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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!"

dissimulative: (pic#15273313)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-07-31 02:30 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I guess we can play paintball so that you can get used to the game systems and controls. Moving in a game requires some fine precision.

[ He grabs another paintball gun and holds it out to her. ]
696_9: Transformed, hitting a monster with her bouquet. ([e] whap)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-07-31 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
[She takes it and looks it over with a frown, then starts over down the street.]

Fine, whatever. It's freaking weird that they even let us do this, but sure, it's their fake town.
dissimulative: (pic#15273322)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-07-31 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, it's a game so don't think about it too hard.

[ Oriade dashes away from her and when he thinks he's at a good distance enough, he lobs a paintball at her feet. ]
696_9: Transformed and yelling. ([e] ugh you suck)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-01 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Hey!

[She tumbles to the ground, firing back at him after rolling. The recoil seems to stun her, but just for half a second, and she gets back up.]
dissimulative: (pic#15273308)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-01 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
It's better to hold it with both hands--ack!

[ He lifts his foot up in time to avoid a direct hit, but the splattering on the ground gets the hem of his pants. He starts lobbing a few overhead though, hoping that she'll forget about those as he shoots two more directly at her. ]
696_9: Transformed, gritted teeth. ([e] how dare you)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-02 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
[She dodges some but others stagger her back, splattering her white dress. cuteangel77 grits her teeth and chases after, firing all the while.]

Take this!
dissimulative: (pic#15273308)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-02 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He is running and running, but unfortunately, he still hasn't gotten the hang of full and precise control of himself in the game, so he just... somehow ends up sliding off the ground and into the river. Oof. ]

Well... At least the paint is coming off.

[ He lobs some shots over anyway even if he can't see where cuteangel77 is. ]
696_9: Transformed, approaching the camera. ([e] you with me?)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-03 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
[She pauses, apparently losing him as well, but when the paint starts flying up, she runs over to the bridge and starts to shoot over the edge.]

There you went!
dissimulative: (pic#15273353)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-05 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ he lets out a startled yelp and tries to dive under the water. Can he swim? We're about to find that out real soon.

He doesn't come back up after 20 seconds.
]
696_9: Transformed, yelling. ([e] now!)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-05 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
[She shouldn't care.



...She's going to go check anyway. Nana hurls herself over the bridge, paint gun in hand, and into the river.]
dissimulative: (pic#15273308)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-05 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She shouldn't care.

Unfortunately, she really shouldn't have.

Oriade is underwater, looking perfectly fine. Though he looks very surprised when he sees her underwater too. He was going to launch a surprise attack!! But then he has to come to the surface for air. He breathes deeply in, still with paintball gun in hand and tries to escape the river by clinging onto some brick walls.
]
696_9: Transformed, yelling. ([e] now!)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-06 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nana sputters and coughs when she sees him and begins to flail to get up for air. Unfortunately, she's now being carried down the river past him.]

What was that!?
dissimulative: (pic#15273308)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-08 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He'd answer her, but her being dragged by the river is of more importance, so he tries to think. ]

Get your weapon out! I'll see if I can grab it!

[ She should have a spear or something, so that's what he's hoping for. ]
696_9: Transformed, speaking. ([e] i hate things)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-09 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, it's only technically a spear by way of game mechanics... Nana un-equips the paintball gun and equips a stop sign, to which she clings for dear life and tries to slam into the nearest large rock to catch her. It manages to clip into the space between rocks, and she grimaces and tries to get her bearings as the river keeps pulling on her.]
dissimulative: (pic#15281023)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-09 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Good, at least she stopped moving. Oriade reaches down to the rocks and grabs onto the stop sign pole and pulls. Thank god he is a steam gunner right now instead of a magic class so that he has SOME strength in there. ]
696_9: Transformed, yelling. ([e] now!)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-10 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
Whoa --

[He manages to wrench her up high enough that she frees one hand and clambers up onto the side. With a deep breath and sigh, she shakes her head.]

I didn't expect to feel like I was actually going to die.
dissimulative: (pic#15294088)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-10 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oriade laughs a little, though it's not at her as he helps her get situated and hopefully not fall in. ]

Immersion, right? Gotta get in all those immersive codes working and all.
696_9: Transformed, ready to fight. ([e] do your worst)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-11 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
[siiigh]

Immersion in multiple ways, apparently. Whatever. I guess you win, broccoli boy.
dissimulative: (pic#15281032)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-11 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ He really just forgot he had the broccoli suit on all this time... he equips his default clothes. ]

Phew. I'm Oriade! Not broccoli boy.
696_9: Transformed, unsure. ([e] poor life choices perhaps)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-12 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
Well, how was I -- oh, right. Names display over you with that one setting, right? [She brings up her hand and pokes the air a few times like she's pressing buttons.] There we go.
dissimulative: (pic#15273326)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-12 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
Yup!

[ Now that he can properly support her, he lets her go first so that she can actually stand on ground instead of these rocks. ]

I'll pass your weapon to you once you get up!
696_9: Transformed, about to run. ([e] let's raid area 51)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-12 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
I'm coming...

[She sighs and drags herself up to the path.]

Can you not tell anyone about that wipeout trying to save you from drowning?
dissimulative: (pic#15273352)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-12 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ He hands her the weapon after picking it out of the rocks and climbs up the wall himself. Phew. ]

Why? Sounds too lame when you try to save someone?
696_9: Transformed, hitting a monster with her bouquet. ([e] whap)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-08-12 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
More the getting swept down the river part. [She takes the sign and shakes some water off of it.] I assume normal video games don't do that usually.
dissimulative: (pic#15273352)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-12 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
It looks like theyre very intent on making it feel real!

[ But still, the water physics are quite something. Oriade looks over at the river, frowning for a short moment before looking back at Angel and smiling. ]

Definitely not in cities though.

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