Open | The Epicurians Present: The 1st of September Beach Bash!

[bleatingedge]

Who ► Leo & Anyone that wishes to join!
What ► BEACH PARTY!!
When ► September 1st
Where ► Δ Haggard Traveler's Reprieve
Content Warnings ► People will be drunk. Will add to if needed

[The time has come... for fun! Δ Haggard Traveler's Reprieve has been decorated with all the niceties that a beach party requires - docks for fishing, large umbrellas to hide from the sun, several tables with sets of chairs for sitting and conversing, and the most obvious addition: a massive roaring bonfire with a big cooking mesh over the top of it for barbecue cookin'!

Leo's wearing a fishing hat and aviators alongside his trademark loincloth-and-nothing-else getup for maximum dissonance. From his position on the other side of the bonfire, he waves a hand at those arriving.]

Welcome to the Beach Bash! Snacks and drinks are on the tables, bottles of sunscreen and crafting tables are under the umbrellas, and complementary fishing gear are at the docks for your convenience. Have fun, friends~

[Emperor Grunty is also here, should you wish to annoy him! He's currently laying in the sand with a reflector. What? Grunties need their sun too!]

Comments

[alchemicalbirth]

[ Yet here he is content to remain as such at this time. ]

... I suppose I should have clarified that those of your level would benefit from proper inventory organization, is all.

I assume since you play so often, you're also enjoying your time in the game?

[insinning]

[Hmmmm]

We only just got crafting, so I'm trying to work that out myself.

[He pauses, looking thoughtful]

I...guess I am. It's fun, despite some of the weirder things.

[alchemicalbirth]

Ah, right, the other fascinating aspects of the game.

[ The 'strange' aspects. Which doesn't change that it's still a game in the end. ]

Is it just the fun that keeps you around? Or is it whatever else you have discovered?

[insinning]

...the people. It's not easy for me to find people to connect with offline, so this is nice.

[ It's a game, but it's real on many levels]

What have you liked so far?

[alchemicalbirth]

I see.

[ Well, Albedo thinks he might actually understand that a bit, even if he believes it best not to do too much personal 'connecting' here. ]

Personally, I enjoy the opportunity to experience what appears to be a fictional game that for all intents and purposes functions as an almost perfect entirely hyper-realistic fantasy world. There seems to be no end to potential activities, and new "aspects" being patched into the game, leaving a myriad possibilities in what can be accomplished or discovered during our stay.

[ There. That's the abridged version and should very much suffice, he thinks. ]

[insinning]

[Tilting his head a little. Ah, this reminds him of someone. He wonders who. GRANDPA MITHRUN??]

Mm. I guess I've been taking those parts for granted now. Though, there are some things I wish weren't so realistic...

[alchemicalbirth]

...Such as receiving pain, perhaps?

[ Albedo offers, though there are still a good list of other unpleasant aspects about such realism as well. ]

[insinning]

Mm...sometimes those things help, like...reminding me not to touch anything hot.

[Suggesting Sinclair might have accidentally burned himself after playing too many times with his pain sensors off]

But I was thinking more, when people get PK'd here, it's really realistic. It's scary.

[alchemicalbirth]

[ But does it stop everyone, he wonders. ]

Oh yes. It is a wonder as to why they would go to such an extent...though, that might be because they're looking to increase the odds of a certain kind of reaction in heightening realism even to that extent.

[ Albedo states neutrally while also granting no favors. It might then become par for the course even when things become a bit more unfortunate. ]

[insinning]

To make us more afraid?

[But there's always the other side of things - where they become desensitised instead]

[alchemicalbirth]

Not at all. If we're more afraid in the most basic of ways, where would our incentive to explore and play be?

[ Hardly beneficial to a company such as this. ]

It would be to their best interest for them to acclimate us to such aspects of the game. In addition, there may be certain other advantages in keeping an element like that around. Some might find that it...enhances their experience. Excitement, dread, and anticipation can be key components to a recipe for a successful game.

[ Even in the face of obvious and present consequences. Though it doesn't exactly have such a outcome set in stone either, from his perspective. ]

[insinning]

[He glances down. He had thought that too, but had buried it. Because it reminds him of things he would rather not think about]

Mmm...we do have those sorts of people around. Especially those who enjoy PKing others for the fun of it outside the arena. I can understand 'excitement', but...

[alchemicalbirth]

[ Naturally, there are 'those' kinds of people. Not that he sees himself associating himself with them at the moment. But, continuing along... ]

...It can also create an illusion of the stakes being raised for some.

[ An "illusion" for now. As long as people's bodies continue to function as they should. ]

[insinning]

[ He knows that well ]

Sometimes, it feels a little beyond that.

[alchemicalbirth]

How so?

[ Albedo tilts his head, waiting to hear a response. ]

[insinning]

Some of it isn't intentional. Or planned.

[At least, that's what he can tell from some of the patches]

[alchemicalbirth]

I assume you're implying that some developments were more or less unintentional consequences?

[ Ones that can be abused by the wrong people, potentially. ]

[insinning]

That's the nature of experimental technology, isn't it? [Sinclair speaks from experience]

[alchemicalbirth]

It certainly is...though, one might also argue that because it is experimental technology, unintentional consequences were already and must be foreseen as inevitable results. Even if those are ultimately unknown.

[ Even if he states this, it isn't like Albedo isn't too bothered by it. Inevitabilities like these are impossible to avoid. How else has humanity managed to advance and evolve as far as it has without them? And lifeforms in general, for that matter? ]

[insinning]

Yeah, that's true. But even then, you should be able to predict some of it, shouldn't you? [A pause, thinking] What made you decide to join this beta?

[Sinclair hadn't been thinking this far ahead at the time. He had liked playing games, and then--

Well. The less said about his workplace the better]

[alchemicalbirth]

How much do you believe it is possible for them to predict? They must have certainly known a particular line of consequences for some events couldn't be avoided, but be willing to take the risk regardless.

Do you think for what they have been unable to predict, they consider it a misfortune that has to be stopped, or a minor impediment they can ignore?

[ And what will result from that? What kind of transformation will everyone experience by the end of this?

Though, at the question there is a pause, and then he answers thus: ]

...I joined because the idea of involving myself in such a game seemed fascinating. I don't always have time to play, but ascertaining the technology and aspects seemed within my interests. What about yourself? What compelled you to join?

[insinning]

They have people for that. To assess every possibility. Unless they don't know what their own technology can do.

[Nahhh, that can't be possible, can it?]

...honestly, I just like games. [He'll start reorganising his box now by element]

It seemed like a nice way to get a break from things.

[alchemicalbirth]

Do you believe they know the extent of how far their own technology might be able to flourish? To evolve?

[ Albedo presents the query anyway. ]

...I see. That is a fair expectation when involving yourself in a game.

[ Though to a certain extent, the game seems a bit more capable than being a destresser. To the detriment of some. ]

[insinning]

If you made it, shouldn't you have an idea? Unless you didn't...

[What an odd thought. He nods a little]

Mm. It's still fun, despite everything odder about it.

[alchemicalbirth]

Potentially. One might say that while some issues can be foreseen and predicted, there can be a limit to an individual's foresight or ability to document potential problems. It may be very beyond the scope of their minds.

[ In other words, git gud CCorp. ]

Well, it wouldn't be worth your time if there was nothing you can enjoy to still draw you in, would it?