The Dreamstate
A new craze has been spreading throughout Mereth. Using CAT cables and a miniaturized computer based on the ORACLE framework, anybody who can afford one (and most Merethians can) can experience a digital landscape, a virtual world, even while in their sleep. A number of programs are available with preset scenarios, and the games which can be played with this system can have physics not based in reality, but the main draw is that the adaptive nature of the ORACLE-based computer powering this is that it allows for new scenarios and more rewarding challenges to be created on the fly as a player progresses. This technology, and the idea of using a computer for fun is still extremely new (It's 7 years before the invention of videogames in the rest of the world), but it's rapidly gaining popularity, as citizens share the scenarios created by their Dreamstates with each other on recently developed computer chips called "cartridges".
One of the most popular scenarios is a relaxing beach trip, with a court for a game recently seen in the Tokyo Olympics called Volleyball, an ICE cream dispensary, and as many or as few other patrons as the user desires, with the Dreamstate adapting the situation to maximize fun and comfort. Another popular one features the rearing of a fantastic pet, which if one questioned it's biology one would see it's quite unlikely, but Dreamstate users enjoy it. A third base scenario distributed by the sellers of Dreamstates basically boils down to propoganda, with the user being put into the shoes of a Bear trooper fighting against an endless tide of Aramatites, demons, and whatever else the Dreamstate pulls from their subconscious, allowing them to literally fight their fears and win.
The military doesn't see much use in this, except for the possible training of soldiers, but with how unrealistic the scenarios can become after multiple uses, especially if a player is especially bad or especially good at overcoming the challenges presented by the Dreamstate, the idea that soldiers would learn anything useful from this is unlikely to come to fruition, but the primary purpose, to entertain, relax, and distract from the horrors of war, is more than enough for Dreamstates to be sold to military personnel as well.
Hope Project: Virtual RealityA new craze has been sweeping through Mereth. A new company that managed to get some CATs and Datalinks has created the first VR Game Console, the Nervegear. The Nervegear requires surgery to implant an Uplink, but once that's done, you can experiance Full-Dive. Come to a Virtual World, filled with food, fun, and adventure.
A pretty basic thing, but it is something new. In addition to the Nervegear, it also comes with a Home Processing Computer, allowing such innovations such as Word Processor, a Calculator, Paint, or the Internet. The Public is clamoring for access, and who are we to deny them.
The Nervegear really just uses the Uplink to capture the brains signals, and prevent them from affecting the body. Reading these, it acts as the controller for the virtual world. The Company, Mear Industries, is marketing three titles, and some general programs to get them psyched for release.
World Explorer A VR Title that takes pictures and data from multiple locations to auto-generate a world for the user to explore.
Virtual Reality: A VR Title that acts to allow free-form creation of a world and objects, all based on what the user wants. They use a flat Gamepad and pen to control the apps and draw things into existence. Works off of the World Explorer's own data collection. Also can be updated via the things created.
Other than those programs working off the base of their system. Here are the titles they market.
World of Dragons: Go on an epic adventure, alone or with friends, to slay a mighty dragon, rescue a prince(ss), and interact with a growing world.
Effectively the Fantasy game. Multiplay Online, with hopes for a Massive Overworld eventually.
Floating Sky: Dive into a world where reality is what you make it. Create new spells, fly through the various areas, and explore the Labyrinth. What awaits you below it's depths?
An underwater sea, a digital sea. A place where how you progress depends on you. Single player.
The 100th Boundry: Take up the sword and fight through the hundred floors with up to 1000 players. Level Up, learn skills, and enjoy a vast rich world. Experience Dungeons, and fight each floor boss as you progress. Can you reach the 100th Floor?
Exactly what it says, an old school game where you can fight monsters, level up, buy new items and gear, and generally have fun.
We at the research team decided to subsidize them in exchange for the program that made it all possible, a program similar to Oracle in Scope. A lot simpler, but it can run auto-generation based on what it receives like no one's business. The real meat of the funding we give them is the potential VR holds. At the least, it will keep our populace happy. Our duty is mostly to make sure to keep MAGMA cool. And lay enough Datalinks for the Internet needed for it. Also, actual small computers.
This is a secret, but we were behind the basics, we just ran open field to see what others could come up with, and Mear Industries won. Nervegear is pretty awesome.
Credit to flabort. And SAO. This advancement is perfect for an updated Brainwave at least.
Military Design:
Tremor Bombs: (0)
SLOTH: (0)
Reality Anchored N-ship: (0)
LEO Space Station Aurora: (2) Flabort, TricMagic
Brainwave: (1) Madman
Firestorm: (2) AC, NUKE9.13
N-Tune: (0)
Hope Design:
Blue Whale: (0)
Lunar City: (0)
Usrsa Maximus: (0)
Watchtower: (0)
Dreamstate: (0)
Lunar Alternative Viable Autarky: (3) Flabort, AC, NUKE9.13
PROPHET: (0)
HEATMISER: (2) Madman, TricMagic
OCEAN: (0)
Non-limited Power Source via Zero-Point ICE: (0)
Virtual Reality: (1) TricMagic