Frozen In Ice
Emperor
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,536
He was talking about making games.
GameNES: Insert Credit
- Thread starter Luckymoose
- Start date
Nylan
Characters Welcome
Well this puts another spin on things...time to get my wheels turning I 'spose, what with the whole jumping in from outta nowhere and all...
The Strategos
Thanatos
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2002
- Messages
- 1,175
December 24, 2009
Andrew pulled up into the driveway in his Saturn Ion, parking beside an old, beat-up Ford truck that used to be light blue, but now was closer to rust. As he walked up the steps to the door, he dodged an oversized American flag that was lazily moving in the breeze. In the process, he almost tripped over a giant extension cord that powered the faux-icicle lights that hung from the porch. Placing the two pieces of luggage on the steps, Andrew fumbled around in his pockets before taking out a set of keys. Unlocking the door, he let entered into the house, pausing at the doorway to take of his shoes.
Leaning on the wall for support, he called out to the empty hallway, Im here.
From the kitchen, a maternally figure came out, wiping her hands on her apron. Hi baby. She said, as Andrew bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek. Turning towards the direction of the living room she yelled, Honey, Andrews home. From the living room came a creak from a well used rocking chair. Soon afterwards, a man wearing a flannel shirt appeared.
Well hello stranger. He said, as he held out his hands, inviting a hug. Obediently, Andrew stepped forward, his eyes rolling slightly at the predictable greeting. Ever since college, his dad had felt that if he didnt visit at least once a week, he suddenly was neglecting them. This was especially true now, as he lived just outside of Charlotte, where his business was based, just over a two hour drive from his parents house.
Oh hush dear. His mother gave the look, the one that let males everywhere know that whatever they were doing they needed to stop immediately. You know how busy Andrew is with work. Turning to Andrew, she smiled. Were just glad you could come home for the holidays. Im making your favorites for today, it will be ready soon. So until then, why dont you sit at the table. Obediently Andrew followed his mother and father into the kitchen, leaving his luggage in the living room before taking a seat at the small table that dominated one side.
I brought some gifts I got you during my trip to Japan. Ill put them under the tree after supper.
That reminds me, we have something to show you. Honey, where did I put that magazine?
Andrews mother walked over to the table, wiping her hands on her apron. I think you placed it on the stand over there, its probably under yesterdays mail. As her husband started rifling through the pile of mail, magazines, and assorted paper that made up the stand, she turned to Andrew. Mrs. Miller at church, you remember her, dont you? Well, her son gets some magazine, GameBoard
No, no dear, Andrews father interrupted, looking up from the stacks of paper he had scattered around. that wasnt its name.
You could be right. Now what was that magazines name?
Seeing that the point of the story, if there even was a point, was in real danger of being lost as his parents argued over the elusive title, Andrew decided to interrupt. Yes, this magazines he prodded.
Yes, well, as I was saying, Mrs. Millers son saw a picture of you in this magazine, so she told us when we saw her at church. So me and your father went to the store after church and bought a couple of them.
Found it. Andrews dad proudly announced, waving it around in the air as if he were Chamberlain fresh from securing peace for our time. Proudly placing it in front of Andrew, he beamed as Andrew scanned the cover. Across the top, proudly ran the title GameLord Magazine. Below, Gladius stood, his arms crossed, a Santas hat sitting crookedly on his head. Across the bottom the magazine screamed Top 10 Games of 2009: Your definitive MUST buy for the holiday season.
Having already seen this issue at the office when it first came out, Andrew felt a pang in the pit of his stomach as he knew what would be coming. Resignedly taking one last glance at his parents eager faces, he flipped to the article about Gladius. There, in the midst of the article, was a picture from the Gladius debut party of a giggling Aiko Sakurada standing right beside Andrew, both giving the V sign to the camera.
Sure enough, once his parents saw he had noticed the picture, they pounced. Your date is a very pretty girl. His mother started, abandoning any mask of subtlety.
Andrew sighed. His parents deemed him well past the age where he should have been producing their grandchildren and found every opportunity to remind him of that fact. Usually when he was home, they would talk about this nice girl they knew who he should meet. And, of course, God help him if he causally mentioned something about a girl at work, or even worse, if as this case, they found a picture of him and a female standing remotely close to each other. She wasnt my date mom. From the look she gave him, he could tell she was skeptical. Shes the head of a Japanese company, theyre one of my investors.
Andrews dad peered closely into his sons eyes, as if trying to determine whether this was some elaborate joke. She seems pretty young to be the head of a company. He said in a suspicious voice.
Andrew sighed again. Dad, did you forget that Im the head of a company?
Like an efficient tag-team partnership, Andrews mother stepped in as his dad seemed about to grudgingly concede the point. Anyway dear, you should invite her over here for dinner sometime.
Andrew wished he could be astonished at his mothers words, but unfortunately for him, conversations like this were all too common when he was home. Mom, shes the head of a Japanese company. That means she lives in Japan.
I know, Andrew, but you went to Japan on a business trip, why cant she come over here?
I bet that she would come over here in an instant if she knew how good your moms apple pie was. Andrews dad chipped in.
Andrew could tell that this was a lost cause. Alright, alright. If she is ever in North Carolina, Ill invite her over for dinner.
At his concession, his parents beamed. Reassuringly patting his hand, his mother offered up her version of sage advice. Long distance relationships are hard to manage, but good communication solves a lot of problems.
Andrew only stared, racking his brain trying to figure out how his parents turned a simple party photograph into him engaging in a long distance relationship with Aiko. After a moment, he decided he would rather not know how his parents minds worked. Instead, he felt that he needed to change the conversation fast before they started inquiring about wedding dates. Mom, do I smell something burning?
His mother sniffed the air. Hmmm, thats strange, I dont smell anything burning, but I better check anyway, it should be close to being done.
As his mother went towards the oven, Andrew initiated phase two of his plan, turning towards his father. Hey dad, I heard UNC lost to Ohio State while I was gone.
Predictably enough, at the reminder, Andrews fathers face turned red. Those kids should have never lost that game. They think just because theyre talented, they automatically win every game. If I was their coach
Andrew leaned back, satisfied. He had managed to distract both of his parents long enough that the girl conversation was over. With any luck, that conversation was dead for the length of his stay. Of course, it would undoubtedly flare up again the next time he came, with a different woman most likely, but the future was the future, so there was no use worrying about it now.
Andrew pulled up into the driveway in his Saturn Ion, parking beside an old, beat-up Ford truck that used to be light blue, but now was closer to rust. As he walked up the steps to the door, he dodged an oversized American flag that was lazily moving in the breeze. In the process, he almost tripped over a giant extension cord that powered the faux-icicle lights that hung from the porch. Placing the two pieces of luggage on the steps, Andrew fumbled around in his pockets before taking out a set of keys. Unlocking the door, he let entered into the house, pausing at the doorway to take of his shoes.
Leaning on the wall for support, he called out to the empty hallway, Im here.
From the kitchen, a maternally figure came out, wiping her hands on her apron. Hi baby. She said, as Andrew bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek. Turning towards the direction of the living room she yelled, Honey, Andrews home. From the living room came a creak from a well used rocking chair. Soon afterwards, a man wearing a flannel shirt appeared.
Well hello stranger. He said, as he held out his hands, inviting a hug. Obediently, Andrew stepped forward, his eyes rolling slightly at the predictable greeting. Ever since college, his dad had felt that if he didnt visit at least once a week, he suddenly was neglecting them. This was especially true now, as he lived just outside of Charlotte, where his business was based, just over a two hour drive from his parents house.
Oh hush dear. His mother gave the look, the one that let males everywhere know that whatever they were doing they needed to stop immediately. You know how busy Andrew is with work. Turning to Andrew, she smiled. Were just glad you could come home for the holidays. Im making your favorites for today, it will be ready soon. So until then, why dont you sit at the table. Obediently Andrew followed his mother and father into the kitchen, leaving his luggage in the living room before taking a seat at the small table that dominated one side.
I brought some gifts I got you during my trip to Japan. Ill put them under the tree after supper.
That reminds me, we have something to show you. Honey, where did I put that magazine?
Andrews mother walked over to the table, wiping her hands on her apron. I think you placed it on the stand over there, its probably under yesterdays mail. As her husband started rifling through the pile of mail, magazines, and assorted paper that made up the stand, she turned to Andrew. Mrs. Miller at church, you remember her, dont you? Well, her son gets some magazine, GameBoard
No, no dear, Andrews father interrupted, looking up from the stacks of paper he had scattered around. that wasnt its name.
You could be right. Now what was that magazines name?
Seeing that the point of the story, if there even was a point, was in real danger of being lost as his parents argued over the elusive title, Andrew decided to interrupt. Yes, this magazines he prodded.
Yes, well, as I was saying, Mrs. Millers son saw a picture of you in this magazine, so she told us when we saw her at church. So me and your father went to the store after church and bought a couple of them.
Found it. Andrews dad proudly announced, waving it around in the air as if he were Chamberlain fresh from securing peace for our time. Proudly placing it in front of Andrew, he beamed as Andrew scanned the cover. Across the top, proudly ran the title GameLord Magazine. Below, Gladius stood, his arms crossed, a Santas hat sitting crookedly on his head. Across the bottom the magazine screamed Top 10 Games of 2009: Your definitive MUST buy for the holiday season.
Having already seen this issue at the office when it first came out, Andrew felt a pang in the pit of his stomach as he knew what would be coming. Resignedly taking one last glance at his parents eager faces, he flipped to the article about Gladius. There, in the midst of the article, was a picture from the Gladius debut party of a giggling Aiko Sakurada standing right beside Andrew, both giving the V sign to the camera.
Sure enough, once his parents saw he had noticed the picture, they pounced. Your date is a very pretty girl. His mother started, abandoning any mask of subtlety.
Andrew sighed. His parents deemed him well past the age where he should have been producing their grandchildren and found every opportunity to remind him of that fact. Usually when he was home, they would talk about this nice girl they knew who he should meet. And, of course, God help him if he causally mentioned something about a girl at work, or even worse, if as this case, they found a picture of him and a female standing remotely close to each other. She wasnt my date mom. From the look she gave him, he could tell she was skeptical. Shes the head of a Japanese company, theyre one of my investors.
Andrews dad peered closely into his sons eyes, as if trying to determine whether this was some elaborate joke. She seems pretty young to be the head of a company. He said in a suspicious voice.
Andrew sighed again. Dad, did you forget that Im the head of a company?
Like an efficient tag-team partnership, Andrews mother stepped in as his dad seemed about to grudgingly concede the point. Anyway dear, you should invite her over here for dinner sometime.
Andrew wished he could be astonished at his mothers words, but unfortunately for him, conversations like this were all too common when he was home. Mom, shes the head of a Japanese company. That means she lives in Japan.
I know, Andrew, but you went to Japan on a business trip, why cant she come over here?
I bet that she would come over here in an instant if she knew how good your moms apple pie was. Andrews dad chipped in.
Andrew could tell that this was a lost cause. Alright, alright. If she is ever in North Carolina, Ill invite her over for dinner.
At his concession, his parents beamed. Reassuringly patting his hand, his mother offered up her version of sage advice. Long distance relationships are hard to manage, but good communication solves a lot of problems.
Andrew only stared, racking his brain trying to figure out how his parents turned a simple party photograph into him engaging in a long distance relationship with Aiko. After a moment, he decided he would rather not know how his parents minds worked. Instead, he felt that he needed to change the conversation fast before they started inquiring about wedding dates. Mom, do I smell something burning?
His mother sniffed the air. Hmmm, thats strange, I dont smell anything burning, but I better check anyway, it should be close to being done.
As his mother went towards the oven, Andrew initiated phase two of his plan, turning towards his father. Hey dad, I heard UNC lost to Ohio State while I was gone.
Predictably enough, at the reminder, Andrews fathers face turned red. Those kids should have never lost that game. They think just because theyre talented, they automatically win every game. If I was their coach
Andrew leaned back, satisfied. He had managed to distract both of his parents long enough that the girl conversation was over. With any luck, that conversation was dead for the length of his stay. Of course, it would undoubtedly flare up again the next time he came, with a different woman most likely, but the future was the future, so there was no use worrying about it now.
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
I always pictured Aiko as a lesbian. Have no idea why.
jeps
Arcadefire
OOC: From Endless Games Inc.
To Andrew's Dad
With Mad Skilz: Football, you CAN be UNC's coach. Buy it and see how you do!
Read: Nice story
To Andrew's Dad
With Mad Skilz: Football, you CAN be UNC's coach. Buy it and see how you do!
Read: Nice story
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
BBC Live
"Hello, I am Christie Anders in London, live with Ryan Evans, owner of Nuclear kid industries and the Phoenix console. How are you doing?
RE: Great, Christie.
CA: Well, Mr. Evans, how do you fell about the Phoenix not selling well this year?
RE: Well, I am a little upset. Gamers need to understand that the Phoenix is under new management, and it will stay that way.
CA: That's what Mr. Hayden said earlier when he bought the company.
RE: Yes, he did. But, personaly, he was Aiko's puppet. He really wanted nothing but a sea food company. Gaming wasn't his passion.
CA: What do you have that will get fans coming back?
RE: Well, Zombie Chronicles II is coming for the Phoenix, as well as Death match and a little extra.
CA: Yes?
RE: Starting now, You can get A Phoenix System, 2 Controlers, 2 Controlers, The Game World War I, Blindsided and Red Coat for the low price of $250! That is about $150 off of the old price. So get your Phoenix today!
CA: Well, there you have it. This is Christie Anders in London, BBC news
"Hello, I am Christie Anders in London, live with Ryan Evans, owner of Nuclear kid industries and the Phoenix console. How are you doing?
RE: Great, Christie.
CA: Well, Mr. Evans, how do you fell about the Phoenix not selling well this year?
RE: Well, I am a little upset. Gamers need to understand that the Phoenix is under new management, and it will stay that way.
CA: That's what Mr. Hayden said earlier when he bought the company.
RE: Yes, he did. But, personaly, he was Aiko's puppet. He really wanted nothing but a sea food company. Gaming wasn't his passion.
CA: What do you have that will get fans coming back?
RE: Well, Zombie Chronicles II is coming for the Phoenix, as well as Death match and a little extra.
CA: Yes?
RE: Starting now, You can get A Phoenix System, 2 Controlers, 2 Controlers, The Game World War I, Blindsided and Red Coat for the low price of $250! That is about $150 off of the old price. So get your Phoenix today!
CA: Well, there you have it. This is Christie Anders in London, BBC news
Nylan
Characters Welcome
I hope production costs don't kill you....
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
I don't allow two of the most successful Companies owners/ceo's/chairpersons mingle. Plus its unprofessional. 
erez87
Lord of Random
- Joined
- May 16, 2002
- Messages
- 13,500
Studio Name: Indigo Games
Head of Studio/Player: Albert Dawn/erez87
Income: $20,000 (Average)
Tech/Design Engine: 5
Employee Artistic/Programming: Below Average
Confidence: 6
Reputation: 4
Customer Satisfaction: 4
Production Costs: $8,000
Employee Costs: $2,000
OOC: I hope it's fine. I understand I start with $20000.
I'll PM you my first games to learn the costs the number of turns each would take.
Head of Studio/Player: Albert Dawn/erez87
Income: $20,000 (Average)
Tech/Design Engine: 5
Employee Artistic/Programming: Below Average
Confidence: 6
Reputation: 4
Customer Satisfaction: 4
Production Costs: $8,000
Employee Costs: $2,000
OOC: I hope it's fine. I understand I start with $20000.
I'll PM you my first games to learn the costs the number of turns each would take.
erez87
Lord of Random
- Joined
- May 16, 2002
- Messages
- 13,500
With the new game company Indigo Games starting up we decided to ask their head of studio some questions. Here is what Albert Dawn has to say about his new company.
So Albert, A new game company. What you are going to offer that others don't have?
Well first thing first, we are a new company and need something to get going. Our first project has only begun a week ago with we believe we will finish it quickly. I can't give too many details but while it won't throw many new things at you, it will surprise a lot of you everywhere.
Why surprise?
Well we decided to make something that will be good for everyone. Some blast from the past. This Project is called Return To Our Roots and thats pretty much all I can tell you right now. Well I can tell you it will be out to every console, PC and even an early special Cell-phone download-able content. All this project games will have an online store to buy them from, and hopefully we will sell them in enough stores.
Online store? What do you mean?
Oh yes. Our web site is under developing and will be a nice add-on to the internet. We will offer reviews of games, not only from our company, and the most special tool will be the online game shop. It will sell games online straight from the creators, and from there you could download cellular content.
Sounds nice. What about something of your own?
We only just begun so ideas are thrown a lot. We have some plans for a few games, including a MMORPG that we plan to continue for a long time. But before all that we have to develop a unique one of a kind visual engine so you won't hear from us much new content too anytime soon.
I see. So you say this interview came a bit early?
Yeah kinda. I hope we won't be forgotten before we let ourselves be known!
Was enjoyable interviewing you.
Likewise. Was a blast.
So you heard the man people. He has some stuff that will surprise many of us even if not be anything special and they hope to get going fast so we could soon hear some extreme stuff from them. Thats all for now gamers.
OOC: What is production costs? What do we pay for there?
So Albert, A new game company. What you are going to offer that others don't have?
Well first thing first, we are a new company and need something to get going. Our first project has only begun a week ago with we believe we will finish it quickly. I can't give too many details but while it won't throw many new things at you, it will surprise a lot of you everywhere.
Why surprise?
Well we decided to make something that will be good for everyone. Some blast from the past. This Project is called Return To Our Roots and thats pretty much all I can tell you right now. Well I can tell you it will be out to every console, PC and even an early special Cell-phone download-able content. All this project games will have an online store to buy them from, and hopefully we will sell them in enough stores.
Online store? What do you mean?
Oh yes. Our web site is under developing and will be a nice add-on to the internet. We will offer reviews of games, not only from our company, and the most special tool will be the online game shop. It will sell games online straight from the creators, and from there you could download cellular content.
Sounds nice. What about something of your own?
We only just begun so ideas are thrown a lot. We have some plans for a few games, including a MMORPG that we plan to continue for a long time. But before all that we have to develop a unique one of a kind visual engine so you won't hear from us much new content too anytime soon.
I see. So you say this interview came a bit early?
Yeah kinda. I hope we won't be forgotten before we let ourselves be known!
Was enjoyable interviewing you.
Likewise. Was a blast.
So you heard the man people. He has some stuff that will surprise many of us even if not be anything special and they hope to get going fast so we could soon hear some extreme stuff from them. Thats all for now gamers.
OOC: What is production costs? What do we pay for there?
The Strategos
Thanatos
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2002
- Messages
- 1,175
To: Nuclear kid Industries
From: Celestial Games
Regretfully, we must decline your offer at this time. Along with the gamming public, we too have concerns over the long-term viability of the Phoenix console, and do not wish to commit ourselves to a project that might fold before its release. In addition to this, we have already agreed to as many contracts as we were planning on filling this fiscal year, and do not want to spread ourselves too thin by agreeing to another contract, possibly resulting in sub-par games for all our contracts. It is possible that when we begin our next flagship release for the holiday season of 2011, we will reevaluate whether we wish to continue developing Light Complex exclusives, and if we do, we will certainly keep your company, as well as every other console company, in consideration.
To: Karui Kiba Corporation
From: Celestial Games
We would like to inquire into the possibility of delaying the next required payment for Inferno, per our contract, from this upcoming quarter (OOC: why do we call them quarters when there are only three of them?) to the holiday quarter. If not, that is fine as we already agreed to the contract, but if the payment could be delayed until the holiday quarter, we would be very grateful to Karui Kiba.
From: Celestial Games
Regretfully, we must decline your offer at this time. Along with the gamming public, we too have concerns over the long-term viability of the Phoenix console, and do not wish to commit ourselves to a project that might fold before its release. In addition to this, we have already agreed to as many contracts as we were planning on filling this fiscal year, and do not want to spread ourselves too thin by agreeing to another contract, possibly resulting in sub-par games for all our contracts. It is possible that when we begin our next flagship release for the holiday season of 2011, we will reevaluate whether we wish to continue developing Light Complex exclusives, and if we do, we will certainly keep your company, as well as every other console company, in consideration.
To: Karui Kiba Corporation
From: Celestial Games
We would like to inquire into the possibility of delaying the next required payment for Inferno, per our contract, from this upcoming quarter (OOC: why do we call them quarters when there are only three of them?) to the holiday quarter. If not, that is fine as we already agreed to the contract, but if the payment could be delayed until the holiday quarter, we would be very grateful to Karui Kiba.
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
@erez: I hope you know the cell phone games will not make you any money at all. You can only start one game a turn, max of three unfinished titles. And so on.
Nylan
Characters Welcome
“Lights?”
“Check”
“Audio?”
“Check”
“Deep Throaty Voiceover Man?”
“Check”
“Your uncle’s fog machine?”
“Check. Don’t break it or he’ll kill me.”
“Alright…let’s get this over with”
The reporters are ushered into the darkened press room, which resembles a small theater more than anything. There is hushed conversation as some comment on the darkness. Others squint as they take notes. Curiosity builds as they take their seats, followed by a hushed silence. It lasts a moment or two, just long enough to sink in, before a few journalists began to murmur, an attempt at soothing their nerves.
“What’s going on?”
“No idea.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“Me neither. I hope it’s not lame.”
The hush returned at the sound of a door closing and locking, leaving the room completely dark. The press sat in silence for near a minute, before a cool, even female voice drifted over the assembled.
“Imagination. All throughout time, it has been a driving force behind human progress. It first came to life in the fire, through which men of old drew much inspiration.” As she spoke, a brief image of fire appeared on a screen before them, accompanied by the faint pop and crackle of a campfire, and seemed to convey a tribal emotion.
“It has created art, great sculptures and tapestries. Architecture of the finest nature.” Images of various world landmarks, from the Hagia Sofia and the Sistine Chapel to the Pyramids and the Mona Lisa accompanied the line.
“It has drawn out emotion, and expressed man’s greatest thoughts.” Faint ambient music could be heard, and a Fantasia-esque visualization swept across the screen, conveying a sense of wonder and mystery to the viewers.
“It has fueled growth and progress” The rhythmic sounds of machinery and bleeps of computers could be heard as silhouettes of gears, machines, and hi-tech devices played across the theater.
“And now,” the voice said as all went quiet and dark once more, “it fuels a Storm”.
A torrent of light and sound followed, enough to overstimulate the most mild epileptic. Fortunately, there were none in the room that night. Jeanette had made sure of that. The noise and light continued to build as fog poured from the wings, until the entire stage was obscured. Energetic electronica began to play as the lights reduced to four stage-side strobe lights, all centered on the shadow of a podium rising up from the stage. The flashing ceased as the fog dispersed, and the owner of the mysterious voice and a stand containing a sleek, black object. Strobe was replaced with spotlight, as a beautifully clad Jeanette stepped forward to address the crowd.
“Hello. Welcome to the future of gaming. Eruption Entertainment has decided to redefine gaming, redefine imagination. Imagination is short in this age, as is innovation, power, and beauty. Capitalism has soured what should not be a business…but art. We believe in returning to those roots, to the art of video games. We want to push limits.
“Revolutionary storage and encryption methods. A dynamic and expansive physics engine. A vibrant and refreshing online community. The power to do and create more with games. The power to escape reality, to replace it. This is what we see in the future. Eruption Entertainment now OFFICIALLY announces a new force in the world: The Storm. It is intended to do both what others cannot, and what others will not. Welcome to art, members of the press. Welcome to the Storm. No questions please.”
She walked offstage, leaving a baffled media behind her trying to piece together the events of the past few minutes.
“Roll the tape.” She said as she passed a Tech in the wings. Visuals of new gameplay concepts and graphics experiments now filled the screens, and it would be another thirty minutes before the press finally stirred to leave.
“Don’t you think that was a bit much?” One whispered to another.
“Not at all. Don’t you see? This entire thing was a metaphor for their plans concerning the Storm. This whole thing was art. Beautiful.”
“They didn’t say much about the system at all though.”
“I think that was the point. Imagination, remember?”
“Imagination?”
“Yes, Imagination.”
OOC: Stats some time soon? And Lucky, I'll get you a more comprehensive description of the system as soon as I can, so you can accurately estimate the time it will take to get it on shelves.
“Check”
“Audio?”
“Check”
“Deep Throaty Voiceover Man?”
“Check”
“Your uncle’s fog machine?”
“Check. Don’t break it or he’ll kill me.”
“Alright…let’s get this over with”
The reporters are ushered into the darkened press room, which resembles a small theater more than anything. There is hushed conversation as some comment on the darkness. Others squint as they take notes. Curiosity builds as they take their seats, followed by a hushed silence. It lasts a moment or two, just long enough to sink in, before a few journalists began to murmur, an attempt at soothing their nerves.
“What’s going on?”
“No idea.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“Me neither. I hope it’s not lame.”
The hush returned at the sound of a door closing and locking, leaving the room completely dark. The press sat in silence for near a minute, before a cool, even female voice drifted over the assembled.
“Imagination. All throughout time, it has been a driving force behind human progress. It first came to life in the fire, through which men of old drew much inspiration.” As she spoke, a brief image of fire appeared on a screen before them, accompanied by the faint pop and crackle of a campfire, and seemed to convey a tribal emotion.
“It has created art, great sculptures and tapestries. Architecture of the finest nature.” Images of various world landmarks, from the Hagia Sofia and the Sistine Chapel to the Pyramids and the Mona Lisa accompanied the line.
“It has drawn out emotion, and expressed man’s greatest thoughts.” Faint ambient music could be heard, and a Fantasia-esque visualization swept across the screen, conveying a sense of wonder and mystery to the viewers.
“It has fueled growth and progress” The rhythmic sounds of machinery and bleeps of computers could be heard as silhouettes of gears, machines, and hi-tech devices played across the theater.
“And now,” the voice said as all went quiet and dark once more, “it fuels a Storm”.
A torrent of light and sound followed, enough to overstimulate the most mild epileptic. Fortunately, there were none in the room that night. Jeanette had made sure of that. The noise and light continued to build as fog poured from the wings, until the entire stage was obscured. Energetic electronica began to play as the lights reduced to four stage-side strobe lights, all centered on the shadow of a podium rising up from the stage. The flashing ceased as the fog dispersed, and the owner of the mysterious voice and a stand containing a sleek, black object. Strobe was replaced with spotlight, as a beautifully clad Jeanette stepped forward to address the crowd.
“Hello. Welcome to the future of gaming. Eruption Entertainment has decided to redefine gaming, redefine imagination. Imagination is short in this age, as is innovation, power, and beauty. Capitalism has soured what should not be a business…but art. We believe in returning to those roots, to the art of video games. We want to push limits.
“Revolutionary storage and encryption methods. A dynamic and expansive physics engine. A vibrant and refreshing online community. The power to do and create more with games. The power to escape reality, to replace it. This is what we see in the future. Eruption Entertainment now OFFICIALLY announces a new force in the world: The Storm. It is intended to do both what others cannot, and what others will not. Welcome to art, members of the press. Welcome to the Storm. No questions please.”
She walked offstage, leaving a baffled media behind her trying to piece together the events of the past few minutes.
“Roll the tape.” She said as she passed a Tech in the wings. Visuals of new gameplay concepts and graphics experiments now filled the screens, and it would be another thirty minutes before the press finally stirred to leave.
“Don’t you think that was a bit much?” One whispered to another.
“Not at all. Don’t you see? This entire thing was a metaphor for their plans concerning the Storm. This whole thing was art. Beautiful.”
“They didn’t say much about the system at all though.”
“I think that was the point. Imagination, remember?”
“Imagination?”
“Yes, Imagination.”
OOC: Stats some time soon? And Lucky, I'll get you a more comprehensive description of the system as soon as I can, so you can accurately estimate the time it will take to get it on shelves.
From: Karui Kiba Corporation
To: Celestial Games
Since we absolutely love working with you, we would be more than willing to delay payment for Inferno until the holiday season.
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