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⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.
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.
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.
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.
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 BootsTwin Blade:
Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsWavemaster:
Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesMacabre Dancer:
Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesEdge Punisher:
Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsFlick Reaper:
Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsHarvest Cleric:
Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesLord Partizan:
Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsShadow Warlock:
Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesSteam Gunner:
Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsTribal Grappler:
Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsIt'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.
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, 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!"
no subject
[ not like matoba's gotten that far away, he can just follow after him--- though he grabs another identical rough looking one and keeps up. ]
Besides, just because you're holding it doesn't mean you can use it. It's going to take up inventory space. Also, if we're just able to take these things for free, they probably won't sell well.
[ otherwise that'd be gaming the system and there's NO WAY they left alpha testing without thinking about that possibility... ]
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[Cheerfully, Matoba turns back to grin at Cyno, popping the scythe up and down in his hands like it's a toy.] You're right about that, but there's no harm in trying, is there? After all, the shops are in beta, too.
[Maybe he'll find a fun glitch that will let him overflow infinite gold or whatever!! You just don't know.]
Aren't you curious to find out?
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No, I'm not curious.
[ he shoots an angry glare at the man. ]
They're probably tracking everything we're doing. I don't want to put myself on a blacklist. We just got here, you dumb idiot.
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Haha, we're specially-selected beta testers. Of course we are on a list.
[Matoba is definitely on a list. In fact, he was surprised they picked him for this at all.... Maybe it was to test the moderation tools, actually. Cyno has a point. Huh.]
[Well anyway, their signs can't stop him cuz he can't read. He continues to head towards the shop on the map point- luckily, in a hub like this it was in a convenient location nearby.]
I wonder if the shop NPC's are finished yet. Since we can speak to them freely, maybe we can make them break by saying the right things.
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a pained expression creases frown lines on his face. ]
We really shouldn't be pushing their limits like that.
[ but also? they probably should??? but either way, cyno rather not be involved in something that could be like... scamming............ ]
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You do understand why you were brought here, right? It isn't to freeload and mess about.
[Matoba gestures out towards the huge gate towering over the edge of town.] Once you go out there, you're on your own. You don't want to find those bugs when you're stranded and able to take damage, do you?
Best to poke the holes in the game now, while we are here, safe in the hub.
no subject
[ cyno rolls his eyes, folding his arms across his chest. he doesn't like the feeling he's getting--- why is he defending himself against doing something that is right? ]
I'm not freeloading. I'm going to test the extreme boundaries of this place in a legitimate manner so that, eventually, those who wish to do the hardest content won't find it to be unbalanced.
[ and on the way? he'll make sure to concisely describe each detail. compare and contrast every change. bring an unbiased opinion to those who haven't been as lucky as they are.
all within in the terms of a nda, of course. ]
If we find anything gamebreaking, we should report it to someone... but not exploit it. That'd deviate from the normal player's experience, right?
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[Matoba taps the scythe in his hands and continues on towards the shop again.]
Exploits are also a manner of interaction, though. CC Corp ought to be prepared for all sorts of players, including those that would take advantage for their own purposes.
That's what it means to be ready for the general public, no? Never heard the old saying, 'hope for the best, plan for the worst'?
[At the corner of the road from the Chaos Gate... there it is, the marked shop on the map. Only, to Matoba's dismay, there's a big red digital sign over it marking it 'COMING SOON'.]
Haaa? They don't even have the shops ready yet? ...They really cut this beta launch close, didn't they...
no subject
Guess they did think of a way around it. No point in lugging around a ton of unusable equipment if you can't sell it, and you're probably going to want to carry around useful things in the meantime.
[ crisis averted. but that won't stop him from putting matoba on his internal List. ]
Mm, they probably had to release it sooner rather than later if someone above them was breathing down their necks. People have different priorities.
[ in the meantime? he quietly swings that other scythe in his hands--- the one that looks like it'd be better used on fields of wheat than on 'living' beings. ]
Just like us.
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[With a soft 'tch', Matoba discards the scythe from his inventory, which disappears with a subtle particle effect from his hands. He dusts them off, more for effect than anything- how strange, to suddenly have a solid object simply vanish from your grip.]
Do you think that's wise? [He glances back over-shoulder at Cyno with a wry smile.] I wonder how tested this game is.
no subject
watching the extra scythe basically dematerialize right before his eyes makes them widen. just slightly. kind of amazing to witness it firsthand, discarding items from the inventory. wow.
ugh what is that look over the shoulder???????? ]
I guess we'll have to find out. Hopefully the people that made this are also good at their own game.
[ because you know. that would be nice. ]
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It's rarely like that, right? Often times, the devs don't even know about some of the ways in which their game can be broken... until the secrets get out.
That's why it's important not to have loose lips. [His smile becomes... a little cold.] When it's the sort of bug that is not... unwelcome. You understand?
[Snitches get stitches!!]
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If it's for the good of the game, I'll report what I need to.
[ because it's all about the sanctity of the rules. the terms of service! why would you play a game without reading AND respecting them? ]
People who take advantage of things that shouldn't be there in the first place shouldn't be allowed to be here. Breaking a rule is still breaking a rule.
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[His eye relaxes back to half-lidded, a grin blossoming. It'd behoove CC Corp to recruit a bunch of narcs for the beta, he supposes, just like it behooves them to invite players like him that will happily break the thing apart and give them a chance to test its limits.]
[It's a necessary ecosystem. Probably. Unlike what this guy thinks.]
Do you really think they'd spend as much money as they have to invite a certain list of players to a beta and then ban them outright for something as minor as an exploit?
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It's not like they lose the money if they have to come back and take their stuff. Hell, I'm sure there's something in the agreements that has some kind of clause regarding responsibilities and liabilities.
[ and he would know. the ToS isn't just for show! ]
You're basically acting as a representative for the company, you know.
no subject
[One thing is true, though. There's scammers and cheats in every hobby.]
No? What about transportation, dev time recoding everything for a new player, cancelling the internet and paying for new installation? [He lists cheerfully,] Oh, you're probably right that the TOS sets forth that they have the right. I just think it's not worth it for them.
Especially when they wouldn't find half the bugs without us...adventurous sorts.
[His eye turns a little sharp again. It's a weird switch, between the fake smile and ...this.] I don't think they want me representing them, but you're free to ask them.
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Then maybe you should be even more worried. Perhaps they'd find a way to quiet you after the beta test.
[ cyno doesn't seem happy with that particular point, though. people that participate in bad or unjust things should be punished. if they don't meet their punishment, then that in itself is also cheating.
...
that would suck. ]
Add me.
no subject
[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?
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No. Not babysit.
[ he doesn't have time to watch and/or stalk him wherever he might go. ]
We cooperate. If you're as good as you think you are, then you'd want someone equally skilled.
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Oh? Is that so? [Matoba turns away, as if to wander off.] Well then, I don't see why I'd be accepting your request, then........
.....Seeing as how you haven't shown me any signs of competency.
[He glances over shoulder.] Now if you want to prove your worth, that's another thing.
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[ he's the one being called incompetent? matoba hasn't done anything else worth remembering, outside of saying he'd exploit the game if it was obvious AND for cyno to keep quiet about them???
the audacity. the nerve. ]
Not going to need to do that. You'll hear from me again anyway.
[ hmph. he'll remember this. ]
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[Matoba beams back- now that Cyno is frowning, he seems to have decided he's gotten what he wants.]
[The scythe wasn't useful, but he did manage to get something out of this. He'll be interested to see where this takes the Reaper, next time they meet.]
We'll see if we're evenly matched, next time we meet.
no subject
[ even if they are, cyno is confident that he'll have the upper hand anyway. why? because playing by the rules also offers a level of protection... people who would agree with his justifications.
with that, he turns and heads off to like. think about this. and stuff. ]