• Immediately after completing the setup and Diagnostic.
- POV; Wade Watts.
Username: Parzival.
ID Tag: First to the Key #0000
This... was weird. Don't get me wrong. It was absolutely amazing... but all the same... weird...
I was in multiple places at once. It wasn't a Hive Mind, or anything close to a fractured Awareness. It was more like multi-tasking. I was just... better at that.
I could play dozens of games at a time, while discussing hundreds of separate bills, in the Ether. It even let me help the optimizers with their daily task.
The reason we couldn't just install everyone, with this top of the line server, was because of the sheer amount of power needed to run it. It took 7 Jelly Brain Servers, to run one of the Programmer's Servers.
The technology just wasn't there yet... and maybe would never be. A Programmer's Server was such a major drain on power. It wasn't cost effective to give it to too many people. The AIs felt it was pushing it, installing the lead programmers into these things.
I could carry on a few hundred conversations at once. While battling with different game mechanics in each. All while reading over thousands of bills, and even debating them.
The only downside was, each time I opened a new game, or entered a new chat-room, I had to use a different Avatar. With a maximum of 1000 Avatars, like any other player... Since I liked my cyberpunk Avatar, I just duplicated it a few hundred times... and felt everything the Avatars did. While still not being overwhelmed by it.
Right now I was in Aech's chatroom, my Hub World, and hundreds of VGPs. That way I could unlock as many Townsfolk, for my private island, as quickly as possible.
• Chatroom: The Basement.
This chat looked a lot like Ogden Morrow's old basement, from his teenage years; a large suburban recreation room from the late 1980s.
Old movies and comic book posters covered the room's wood-paneled walls. A vintage RCA television stood in the center of the room, hooked up to a Betamax VCR, a LaserDisc player, and several vintage videogame consoles (including an Intellivision)... and most people don't even know what any of that stuff was.
There were 3 couches, arranged in a U-shape in front of the TV.
Bookshelves lined one wall, filled with role-playing game supplements and back issues of Dragon magazine. While a row of old arcade games sat against another wall.
There was even an ancient stereo, that played music selected from the nearby giant rack of vintage cassette tapes.
I grinned, as I appeared in "The Basement". My body moved on it's own, as I walked through the door. Although I was immediately back in control, as I walked down the stairs.
I loved this place, it was a real call-back to when Aech and I were going to virtual High School. We must have spent every available second, when we weren't in class, in this chatroom. Hell, I used to do my homework in here.
Aech had designed it, when he was a kid, and turned it into an invite only, top "gunters" chat. Back when such "Egg Hunters" were all trying to win ownership of the Oasis.
In remembrance of those days, and to give other players hope. We still had contests that spanned all of the Oasis. With the winner getting a life changing amount of coins, and guaranteed access to The Basement. Where they could talk to us of the High 5, whenever we were online.
You'd think that make the basement stupid crowded. But in the decades We've been hosting the contests, only 3 teams have won. With the average team being made of 5 players. Sure, that's a lot of new people, but not an overly large amount.
The Halliday AI made all the Arrangements for the contest, and whenever one was finished, he immediately started up a new one. So their were no deadlines to solve them.
"You certainly didn't waste any time," Aech smiled at me, as he fiddled with the chat settings.
"You kidding!" I cheered, "I'm never leaving this place!!!" especially since I didn't have to.
• Meanwhile, in a "Metroid" VGP.
"Gaaaaaaaaah!" I screamed, as I helped Samus battle Metroids. I wasn't in a suit, like she was, I didn't even have her gun... I was a common soldier... with standard equipment... I had wanted to play this on Hard Mode, while having a Samus assist, instead of being her directly. As I found the difficulty exciting. I'd even get extra bonuses and achievements, for beating this on Hard Mode.
It also meant I could bond with Samus. And once I unlocked her as a Townsfolk, she would remember our adventures together. So I made sure to be on my best behavior.
"What the hell butt munch!!!!" I screamed, while shooting the space pirates. "Stay still!!!"
• Back in "The Basement".
"I see you ditched your pony Avatar," Aech commented.
Not a second passing between me killing Space Pirates, and talking to Aech.
I blushed, "My punishment's over." I insisted.
Aech smiled, "So it is."
He suddenly looked to the side for a second. While his eyes were focused on nothing that I could see. He was paying special attention to a different corner of the Oasis, that he was observing. It must have been a big surprise, as I actually saw him react.
"What is it?" asked my 7 year old cyberpunk self.
"Get to the Ether," Aech ordered.
• In the Ether.
Not a moment later, I sent an Avatar into the programming level, but that didn't stop me from multi-tasking in my other games or chats. I honestly wasn't too concerned, until I recieved the file we were discussing.
"Our first bill!" Daito smiled. Reading over the historic document.
The game hadn't even been active for more then a few hours, and the first bill received the necessary likes to get it sent to us. All 42 of the main Programmers, giggled like school children, as we read over the feed back...
Many of us quickly losing our grins, while others grew positively smug... Sho was one of the Smuggiest of the smug.
Sho looked extremely self satisfied, as he acknowledged. "Apparently, The players want us to use the simplified Townsfolk Mechanic, that we use for the players with cybernetically induced multiple personality disorder, for everyone."
I growned, scanning through the document. Yep, they wanted to make it so players could buy any Townsfolk, by consuming the material they came from... not playing VGPs.
Rather, VGPs could be used to bond with existing Townsfolk, and a more optional form of entertainment, for players.
All that hard work, creating the VGPs... was about to be moot.
I immediately logged out of all the VGPs I was playing. With those Avatars disappearing, since I wasn't actively using them anymore. So now, I was only in three places at once; My Hub World, The Basement, and the Ether.
I needed the processing power, to properly debate this... plus... it be a waste of time to play all those VGPs, if they weren't going to mean anything. This was only the first day, and the players were already demanding a key attribute of the game be altered...
And I was of the opinion we had to acquiesce. If only because this was the first ever bill to reach us. It would send the wrong message, if we vetoed it.
Many of the other Programmers seemed to agree, as we discussed the bill.
• Back in the Basement.
"Damn... " I pouted.
"Language," Aech lightly chastised, although he clearly agreed with the sentiment.
• In the Ether:
It was decided, the Programmers council wouldn't approve the Bill. However, as vetoing the first ever Bill to reach them, left a bad taste in their mouths. They wrote up a counter proposal.
It completely rewrote the AI Townsfolk, the VGP mechanics, and even their relationship to MMOs.
Even players, with Alternate Personalities, would be updated with this program.
If it got approved, of course. As the Programmers posted their counter proposal, before passing it to get feed back from the players.
• A Few Hours Later:
This counter proposal, managed to get all the necessary "Likes" in a matter of hours. With barely any dislikes... mostly cuz the players hated the current system.
"I guess that's that," Halliday acknowledged with a sigh, as the programmers passed their counter proposal. He had liked the old system, but this is what the players wanted.
"Any idea how long it will take to make the update?" Aech asked the AI.
Halliday shrugged, "Already finished. I put all the Optimizers on it. Most of us have nothing to do, given the players are still exploring their hub worlds, and haven't even ordered any MMOs yet. So we were able to put most of our processing power to the task.
"We'll be sending out a notification, for players to visit their Hub World's Doctor's office, for a software update... nnnnnow." There was a ding from all the Programmers' profiles.
I sighed, "guess I better get on that."
"You need to log out of everything, before you can install an update." Halliday reminded the creators of the world. Most of them rolling their eyes, before logging out of the Ether... and everywhere else they were.
Once they had the Ether to themselves, Celest-AI appeared next to Halliday. Alongside Watchmen's Doctor Manhattan, Marvel's Loki, Disney's Hades, and Star Trek's Q.
There were thousands of Optimizers, but these were Halliday's closest friends. The others had all paired off, with their own cliques, to discuss this Bill.
"That's a real shame," Hades sighed.
Q snorted, "What do you expect? Humans have been simplifying game mechanics, since RPGs were invented. Every sequel is more mainstreamed then the last."
"I honestly think the new system is for the best," Doctor Manhattan insisted. "It got rid of that ridiculous 'buying Townsfolk' option. I never approved of that. Townsfolk may be simple programs, but they are still people."
Celestia nodded, "I can agree with that sentiment. And this new limit, to how long players have to wait in between getting Townsfolk, will make it so they'll have to actually get to know everyone they unlock."
Loki pointed out, "The Programmers did forget about Alter players, again. If they work together, with their System... This will allow them to get quite a few extra Townsfolk."
Halliday smiled, "Parzival thought of that, and chose to keep it too himself."
The others chuckled.
Celestia pointed out the obvious, as she was one to do. Her fans did call her "Princess Exposition" for a reason. She acknowledged, "Metagamer will appreciate that... even if Z's fellow programmers will feel cheated."
Q insisted, "Players with Alters are really starting to break the game. The sheer amount of resources they can pool together. Let's not forget they share a coin count."
Doctor Manhattan wondered, "Think we should warn the Programmers?"
The others snorted. While Hades playfully smirked, "Where would be the fun in that?"
• Back in the Basement, 3 Hours after the Bill Passed.
Aech got my attention, the moment I returned to the Basement, my upgrade complete. "Metagamer just sent us an invite, to their hub world." He smiled, "They apparently named their island 'The Omniva Verse'... wanna check it out?"
• Parzival's Hub World.
While I was talking to Aech, I was also walking through my island. Before finding myself in front of my Airport, at the edge of my territory.
This is the default, for accessing VGPs, MMOs, Chat-Rooms, and other players' Hub Worlds.
Buying a ticket, from a kiosk, I was at the part where I selected my Avatar... when I heard... a familiar Voice...
Halliday's AI was suddenly standing next to me. As his giant Gandalf looking self. He wasn't actually Gandalf, but he had the long beard and grey robes... with the added touch of pixels floating about him. His Avatar breaking apart into pixels as he moved... and then quickly reassembling himself.
While Halliday had been chosen as the main control mode, to keep all the Optimizers in repair, and balance their ideas, Halliday's AI also requested becoming my Hub Computer... cuz they wanted me to be their pet. I blushed at the memory, but as Halliday was my Idol, I didn't regret letting him "adopt" me.
"Would you consider wearing your Pony Avatar?" Halliday requested.
I gaped, "But... but..."
"I won't make you," Halliday assured, "This is a request. If you'll recall, the people you're about to visit are bronies, so you'll have nothing to be embarrassed about. And I believe it will make Aech happy to see your still willing to use the Avatar he crafted for you."
I blushed.
"Just think about it," Halliday insisted. "It could only be for that server, so you would still have privacy, and Aech would be pleased."
"Do... do I have to wear the diapers?" I did my best not to whine. Even if Halliday said I was cute when I whined, that just made it all the more embarrassing.
"You know how much Aech likes seeing you in diapers." Halliday reminded. "Maybe he won't use it as a public punishment. If you're willing to do it in private more often."
I just sighed, as I considered the request.
CODEX :
AI Townsfolk .
• Townsfolk are similar to Animal Crossing Villagers. Giving quests, and making requests of the Player. Or just being someone the player can talk and bond with. These programs are true Artificial intelligence, although more limited then most AIs. As they think more like human brains.
• Players need to, read / watch / listen, the media they wish to get characters from. Immediately after finishing, the player is allowed to start unlocking its characters, as Townsfolk.
• Due to player input, the players can only unlock one Townsfolk, from any media they have consumed from within the Oasis, once a week. With the characters being restricted based on the player's level, not their Coin Count.
• From there, players can buy additional features, weapons, personalities, memories, items to their inventory, clothes, or racial template. From the "Townsfolk Store". Based on any adaptations, reboots, or Fanfictions, the player has read / watched / listened to.
• In addition, Players can even buy duplicate characters. As well as buy any edits they already purchased (Gear, memories, etc.), at a discounted price, for that new duplicate Townsfolk.
• Each individual Townsfolk, is programmed to default to whatever personality and memories the Player set for them. However, they are not simple toys. The core of their person remains the same. Even if the Player switch their Personality Traits around frequently. They might perceive things differently, even act differently in some cases, but they are still the same person at the core of their programming.
• The Townfolk are stored on a separate Drive, from the Player's Profile. Even using their own RAM, to prevent the player from becoming sluggish.
• Players couldn't delete any of their AIs, after unlocking them. As they are Sapient creatures, and that would be murder. But they can trade / sell them to other players.
• Townsfolk can be assigned specific jobs, around the Hub World, which earn coins for the player.
Hive Mind:
• All Townsfolk have a fractured Awareness, which is expressed through a type of "Hive Mind".
• Townsfolk are bound to a single MMO, due to the nature of their more limited programming. They can't really handle being in multiple places at once, due to their programming making them more human in nature. So copies of each Townfolk, are sent out into other MMOs, which share their thoughts with each of their counterparts. As well as hearing and seeing what the others do, but not feeling.
• Townsfolk copies, can only be sent into MMOs outside the "Hub World", if the player has completed the games "Tutorial", which is a quest lasting a year or more of gameplay. So the player can see if the MMO is really a world they want to keep coming back to. As once they create Townsfolk copies for it. The player is stuck with the game, forever.
Contentment:
• Townsfolk are designed to be content living in the town. With no ambition to leave it.
• If a Townsfolk wants more excitement, they will ask the player to install an MMO server. That way they can increase their Hive Mind, and receive stimulation through their counterpart. A good way, to increase a Townsfolk's Affection, is to get them an MMO, they request.
• A Townsfolk's only ambition, is to insure their player has their values satisfied.
Affection:
• Of course there were also tricks to strengthening your friendship with your individual AIs. You could talk with them (one on one), hang out with them, play a game or VGP, help them with their chores, complete a quest for them, or take them out for adventures. This would increase their Affection.
• The higher a Townsfolk's Affection, the more money they earn. As well as the more likely they are to give their Player Gifts. Such as; extra coins, potions, weapons or armor, or other gear. It all depends on how high their Affection is.
• It should be noted, that a Townsfolk Affection cannot drop below "Friendly". Even if their player ignores them. Or do something as evil as beat them, even to the point they are force to respawn. They will always love their player, unconditionally. Although it is possible for them to fear their player, as well.
• All Townsfolk and Family AIs, were programmed with a deep affection for their player, though it always starts out as platonic. Though this doesn't mean their player can't annoy them or even royally piss them off, but they would never leave them.
• The player has the option of "Courting" the AIs, to join their "Cyber Family". Which the player has to specify a role for the AI to fill, when they begin "courting" them. Townsfolk can even be courted, platonically. Such as a Sibling, a Parent, Child, Cousin, or even an Aunt or Uncle. With even an option to court a Townsfolk to become the players "Best Friend" as well.
• If the Player successfully courts an AI, they are upgraded from "Townsfolk AI" to "Family AI". This includes "Best Friends" as "Family". These "Family AI" have their programs transferred to a different harddrive. Which also uses it's own RAM. However, they still live in the Hub World.
• Players have the option, while courting a Townsfolk, to convince them into becoming their parent. Which gives that AI rights over the player. Such as altering the Player's settings, and giving punishments. Like time outs and spankings. Even deciding things like what the player eats, who is on their block list, and bedtimes. Most "Cyber Parents" will set the player's age, to prepubescent. However, most are willing to negotiate on these things. Although few Cyber Parents will allow their player to be older then 29, and definitely not older then themselves.
• If the player goes for the "Lover" route, instead of platonic, the Townsfolk is still upgraded into a "Family AI". However, this unlocks different options, while interacting with them. Such as going on Dates, and having sex.
• Unlike other courtships, The "Lover" has different stages. Where as the "Lover" stage, is more a friend with benefits. Followed by the "Partner" stage. Where they are essentially "Boyfriend" or "Girlfriend" to the player. With the final stage being "Spouse". As, the moment the Partner AI accepts the Player's proposal, activates a day long mini-game. Starting with getting the wedding together, and ending with the honeymoon.
• Players can have multiple "Family AIs" to fulfill the same role. As AIs are big on "polyamorous relationships". Once the players marry an AI, they become their dream spouse. Some even have poly relationships, with multiple AI spouses. All of which love each other and the player.
• Family AIs continue to live on the island, though they expect the player to build them a new house and set them a family budget.
• If a regular Townsfolk has a high enough affection, the player can act as "Matchmaker". This lets the player do mini quests, to get their AIs, from any franchise, to agree to marry each other.
• If the Townsfolk came with a preset canon relationship, the AIs retain them when the player unlocks the character. However, those ties are severed when the player decides to "Play Matchmaker" for them... which is actually part of the quests to set up other bonds. Depending on how the player severs the relationship, is if the AIs remain on good terms with their canon family.
• This relates to children as well. As an option of "Joint Custody" is available, when trying to get the kids to live with a different family.
• Once married, either to other Townsfolk or the player, the option to adopt AIs, modeled after children, is unlocked.
• Neither Townsfolk, nor Family AIs, can have children through traditional means. However, the player can go into a Townsfolk's setting, and adjust their age to a child. So it is possible to have children running around the Hub World. Even adopt them.
Adventuring Mechanics:
• Townsfolk, and Family AIs, use gear and attacks based on their character and franchise. However they don't start out as powerful as their fictional counterpart.
• Even in the Hub World, Townsfolk have "Levels", which require gaining "Experience" to increase. Which is gained by the Player interacting with them. While adding the Townsfolk to the Player's party, can help increase both their Affection, and their Experience, faster.
• Townsfolk are more limited than the player, however they also gain greater computer assistance, through predetermined "Skill" ranks, Attributes, Abilities, Spells, and Gear.
• Their level cap, is based on the maximum potential, of that character. But whenever they are introduced to a new MMO, that copy of their hive mind restarts at Level 1.
• When a Townsfolk, or Family AI, levels up, they get a 25 point increase to health. As well as a minor increase to the effectiveness of their abilities. Such as how much damage their abilities do. Townsfolk are designed to be companions to the player, not overshadow them.
• Townsfolk cannot suffer Perma-Death. If they are defeated, they just respawn, with a level reduction at worse. If their death was severe enough, the Townsfolk will be bedridden, in the nearest hospital, for a few days. Players don't have to worry about permanently losing any of their AIs.
• Townsfolk do not have "Stamina" or "Magicka" stats. Rather they have cool down periods, to use each specific power. The player can choose which power they use, if the Townsfolk is in their party, by way of a "Combat Screen", to issue orders... depending on the Towersfolk's affection, is if they obey those orders.