Video Gaming and Interactive Media

In the future, gaming has much improved. The widespread use of holotechnology has caused even the most basic games to have a much deeper level of immersion, and console systems make the most of household products like datapads and holoscreens to help the gamer feel like part of a simulated world.

Consoles remain hotly contested even in the future. However, instead of focusing on the most the advanced graphics, what determines the competition of the future is new and exciting ways to make players feel involved. This includes competing for various long-running game series, creating single purpose AIs who focus on making the most advanced enemy and NPC AIs possible, and using programs that can convert even the most innocuous piece of equipment, like a bedside clock or a home computer, into another part of the game.

Consoles and PC modules dominate the market since the beloved immersion tech is still very expensive. Despite its popularity in the media, it's estimated that only 1% of the world's current population (in 2551) will ever visit an immersion suite. This has caused a problem. Only those lucky enough to live near immersion suites can participate in immersion games. And only small areas in major cities can capitalize on the global interest of the the increasingly popular MMVRRPGs. The obvious solution is to expand the market.

Omniglon Inc. did just that. A subsidiary of Bright and Sunny, Omniglon created the first immersion bed suites for professional instillation and use. Their success has caused them to create the Domestic Immersion Home System, that allows for affordable jacking in with only a minor loss of sensation. It's not as easy to ignore the outside world with the DIS system, but the increased amount of privacy makes users feel more comfortable. Competitive with the latest console systems, Omniglon predicts to take an appreciable share of this years new console market.

After only a few months, Level Cap introduced third party upgrades for the ODIS to the market. A small company based in Peru, no much is known about this new minor corporation.


Omniglon Domestic Immersion System
Prerequisites: Dedicated Internet Connection
COST: 2,300 credits
The ODIS is a small, streamlined shiny gray and black box. It has a small digital readout and pale green and pink underlighting. It comes with one wireless over-the-eye Visor to allow full sight, sound, and touch sensory input and output.
Extra Visors can be purchased for 250 credits. Each ODIS system can take up to 4 'players' at once.

Level Cap and Gemini Olfactagustatory Health Bar Upgrade V2.3
Prerequisites: ODIS
COST: 250 credits
A small patch that goes on the side of the mouth and extends to under the nose which plugs into the extension slot of the visor. Allows for basic taste and smell sensations in game. Flavors like strawberry, rum, and bread can be reproduced, but the flavors are faint and artificial. Smells can be reproduced in much greater detail, and with version 2.3, putrescine no longer causes seizures. A must have for the newest platinum level games this season.

Level Cap Full Tactile Bump Mapper Suit
Prerequisites: ODIS
COST: 2,300 Credits
While as costly as the full ODIS system, this full body suit replicates the complete abilities of the immersion suite. Taste, touch, smell, sight and sound are replicated in full detail, along with the feelings of leaving the real world behind.
The suit is made of a flexible breathable material that is machine washable. Each is custom made from Level Cap itself after providing measurements, and can be purchased online or from one of their fine establishments in any of ten major cities near you.

Level Cap and Anascan Head Shot Cybernetic
Prerequisites: None to install, ODIS to work.
COST: 2,500 credits
INSTALLATION TIME: 8 hours
This cybernetic can work in conjunction with other upgrades or on its own. A must have for the dedicated gamer, this cybernetic interfaces directly with the brain to allow for the most immersive gaming experience yet. It does nothing in immersion suites, but with the ODIS it functions as the Bump Mapper, with the added benefit of never needing to be washed and allowing for instant access.


Hacking and or jailbreaking these upgrades is strongly discouraged, and in most cases, highly illegal.

NAMES OF GAMES FOR THE IMMERSION SUITE and ODIS:
Gemstorm
Sword-Off
Dragun
Candyland (MMVRRPG)
Candyland: Dark Delights (MMVRRPG Expansion)




The ODIS should increase the amount of third party programs available, in addition to the customization services already offered by high end immersion labs.