470 Experiencing Virtual Reality (2/2)
”You're responsible for virtual reality. After work, go experience this for me,” Ma Huateng said nonchalantly.
”Yes Boss.”
”Ok, that's it from me.”
Du Shuze immediately stepped out. The employee who rushed in hesitated for a moment, wanting to say something. When he saw the displeased expression on his boss' face, realizing his recklessness, he shut his mouth and left the office with Du Shuze.
…
Wanghai City's Star Netcafe was filled with people. There were empty computers, but the front desk was crowded with people.
The first things people said when they entered the net cafe was:
”Could you get a 'Phantom' virtual reality helmet for me?”
”Sorry, sir, the only four Phantom helmets in the store are being used,” the staff said with mixed emotions.
She had repeated the same line over fifty times.
”What?! Full already?” The man's eyes widened. ”Eh, why're there only four here?”
Her explanation clearly didn't convince this man. If it wasn't for the fact that the staff looked cute, he would've cursed.
As a loyal fan of Future Technology, he followed the official site of Godly Land while waiting for the monthly updated trailer. Other than that, he also avidly followed the streamers who chose to be part of the internal test.
The streamers didn't disclose the game content, but when they were asked if the game was fun, even straight-faced streamers would display a fervent look.
It had been half a year since the official site came online. Now that he could finally play it, he was indeed eager. As soon as he saw ”Experience project” on Future 1.0, he immediately dropped everything he was doing and rushed to the closest partnered netcafe.
Yet now, the Star Netcafe was telling him it was full?
What kind of joke was this? The largest net cafe in the area only had four ”Phantom”?
”How long is the wait?” the man said out of annoyance.
The new staff was about to be in tears considering how menacing the man looked.
”You'll have to wait.”
”I know I have to wait. I'm asking how long do I have to wait?” the man said aggressively.
The older staff who just finished her tasks could no longer stand by as she dragged the new staff to the back before personally handling the situation.
”Sir, do you want to open a computer or experience virtual reality? If you want to experience virtual reality, please register on our computer. There are still 51 players before you for a total of 102 hours of wait time. We'll alert you through text message five hours before your spot opens up. Also, if you have time at night, you could join the night list with 23 players currently waiting—”
When he heard he had to wait for five days, he immediately exploded and began yelling.
”Fu*k, what kind of sh*tty net cafe is this? I have to wait! I won't play anymore.”
Although he said that, he still stood there. He stared at the staff while waiting for the server to give in.
But the staff was experienced as he looked at the man with a smile without displaying any emotion.
Since he was blocking the way, the people behind him began to grow discontent.
”Can you be faster? If you don't want to play, leave. Stop wasting time.”
”That's right.”
When he heard the voices from the back, the man's face turned red out of embarrassment. He wanted to leave, but when he saw the long line before him, if he left, he wouldn't be able to experience virtual reality anymore.
”Who said I won't play? I'll wait, how much?”
”You said that?” There were whistles behind him, but he chose to ignore them.
[Whatever you say, my skin is thick enough.]
”6 RMB an hour.” The staff pointed at the sign at the door.
It wasn't expensive, which made him feel a bit better. By comparison, an Apple computer cost 12 an hour.
The same scene was also occurring in Wanghai, Shangjing, and other metropolises. A few days later, Phantom was set to appear in New York, London, and Paris.
When the first player put down the virtual reality helmet reluctantly and began to share his astonishment with his friends, it would mark the first intimate contact between civilization and virtual reality.