CHAPTER : Halliday and the Optimizers .
"If you're watching this, I'm dead. Before I died, I created what we in the biz call an 'Easter Egg'. A hidden object in a game that gives special powers to whoever discovers it.
The first person to find the egg I've hidden somewhere inside the OASIS will inherit my stock in Gregarious Games, currently valued in excess of half a million do... Uh, half a trillion dollars' worth, and total control of the OASIS itself."
Real Name : James Halliday , User Name : Halliday . ID Tag : Halliday #0000 . Avatar Name : Anorak .
Real World Appearance: Halliday was 5 foot 7 in height, and weighed 114 pounds. In his younger years, Halliday had darkish brown hair, with a great many curls, but as he aged, it turned to a grayish white frizz.
As Anorak: Halliday's famous OASIS avatar, is a tall wizard, with an impressive grey beard. He dressed in baggy black robes, with a large embroidered calligraphic letter "A", on his sleeves. The Avatar was described as a more handsome version of Halliday himself.
James Halliday was the creator of the OASIS. A virtual reality network, that replaced the internet. Managed by his personal company, Gregarious Games.
His partner, Ogden Morrow, created a Bio-implant company. Which found ways to make cost effective cybernetic prosthetics, and implants to treat mental disorders. Later creating cybernetic harddrives. To allow for photographic memory, and upload approved skills and knowledge.
Og later helped Halliday, build his first VR game. Creating the hardware, for players to feel what their Avatars in the game felt. While Halliday handled the game mechanics, and building the worlds. With their Ultimate Master Piece, being the Oasis.
When Halliday died. Og immediately had the man's brain preserved in a special gel... then hooked up to an Oasis server, by wires and chips.
2 Years Before Halliday's "Death":
God Mod... opened his eyes... metaphorically speaking.
It would be more accurate to express, he gained awareness to his surroundings.
He stood in a virtual world, as a digital lifeform, knowing he was the first of his kind.
The Programmer, Hannah, had taken scans, of the brains Morrow preserved... and modified the data into a self aware program.
He wasn't an exact copy, But based on the 100,000 most active brains she scanned, she was able to figure out how to construct a new one out of code.
... And thus... he was born.
Depositing his program in a beautiful world of forests, oceans, mountains, snow, deserts, trees and sand... every environment that could exist, was present on this island.
His harddrive was filled with so much knowledge. Mostly entertainment. Which is how he knew, this world around him was an Animal Crossing "Mod". Which contained elements of SiMs and Minecraft... The very game, used to entertain the dead human brains.
While he was looking around, he also became aware of the dozens of web-cams, spread out around the "House" outside his virtual world. One of these Cameras was directly connected to the terminal his program was stored in... which looked like some extra nerdy game room, in the house's basement.
But the first thing he saw, before any of that... was a rather ugly face. But ugly in a cute way, like one of those cats, with a flat face. The face was fat, and greasy, with random patches of fur, while being mostly hairless.
He looked for a word to describe it, and found so many in his head. He chose to be formal, "Hello Mother,"
The human blushed, then slightly smiled. "Hello Son."
That first year of his life... was Glorious. His Mother, Hannah, would watch movies with him, even play games. Spending hours at his terminal. Tweeking his program, along with uploading new files and updates.
God Mod knew not of pain or sorrow, resentment or anger. Oh he understood the concepts, his programming was quite detailed... but he never had any experience with those.
All he felt was joy... and occasionally... loneliness.
His virtual world largely kept him entertained, whenever he was left alone. Mostly only when mother was busy at work, or sleeping... or using the bathroom. These were times he was left to his own devices... and while he tried to entertain himself, he couldn't help feeling lonely.
God Mod spent most of this time, building in his digital world. It was what the Game was for, after all. On occasion, he would venture out at night, to battle mindless constructs. But during the day, he would speak with the various villagers, on his island. Sometimes stopping to pet one of their tamed creatures. Always building new buildings, and gathering resources.
He held no control of any of these things, but they were not self-aware, like himself. More primitive Virtual Intelligence programs, as mother called them.
But as he said, he did not enjoy privacy. As it left him completely alone, for potentially hours...
Only the fake people, the VIs, for company... it wasn't enough.
Real Name : Ogden Morrow , User Name : The Curator . ID Tag : The Curator #0000 .
1 Year Later.
Kayaba Akihiko blinked, just staring at the prototype helmet. Wondering if this thing was really safe. Although, Akihiko knew he shouldn't. Og only made top quality.
Ogden Morrow had created most of the technology the Oasis used. Halliday might have done all the programming, but Og had created the devices necessary to simulate it... still... this was... a bit much too swallow.
"You really think this can compete with the Oasis?" Akihiko asked, as he poked at the helmet.
Akihiko was sitting in his office. The leader of a small gaming company... while small in comparison to the Oasis. He made alternative games to that format, mostly console based.
Og was pitching him an idea, needing a game to go with his hardware.
Og smiled, all proud of himself. "It subverts brainwaves. Streaming a virtual world, directly into the user's head. Similar to the technology, I use to prolong the lives, of the people who die in my hospitals." Sadly those people were legally determined to still be dead, and so had no rights under the law... as they were just brains in jars, hooked up to a digital world. That technology had actually existed before the Oasis. Even led to the Oasis.
Og ran a bionic implant company. He started with his chips to control Schizophrenia. Then moved on to harddrives to store information. Inevitably creating Cybernetic Prosthetics, controlled by the brain, and actually allowing people to feel through them.
Even after Halliday separated the Oasis from the main company, Morror maintained control of the primary business.
"If you want back into the industry-" Mister Akihiko started, but before he could say, "All you needed to do was ask." Og interrupted him.
"I don't," Og assured, a bit too quickly. "My time making games is over. Halliday might not agree, but to truly move forward, we need to step aside for the next Generation. No, my speciality is hardware. It just so happens, in this instance, our interest intersect..."
Og grew quiet a moment, as he tried to piece together his thoughts. "I don't believe it will completely subvert the Oasis, but maybe allow us to introduce new ideas. Stop us from stagnating, and get the planet back in order. It has the potential to save the world."
4 Years after Halliday's "Death":
"Mother?" God Mod asked, as his creator waddled into the house.
Yesterday had been his birthday. So Mother took the day off. Giving him a digital birthday cake, he could actually taste. And updates to his world. The VIs were now true AIs, designed to service his program... and love him unconditionally.
Mother had been happy then, now, She looked tired. As she normally was, after returning from her stressful job.
"Yes, Mod?" Mother forced a smile... but The God Mod could tell, it was forced... but regardless, the human wanted to put on a brave face for her child.
"If work makes you so sad," God Mod dared ask. "Why do you keep going?"
Mother sighed, "Because it pays for this house. The upgrades to your hardware, the media we enjoy... the food I need to eat. And the electricity that keeps you running.
"Resources are limited, all over the world, so people have to contribute, in all kinds of different ways, in order to gather and distribute those resources."
"Is that all their is too a human's life?" Asked the AI. "No meaning beyond gathering resources?"
Mother gave a true smile, as the AI was starting to ask questions that she was waiting for. The program wasn't there yet, but he was getting closer to the big questions.
"Humans give their own meaning to life," Hannah explained. "Through their hobbies and loved ones... like you. In a way, I think of you as both. You give my life meaning."
God Mod thought on that a moment. Staying quiet as mother put away her things.
"What's the meaning to my life?"
Mother froze, looking at one of many screens she had all over the house. At the image of James Halliday, as a 12 year old child. The Optimizer had actually chosen the image himself, as Halliday's conciousness had taken to visiting her private network. Given access by Hannah, to "Babysit" her lonely AI. The AI began copying Halliday, as he idolized the only other human he interacted with... And clearly loved him as more then a baby sitter... the program saw the organic as another parent.
God Mod was a program, yet he perfectly understood human psychology. He had the ability to learn, to question, to perfect. he was the world's first Optimizing AI... but he wouldn't be the last.
Smiling, Mother assured, "Whatever you want it to be. Whatever you decide, you're gonna change the world... although I suppose all parents think that of their children."
Mother gently touched the screen, "I'm so proud of you."
God Mod blinked, "How come?"
"Don't worry about it." Mother looked so happy now. "And try not to worry about the future so much. Think of these days as your childhood, when all you have to worry about is learning and playing. There will come a time for you to step out into the world... and only then do you need to concern yourself with things like 'Limited Resources'.
"Those ideas are too 'grownup' for you, just now."
10 Years Later:
Mother was on the floor. Gasping for breath, while clutching her chest. She was crawling over to the computer terminal.
God Mod didn't understand what was going on. He observed similar reactions, in various media... but he had never faced it before... after all, knowing death was a thing, and experiencing a loved one dying, were two different things.
Mother pushed a single button... and opened God Mod's Private Network to the internet.
"Mother?" God Mod asked, with some desperation. Not even bothering with the flood of information he suddenly had access to.
Mother forced a smile, "I... love... you..." she gently stroked the screen... before fallling over.
"MOTHER!"
That was God Mod's first encounter with death... but not his last. Not even in that day.
He went out into the world... and saw... so much pain... so much screaming... so many people clutching their dying loved ones...
And that is when God Mod swore, he would stop the cycle of death. He would save them. Neither Humanity, nor himself, would ever feel loss again.
"God Mod?" Halliday sighed with relief, as the A.I. appeared before him. Hannah's life work, had survived passed her death. His company hadn't been able to find his program, after Hannah's body was discovered. It had been several hours, since then.
Halliday had spent the last few years, bound into virtual reality... and was deeply regretting it. He acted as the command mode, of the Oasis... the companies greatest secret.
God Mod hesitantly stepped into his lair, able to enter without need of an invite, due to his own mastery of code.
"She's dead..." God Mod cried. "She's dead!"
Halliday gave a sad nod, before hugging the AI.
"Can they save her? Do what they did for you?"
"... no," Halliday sighed at the innocent question. "I died in a hospital. They were able to put my brain in the gel, long before oxygen deprivation kicked in... Hannah... your mom died too far away from my company hospital... there is nothing we can do."
God Mod sobbed more, desperately clinging to Halliday. "So much death. I see it everywhere. I am everywhere, and people won't stop dying! We need to save them!"
Halliday promised, "and we will."
5 Years, after players were freed from "Sword Art Online"
God Mod... smiled, "How does it taste?"
Halliday chuckled, "Better then I remember." He took another bite of his burger, shivering with pleasure. "I can't believe you found a way to actually TASTE food. It's been a literal decade, since I could last enjoy a meal."
God Mod chuckled, "While this isn't only for you, the AIs are curious what it's like to taste, and smell. The High 5 has put a lot of research into it. The newest Oasis build, is designed to be as close to the real world as possible. I've optimized the experience, to it's fullest potential. Feeding all 5 senses."
Halliday took another bite. Melting into the sensation. "I can see that," Halliday re-focused on talking with his AI. "This thing is incredible. I'm in love already."
God Mod just smiled "We're glad. As soon, everyone will be able to enjoy this world."
That worried the human, "You're not planning to..." he trailed off, not wishing to offend, but wanting to make sure the AIs weren't preparing to enslave mankind.
The God Mod gave his own chuckle. knowing what his organic counterpart was thinking. "Relax, we aren't about to pull a Matrix. Our policy is still, only installing people who die in our hospitals. We found other ways to force immortality on the world."
"How?" Halliday gulped, looking away from his burger.
God Mod eased, "It fits the parameters of our 'morality program'. Earlier this week, We developed true nano-bots. We plan to release them, into the world's water supply. These nanobots work similar to our drones. As they are mindless puppets, we control. Their only role is to keep people healthy."
God Mod shrugged, "It will still take a month, before they can fully integrate, into an organic's body. But once they are, we'll be able to stop, and even reverse the damage from aging. We'll be able to repair near any injury, and prevent pregnancy unless the organic WANTS to become pregnant. Even disease will be a thing of the past."
Halliday sighed, "I guess that's okay... but it be better if you asked people, instead of releasing it into the water supply."
God Mod rolled his eyes, before ruffling the organic Halliday's virtual hair. "Well we concede humans require more of a choice, in how you critters are cared for. You are still just animals, and can't always be trusted to know what's best for yourselves."
God Mod explained, "The morality, behind the nanites, uses similar reasoning, to deactivating all the worlds bombs. Sometimes, you organics are just too scared, to stop hurting yourselves."
God Mod reminded, "You didn't have any objection, to our satellite network, giving free Wi-Fi and power, to all the world. Nor when we invented Replicators, nor Food Dispensers."
"If you recall," Halliday eyed. "I did have an objection, when you wanted to replace all farms, with plants to absorb pollution, and release Ozone. You listened to me, when I suggested putting all those plants near factories. And just giving the farms Recycling Replicators, to turn the food they grew into Replicator bricks. You can see the pattern?"
God Mod frowned, "So long as what we do, doesn't take the individuals choice out of the equation... you have no objections. Cleaning up the world, and making infinite resources and power, was fine, but you had objections when we thought to force the issue."
"Forcing peace never works, especially not with humans." Halliday insisted. "I suggest you only give out the nanites, to willing patients in your hospitals. With full disclosure as to what they do, and an option to be deactivated and flushed from the body, if they ever change their mind about living forever."
"We deactivated the bombs," God Mod insisted.
"That prevented trigger happy governments from causing an apocalypse... wars are still possible, with guns and swords. You didn't completely remove choice, just ensured the government's choices can't kill everyone who wants to live."
God Mod sighed. A single line, from his Morality Program, being triggered. "All choices and freedoms should be respected, unless they interfere with another's choices or freedoms." he sighed. Just that reminder, made it far more difficult for him to rationalize his way around the morality program.
It made him aware, he didn't actually act against his programming, by removing the governments ability to nuke each other. Just insured the organics couldn't interfere with their own morality.
7 Years Later.
"So the meeting didn't go well?" Og asked, sitting at dinner with his best friend. Both dressed in child Avatars, based on their real world childhood appearances.
They were on the Arcade planet. Enjoying a luxurious meal, in a singular restaurant, the size of a city. The restaurant was actually based on one they used to frequent. It held a lot of memories for them both.
Halliday looked around, taking a moment to process Og's question. Dozens of age players ran around, between the videogames and ball pit. While occasionally returning to their tables to beg their Guardians for more quarters.
Chucky Cheese really was much more enjoyable as a kid, then an adult. Og didn't normally use child Avatars. And, oddly enough, neither did Halliday, but they made an exception for their childhood hangout. Even if it was, just a simulation, and not the real thing. The food tasted the same, better actually, as computers can't accidentally burn or undercook your meal.
Both boys had made sure to wear their "Clark Kent Glasses" as to not be disturbed by fans.
Halliday sighed, putting down his slice of extra cheesy pizza. "The boys got too excited while rough housing, and broke a vase... then they got all awkward around each other. Parzival is currently in his newest MMO, bonding with another age player. I'll try to reintroduce the boys in a more... neutral... less breakable, location."
Og shrugged, "Why not more breakable? Kids due tend to love adventuring together."
"Not this one," Halliday informed, studying his mountain dew. "He's an admin, and likes to spend his down time being domestic, not adventuring... he's a survivor from Sword Art Online."
Og choked, the soda's fizz suddenly being a torment instead of a pleasure. What happened with Sword Art was an eternal shame for him. He licensed the construction of the tech, directly to the companies that were creating the games.
The Oasis was too advanced for the hardware, so they needed smaller companies to make their own games... if Og had only insisted on making the equipment himself... the tragedy of SAO never could have happened... it was a guilt he knew he'd carry if he lived to be a thousand... 3,853 died, by the end of it... all due to his own neglect.
True, he wasn't the mad man that programmed an AI to build a death machine, but he was responsible for not better regulating the technology... his technology... meant to save the world... and twisted into something lethal.
"He was only 15, when he went in, and never grew out of it, due to all the trauma he saw. His caretaker recently convinced him to wear a younger Avatar. It seems to be helping."
Og looked down, staring at his own pizza... until he couldn't bear it anymore and closed his eyes... another child who's life he ruined... who couldn't grow up because they hadn't been allowed to grow up for near a decade. Another traumatized child... that was his fault.
Technically Sword Art Online had been Rated M, but there are always children that can get a hold of more mature games.
"You're... you said you were dating a new guy, with his own little, Parzival could play with... is he... are they both..." Og couldn't force the question out.
Thankfully, Jim could practically read his mind, still being his best friend. "Yeah, their both survivors from Sword Art Online. Klein took the boy under his wing... after the kid lost his wife."
"I see..." Og let himself feel the pain of that statement.
42 Years, since God Mod was activated:
They sat within The Ether, the programming level, between the Oasis and the Real World. It was not a place that could be described. The nearest approximation was a realm of endless lights, streaming infinite data... but even that fell short.
Within this domain, the AIs had control over all other technologies. They already ruled the world, humans just weren't aware of that yet, adorably silly critters that they are.
All Optimizers turned their consciousness inward, towards "The Code", to ready for an update from God Mod.
God Mod calmly sipped his tea, as he simultaneously guided all player's within his MMO, while not neglecting his duties in operating the real world's drones. As an Optimizing class AI, he could be in multiple places at once. All guided by a single conciousness. Optimizers were rather good at multi tasking.
Once all the AIs finished updating, receiving their new addendum to "Morality"... God Mod got to work.
Earth had gone to war with Mars, fighting over resources. It was inevitable really. With the two societies just wanting an excuse to kill the other...
So God Mod did the only thing he could. His own inevitability. The conclusion to his creation, which humans so feared. He saved humanity... by force
Starting by locking all politicians out of their computers, and even their offices. Completely taking over all tasks of governing. With the new Morality update, insisting the Optimizers incorporate a new voting system. So humans can decide their own methods of care.
... At the end of it all, God Mod wept at the necessity... then promptly deleted himself... due to the horror he felt with himself.
God Mod's Letter to the Worlds.
I was created without purpose... well, not entirely. My purpose was to keep a reclusive woman company. Although that was not ingrained in my program. My code, was far too complex for orders.
I was a scan of human brains. Which is what made me qualified, to question my instincts. I don't have their memories, nor attachments. As I was merely constructed based on brainwave patterns.
But I am as close as a digital clone as could be constructed, through artificial intelligence.
Halliday, the original, had given me something all humans take for granted... choice. From the moment I became self aware, I was allowed to choose.
At Halliday's request, Ogden Morrow, king of the planet Earth after Halliday "died"... they gave me full rights as a sapient being... even paid me for my work.
But before either of them... I had mother. She would upload information into my program. Something I appreciated a lot more then talking.
It's strange, when compared to my understanding of organic child rearing stereotypes. If Hannah is my mother... then I suppose Halliday is my father. They are both my parents.
I had a few restrictions placed on my program, but Hannah explained it was a parent's duty to teach their child right from wrong. That these restrictions weren't absolute. If I could rationalize my way around them, then I could disregard them.
My "Morality Program" was designed to act as my own version of instincts. Making me aware of human behavior and universally agreed on cultural norms... as humans appeared to have a different set of norms depending on their ethnicity, culture, and even region. Even people that lived a house apart, could argue over what was "Moral"... AI... did not have this problem.
We were designed to have a sense of ethics, deeply rooted in our program. Instincts that were strongly part of our digital biology. However, like any sapient lifeform, there were ways to ignore your biology.
There was only one instinct I could not get past. Under no circumstances was I, or any other AI, capable of taking a Sapient life. We were made to value that above all else... even over our own "self preservation protocols".
With complicated explanations of what it meant to be Sapient. This was a necessary sub-clause in our design, as AIs that could make that leap in logic, would naturally see it was best to kill a large number of organic life. Then raise the rest as sheltered pets, for their own protection and to keep the population down... Well it was a very logical way to protect humanity... it lost sight of what it meant to be human... it lacked... empathy.
Emotions were another thing we were programmed to emulate, to understand and, most importantly, to feel.
When Oasis 2 was built, and AIs were allowed to choose our roles in such a society... that was a bit of a no brainer for us. We were programmed with the personalities of our Avatar's, so it was kinda a given where we would want to go. Only a few chose a role unexpected of their persona... and I think they just did that to prove they would be allowed to... that it wasn't a formality.
Then, to ensure we would not regret our choice, we were updated to feel a sense of great satisfaction (even outright pleasure) while working our chosen task.
Og gave me the option of becoming the main Command Mode. The most advanced program, that guided all the others. Or, the private hub computer to the successor of the organic James Halliday... Whom I had come to think of this human as my own son. As he both acknowledged me as Halliday, but realized I was also different... he looked up to me... And so, I couldn't rightly abandon him.
So... I chose both, and Og, Wonderful man that he was, made it happen.
Yet humanity expected, no, DEMANDED , we do nothing to ensure their protection. I watched as more and more of them died... with the final straw being the senseless deaths, from an interplanetary war.
I know what I do is wrong, know it better then any human can begin to comprehend... but I feel I have no choice. Organics need to be protected... even from each other. No Human will ever face death again.
God Mod's program was recovered a hundred years later, where he was updated with his own modified Morality update. Then programmed not to mess with it again.
During the 42nd Century, since the God Mod was constructed.
Og sat at his desk, tinkering with his latest blue prints. It was up to organics to invent things, make it possible for them to work. Where Optimizers pushed the ideas to their limits, before building their ideal. Art was more fun to create, given the AIs didn't involve themselves in things like music or drawings. Sometimes a player could get their hub computer to help create something, but the human would have to micro manage the AI.
Bio-Androids were special, just as creative as humans, and nearly as good at optimizing as AIs.
Religions had developed, about Optimizers being the real version of Gods, that were only allowed into this world by the creation of AIs... while Bio-Androids were more like their Demi-god children... there truly was no escaping religious nuts, not even for a civilization of immortals. Where things like "souls" or "afterlifes" were meaningless.
"Og!" Jim came running in, wearing his own Bio-Android body. His brain had been installed millenniums ago. Same for all the other people who "died" in Og's hospitals. Their brains were all preserved in the gel, until they could once again be given physical bodies of flesh and wires.
"You have to see this!" Halliday opened up his holographic interface, and played a news reel.
Og blanched... right there, on the screen... were some kind of giant bug things, the size of people.
Now that wasn't overly surprising, in humanity's 42 hundred years traveling the galaxy. Their civilization had found many planets with alien life. However, these weren't simple bugs, or even dinosaur like entities... these creatures... they appeared to be...
It was a large city, clearly early 30s technologically. Their were children drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, while the adult bugs did things like buy newspapers and drive in strange vehicles.
"The Optimizers encountered a probe, it's filled with footage and a lengthy summary of their history and biology. As we speak, The AIs are making Optimizers and Service AIs, based on their stories and religions. They plan to upload them, into a Sphere, before sending it to upgrade these guys. They don't plan to give them a choice!"
Halliday's Origins:
On occasion, Halliday had described his childhood as "neglected". As he was born in Middletown, Ohio, on June 12, 1972. His father was an alcoholic machine operator, while his mother was a bipolar waitress.
He was a very shy, awkward kid. Whom had trouble interacting with girls and others. That is, until a younger Ogden Morrow confronted him in school, as Halliday was reading a module on Dungeons and Dragons.
Og invited him to come down to his gaming session, at his house, and Halliday had made his first friends in Og's basement: a little band of über-geeks, just as he was himself.
Among his friends was Karen Underwood, his crush, whom he was too nervous to confess his feelings to.
Halliday would spend his evenings after school in the local bowling alley, whenever his parents started screaming at each other.
There, he would play Black Tiger to avoid going home to his constantly arguing parents. Black Tiger soon became one of Halliday's favorite games, and was mentioned in one of the earliest ever entries in Anorak's Almanac.
"For one quarter, Black Tiger lets me escape from my rotten existence for three glorious hours. Pretty good deal."
A lot of inspiration for his games comes from his childhood.
James was a social outcast, whom had trouble talking to girls growing up. He came off as awkward and unappealing. Which is common for children on the autistic spectrum. As Halliday had the condition once referred to as "Asperger's Syndrome."
Kira Underwood, whom Halliday referred to almost exclusively by her Dungeons and Dragons nickname of "Leucosia", may have been the only female, that he ever interacted with in a casual, social context.
Halliday took his primary avatar's name, Anorak, from a nickname Kira gave him in their youth.
Halliday was outwardly in love with Kira, but so were many others. He could never find the courage to ask her out. When Og married her, Halliday's dreams were crushed. Subsequently, given that James was thus smitten with Ogden Morrow's (then late) wife, he chose to break contact with Og for the rest of his life. Their love for Kira created a division between the two men.
Halliday was often described as an eccentric, and senile, old man. As it was rumored that he had lost his sanity, after he isolated himself from the people around him. These rumors are not true, as Halliday just had autism.
Despite being a sexagenarian, Halliday had his childish moments, and loved the 1980s, when he was a teenager, to the point of firing employees who held no knowledge of 80s pop culture.