight monsters without that stuff, huh?"

With a wave of his arms, a table pops into existence before Zelkova. Sprawled out on the table is an immaculate collection of... shabby level one weapons and equipment. Yikes. What, did you think you'd be fabulous from the jump? That's not how MMOs work!

Zelkova encourages everyone to step up and grab the set (or sets, if you're an Adept Rogue) to outfit themselves.

YOUR NEW ARMOR AWAITS.


Blade Brandier: Rusted Blade Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Twin Blade: Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Wavemaster: Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Macabre Dancer: Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Edge Punisher: Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky Boots

Flick Reaper: Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Harvest Cleric: Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Lord Partizan: Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky Boots

Shadow Warlock: Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Steam Gunner: Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Tribal Grappler: Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots



It's... not very impressive, sure, but beginner sets in MMOs never are. Better get dungeon crawling if you want to step up your glamor game.

"Well, that's all the boring stuff for now! This is an exciting opportunity for us all, so why don't we start the beta with a proper party?"

//PARTY LIKE IT'S Y2K.

What better way to celebrate your acceptance into Fragment's prestigious beta program than a blowout party? Every inch of Mac Anu is decked out for the occasion, and once everyone has picked up their armor, Zelkova's armory disappears to reveal a vast banquet table piled high with food, drink, and party favors.

There's cuisine from every corner of the world just waiting to be devoured, and what's more, you'll taste the food like you're really eating it! Zero calories never tasted better. The drinks work much the same way, and there's even alcohol that will get you drunk in no time flat. Take it easy on the cocktails!

Still, maybe you're not feeling adequately dressed for the occasion. Never fear! There are a set of armor skins to pick from. Feeling a bit peckish? Dress up as a vegetable. If veggies aren't your style, how about this sleek little number? Those are just a few of the silly party costumes available for the occasion, and when it's time to depart, Zelkova will graciously allow you to keep your favorite skin to wear whenever you please.

Finally, don't forget to pick up some party favors! There's a foam weapon that, when equipped, takes the form of your class' weapon of choice... but what does it do, exactly? Well, hit another avatar with it and find out for yourself. There are also an array of paint ball guns, nerf guns, and water guns for use in Root Towns. Pick up one of each! Be the annoying friend no one wants to invite on a dungeon run.

Before you leave, Zelkova hands you a Greeting Card that can be emailed to anyone on your friend list. "Try sending it to one of the new friends you made today! I promise they'll love it! Oh... but be careful not to accidentally send it to someone too."

//ZELKOVA'S QUESTION CORNER

Zelkova, this level one armor sucks! I want better stuff!

"Don't worry, new player! Better equipment is a button press away! Well... after you earn it. Why don't you give Area Exploration a try?"
I'm a social butterfly ready to spread my wings and take flight on the winds of friendship! Can I start a guild?
"Heehee... About that! This is a beta, you know? We're still getting stuff ready! Maybe if you wait patiently, you'll be able to form and join guilds in... a week from now. While you're waiting, make some friends! You'll need guild members!"
I hate walking! My feet hurt! I want something that will do all the hard work of moving around for me!
"What? Your feet hurt...? Turn off the pain sensors in your feet! As for alternative travel methods... well, there are "those"... Oh, that's a great idea! Give me some time and I'll see about finding some Grunties for all of us!"
How can I communicate with other players? I want to stay in the loop!
"Great question! That's what the official forums are for! You can ask for help, search for parties, share interesting discoveries you've made and just about anything else on your mind! Give it a try, but be careful: the head admin is kind of a grump... but you didn't hear that from me, hehe!"
"That's all for this week's edition of Zelkova's Question Corner! If have questions you'd like to ask me, send me an email any time!"

insinning: (neutral; hmmm)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 09:32 am (UTC)(link)
...yes. A lot better, thank you.

[A tiny sigh of relief. Was Mithrun like this in real life? Hard to imagine. But he did say he hadn't changed anything about his appearance]

How did you find flying?

[Sinclair bumped into a few invisible borders himself. His thought bubble is peaceful for the moment]
tablescraps: (Default)

[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-06 09:33 am (UTC)(link)
( Mithrun1 dutifully follows him to the table, slipping into a chair across from him. )

... I'm Mithrun. Do you go by Faunus?

( He stares at Leo like he's studying him with a particularly analytical eye. Why did seeing this guy trigger such a strong reaction from him, to the point of a sudden expression of romantic intent? Was it something about his looks? The fact that he's partly a goat? Something else...? )
bleatingedge: leo in his default state (Default)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-08-06 09:36 am (UTC)(link)
[Leo rubs the back of his neck. Is this kid okay? He's acting pretty shaky.]

If you're bothered by the prospect of doing this, you can always say no. I'm just a random guy, after all. No need to hold my presence in high regard or anything.
insinning: (surprise; another fluster)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 09:44 am (UTC)(link)
[He's just a naturally jumpy person. Always has been]

Oh, no, it's not that. [He must try new things??] It should be fine. I was just thinking about what the developer's sense of humor must be if they keep adding things like this but are quick to fix other things.

[Since apparently the headhen skin was a complete accident]
Edited 2023-08-06 09:54 (UTC)
bleatingedge: leo in his default state (Default)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-08-06 09:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Mithrun, Mithrun... Has Leo heard of that name before? It's not ringing any bells at the moment.]

Yeah. Did you see me on the forums or something?

[Or maybe another person who knows about his guides? Who knows!]
bleatingedge: leo in his default state (Default)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-08-06 09:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Leo shrugs slightly. No need to press Sinclair further about it - he's given the lad a fair warning.]

From what I know of game development, for big teams like these, developers take more specialized roles. So adding features and fixing bugs can happen at the same time.
tablescraps: (pic#16636810)

[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-06 10:03 am (UTC)(link)
No, I just selected your avatar just now, is all. ( Confessed without even knowing the DN of the avatar he was confessing to... ) I don't remember if I've seen your name or avatar before.

( Honestly... He doesn't care so much about other people, not enough to remember them most of the time, so he doesn't know if he's genuinely never seen this Faunus around, or if he has and just forgot (it's the latter). )

... I don't really feel strongly about anyone, generally. So my sudden confession surprised me as well. Because it's unusual for me, I can't really ignore it.
insinning: (thinking; that's a lot of money)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 10:08 am (UTC)(link)
[The future skin weapon will just. Be put away. Never to be seen again.]

It makes me wonder if there are a lot of developers with conflicting ideas, though.

[Some of this world just does not make sense but Sinclair will roll with it]

'Hien'...he's the head admin, right?

[Well, there could be more than one Hien but]
bleatingedge: ... (worried annoyed)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-08-06 10:27 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh. Yeah. That makes sense. Why didn't Leo think of that first? Being in the game makes simply clicking on someone feel alien, he guesses.]

Fair enough... Look uh, I don't want to be that guy, but are you sure? I'm not exactly a paragon of conventional attractiveness.
tablescraps: (Default)

[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-06 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
( ? )

I'm not, either.

( This may feel weird coming from Elven Beauty Guy, but he knows his glass eye, damaged socket, dead black eye, and kind of weird-wearied look kind of off-puts some people IRL. )

Besides, you look fine to me. I don't see why looks need to come into it.

( He gets the concept, obviously. It's just that he genuinely doesn't mind how a person looks. )
dapples: (✿ 034)

[personal profile] dapples 2023-08-06 11:45 am (UTC)(link)
Hmm ... in that case, I think I won't. I like not being pointy.
dapples: (✿ 006)

[personal profile] dapples 2023-08-06 11:45 am (UTC)(link)
Aww that would be lovely! My dad and I made all sorts when I was growing up. I love strawberry tarts and homemade jam!
insinning: (smile; a happier time)

Slides on in 1/2

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Poor Sinclair, he was just standing around, minding his own business. Maybe idling a little, but that was the problem of trying to play a game when you have intrusive housemates. He snaps back to VR reality, headhen in hand, oblivious to the doom approaching him]

I think I just need two more potions and then I'm--Mithrun?

[ Innocent joy at seeing a friend! Two friends. He is not at all aware of the incredibly messed up sword Mithrun is now wielding]
Edited 2023-08-06 13:07 (UTC)
insinning: (shock; what monsters)

2/2

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Then he takes a second look and lifts the headhen in a defensive gesture.

Why is Mithrun holding that guy like that. Why is that guy holding a frog (Oria??) like that?

The headhen, which should be just a skin, stares judgingly at the trio]


...w-what are you planning?

[BACKING UP TIME TO RUN ?!]
fatalitea: (for my love I'll survive)

[personal profile] fatalitea 2023-08-06 01:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, well...

[For a moment, Mami sounds a little sheepish.]

I thought it might be an interesting change of pace from other games I've tried playing before. Usually I play as a healer or the like but this time felt like a good chance to try something different.
dissimulative: (pic#15294090)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-06 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
No, if it doesn't come out with any results, then it just means it's part of Fragment's main story, ribbit. It would make sense that it isn't searchable, since we're in the testing phase of a new game, ribbit.

[ Oria thinks this is a logical conclusion to make, but the fact that Sinclair keeps thinking that it's somewhat familiar has Oria doubting his own words. If anything, Sinclair is extremely sincere and serious when it comes to things like this, is what Oria thinks. ]
insinning: (neutral; a look into the mirror)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sinclair is already doubting his own memory, so it doesn't take much for him to doubt it a little further. White speech bubble getting crowded with all sorts of indecipherable trains of thought.]

Mm. Maybe you're right.

[ Taking a step onto the gondola. Oria had the right idea of searching the rivers if there couldn't be anything else found on the rooftops or clock towers. Or maybe they wouldn't find any more in Mac Anu itself?]

...it is more poetic than what most games come up with.
Edited 2023-08-06 13:35 (UTC)
worldbent: (pic#15503488)

[personal profile] worldbent 2023-08-06 01:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah.

[Well this is weird. And yet he thinks he doesn't really... feel anything weird, besides the world being tilted now... Is it because he's stuck to the stock animations?? He's surprised that he hasn't started T-posing, but he still seems to have some control over his avatar's movement. Even if he moves around, his 'status' as equipped and his placement in Mithrun's hands remains. That's convenient. He could do a little dance or whatever he wanted and not move from this spot.]

...You know, if this is possible, then it's likely that the entire game could end up equipped to each other. Haha, wouldn't that be funny?

[Actually, after meeting Hien, he thinks that'd be a great idea. Make that guy sort it all out.]

[Nothing to be done but get carried off, then... And as they approach Sinclair, Matoba just gives a little wave from where he stands atop Mithrun's hands.]


Don't worry, we're just testing something out! [This is fine]
dissimulative: (pic#15294079)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-06 01:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This feels even more disorienting that Oriade has to shift his first person perspective to third. He really should have done this earlier.

The frog SQUEAKS loudly for three seconds straight.

Translation: RUN AWAY!!
]
worldbent: (pic#15912343)

[personal profile] worldbent 2023-08-06 01:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I can guarantee you [His voice goes silky smooth, almost quiet,] they won't.

[If anything, they should be worried about him.]

[...Haha, unless she offered to partner up with them. Wouldn't that be fun? Two birds with one stone.]

[Matoba's suddenly cold demeanor vanishes again as he's pulled back out of his thoughts by Cyno's sudden request. He blinks, and then amusement blossoms in his smile.]


Why? Going to babysit me?
dissimulative: (pic#15273336)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-06 01:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe they have a really good writer in their team, ribbit.

[ Or a plagiarist? Hm. ]

What did it say, ribbit?
insinning: (thinking; hmmm idk)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[down the river they sail, enjoying all the delights a gondola offers. Which is a lot of scenic water and no weird floating bits of rubbish. Yay?]

From memory it went like this:

"Unknown where the Cursed Wave was born…
After the stars doth cross the heavens,
The sky in the East doth darken and air doth fill with mourning.
From the chosen land beyond the forest, a sign of the wave comes."

[Ominous? Hopeful? Sinclair's speech bubble can't decide]
dissimulative: (pic#15294090)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-06 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ After glancing at the speech bubble, Oria decides: ]

Very ominous, ribbit. It's basically saying something bad started happening and an even worse thing was about to appear in a very important place, ribbit. It sounds like the history of the Fragment in a sense that stories start with "long, long ago there was a calamity that destroyed hope for mankind" or something like that, ribbit.

[ Oria looks at the waters. There really is nothing... ]
notfunny: <user name=prepull> (CS1IsCM)

[personal profile] notfunny 2023-08-06 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. I spent a lot of time with the stacks. And then if I wasn't in the library, I'd be in the labs...

[ lot of time studying. unhealthy habits. at least now he goes outside like, maybe once or twice a week? the sun and him aren't enemies?? they're not friends tho ]

... but I thought it'd be more fun to make a hobby a job.
rebelles: (pic#16623166)

ii.

[personal profile] rebelles 2023-08-06 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Haru happens to be among the passersby who almost steps on the small animal. She jumps back, bowing apologetically. ]

I'm so sorry! Are you alright?

[ She doesn't see him as ferocious though, the frog's too cute with his little water gun...but wait, is that a player? She's already met one player in frog suit... ]