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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!"

tinged: (009)

[personal profile] tinged 2023-08-02 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ oh, a little change! ]

Is that a higher ranking than just plain boring? Or an equal ranking, but with some extra notes?
userunfriendly: (100)

[personal profile] userunfriendly 2023-08-02 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Lol...

[ Just, like, reiterating to verify that his sound is working as intended.

...Right. For all he knows, the youth of today talk like this routinely. On purpose. ]


Sports games would be the height of pointlessness. ...Point and click adventures, though? You don't think they were becoming obsolete even before this?
dapples: (✿ 094)

[personal profile] dapples 2023-08-02 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you...!

Um, "sharp and pointy"?
tylorific: (be lucky)

[personal profile] tylorific 2023-08-02 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Tylor matches that giggle without words, pushing himself off from whatever he was leaning against.

Have a friendly pat aimed for a shoulder.
]

Wow, you have a way with words!
regressive: (083)

[personal profile] regressive 2023-08-02 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Marked as re—wait, he can't do that when Brambles is standing right next to him. Or maybe... no, he can't.

Joonghyuk lets out a sigh and accepts. This guy might need some help early on. ]


You can message me if there's an emergency.
trollophoroi: credit: <user name=apocalypsios> (030;)

[personal profile] trollophoroi 2023-08-02 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Exactly like being PKed by your DPS. ]

I tend to run solo myself, though not always by choice. As you can see, my idea of "fun" isn't exactly... within the terms of service.

[ The man is a troll and he won't hide it. Still, he props his chin on a fist and turns his head to look over Owen's way, that eternally amused smile of his aimed at his partner-in-death next to him. ]

Why not play with me, then? We won't even need to be strangers. Why, dying together like this, I would say that makes us friends even.
fluorite: dnt (31)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope you exercise some caution in those risks you take, though.

[ He smiles a little. ]

But if you do something cool, I'd like to see it.
fatalitea: (far beyond repair)

[personal profile] fatalitea 2023-08-02 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
But... it's CyberConnect. They're the most famous game designers out there. People wouldn't like them if most of their staff was like that to their own playerbase...

[To Mami, this still seems like an overreaction, so after a moment of frowning as she tries to think of how to cheer her fellow player up...]

How about this, then? If you want, we could tackle a dungeon here together, and see if we can get you better equipment to play with.
fluorite: dnt (23)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Fai whistles as Fandaniel empties his glass in one go. ]

Right over that way~

[ He gestures towards the banquet table before taking a long pull of his drink. ]

They have quite the array of cocktails, too.
userunfriendly: (68)

[personal profile] userunfriendly 2023-08-02 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
One way to find out. Share your results, will you?

[ Michel's not trying his questionable luck until Hani's dungeon antics drive him to make use of the whiskey. But he'll take the cup to raise it in a lightly ironic toast before he takes a sip. ]

À ta santé.

[ Cheers, binch. Autotranslate can do what it wants with that, but Michel profoundly hopes the "tu" is preserved in some way.

Also I, personally, don't know any French so this is my first and last revenge for Lobelia. ]
fluorite: dnt (88)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ SURELY NOT ]

I think I'll have fun. It'll be a nice change of pace from loud, crowded bars anyway.
dapples: (✿ 008)

[personal profile] dapples 2023-08-02 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hooray! ]

What counts as an emergency?
fluorite: dnt (01)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He hums, tilting his head slightly to the side as he eyes Michel. ]

Around my age... perhaps a few years older. [ A pause. ] I'm twenty-six.
fluorite: dnt (23)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He watches as she prepares her own coffee, but he focuses more on their set up. Seems like they have all the workings of cream, sugar, and a few syrups. It even smells nice. ]

They certainly do... and I can see them feeling even more compelled to stay in the virtual world with all the free alcohol they can possibly consume. It's a dangerous combination.

[ One that he's partaking in anyway. ]
victorypose: (Spend my money like it's stolen yeah)

[personal profile] victorypose 2023-08-02 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
I don’t trust your definition of ‘living a little’, and besides, I have no idea who you are really!

[Not that he has any idea about Subaru either, but that matters to him less.]
fatalitea: (no matter how I try)

[personal profile] fatalitea 2023-08-02 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, my name is Candeloro! [There's a pause, before she adds--] Or at least, that's the name I picked for my username here, anyway. I hope it's not too strange.

As for catchphrases, I haven't thought of one to use yet... oh, except for one maybe, that I was thinking might be fun to shout when performing the finishing move on an enemy! Do you want to hear it?
fluorite: dnt (72)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Playing around! I spent a bit of time on my own just learning how to aim the water and nerf guns.

[ He wanted to be fully prepared before he started terrorizing people. ]
fluorite: dnt (92)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
That's a goal I can get behind!

[ Especially if said fashion falls under what Fai deems to be cute. ]

Are you into that sort of thing too? Finding the nicest looking gear?
fluorite: dnt (100)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Let's~

[ Fai leads her over to where she can take her pick of all of the "weapons". ]

I don't mind switching to water guns if you'd prefer that to feeling like you got hit by a plastic dart in real life.
fatalitea: (Default)

[personal profile] fatalitea 2023-08-02 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh! Let's see then...

[She switches to the second one, accompanied by a twirl of movement, and...]

Oh, you're right, it is very cute! The game designers put a lot of thought into how the fabric should look when you move in it here... it's truly amazing!

[It's such a small thing, but it really is impressive being able to register such things with the equipment Mami was provided for this game...]
fluorite: dnt (23)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, good. He's glad that she seems to be taking it well, even though her overall demeanor still concerns him. Maybe she'll get better as she opens up. ]

I like it just fine, actually. I'd be open to sharing some.
fluorite: dnt (19)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Do I seem like the kind of guy who would do something like that?
regressive: (116)

[personal profile] regressive 2023-08-02 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
When you're below 10HP.

[ You can't get more specific than that... ]
fluorite: dnt (31)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll make sure of it.

[ He reaches up and places a hand on Yael's shoulder, briefly patting it before stepping back. ]

See you around~
fluorite: dnt (26)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-02 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I am! I'm having even more fun now, actually.

[ Playing little tricks like that brings him joy... ]