Post by Manah on Aug 30, 2016 22:01:03 GMT -5
AEON SOLEMNIA
The camera focused on the most successful man alive, CEO of DataDrive Corporation, Akihiro Hayakawa. The charismatic man smiled at the interviewer as he appeared on the news for the Nth time, and as always, for the same reasons.
"So, as of today, Hayakawa-san, the unprecedented MMORPG phenomenon known as Aeon Solemnia: Pillars of Eternity is now officially played worldwide by over 2.8 billion people. This must be a pivotal moment in the history of DataDrive, correct?"
"Indeed", the man said with a nod. "...Not only is it the most popular game in existence, but also the most popular hobby in general. And not only that. As you know, AS: PoE is also effectively an entire economical phenomenon in and of itself. Entire companies have been formed using, and supporting, the game, for its assets, its ease of use, its accessibility and its new technologies, along with the entertainment it provides. There are people who can actually make a living just from playing the game in cooperation with DataDrive employees, for exampe to report bugs, hackers or cheaters, or suggest improvements, or work as moderators or voice actors. Some have even become rich out of it."
"Some more than others", the woman pointed out playfully.
"Touché", he said with amusement.
"Of course, as is often the case for any large game, let alone the largest to date and possibly ever, there are lots of rumors and urban legends going around about the game, and the company, Hayakawa-san. Is it true that some players have fallen comatose, or even possibly died while playing AS: PoE? ...How about the Bleeding Effect?"
The man paused for a moment, before smiling anew.
"...Well, as for any activity performed by countless people in the world... obviously some people might unfortunately lose their lives while performing the activity in question. It's only logical, statistics-wise. However, neither DataDrive nor I confirm those allegations that the game is in any way related to those unfortunate events, and as you know, we are fully cooperating with the Government and the U.N for the ongoing investigations, as usual. After all, let's not forget that, despite how incredible, vast and enjoyable AS: PoE is... at the end of the day..."
He stood up, signifying that the interview was over.
"...It's just a game."
Welcome to Aeon Solemnia.
This game idea has basically hit me in the afternoon today as I was working, and the ideas just didn't stop coming. I wrote everything down as they came, and here I am. So... here goes.
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The concept is loosely based on the real world as we know it, only 31 years later, in 2047. The world is fairly similar, except that most of the world's major problems have been solved through applying new technological innovations to various key points in most major domains, be it politics, engineering, medicine, economics, education, etc, etc (so yeah, still science fiction, lol). All said innovations were made possible by a single invention which essentially revolutionized the entire world...
The Ethernet. Basically, think of it as an OS, a web browser, a problem solving software, an AI and a massive databank, (and likely more thant all that) all rolled into one, FAR more secure and effective than anything we know today in any of those domains. Within mere months of its invention, it could do everything the Internet could do and far more, MUCH better, faster, and more efficiently. Millions could be on a single website at once and there was absolutely no connection issue nor lag or anything. The system was used to tackle some of the most complicated problems in the world at the time, and it actually solved them with relative ease. Most problems of the early 21st Century were a thing of the past in most cases. Making everything or nearly so more effective, allowed the world to focus on other problems, essentially tacklin hunger in the world, pollution, wars, conflicts, often with a bit of help from the Ethernet.
(OOC: Yes, I'm fully aware that in reality, no matter how good the system, there's no way it'd end almost all the problems the real world is facing right now, d'uh. That's why this is a game, and not a prediction for the future. XD)
Soon enough, the world's inhabitants lived a more comfortable, more conflict-free life, often with more resources than ever before. All thanks to the creators of the Ethernet, DataDrive Corporation, a megacorporation by then, as its invention had made it unbelievably rich. It expanded all around the world in many sectors, expanding its resources, increasing its wealth, and expanding its knowledge, improving on the Ethernet as they went.
Then, the company took an unexpected turn for many: it went on with a project to create the Ultimate videogame.
With the Ethernet, it was now possible for the Corporation to create a game which could handle nearly countless players at the same time, a massive MMORPG, where all would be able to interact with one another not on different servers, but a single, constant, real time environment. They wanted it to be extensive, filled to the brim with content, and essentially unending. An impossible task... except for the megacorporation and its near godlike tool.
It took a 'mere' 6 years... but DataDrive kept its promise. Aeon Solemnia: Pillars of Eternity was released despite several setbacks, including the unfortunate death of the Ethernet's co-lead creator, scientist Toshiko Shimizu, alongside twenty of her fellow co-workers in an explosion at DataDrive headquarters during the creation of the game. The MMORPG was everything they promised it to be and far more than that. A hyper-realistic virtual reality, fully multiplayer and basically limitless, with no loading screens, in real time, 24/7 with countless features, things to see, do, and explore, massive lore in the game, etc. Within weeks after it was out, it was already sold by the millions along with the wraparound goggles and wristbands allowing to access the game from anywhere at anytime with ease.
Its popularity exploded, as the now somewhat wealthier population, less troubled by various problems thanks to the Ethernet, was allowed more free time and more opportunities to try out the new technology, which was said to be simply astonishing and very enjoyable. People of all ages, origins, nations and allegiances played it, and eventually it grew and grew some more, becoming almost a true world in and of itself.
And like a true world, it had its share of rumors, and urban legends.
The few who disliked the game and didn't support it claimed that DataDrive was corrupted to the core and that the game only existed as a tool of enslavement to control the world. Of course, such words were those of but a small minority, as most people were in agreement that DataDrive had helped so many, and had essentially solved most of the worst problems in the world.
There were multiple claims of people dying or falling in a coma while playing the game. Official investigations deemed such claims unfounded, or unrelated to the game. The rumors continued nonetheless, as players embellished the stories with tales of 'PKs engulfed in black smoke with red eyes, whose name and level was impossible to see, who would kill in real life anyone they killed in the game', and others like 'DataDrive has lost control of the Ethernet and the MMORPG, and the black smoke 'ghosts' are the system's tools to assume control of the real world.
Others still claimed that there was a strange young girl who appeared sometimes, to guide or protect players in danger or lost in the game.
And the most widely spread rumor was known as 'the Bleeding Effect', as many players seemed to like to believe that things from the game had begun 'bleeding' into the real world. Of course, such claims found no official support from DataDrive or the authorities, either.
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SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....
This is a game about players of the MMORPG 'Aeon Solemnia: Pillars of Eternity', from different walks of life, who join together at the request of a certain person to investigate the mysteries and secrets of the game, and indirectly of DataDrive, as actual, real inexplicable events seem to be indeed happening despite what the media says. They would investigate both inside and outside the game (mostly inside, at least at first... No spoilers), attempting to understand what's happening both through their efforts, and those of their characters, in a roleplay heavy virtual reality world and the real world.
I'm looking for 3-5 players, who will get to play as both the real world player outside the game, and their character in the MMORPG. You are GOOD GUYS, so avoid the loner who hates everyone type. ^_^ You need to be playing the MMORPG for whatever reason (because it's fun, because you actually know someone who fell in a coma while playing it, because you're a DataDrive employee who's job involve playing the game for some reason, etc). Also, you have to be willing to join a small group who investigates the company despite it being potentially illegal and even dangerous, so you need good reasons and/or an appropriate personality. Finally, in the real world, the action mostly happens in Japan, because. So you need to either live there, or have the means to go there for some reason either once in a while or permanently (ex: You're rich, or you travel a lot, or you have family or friends there, or you're an exchange student...)
Also keep in mind that while characters in the MMORPG can be downright amazing... their players in the real world are mostly normal people (and by 'mostly normal' I mean 'don't have powers or superhuman abilities').
My inspiration for this comes from the Matrix, Sword Art Online, .Hack G.U, Final Fantasy (for how epic it can possibly be), Magic the Gathering (only for the magic), and Drakengard. And Anime/Manga in general. If you like any of this, there's chances you'll love this.
NOTES: This game is for mature audiences only; it's not a happy/funny/cheerful story, although it might be all of those things at times. It will likely have strong language, violence, darker themes, etcetera. I have no intent of keeping anything out of that game that might make it more interesting and I am very open-minded. So if such things offend you, best keep out of this one.
I'd like good roleplayers if possible, as it will be a rather RP heavy game, but it will have more than its share of action as well.
Relationships and interaction between PCs are fine and even encouraged: makes for more intense RP when it's not only your ally who's in danger, but your girlfriend instead. XD
UPDATE FREQUENCY will be weekly, more or less. I am not planning to make this a super fast game, but I'd like to not make it a slow one either. If everyone has posted and I have free time, I may update more often but I promise nothing. Still, aim for at least this yourselves, as well.
NO CADS YET! Just gimme concepts 'PLAYERS' concepts, *not* characters yet..
By the way, just a few suggestions if it can help you think of a good idea:
-I'd allow one player to be a DataDrive employee, though fairly low-rank in the company;
-One could be a relative of Toshiko Shimizu, the scientist who died in an explosion under mysterious circumstances during the creation of AS: PoE
-Playing as yourselves is perfectly fine as well, just make whatever necessary changes to fit the setting, or whatever changes you'd like to make for whatever reason to make you happy. Remember, the Ethernet fixed most modern problems. XD
Interested?
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