Snippet #2642863

They did it. Skyline Gaming Corporation had finally completed the development of their new MMO. LAIOS or rather, Learning Advanced Intelligence Operating System, was ready for its first beta run. Of course all the game developers had worked painstakingly late and over holidays to ensure that the game didn't have any errors or bugs but they were human. Mistakes were bound to crop up somewhere in a game this large. It was one of the reasons why they worked extra hard on the 'living' game master within LAIOS so that the game could essentially fix itself. The development of the adapting game master had taken ages to develop but LAIOS was going to be worth it. Players from all over the world were going to appreciate the ever evolving environment at their finger tips. And what other game could brag about having a game master living and interacting with players 24-7? No one else. This would put Skyline Gaming above the competition.

All that was left to do before the big opening day was to beta test the game and their new learning AI. They had already sent the game download to their hand selected beta testers and one of their own game developers would be sent to beta test as well to ensure the AI did what it was supposed to do and help it learn and gain interactions with the other players. Besides, the developer herself would be able to assist the AI in fixing the game since the only way to actually change LAIOS once it was online was inside the game itself.

The head developer leaned back in his chair and stretched a moment, his team standing beside his chair and looking at their dark screens intently. Their inside girl was already hooked up with the software that would allow her consciousness to be transported inside the virtual world. The helmet fit snugly on her head and she was laying down for safety and comfort. The helmet itself was also wireless and sent signals to the brain to induce REM sleep and trick the brain into thinking it was sleeping so it would naturally paralyze the body and prevent the player from literally running about thinking they were slicing down enemies when in reality, they jumped in front of a car.

The man turned back to his computer and rested his hand on the button that would bring LAOIS to life and quirked his lips in an excited smile. "Boys and girls, let's end this waiting trial. Game. Start," he announced and pressed the button. Immediately the black screen flickered to purple before it changed to a blue screen that slowly faded to reveal the welcome screen of the game as their hooked up developer would see it. They waited with bated breath as Diane customized her character and was transported into LAIOS.

---

---

╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝
╠═╝╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣
╚═╣Inside the game, the blue screen began to change, morphing through a plethora of color as coding was translated into 'reality'. Some of the blue lightened to become a clear morning sky covered in sluggishly moving puffy clouds. Below, the ground began to morph to reflect each of the scenarios present in the game world; forests, tundra, towns, fields, jungles, beaches, deserts, and yes, even caves. Once the layout was formed, details began to evolve till the world looked and felt very real as it engaged all of the human senses, or rather, the illusion of all the senses. Once the details were complete, NPCS and monster data was converted into usable platforms and spawned everywhere in the fields. At last, LAIOS was complete and player ready. Well, maybe 90% complete. There was one key component missing.

In the center of the sky above Arieo, the town where all players begin their journey in LAIOS, began to twist and break down. Codes flashed as the game ran the script to create its Game Master. It took a moment but the coding revealed the generating figure until a young man floated over the town. He looked to be in his late teens or maybe early twenties. His short navy blue hair caressed his boyish cheeks thanks to the gentle breeze blowing around him and tugging at his long flowing clothing. A dark black book materialized in his right hand with silver plating and foreign inscriptions as the AI descended. As soon as the man touched the floor, red markings slithered down the left side of his face and down the rest of his body safely hidden by his clothing. Seraph opened his eyes, the coding there quickly hidden by the aquamarine hues and he blinked, 'breathing' for the first time in his world, an adorable little newborn and blank slate.

Seraph tilted his head to the side as he scanned the town. He turned in a slow circle and blinked wildly as he took in the information. His motions were very rigid at first as he got used to his new found body. He looked down at himself and brought his hands up and wiggled his fingers as if testing them out before looking at the book he was holding. He opened the book but it ended up sliding out of his hands thanks to his lack of coordination. He blinked down at the sprawled book and his motionless hands for a moment before he knelt down and ended up toppling over himself. He blinked wildly where he sat on his rump a bit surprised. He lifted his hands again and wiggled his fingers once more as if trying to wake them from sleep before clenching and unclenching his fists.

Seraph turned back to the book and picked it up a little easier this time and started to leaf through it. It was a list of codes, guidelines, and rules for the game and information about each setting. He closed the book and pressed it against his chest in a protective gesture. He was the protector after all. He needed to make sure that this book was safe and with him at all times. It would not do well to have any ol' player messing with the game data. Young Seraph then took on the arduous task of getting back to his feet. He stumbled a bit before he did get up and swayed where he stood. Whelp, time to go about the world and ensure there were no glitches to be fixed.