Seizing Opportunities

The Star Business District in Stellaris City, located on the majestic Star Ozone Planet, was abuzz with activity as a newly-established game review company geared up for another busy day. Inside the office building, a sense of urgency permeated the air, urging everyone to work diligently.

The game market had expanded exponentially, demanding a constant supply of game reviewers. Despite employing millions of individuals, the industry seemed insatiable. Each year, a fresh wave of graduates entered the field, eager to join the ranks of this ever-growing sector.

Following the establishment of the Stellar Federation, artificial intelligence had proliferated, leaving fewer tasks for human labor. As a result, leisure and entertainment businesses thrived, propelling the gaming industry to new heights. Virtual Reality (VR) games had become ubiquitous, ranging from Fantasy Role-Playing Games (RPGs) to Sci-Fi Explorations, Virtual Sports, Puzzles, Simulations, Horrors, Historical Experiences, and even Virtual Social Spaces.

In this world, even education had embraced virtual spaces. Schools, except for elementary levels, now existed primarily in virtual realms. High schools and universities conducted classes in immersive digital environments. Most businesses had relocated their offices to the virtual world, taking advantage of the limitless possibilities it offered.

Star Ozone Planet, the focal point of our tale, boasted awe-inspiring beauty, thanks to the shift of harmful experiments and wars to virtual arenas. While Stellar Wars still raged in the physical realm, alliances had instituted regulations to preserve the environment, preventing wanton destruction.

Within the bustling office, Manuel, a newcomer, found himself poring over a lengthy list of games awaiting testing. Envy glimmered in his eyes as he gazed upon the names of colossal IPs. Secretly, Manuel harbored dreams of becoming a world builder—a game developer of renown. However, he understood the tremendous challenges that awaited aspiring developers. Despite the assistance of AI, the majority of the work still rested on the developers' shoulders, earning them the honorable title of "world builders" among their peers.

The games listed before Manuel were the products of major companies and renowned studios, boasting significant advertising campaigns that had captivated audiences for the past two years. The fact that Manuel's company could secure such high-profile games for testing demonstrated its exceptional connections and capabilities. Unfortunately, it meant little to him personally.

As a novice, Manuel knew he wouldn't be assigned to review these prestigious IPs. Only experienced veterans had the privilege of evaluating and estimating the risks associated with such releases. For newcomers like him, reviewing and testing privately designed games constituted the norm.

With the advancement of AI and the maturity of gaming platforms, templates, and frameworks, the cost of creating private games had become significantly more affordable. This led to an influx of creative enthusiasts with limited resources, endeavoring to bring their virtual worlds to life. However, the lack of dedicated game development teams and skilled artists often hindered these privately designed games from gaining substantial audiences. Amidst the abundance of games flooding the market, both the exceptional and the mediocre, finding a truly remarkable gem became increasingly challenging. The most exceptional games were still primarily the product of established gaming companies.

As Manuel scrolled through various titles on his screen, he found himself searching for a game of exceptional quality. Alas, none seemed to captivate him enough. Sighing in disappointment, he decided to take a short break and headed to the bathroom.

Meanwhile, in the office, Reginald Cattermole, the department head, seized the opportunity to belittle Manuel in his absence. "Where is Manuel? We don't pay him to laze around!" Reginald's disdain for Manuel was well-known, and he harbored a deep-seated desire to have him dismissed.

One of Manuel's friends, a seemingly slender individual, attempted to defend him, saying, "Sir, he just stepped out briefly, perhaps to the bathroom." Unfortunately, Reginald paid little attention, determined to execute his plan of termination at any cost.

Unbeknownst to Manuel, the tense situation unfolded in the office while he made his way back to his desk. Upon his return, he noticed the sympathetic and pitiful gazes from his colleagues. The atmosphere was thick with tension.

"Bastard, where did you go?" Reginald's voice dripped with hostility as he confronted Manuel. The simmering anger within Manuel surged, prompting him to retort, "I have a name, you know!" The outburst took everyone by surprise.

Reginald, refusing to acknowledge Manuel's defiance, responded with a demeaning remark. "Yes, you have a first name. So what? A bastard without a last name bickering with me?"

With a single swift motion, Reginald declared, "On behalf of this company, you're fired!" The announcement left Manuel in a state of shock. He had been fired just like that, without a chance to defend himself. Suppressing his urge to argue, Manuel silently packed his belongings and walked out of the building, a crowd of onlookers casting curious glances his way.

Reginald Cattermole, aware of his lack of authority to dismiss employees on such trivial grounds, grew anxious. His impulsive decision lacked the necessary justification. Despite this realization, Manuel's frustration had reached its limit, leading him to accept his fate without protest as he exited the premises.

As Manuel stepped onto the streets, uncertainty and contemplation clouded his mind. With no job and a blank canvas before him, he pondered his next move. Suddenly, as if in response to his thoughts, a distinct chime resonated within his mind.

Ding, ding.

The VirtualCraft System activated... 1%.

Intrigued by the unexpected notification, Manuel couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. Little did he know that this serendipitous turn of events would set him on a path where his dreams of becoming a world builder could finally materialize. The journey was about to begin.