by Terry Schott
“I was number one a few times over the years. It’s not as fun as most people would imagine.”
“It is when you finish number one on your last play,” Zack’s Patron said confidently. “Number one out of just over a billion players, and that’s the spot you retire from playing in.” He paused to let the enormity of that statistic sink in. “That puts you in some very rare company, my young friend. In the entire history of the Game it’s only happened 11 times.”
Zack smiled at the hype, but he knew the truth. There were millions of people playing the Game, yet only a small percentage ever made it to the top ranks. Those who did tended to stay there until they retired. Some poor kid who wasn’t able to buy into his seventh game stayed on the lists until he was 18 which kept the statistics looking good, but the truth was that most players couldn’t afford to keep playing until the mandatory retirement age of 18. Every time you had a birthday, and every time you left the Game, it became much more expensive to play again. The system had been invented to replace the school system, which it did, to a degree. The original goal was to train productive members of society, which it had also accomplished. But it had also become big business to the real players and followers. The average age for a kid to drop out of the Game was 14. At that age they likely had enough credits to go to an old style school (they still existed) or a government funded facility. Then, when they turned 18, they could get a job that would allow them to live a normal, decent life. There were perhaps six million players still playing at 17, and almost half of them would lose all of their credits in the high risk Game that it became at that level. That still left many who would profit, and profit hugely… a hope and dream which kept them all in the Game until the end.
Zack’s patron set down his drink and leaned forward confidently. “I believe in you, Zack. When you went into the Game last time you were ranked number 752. Today you’re ranked number two. My advice is take the bold route and play the absolute best you can for your last turn.”
“And if I mess up and lose all my credits?” Zack asked. “Will you cover me? Give me something in writing today, a legal document saying you'll pay me the dollars to credits even if I lose them all?”
His Patron chuckled, “You know I can’t do that, Zack, it's against the rules. A law, in fact, and one that even I dare not break.”
“Then, when it all boils down to it, I’m on my own,” Zack said. “Same as always.”
“Amen.” Zack’s Patron said solemnly.
After a brief silence, the man spoke, “There are… unique options that I can provide for you, Zack. If you want to make a brave play for number one...”
“Tell me.” Zack said.
For the next half hour, Zack listened to what his Patron was willing to do to help him in his last play. “It’s risky, and dangerous, what you’re proposing,” Zack said. “I could lose it all.”
“Or win it all, and that’s how you must think of it, should you decide to move forward, Zack.”
“I’ll want time to think about this.”
“You have time. It will be a few days before you know when you can play again. My guess is that it will be a week or two before you can re-enter. Even if you can go in sooner, I advise waiting for a couple of weeks to get it set up as perfectly as you can. The press wants to interview you, as well.”
“Which stations?” Zack asked.
“All of them.” answered the Patron. “There’s a bidding war to get you first. Number two from 752 is a huge leap. Everyone is clamouring to get you on their program for interviews.”
“Who are we leaning towards?”
“The Buzz. They have worldwide coverage, and the owners are significant sponsors of yours. It’s best to reward them for backing you.” The Patron smiled. “As long as they're one of the highest bidders. The real carrot that's being dangled from their hand is a promise to have Angelica interview you if we decide to go with them.”
Zack sat forward excitedly “Are you serious? The Angelica interviewing me? She's one of the best to ever play the Game! She finished her last play four years ago in the number one spot and hasn't been seen or heard from since. That would be an incredible opportunity!”
“Then let’s plan for that interview to kick off your press tour. Quick but busy for the next few weeks, starting as soon as we find out when you're eligible to go back in.” Zack’s Patron stood up and walked towards the door. “I’ve got to get out of here. Lots of work to do, and Kyle is on his way up to check on you.”
“When will we meet again?” Zack asked his Patron.
“As soon as possible. The face-to-face meetings are difficult at the moment, but we can keep in touch electronically, as always. I’m very proud of you, Zack. If you retire as number one, I will make good on the reward you asked for when we first met. I have to admit it was a silly boy’s request all those years ago, but nothing would make me prouder than to officially give you my surname.”
Zack grinned. “Zack Strayne... I’ve always liked the sound of that, Brandon.”
Chapter 5
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Strayne.” The female reporter shook hands with Brandon before sitting down across from him on the television studio soundstage. She was your typical television interviewer; pretty face, heavy with makeup that looked ridiculous in real life but helped her appear normal on camera. Dark rimmed glasses to help announce her intelligence to viewers. Striking blue eyes, black hair cut in a cute pixie style. Perfect white teeth and a charming smile. She was dressed in a dark and professional business suit, the knee length skirt revealing her tanned, shapely legs which were crossed properly at the ankles. Brandon guessed that she was single and looking for a rich husband; the single reporters often competed for the opportunity to interview and impress the world’s richest bachelor.
“Please, call me Brandon,” he replied. ”Do you mind if I call you Lisa? Or would you prefer Miss Rohansen?”
“I would prefer other things from you, Brandon.” She flashed a comfortable, seductive smile, her eyes looking him up and down appreciatively. It took effort not to laugh at her obvious attempt to engage him. “I would be happy if you’d call me Lisa. Thanks again for agreeing to do this interview. Have they told you how the program is scheduled to play out?”
Brandon nodded his head. ”You’re going to play some old footage that explains the Game, why I came up with it, the history of its rise in popularity, covering some key points throughout. Then you’re going to talk to me about Zack and his chances for retiring at the top. Does that sound about right?”
Lisa smiled pleasantly. ”Sounds exactly right. It’s a fluff piece, really, Brandon. You’re paying for it, so none of us intend to ask uncomfortable or difficult questions about the Game. We are going to try and help you build a following for Zack, or should I say, increase his already incredible fan base.”
Brandon chuckled. ”Thanks, Lisa. Zack definitely leads the pack in fans. His following has been huge for years now. This is a rare occasion, though, and it deserves special attention.”
The intro music started in the studio, the stage went dark, and both Brandon and Lisa turned their attention to a large screen which opened the show. The deep, soothing voice of a male narrator began to give the history of The Game:
“Thirty years ago, the education system was in ruins and the average person suffered from an overall lack of motivation to live in the real world. Multiple generations of video gaming had put society in a dangerous crisis. Adults who had spent their entire lives sitting in front of computers also allowed their children to do the same. Middle and lower class workers were plagued with physical and mental health sicknesses that come from eating poorly, not exercising, and interacting less and less with their fellow man. The upper class recognized the problem but they were unable to solve it. The middle class all but disappeared and the lower class was in serious danger. Historical experts of today look back on that period and agree; civilization was on a collision course with extinction.
Brandon Strayne heard about VirtDyne's problems and approached them with a proposal. If he could solve their issues and save their company, they agreed to give Brandon a 51 percent controlling interest in the company. In a short time, Brandon was able to fix VirtDyne’s problems, making it possible to safely be put into, and brought out of, virtual reality. VirtDyne celebrated his success by quickly transferring majority ownership over to Brandon. With true virtual reality now — pardon the play on words — a reality, every major and minor company in the world got in line with trillions of dollars in hand, hoping to harness this new technology to gain competitive advantage in their markets. Brandon had different plans for his new technology, however, and he quickly announced that there would be only one virtual reality product, developed and controlled entirely by VirtDyne. Not long afterward, he introduced the product to the world. Brandon called it 'The Game.'
The death spiral of society was the problem, and Brandon was pleased to announce that The Game was going to be the solution. Schools and current teaching models had been in place for centuries, but they were no longer effective. With the approval of the government, children would now go to school by playing The Game. Simulations have always been an effective method for training, enabling students to learn safely before being put into real life situations. They have always been viewed as a valuable way to teach. Pilots, surgeons, soldiers, and many other professions have excelled over the years, thanks to simulation training.
The Game was designed to be the ultimate in simulation training — a virtual reality life simulation, where children would start off first as simple organisms and then progress in complexity with each play, as they aged and mastered the basics of the Game, to more evolved characters, known as “avatars.” Each play of the Game would be a lifetime, some short, some long. Time would be measured differently inside the computer simulation for players, allowing them to live decades in the Game while only a short time would pass in reality. The Game would be every child’s new school. At the age of five, each student would enter the Game free of charge for their first five plays. A credit system was created so that students would accumulate credits as they moved through their virtual lifetimes. The credits earned would be deposited into their own account at the end of their play. The first five plays would be free and then the child would use credits from their account to buy into new plays.
Some children would not accumulate enough credits to buy new plays, which would result in them dropping out of the Game. Dropouts would attend old style public schools if they were still young enough to live with their parents; if they were older than 14, the students would attend government run institutions, where they would be trained for labour and simple jobs which would available to them upon reaching the age of 18.
Over time, students would earn enough credits from living as simple organisms so that they could purchase the ability to play as humans. This was the higher purpose for developing the Game and where the real learning would occur. Understanding what a person can learn from just one lifetime, imagine living five or even ten lifetimes, all before turning 18!
There is a saying that “youth is wasted on the young,” which is true in many ways. With the Game, a young person could become an adult with lifetimes of wisdom in their psyche already. It was an incredible opportunity, and the Game as a replacement for traditional schooling was accepted by every country in record time.
All countries quickly agreed to let small test groups participate in the Game. The results were overwhelmingly positive, and in just a few short years, the Game was the primary method for teaching children worldwide. That was a generation ago, and although a few virtual reality products have been slowly developed and introduced, VirtDyne owns them all, and each product revolves around what has become the world’s greatest obsession... The Game.”
Chapter 6
The television monitor faded to black and the studio lights blazed to life. Lisa smiled and began her interview.
“The 18th of next month marks the 30th anniversary of The Big Bang, the term that VirtDyne uses to describe the activation of the computer network that gave birth to the virtual universe of the Game. Mr. Brandon Strayne joins us live tonight to discuss the festivities surrounding the anniversary, and also to talk about one of the most exciting players currently in the Game and the excitement being generated over his final play. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Strayne.”
“Please, Lisa,” Brandon said, ”Call me Brandon.”
Lisa returned his smile, a slight blush working its way through her makeup. She was definitely picturing herself as his new girlfriend after the taping. It took all of his control not to laugh out loud at her eagerness. Maybe he would take her out for dinner. ”Thank you, Brandon. First let me ask you what’s on everyone’s mind lately. Are there going to be special events taking place inside the Game, and, if so, can you share any of the details?”
“Well Lisa, I don’t want to ruin any surprises... I can say that there are going to be many special events inside the Game this year to celebrate its 30-year anniversary. Some will be obvious to viewers; many will not be. As I’ve already admitted, none of the programming is mine, and I’m going to be as surprised and excited as everyone else over the next year. I’m especially excited to see if my young benefactor can pull off a spectacular and incredibly rare feat, ending his final play in the Game as the number one player in the world.”
“Yes, let’s talk about that. Zack was nowhere near the top when he began his last reincarnation, yet when he died he had solidly landed the number two rank. What do you say to those critics out there who will claim he only did so well because he has you for his Patron?”
Brandon laughed softly. ”I would say these people have no idea what the Game is or how it’s played, Lisa. First of all, Zack was reincarnated ranked 752. When you look at the world rankings of millions of currently active players, 752 is in the top ranks. Secondly, check the history over the last twenty-nine years; I have, and you’ll see jumps much more drastic than what Zack just experienced. It might seem like a big leap, but the first hundred thousand players can jump around and capture top ten ranking spots if they have a good life inside the Game.”
“You’re exactly right, Brandon.” Lisa said. She then went on to describe a set of graphs being displayed to the audience showing many large swings in ranks over the years, identifying the specific players who had experienced them. When she was done detailing the graphs, Brandon continued with his defence.
“If people still continue to claim that I’m somehow helping Zack from outside of the Game, let me assure you that it’s impossible. The code and expense and massive shifting in the virtual timeline, as well as the billions, if not trillions of individuals that would be adversely affected in the Game, ensures that such a thing never happens. Over the years, hackers have tried to get into, and influence, the Game. Only the Games Masters can do so, and the exhaustive time and effort required to make even the smallest change to the virtual universe is so complicated that tampering like you are suggesting could never happen. Twelve Games Masters are required to work together to make a change.” Brandon leaned forward. “It’s simply not something that would be possible, Lisa. The Games Masters take their responsibility too seriously to be corrupted, let alone all twelve of them falling prey to greed. The Game won’t let even the Games Masters interfere too much. They are called on very rarely and with all their effort they can affect only the smallest of changes. No, Lisa, what happens in the Game is unscripted and uncontrolled by anyone outside of it. Part of what makes the Game so incredible is that
when left on its own, the Mainframe creates events better than we could possibly come up with ourselves.”
The issue addressed and resolved, Lisa brought the conversation back to the hot topic at hand. ”Can he do it, Brandon?” she asked. ”Can Zack be one of the few to finish his last play ranked number one? Or will he take the safe way out and just coast through to ensure he retires from the Game as a very, very wealthy individual in reality?”
“Well, only he can know for certain, Lisa.” Brandon said with a boyish grin, ”But if I were to bet on this Game, then I’d bet he’s going to go for it. Of course, I know a few very wealthy people who are putting their life savings on him not going for it. So we’ll all just have to wait and see and hope that he gives us an incredible farewell show. If you want to try and figure it out for yourself, be sure to see his interview with Angelica later this week.”
Lisa’s jaw dropped. ”The Angelica?” she asked. ”The last player to do exactly what we’re hoping Zack can do? She captured the number one spot on her last play and it was so incredible that replays and Firsting sales of her last incarnation are still best sellers, four years after the event! No one’s seen her since her victory tour.”
“That’s her, all right,” Brandon nodded. ”I imagine there will be a turnout for that program.”
“Well, you heard it here first, everyone,” Lisa said. ”Brandon, I’d like to thank you for sitting with me tonight to talk about the upcoming events in the Game. It’s sure to be an exciting time for everyone, both player and spectator alike!”
“I have one more announcement before we go, Lisa.” Brandon said.
“Of course, Brandon. What would you like to share with us?”
“The Mainframe has announced that it’s giving a free play to someone who had previously dropped out. A free play hasn’t been awarded from the Game for over three years, and I was wondering if I could tell you now who it will be?”