SaikoG

Edward played games all his life. A 19 years old lazy young man, a job was never in his plans.

He lives together with Anna, his cousin, who advised him to participate on one of the many e-Sports competitions.

“We could really use the extra money.”

He agreed but after winning the competition he refused the money prize.

“Have you chosen your prize?” the host asked.

“Yes, I want to participate on the beta.”

The story starts six months later...

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Daily Updates.

The image on the cover was taken from the internet. It has free copyright.
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I Was a Beta Tester Before The World Became a Game

It was 2042 when all governments of the world united.


 Investments to improve life on Earth increased a lot in the following decade. The world changed and disease is not common anymore, environmental concerns are not even discussed (except on history classes) and life keeps improving every day.


 Some would argue the most important step was the establishment of an universal basic income. It fought issues such as existencial crisis, unemployement depression and desperation. Critics were wrong arguing people would go lazy, what happened was that everyone had a chance to live with dignity for once. 


 The majority went back to school to pursue their dreams, others immersed in virtual reality, not only for fun and games but to work, study and compete in simulated environments which are hard to find in real life, while others dedicated part of their lives in voluntary positions or enjoying different hobbies.


 But critics were right in one thing - with promises of a guaranteed income in return for citizenship, the world population accepted to unite under a common banner. The Unified Nations Government was born with tremendous popular support.


 Not all changed for the better though. Life is easy for everyone because of basic income, but power structures and social classes still remained. Family dynasties kept growing while social inequality accompanied its grow. However even with some societal issues, life can be joyous to all social classes, in its own way.


 What most weren't informed about was the enormous ball of flames falling in this beautiful blue planet direction.


Game Freeze Headquarters - 5 days before global release.


 "Chief, he seems to be fine now. It's hard to believe he's alive after being stuck inside a prototype for almost 17 hours." A skinny blonde woman with a card written "Amanda - Section-3 Nurse" on her collar furrowed her brows while reporting the status of a beta tester to the section chief.


 "Send him home. We have collected enough data and he's the only one in that place who doesn't pay our jobs."


 "Yes sir." She scurried away to fulfill the order. 


At the same time a meeting was held on top of the building.


 "Director, the Unified Nations sent a statement agreeing with professor Sulles analysis, when we are ready they will send the message through all media channels."


  Director Messinas, a man who owns half the world, listened to what his secretary said and discovered the other half was now his, too, then opened his mouth to say "What about the 'natural' asteroid, will they communicate the truth of the war to the population, or even this is to be communicated as professor Sulles analyzed?"


 "All according to professor Sulles, Director. No one not authorized will know Earth's fate.." 


 "They will probably tell the citizens that achievement points and ranks are related to social status in a future planet, according to professor Sulles guidelines to motivate them. Because it was prohibited, they will also accuse of treason and discreetly take care of any citizen who wishes to stay on Earth during training."


 "Serves them right. The last thing we need is to be fined. As they say, killing a human is better than all humans dying. You can take your leave now." Before leaving, the assistant couldn't help but notice a small smile on Director Messina's face. 'I've never seem his smile before'.


Earth, 2055