Last Game Standing
Chapter Three: Release
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It had been two years since the trial version had been tested in the hall. There had been many delays, due to discussions within C.P.U. about quitting the production of the game. Some reasoned that it would be too hard to make such a large game, and the difficulties of making the desired console in such large numbers. But, in time, they were set aside. It seemed like nothing would stop the game from being released.
They had been two years of hard work, constant arguing and planning. But finally, it was ready.
A massive landslide of mail orders for copies of the game, and the console pod were made. There were so many orders, that there were people who had been delaying in ordering were going to have to wait a least another month, while a second production line would be prepared.
Ryan had been quick to order. He would not take a single risk in getting a copy of the game. He was so avid about obtaining it, that he had managed to secure a ticket to the release party and presentation. Several things would be revealed there, including the name of the game itself, which had eluded even the most addicted fans.
It would be there that he would see the game in full flight, but he would not experience the full version for himself until he had plugged the console into the wall, and loaded the game.
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"Hello! My name is Jean Maiden, and I'm reporting just outside C.P.U. headquarters. As it has become well known as of late, C.P.U. stands for Computer Programmers United, a sort of combined company of most of the world's major game companies. It is a mere ten minutes until this breakthrough in virtual reality is released to the public. When the clock hits half past eight, the doors will be open to the public for the very first time in two years, and people will be able to purchase copies of the game and the console that is required to play it, along with a number of stalls, which will contain information, screenshots, and trailers of the game. A gift shop has also been provided, with merchandise, such as figurines."
A woman was reporting just outside the C.P.U. building. A large crowd had assembled nearby. Ryan was amongst them. He had been late arriving, and was grumbling about how he should have left the house at half past three, in order to be the first in line, instead of falling asleep on the couch after making room for the pod console.
The reporter continued to talk. "Any minute now, the doors will open. After twenty minutes, the conference will begin. Only those who have bought specialized tickets will be able to enter. Channel Five has been granted the media rights to this presentation. However, after the first ten minutes, the door leading to the conference room will close, and nobody will be allowed to go to or from the area until the meeting is over. This is Jean Maiden, reporting from C.P.U. headquarters." The reporter said. Once the cry of "Cut!" was heard, she instantly relaxed, and asked the cameraman how well she had done.
"Not bad, not bad at all. No mistakes or anything. You just breezed through it."
"Did I?" Jean replied. "Probably just as well. Kent's covering the conference, isn't he? I mean, sure, this is a big deal and all, but I don't really see why I had to do the pre-conference report."
"Kent's late as usual. He had dressed casually, like he was just another fan in the crowd."
"Again? Typical of Kent. He's always doing something weird."
"I know, I know, Miss Maiden. But he can walk the walk, and talk the talk of the gaming companies, and there aren't many people at Channel Five who can do that. Besides, if he hadn't of been such a big fan, we couldn't have possibly have managed to find out about this conference on time to buy the media rights. We would have lost it to OnShowTV, just like we lost the rights to advertise the EzyPen to them, six months ago."
Jean Maiden winced at the comment. She was the one who had bungled the deal. Her "informant" from WrittenDown, the company that had manufactured the EzyPen, a pen that boasted extra grip, a medium strength inbuilt light, and more than twice the amount of ink, had turned out to be Maya Davidson, a young actress hired by OnShowTV to advertise the EzyPen, who had become somewhat famous by her success. Every time Jean saw the television advertisement, she couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed by her mistake.
It was then that Kent appeared. Jean moved out of the way, and the cameraman stated that: "You've got two minutes, Kent. Better get a move on."
"Got it. Thanks for taking care of my slot for the last few minutes, Jean."
"No problem." Jean simply replied. She then walked off home. It was getting late, and she wanted to avoid the rush of well over a thousand game-hungry fans.
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"Hi, I'm Kent Marksman. Tonight is a special night for gaming fans worldwide, as tonight we get to see C.P.U, or Computer Programmers United, shining their brightest. There is a tense, thrilling atmosphere, as the promise of the world's greatest game so far is about to become a very real reality. Virtually, at least! Anyway, without any more interruptions…"
"Ten! Nine!"
"Wait a minute… listen to the fans as they count down the final seconds..."
"Eight! Seven!
"Wait for it, wait for it…" Kent murmured.
"Six! Five!"
Kent had given up on waiting, and started to chant with the crowd.
"Four! Three! Two! One!"
The entire crowd tensed itself to run. At the first sign of a creak, of an opening door, they would rush towards it.
Slowly, the doors opened. The crowd stood there, fixated by the doors slow opening. Then they heard the three simple sentences which broke the spell:
"Computer Programmers United is now open for business. What are you all doing outside, just standing around! Come inside, everyone!"
Those twenty words did the trick. Everyone ran to the door, as if they had been promised a thousand dollars, but they were only handing them out to the first ten people, or if they were trying to get away from a serial killer, and the building offered unparalleled safety and reassurance.
Ryan had tried to get there first, but stumbled and fell, only to be run over by an army of rapid fans. He got up, dusted himself off, and made his way to his destination: The C.P.U. building, the conference, and his copy of the latest game out.
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The conference had been interesting for Ryan. He had met some of the people behind the latest game. He had found out about special tactics and items that he could use in the game, and changes that had been applied to the game since the trial version. He had found out the name of the game: Last Game Standing. He had grinned at the somewhat corny name.
But most importantly for Ryan, he had obtained his copy of the game, as well as one of the pod consoles. Now, he was ready to play.
TO BE CONTINUED…
A new chapter and another cliffhanger! Next chapter WILL contain parts of the game itself. Stay tuned. Beam in. And don't forget to review!
Until next time,
Ultra Blader