Chapter four - Diving to the game

Today the campus was jubilant. Majority, if not all of the seniors had finished their final exams. They would have around 10 days of bliss before their fates would be declared.

Truthfully, there was no need for this break. Saint Augustine had enough tech and human resource to complete the grading the day of the exams itself. Still...this period would be the most worry free period these students could enjoy. As soon as the results came out, they would enter the grinding of the mundane life. It was sort of gift from the college. That's why these students didn't have to vacate their dorm rooms or suites till results were announced.

This batch of students had double happiness. They had finished exams. The most touted and beautiful VR game would be launched in this period too. Everyone was talking about it. Everyone was gearing about it. The forums were refreshed every few moments. The social networking sites full of pics of new VR gears.

Before the global launch, the makers had advised all the players to enter the game atleast 30 minutes before to decide on their gaming characters. Recreating character at later date was only allowed if the player was starting over and the specs or the attributes or even talent would get worse with each reset. Thus deciding your character, fishing for your talent - all these things would take time. Those with latest VR gaming pod would get to enter the lobby in the game to meet the Creator Fairy 30minutes before the game launch. Even the cheapest VR head gear would get 10 minutes for character creation.

Of course, you can log in a bit later too. But many prefered to enter the game at the launch time. The recordings , the first impressions if uploaded would bring traffic and be cause of envy from others. Few others wanted to in the the list. 1st to enter the village, 1st to get particular quest, 1st to die, 1st to kill a monster, 1st to finish the dungeon...any list if it means you become famous. The guilds would hog the lists on later dates. Only these initial phases would be the time for others to shine.

Atharva had initially planned to go home and enjoy few days with family. However, no one would be at home, each one going out on job. Instead of being alone at home, he was better snoozing in campus.

He had no wish to play this new game. However, the marketing and advertising was well played. Even he was tempted. Let's disregard the visceral reaction he had when he saw the trailer and the game details. He did. Let's think with calm collecting thoughts. You can try both the gear and the game with 10 day free trial period. He didn't have other venues to waste the time. This just wasted the time, but not money. But the clincher were the posts in the forum where the rich brats declared that they would but game resources from players with hard cash. He can earn credits while wasting time.This was the deal maker.

Atharva purchased cheapest available VR gear. As it was very near to launch date, most of the models were already sold out. The preorder list was so long that the managers were grinning like maniacs. The sales team practically skipped while walking, thanks to all the commission they got.

D-Day

As advised, Atharva put on his VR gear, entered the lobby of the game. It was truly stunning night sky with auroras moving in a hypnotic pattern.

'Recording the brain wave pattern.....'

'Matching with the record...'

'Congratulations. You have purchased standard newbie noob package.'

The aurora dropped a gorgeous looking golden chest next to him. The very next moment, a cute pixie materialised next to him.

"Hello! I name is Ava. Who are you?"

A text appeared with the detailed instructions - please create your character.

As the game was just launching, the default type was of humans. There was no option for other types of creatures or halfborns.

A small 3D version of Atharva was standing next to a empty box. Atharva was in dilemma. He never knew he needed a new name for a game. He might use his own name....hahaha. No way. Well...here goes nothing.

"Hi, Ava! My name is Artha." He compromised and nearly butchered his name to get a new one.

Pixie went into hyper mode, zooming around him. It was cute, he had to admit. While she was zooming around happily, a new text arrived next to his 3D image.

'Please adjust the facial features.' A whole plethora of choices starting from hair colour and style to the shape of the fingers. You could alter the body shape too. Become lean, buffed, tall, short. There was a separate segment for pay version. Increase the beauty filter, the classic built for men and women. He took a look at the price and turned his attention to the free settings. In the end, he went the easiest way- alter the face by 25%. His face got fuller and filled with energy. He got a light tan. Also muscles. Not like he could show off on stage but enough that he would not be awkward if he goes for swimming.

Ava kept on commenting as he made changes to his 3D image. Her final verdict was, " Wow! You look sooo much better than before. I really like how you look."

No sh*t Sherlock! A healthy looking body would be way better than pale, peaky, starved body.

Then Ava got talking about talents.