Virtual World.

H-Man

Random phantom.
#1
70 years have passed since the Virtualization began.

It was an easy process. Less scary than anyone had expected, given the actual technologies implemented at the time. 3D printing led to solid vision. Yottronâ„¢ Gazersâ„¢ led to data viewers. Microchip implants led to digital scanners. Before we knew it, the system became too big, too connected.

It was only a matter of time, in fact. The world always moved in this direction.

Once the first Virtualizer was created, humanity was able to achieve world peace at long last. By analyzing and converting organic and non-organic matter alike, waste and pollution was finally ended. Hunger and thirst was no longer an issue once replicate matter was freely allowed. Monetary power was no longer an issue dividing human beings, as commonwealth became a standard of life.

At last, the world was as good as it should be.

Of course... some would disagree. After all, Virtualization meant an increased dependence on the Megacorps - Yottronâ„¢, CaraACaraâ„¢, Buhaddâ„¢, Piadorâ„¢ - as only they could spare the amounts and manpower required to maintain Virtualization in such a global scale, as seen in the Third World incident. They were also just as aggressive in establishing it, as seen in the Middle East incident.

It also led to the emergence of the Dashtags - those anarchists who had finally found a way to perform their brand of anarchy from within the system, safe and sound somehow. Taking on all flags and declaring war on the Patriarchy, the Dashtags created their own 'nation' within the system, using it to promote all sorts of actions against it while still trying to profit from the system itself. Nowhere could this be better seen than in the Sexual Revolution they promoted, where they tried to impose a new multitude of genders.

It's funny how the world works.

The Hackers were already an existence prior to Virtualization. So many stories of their actions, those who were able to cripple entire nations with mere strokes in a keyboard, and those who used those same skills to reinforce the society they were born in. Once Virtualization finally happened, they were among the first ones to join in completely, using the newer cybernetics to rebuild their bodies, becoming better capable of interacting with the world around them.

After all... Virtualization converted the world around us into code. Why wouldn't those who already knew how to code apply their skills to it?

The society of Programs certainly owes a lot to them. After all, were it not for one Hacker seeking a little too much, they would never exist in their modern, physical form. And for that, they're certainly grateful - as necessary as the invisible Programs are, being able to be acknowledge is a need that any sentient being has. And their ability to be anything anyone would need...

And yet, as ideal as it looks, their society is far from ideal. I certainly understand why some Programs grow Viral after all, despite all the problems involved in it. And... seeing what the Incógnita have done to them...

This is a strange world. And we must live in it...

--Dos logs históricos de Segunda


INSERT BREAK HERE

The above does need some work... but well, here's my offer to the world of cyberpunk - a cleaner kind, I guess.

Within the next century [taking this decade as the starting point], technology advances to the point where humanity is able to 'virtualize' the whole world - essentially combining the virtual world of the internet to the real world in the greatest MMORPG manner [well, maybe in the Star Ocean 3 way] - and thus solve all of its problems.

And yet, even if the world feels better, there's certainly problems. After all, there are some things in human nature that not even virtualization and cybernetics cannot correct on their own, and even make it worse.

Right now, this is the setup, of course. I mostly wanted to get this set so I wouldn't lose it...
 

H-Man

Random phantom.
#2
Terminology in use:

Blank: the result of humans and Programs breeding. Blanks are distinct from Programs in that they possess a blank space somewhere in their serial number, a result of their human nature. Most blanks have several missing numbers, while some have only a few numbers missing and a few have only one side of their serial number. Blanks are sterile and usually orphans, as they're not often accepted by their human parents and there is a negative view on them.
Dashfag: see Dashtags.
Dashtag: a political party that emerged in the post-Virtualization society. They are an unusual anarchist faction, having a grudge against every single form of government they're aware of yet seemingly blind to the manner the Megacorps rule the world. From behind their screens, they rage against the 'Patriarchy', an entity only they seem to be aware of comprised of 'white cis male scum' and promote their alternative lifestyles as loudly and annoying as they can be. Despite being so obnoxious, however, it was thanks to their influence that the Overnet has reached the degree of interactivity as it has now, with the ability to fulfill anyone's desire - thanks to them, it's possible for newbie users to create their own superpowers and play around in the MMOs more freely than ever. [They're tumblr.]
Hacker: someone who works on computer systems. Hackers are often the employees of Megacorps, working to improve the system further and develop better technologies, but a very high number of Hackers still work on their own, being the new crime of this world. Many Hackers indulge in cybernetics, altering their bodies to maximize their abilities. Hackers are the main source of Viruses in the Overnet.
Incógnita: the most elite group of Hackers ever seen, known from before the Virtualization. Members of Incógnita have been behind some of the greatest acts of cyberterrorism, but also behind some of the greatest counterattacks. Despite having one of the most well-known forums in the entire internet, the true members of Incógnita rely on IP scramblers and other devices to hide their identities, leaving those who do not actually take part of Incógnita to take the brunt of society's counterattacks. Despite the decades since their formation, no true member of Incógnita has ever been arrested, even in conflicts between members of Incógnita. [Anonymous.]
Megacorp: short for Mega Corporation, these are the companies that rule the world from the shadows. Earning their massive profits in the boom of the digital era in the early 21st century, they were the first to push for the move to virtualization, after Yottronâ„¢ created a functional and viable structure. Megacorps now have a hold over the world's governments, as they've shown that without them, the system will not work, and governments that refuse to join were dealt with.
Overnet: the 'new' internet, used on the real world. Named as such because it's overlaid on the real world, allowing for the massive control over reality that we have now. Creating the Overnet also led to the creation of a virtual world for good, which exists 'between' the normal internet and the real world. [I couldn't resist it.]
Program: artificial sentient beings created to support the Overnet. Programs are the culmination of scientific development, being completely artificial yet just as capable of sentience as normal human beings. Most Programs do have limitations as they are designed to fulfill specific needs and thus have smaller file sizes, but they are capable of growing and developing just the same. Programs were created to bridge the gap between humanity and the Overnet, as the idea that there was someone visible and capable of interacting with humans simply was more relieving, to them, than leaving the world to heartless monstrosities. All Programs possess a serial number somewhere in their bodies that can become visible at will, and they are all bound by variants of the Laws of Robotics.
Rules: slang for Programs based off the so-called 'internet rules', illegal in every nation and with their creation considered a crime. One example is the 34s, Programs created for the sole purpose of pornography, usually borne from hardcore and grossout versions. Normally created by Hackers or Viruses, never accepted.
Virtualization: the process of turning reality into code. When it became a reality, the Megacorps learned its tricks and secrets quite easily, using it to promote public actions such as cleaning the world's pollution, restoring the ozone layer and the Arctic/Antarctic circles to their original states, and increasing the amount of water and food humans could have. Virtualization allowed for the development of a new society, one where humanity finally had control over the world around it, and yet began losing control over itself.
Virus: Programs capable of performing evil actions. Viruses tend to fall in two categories: those created to do harm and those who have snapped, for one reason or another. Although quite dangerous, all Viruses in the Overnet cannot hide their presence like their internet cousins, due to different script; as such, they are easier to wipe out overall. When a Program becomes a Virus, the process is referred to as 'going Viral'.
 

zerohour

Well-Known Member
#3
Interesting world, but what do you plan on the story being? It certainly seems like an interesting place, but I doubt you're aiming for a travelogue.


A question: How's the space program? It it back and better than ever now that waste and useless material can be converted into somethign useful, or has it been delayed as people try to understand and fully explore the virtual world that has been created?
 

H-Man

Random phantom.
#4
For the story I want to write... aside from dealing with the results of Virtualization, I want to explore what a society where the SJWs 'won' and where .hack gameplay becomes closer to reality. I'm not 100% sure on what I want to finish it with, but I figure the cyberpunk aspect I mentioned might work as a setting for future works anyway.

Regarding the space program, it's been privatized. As in, Megacorps are developing their own spaceships and space colonies [which are yet to be completed]. Some of them claim they're selling tickets to the future, some just want to run away.

Public opinion still doesn't like them, for some reason.
 

zerohour

Well-Known Member
#5
Ah, so it would be sort of a "slice of life?" Just exploring the world and pondering the ramifications it brought about? Of course, it would be easy to start out that way and then start leading up to something more involved.

Any ideas on characters? Some characters would probably make it a bit more personable. Right now, it's just a big, overarching idea. It's cool, but I'm not particularly invested in it.
 

H-Man

Random phantom.
#6
zerohour said:
Of course, it would be easy to start out that way and then start leading up to something more involved.
My thoughts exactly.

zerohour said:
Any ideas on characters? Some characters would probably make it a bit more personable. Right now, it's just a big, overarching idea. It's cool, but I'm not particularly invested in it.
Well, I want to keep SOME plot twists, but...

ALPHABETIC ORDER

Cesto: a kid who lives in one of the Program Zones, the main territory for Programs to live in when they're not busy performing their duties - their resting places, so to say. Normally just likes to hang out in the Overnet with Denzel and Vicente, two hacker friends of his, but lately things have been more complicated - Dashtags have started showing up in this area, for whatever reason. An incident during a Virtual Dive leads to a freeze in the Overnet, sealing Cesto from his home.

Dreamtime: an up and coming Megacorp, promoting new developments in the Overnet. Their latest gear includes a new MMO program called FMV - a 'mobile virtual fantasy', for players to become the heroes they always dreamt of being - and special anti-Hacker/anti-Virus technology. Dreamtime has recently become quite aggressive, having bought fractions of many bigger Megacorps, for reasons few understand as of yet.

Primo: Virus hunter and wanderer, a very serious person who has little interest in things other than money. Actually hiring Primo is a difficult thing, however, for this hunter tends to only take on excessive rewards or excessively dangerous Viruses. The only thing more upsetting than this love for excesses is a hatred for Dashtags.

Segunda: a librarian from Oxford, who has little respect for anyone and everyone - as seen by his personal preferences for insults, often using quite the longer terminology simply to refer to others as slow. Likes to work on compiling all the data about the post-Virtualization world within a single file, summarizing them in smaller logs for personal comments.

Terço: a master fighter from the Overnet, having defeated many 'game champs' in the past. Although he often changes his appearance based on the game, he can always be identified by the large cross pattern on his back. To a degree, he's always spoiling for a fight, but he's no blood knight - he just doesn't want to lose.

Zero: rumors and hearsay are plentiful about this entity. Perhaps this is the first Program. Perhaps this is the first Virus. Perhaps, even, no more than a ghost at this point. The only known fact is that Zero bears no code at all - simply a single slash in the center of its body, as the few valid reports admit. This is the only identifier - as far as the rumors have started, no two people have described Zero as having the same appearance twice...

And a little more terminology here:

Browser: catch-all term for someone who accesses the deeper layers of the Overnet, outside 'reality'.
Virtual Dive: one of the three methods to access the deeper layers of the Overnet. Virtual Dive is one of the most dangerous, because it means sending your entire body into it - as opposed to simply your consciousness, like when a Hacker Branches, or using a substitute, like a Dashtag's Avatar - but it's also the most impressive one, as the mind takes in the full data aspect of the Overnet. Overlay Units are required to perform a Virtual Dive.
Virtual Freeze: a recent type of incident in the Overnet. On a small scale aspect, there's the bodies of Programs and Browsers found frozen in place, unable to even wake up. On a large scale, entire sectors of the Overnet become frozen, halting all data progressions through these sectors. In the latter case, it's still possible to move around, but Browsers have reported these locations being literal glaciers.
 

H-Man

Random phantom.
#7
Rules - Expansion

No, not expanding the rules of a non-existent game. Instead, I'm going to explain how each Rule of the Internet is translated into my novel.

1. Do not talk about /b/
2. Do NOT talk about /b/

I'm not sure whether to keep these two, to be honest. Even if /b/ is the internet's anus it's not exactly a good rule for Programs. Unless maybe they stalk the Overnet to track down those trying to access it?

3. We are Anonymous
Basically the intended Rule 1. In part because 1 and I look the same in elevator light signals... but basically, these are the Programs used by the REAL members of Incógnita - unique Programs with a secret code inserted within them which only actual members of the group would be able to use. This is a security measure to keep weens from actually using the real 1s and ruining Incógnita's position. Can be recognized because the first number in their code is 1, no matter how long it is. [No other Programs would start with 1s, this way; only those who are created by Incógnita bear the 1 first]. Essentially meant to be as strong as Battle Network's bosses.

4. Anonymous is Legion
Spam Viruses. Their gimmick is being able to replicate once damaged, akin to a slime monster. They're rather weak, being spammers and existing to flood rather than deal individual damage. Usually controlled by Incógnita's minions.

5. Anonymous never forgives
Trojan Viruses. 5s are capable of infecting other Programs to put them under their control, usually just for the sake of cyberterrorism; sending a single 5 into a given location is enough to freeze an institution. They're not strong enough to cause as much crippling as some of their counterparts, but are mostly formless, so they can only be eliminated through actual hacking.

6. Anonymous can be a horrible, senseless, uncaring monster
Worm Viruses. Think the Behemoth from Final Fantasy: it's big, it's mean, and it's highly destructive. They're the reason why Hackers and Dashtags like to bring big weapons when accessing the Overnet: a Worm can spawn anywhere, and when it does, it'll attack a whole network. Due to the size disparity between the Overnet's layers, they can be handled before the damages are too big, but it's very hard to keep damages to a minimum. They lack a 'soft' form, unlike the others.

7. Anonymous is still able to deliver

8. There are no real rules about posting
9. There are no real rules about moderation either - enjoy your ban

These Rules tend to monitor locales, acting like turrets. They set rules for the territory they crop up in and get rid of anything that violates these rules. They also never state what the rules actually ARE.

10. If you enjoy any rival sites - DON'T
11. All your carefully picked arguments can easily be ignored
12. Anything you say can and will be used against you
13. Anything you say can be turned into something else - fixed
14. Do not argue with trolls - it means that they win
15. The harder you try the harder you will fail
16. If you fail in epic proportions, it may just become a winning failure
17. Every win fails eventually
18. Everything that can be labeled can be hated
19. The more you hate it the stronger it gets
20. Nothing is to be taken seriously
21. Original content is original only for a few seconds before getting old

22. Copypasta is made to ruin every last bit of originality
23. Copypasta is made to ruin every last bit of originality

The above are twins who work together. They work like mimes and are constantly miming their opponents' actions and each other at such increased rates that they can overwhelm anything in their path. Their vulnerability is that they must stay rather close to each other, or else their effect weakens - if they cannot see each other, they cannot copy what the other one is doing, in particular.

24. Every repost is always a repost of a repost
25. Relation to the original topic decreases with every single post
26. Any topic can easily be turned into something totally unrelated
27. Always question a person's sexual prefrences without any real reason
28. Always question a person's gender - just incase it's really a man

29. In the internet all girls are men and all kids are undercover FBI agents
This one basically characterizes the Blanks, right now...

30. There are no girls on the internet
31. TITS or GTFO - the choice is yours
32. You must have pictures to prove your statements
33. Lurk more - it's never enough

34. There is porn of it, no exceptions
Programs created for sex purposes. This is the category the first Program was supposedly from, being created to satisfy a Hacker's needs. 34s and their ilk are sort of like Jessica Rabbit in that they have no fault to being innately sexual - this was their purpose from the beginning. The problem is, 34s can't stop their own needs, being unable to develop as human beings would. With us humans, even someone who never knew anything but an existence as a slave is capable of eventually breaking free and developing a new identity. 34s simply cannot.

35. If no porn is found at the moment, it will be made
Programs capable of breeding. Usually 34s, but technically any of the above categories can be used for that. Unlike what it hints, this does not create more 34s, but instead, Programs of any category, even none of these, can be born. Also: Hybrids.

36. There will always be even more fucked up shit than what you just saw
If a 34 is created off a particularly nasty fetish or setup, it'll eventually [or instantaneously] evolve into a 36. These are the tentacle monsters, who are unable to understand that existence is not summarized by sexual content. Quite a few are enslaved by Megacorps, Dashtags, Hackers and Incógnita alike.

37. You can not divide by zero (just because the calculator says so)
38. No real limits of any kind apply here - not even the sky

39. CAPSLOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL
Spam Viruses. Their attacks are always loud and excessive, hitting areas rather than individuals and dealing the highest damage value possible. Their weakness lies in having a poor build - it's good to conduct their powers to the highest level, but it's a lot easier to break them down than it should be.

40. EVEN WITH CRUISE CONTROL YOU STILL HAVE TO STEER
41. Desu isn't funny. Seriously guys. It's worse than Chuck Norris jokes.
42. Nothing is Sacred.
43. The more beautiful and pure a thing is - the more satisfying it is to corrupt it
44. Even one positive comment about Japanese things can make you a weaboo
45. When one sees a lion, one must get into the car.
46. There is always furry porn of it.
47. The pool is always closed.
 
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