SUBTLE WINDS - Update
The update for Creator Online turned out to be exclusive only to the Star Rings which surprised everyone. Most of the players unable to log in as well as those from other universes took to the forums to question why an update was reserved only for the star rings.
The Elder gods found themselves caught in a flood of questionnaires while several more accusations of Player Hildelith cheating in the game were thrown about. The forums and several social media platforms were consistently abuzz with talks of the game. While the trending videos were those of the Primordial Incursion several other videos also managed to hit the media depicting the glamour that was the entire game.
With the heat on the Hildelith character and the Elder Gods, many would think that surely the player would try staying low, especially with the ongoing update on her universe.
Fans and spectators woke up to the news of an upcoming talk segment with as many creator players as possible to discuss the future of Creator Online with its upcoming mass release. It was something that many thought was too soon due to the scheduled beta testing yet to be launched.
It was only three days after the live stream on Es-GNT that the talk show was arranged with PhoenixStations. It was a fact that while many were interested in hearing the plans most creator players had for their universes the majority of the audience just intended on seeing the famed creator player who ruled, sorry made the Star Rings.
*
Dustin connected the last wire below the table to the projector unit, standing he tapped a few keys into the holo pad he used before stepping back to watch the screen in front of him flicker on and his face projected on a tiny screen below.
With the setup complete he exited the room, yelling downstairs before going to his own. While Helen had no plans of attending the show he was going. It was even better when their city was lately chosen for most of if not all events that would happen for the game. Dustin could only be glad to have the no 1 player as his sister. Luckily the said girl would not be going in person.
Dustin was just glad that this time the decision was made due to past events but mostly a sane thought for reactions if she was revealed as the Hildelith player.
With the mass accusations and player rage going on due to her topping the leaderboard without balking, showing herself to be at a higher tier than the rest and the videos she made that always pulled attention. The Kellers were not taking any chances on human behavior and as such had agreed with Helen on keeping her identity secret for the time being.
The "Time being" was an argument Dustin had made as his parents had no issues with an eternally hidden identity.
It was noon when the show began. Most of the players had been flown in the previous day. The venue was the same large room used to prep the alpha testers.
Just below the stage arranged by importance were the players, in front were the reporters and finally behind sat the audience. Sitting right at the center of the players was Kevin and the show host for PhoenixStations Edmund Garcia.
The seats all around were filled with two cards showing numbers. One was in black on a white card showing their creator player number while the other was of a bronze or silver or gold color depicting leaderboard ranking.
The crowd buzzed as the side door on the stage opened letting in a stream of players. Everyone kept a keen eye out as attendants took the names of the attending players and showed them to their seats. It was a long moment but everyone waited with patience while people speculated who amongst the audience could be who.
The crowd stirred as they saw the number two player in the leaderboards sitting. Whispers and conversation held as their eyes remained on him while fingers pointed. The male smiled at the crowd flashing pearly white teeth, his green eyes dazzling his already growing fan base. He rubbed a palm into his hair which was done in a standard military cut while ignoring the glares of the players lower in the leaderboards.
The next to catch attention was the number three player as he found his seat, an Asian male of Japanese descent with long black hair. The crowd went wide as they noted the two seated on either side of an empty chair with a golden card in front of it. The black card spotting the number 79 on it.
Both males noticing the card froze up for a moment before the first male just sighed and shrugged. The Japanese looked at the card for a moment longer his fists balling beneath the table before he sighed too his eyes going to the second-ranked player.
The buzz in the room fell away as everyone got seated, Kevin tapping the mic placed before him to get their attention. The entire place was silent as everyone waited.
"We would like to thank you all for being here. While there are many things to be announced only a few are worth our time here. " Kevin started as he went from looking at the audience to a file before him. "First we have the beta wave coming up in three days. Unlike the alpha wave the beta wave is slotted at almost six digits and will only last a minimum of one or two weeks before the official launch of Creator Online to the awaiting public." the expected reaction from the audience came as many looked and whispered things to each other.
"Secondly, while the Elder gods have next to no control in the affairs of each creator player and their Gods in the respective universes they own, we have decided to prepare for the upcoming public launch. This will be made certain by the application of in-game money getting converted to Real Life Funds". Everyone burst out in a. uproar, questions flooded the poor man who waved his hand to settle everyone while grimacing at the loud noise.
"Settle down" A guard boomed shocking the audience into silence. Kevin gave an appreciative nod to the guard before continuing
"You'll be able to ask your questions later, though it won't matter since any information on the Money Conversion system will be kept in wraps till it is implemented." most of the reporters groaned at this but shut up as Kevin continued.
"Next we have the Creator player Hildeltih here with us. Well not exactly but..." he shrugged as he turned to the only empty seat on the conference table. A screen hooked to the wall behind the table flickered on. The view at first was fuzzy but soon cleared up to reveal a female seated on the other side, her hands pulling at the raven-black hair that cascaded from her head. A black face mask strapped to her face hid a few features yet did nothing to hide the deep blue orbs her streamers were familiar with.
She gazed silently through the screen for a while before she coughed and made a slight wave.
"Hello, e...everyone." the girl bobbed her head. "The information I have to share is for both those already in my universe and those who manage to get stuck there" she chuckled awkwardly.
"So.. Uhm.. while I should not be announcing this I feel those that lost their accounts in this recent unplanned void incursion need this. I've managed to shift the in-game death from permanent to a sort of ban. This means that all players who died can return to Creator online with the public launch. Unfortunately, there will be more than just this as punishment but I already set a way around it. I call it the Rebirth System but I won't announce more about it until the affected parties return to the game. Many might wonder why this is important since they won't be in-game gods anymore. " she paused seeming to contemplate for a moment before she sighed then looked into her camera once more.
"I assure you, it'll be an experience surpassing the boring fields of Torheim, and the chilly mists of Feyryire. So get ready for a more severe adventure or punishment. It'll be worth it in the end though".
"To the other Creator players, there is a new system once you made Tier One. I'm not certain if Tier One is a requirement or not but this new system will change the way we do various things". she stopped there and then her hand stretched out aiming to click something out of view. The reporters burst into question as many tried to get the girl to stay.
Her eyes widened at the onslaught pushing her to click at the screen faster turning it black. The questions from the reporters abruptly died down at this. Like a shock, they seemed to realize that other creator players were present as they turned their claws and fangs on them.
Audible sighs and headshakes were noted from the conference table as some kept their lips sealed while others just grinned. Finally, a player tapped his mic and spoke shushing the reporters. It was the number 7 player who smiled cheekily.
" All I want to say is. We creators are both proud and envious of what Creator Hildelith has accomplished in the game. She has given us a good name yet also made us look useless." most of the people chuckled at his words while the player kept smiling.
"Far be it for me to claim her actions and strength as simple luck. " he shook his head. " No. I won't. I would say though that she'd have to do more to keep her seat since I'm certainly not the only one vying for number one. " raising his hand he clarified.
"Nothing personal. Just game competition, I'm certain it would be an honor to take down such an illustrious player." most people nodded at his words.
"And in view of that..." Kevin interrupted leaning forward to catch the audience's eye. "We have plans on the ready for an in-game tournament to find out who the best creator is. After all, like Creator Asai said it could all be luck that brought a player to where they are now. This tournament will show the truth or not. But for now, let's all focus on the upcoming beta wave. As the first of the agendas on the game timeline, I'm certain it will bring wonders. Especially as we see how the game includes them into the lore of their worlds."