Chapter 387: “Galaxy Era”
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Virtual helmet!
A virtual helmet similar to those depicted in web novels.
It was reported that Xing Hai Technologies had developed such equipment as early as 10 years ago. It had just never been fully promoted for civilian use. Only in the field of science; and only the few scientists who had attained the Supreme Laboratory in the game 100% Science Lab could acquire the virtual helmet for a better research experience.
Top scientists who had used the virtual helmet all made extremely high remarks about the device:
“G.o.d, at the moment I stepped into the Supreme Laboratory, I thought I had stepped into heaven.”
“The experience is surreal. It’s just like another real world.”
“It’s just like magic that sends my soul off to another place.”
“The helmet is unparalleled. Next to the virtual helmet, all the other VR devices are garbage.”
The scientists spoke with various levels of exaggeration and described the virtual helmet as something divine.
Was it really that great?
Many people expressed disbelief. Especially those players who felt that VR technology was already perfected and were already satisfied and happy with it—it was unacceptable to them to hear declarations that VR was garbage.
However, Xing Hai Technologies’s virtual helmets were only for the scientific community. There were no more than a thousand scientists who owned the equipment. Ordinary gamers would have liked to verify the claims about the helmet themselves. But they couldn’t get one, unless they became a top scientist. Unquestionably, this would mean reaching the highest level in Science—one of the most difficult games.
Was this even possible for the majority of ordinary gamers?
And so, as for the power of Xing Hai Technologies’ virtual helmet was concerned, ordinary gamers with no chance of experiencing it for themselves drew conclusions on their own. With the same sort of curiosity, many people stuck their heads into the scientific community just to acquire a virtual helmet get the ultimate gaming experience.
This went on until May of federal sixth year, when a veteran gamer named “Aotian” attained the highest level in 100% Science Lab, spending around five years or so, and got his hands on a personal virtual helmet. That was the first time a professional gamer came into contact with the virtual helmet, which was originally meant for scientists.
After the helmet arrived in his hands, Aotian pulled off a worldwide live broadcast of himself unpacking, installing, configuring, and at last putting on the virtual helmet, hence entering the virtual world. His live broadcast lasted for 11 hours and ama.s.sed more than 100 million viewers at peak time.
After he had experienced the virtual helmet, Aotian took it off and held it in his hand. He then sighed and said to the camera: “Compared to this, all the other VR’s are tras.h.!.+”
Wow! The world was made aware of the virtual helmet’s greatness.
The whole VR industry became tense. After all, game equipment that could simulate pain, touch, smell and taste was simply unfathomable for them. Just like ants meeting a G.o.d, they were trembling in fear. But soon after, the VR industry became breezy once again. They were skeptical about the virtual helmet.
They were still stuck on the same talking points: “why not sell it if you have stock?” Why would Xing Hai Technologies not promote such an astonis.h.i.+ng piece of technology as their virtual helmets? Why were they forsaking such tremendous amounts of profit?
Treasures that could not be ma.s.s produced, no matter how great they were, would still be no match for garbage. And hence, tranquility and serenity prevailed. The VR empire could at least last for another 30 years.
However, on one day in August of federal eighth year, when Xing Hai Technologies suddenly announced their plans to enter the virtual online game industry and launch a “real virtual game” based on their virtual helmets, it directly triggered a depth bomb effect.
Inside dorm 302.
After reading through the news, Li Dong and the others immediately got excited.
Liu Yichen said, while rubbing his palms together, “This is great. Has Xing Hai Technologies finally had enough of this f*cking VR top up era? Hahaha, marvelous, splendid.”
“Yeah. Things were all too calm and smooth in VR over the years. Many companies have forgotten who they are. For the sake of earning money, they’ve forsaken their initial resolutions, ideals, beliefs, feelings, fairness—everything. There’s only one word left in their minds: money.” Cai Qinghai clenched his fist.
“A game about interstellar warfare. Isn’t this kind of game my specialty? Besides, it is a Xing Hai Technologies game, and we’ll get to experience the unprecedented virtual helmet…”
Li Dong stroked his chin while nodding and said, “For our next game, let’s choose this upcoming one from Xing Hai Technologies. Honestly speaking, Xing Hai Technologies is an invincible demon lord themselves, but at least they’re kinder than other companies and would take care of the interests and feelings of most people.”
“Yeah.”
Cai Qinghai nodded, “At least technically, Xing Hai Technologies had never disappointed us.”
Subsequently, in the City of the Eastern Sea chat group.
Li Dong forwarded the news about Xing Hai Technologies’s forthcoming launch of their virtual online game on interstellar warfare, thus informing Mu Wanqiu of the news.
“I know about this.”
Mu Wanqiu continued in the chat group: “Lots of people at my school are discussing this game.”
“So, are you interested in that game? Want to play together?” Liu Yichen asked.
“Of course. But I’m not sure whether it would be a top up kind of game. If it’s similar to those online VRs, and if the virtual helmet is, like, super expensive, I may have to consider a little.”
Mu Wanqiu was also from an economically average family. She had not invested much in games. Moreover, she did not wish for a bad gaming experience.
“Um, I don’t think that Xing Hai Technologies will make it that way. Games that require heavy top ups will generally not last over five years. Their player base will be like chives. But Xing Hai Technologies is an expert in making long-term investments. They usually look 10 steps ahead of things. Besides, they aren’t a luxury brand. Most products they sell are relatively affordable. Maybe you should have some confidence in them,” Li Dong a.n.a.lyzed. He had read a book called “Learning from Xing Hai Technologies’ Success,” and thus knew more about Xing Hai Technologies.
“Hmm. What you’re saying makes sense.”
…
In the succeeding period of time, Xing Hai Technologies released leaks at two- to three-day intervals, winning the eyeb.a.l.l.s of many.
For instance, the name of the online game was preliminarily confirmed to be Galaxy Era.
The game’s servers would never stop, unless for force majeure.
The realism of the game world would be 99.9999%.
The virtual helmet’s comprehensive simulation degree would be up to 61%.
At present, the total production of virtual helmets had exceeded 10 million sets, and the average production cost had dropped to about 3,000 dollars. With the luxury versions as exceptions, regular versions would not sell for more than 4,000 dollars.
To ensure fairness, the game would not have any top-up system or in-game item market system, but in the future, a player trading platform would be established. Xing Hai Technologies would only draw a small amount of “tax points” from the player’s trading activities.
After the above leaks were announced.
All the worries of Li Dong, Mu Wanqiu, and the others had vanished. They were left with only intense antic.i.p.ation of entering the game.
The VR industry, on the other hand, was in extreme panic. As Xing Hai Technologies did not enter the VR industry previously, they naively thought that the company was turning its nose up on the field and had left them the whole “playground.” They were laughing inside, and even thought that Xing Hai Technologies were morons.
What about now?
Once Xing Hai Technologies began to move, they had set on a course to devastate them all. All of them were smelling the scent of demise.