This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 98 Alpha0.5 Version Update! A Brand New Player System!

Chapter 98: Chapter 98 Alpha0.5 Version Update! A Brand New Player System!

VM is an abbreviation.

Its full name is "Vital signs monitor," and it’s found in almost every shelter.

But Chu Guang had seen one for the first time.

Indeed, the functionalities of this gadget went far beyond mere "vital signs monitoring;" it was more akin to a wrist-mounted computer, incorporating features like medical check-ups, localization, communication, mapping, and a black-box recorder.

The system, concerned that Chu Guang might not know how to use it, thoughtfully provided a manual, which appeared before him in a light blue pop-up window.

[[

1. Monitor the wearer’s vital signs activity, collecting information including heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, blood oxygen concentration, hormones in sweat, DNA structure, etc., and perform comprehensive analysis on the collected information to display it in a specific data format.

2. If the wearer’s vital signs cease, the VM will automatically archive the cache data including "final recording," and continuously send an encrypted signal containing relative distance and direction information through an emitter in the chip for easy recovery by search and rescue teams.

3. The VM can intermittently emit specific frequency lasers within a certain range, to map indoor spaces in three dimensions, with a maximum mapping radius of 5m, though this can deteriorate due to air humidity and dust particles. This feature is very useful when exploring buildings, as it can mark out large obstructions like walls, doors, and boxes, and data can be uploaded and shared afterward.

4. The VM’s power is supplied by a thermo-sensitive battery, which can be charged by light exposure or proximity to a heat source, such as a fire. In low battery conditions, it can absorb the natural heat emitted by the wearer to slowly charge and automatically switch to energy-saving mode, operating the device at minimal power.

]]

Besides the common functions mentioned in the manual, Chu Guang also learned through Xiao Qi that in principle, all VMs can be recompiled through programming.

This meant, given the hardware’s abilities, if he added a few "very useful" plug-ins to these VMs, Chu Guang would know where every player was, what they were doing, and even hear what they were saying.

"Holy shit, this thing is pretty powerful!"

No.

It was extremely powerful!

Chu Guang wanted to call it the "Emperor’s Joy Tracker"!

Everyone should have one, and no one should dare remove theirs!

No, wait...

After a few seconds of excitement, Chu Guang quickly calmed down.

Thinking it over, if he forced players to wear a mobile on their arm, wouldn’t it seem like he was making them do things against their will?

People are naturally rebellious.

And things that come free are never appreciated.

Looking carefully at the VM in his hand, Chu Guang stroked his chin and pondered.

"To be fair, this wrist-mounted computer... can’t be cheaper than a Looter’s crappy gun, right? I’d say at least 30 silver coins each."

Xiao Qi raised its camera.

"But master, these VMs are said to be quite common in the shelters, right? And considering they are easy to maintain and durable, the technology involved isn’t very high..."

Chu Guang: "Hmm, let’s make it 40 silver coins each, and they should only be purchasable by those at citizen level."

Xiao Qi: "...Master?"

Chu Guang turned to look at Xiao Qi standing beside him.

"Xiao Qi, do me a favor, I want to add some features to these VMs, can you do it?"

Xiao Qi obviously hesitated.

"...I can, as long as the hardware allows. But what exactly do you want to add to it?"

"Attribute panel! Taskbar! Map! Chat window!"

Isn’t it still a game without these things?

Several players have already complained that they can only check their level and experience offline, and not being able to open the character interface at any time to check levels, experiences, abnormal statuses, and buffs – what’s the difference between this and "Earth OL," that trash game?

Another complaint is the task system.

Although they no longer write on wooden or plastic boards, but rather switched to paper on wood, the essence hasn’t changed, and checking task progress is still too tedious.

And most critically, it wastes too much paper!

That’s not eco-friendly.

As for the map feature, it was an unexpected benefit.

Chu Guang had not expected the VM to be so capable, especially with its laser surveying; now, when players went scavenging with it, it was like they were mapping for the shelter.

And it was clear at a glance where had been searched and where had not, making it easier to reveal overlooked hidden spaces and secret passages, effectively doubling the efficiency of scavenging!

Most importantly, enabling automatic uploading of maps by the players also saved a significant portion of Chu Guang’s workload.

Mapping before was done through physical recon by the players.

For instance, a player completing a scavenging task would travel to a location on the pre-war map and then report back to the Manager about what the place looked like now.

The needed information included, but was not limited to, changes in the landscape, the presence of Variants, and signs of human activity.

While this might sound easy, in practice, it was torturous; a hundred mouths could tell a hundred different versions.

Some people had such poor sense of direction that they ended up not even where the map pointed, yet spoke with utter seriousness, making Chu Guang’s head spin.

Now with the VM, he no longer needed to listen to these sand sculptures narrate the conditions of the Wasteland. With the VM, data upload was all it took upon return, and exploration maps could be synchronized to the official web database.

Players didn’t even need to operate it themselves.

Chu Guang had Xiao Qi perform the operations automatically on their behalf.

"Attribute panel, task system, and the map are easy to incorporate... However, the chat window is problematic; although the VM has a transmitter, it’s not a specialized communication chip. Sending and receiving text messages and updating the task panel nearby the shelter is fine, but it gets tricky further away."

I see.

Chu Guang stroked his chin, pondering for a moment before speaking.

"The chat feature can wait, let’s first develop the attribute panel, the task system, and the map functions. I’ll find you a few templates to use in a moment."

The features were imperfect, and releasing them would just invite ridicule from sand sculpture netizens. It’d be better to wait until they were improved. Moreover, with the "Plaza" and the "Official Website," there was enough to boast about to the players.

"Alright, Master!"

Watching the enthusiastic Xiao Qi, Chu Guang nodded in satisfaction and turned back to head to Level B1.

It was 3 a.m. in the Wasteland, and 3 p.m. in the real world—the time when the least number of players were in the game.

It was also the best time for an update!

Sitting down in front of the computer at the residents’ hall, Chu Guang yawned as he pulled out his notebook from the drawer, then opened the document for reference.

Everything was ready except for ctrl-C and ctrl-V.

Chu Guang stretched his fingers and a smile appeared on his face.

Time to do a planner’s work!

...

Official Website:

[Wasteland OL Closed Beta Version alpha0.5 Update Announcement]

[Major Updates:

1. Increased the number of closed beta players to 200.

2. Significant changes to the attribute panel, task system, and map functions.

3. The B2 Level of the shelter officially opens!

[Optimizations:

1. More realistic snow effects: as time passes, the ground will harden, rivers will freeze, and even lake surfaces may freeze.

2. A charcoal fire has been added to the weapon shop for warming up. Please encourage the shop owner to cheer up, which might increase her favorability.

3. Increased spawn rate of wild monsters suitable for severe cold climates.

4. Richer details inside the shelter.

5. Fixed a few bugs.

6. ...

[As the number of players increases, the Player Manual and User Agreement have been updated to version 3.0. Players who have obtained closed beta access should check them promptly to avoid a poor gaming experience.]

[Current number of reservations: 1007]

[Additionally, the "Winter is Coming" expansion pack has officially ended. The title of Winter Warrior has been awarded to 90 qualified closed beta players, and their IDs have been included in the Hall of Fame. Winter has arrived—tremble in the cold, survivors!]

...

There was quite a bit of content in this update.

Rather than just boasting to the players, Chu Guang always worried they might think he wasn’t working hard enough.

Still following the old routine.

After posting the update announcement, Chu Guang immediately posted the edited developer’s log.

"Developer Log: alpha0.5 version"

Light: "Hello everyone, I am your beloved planner! After squeezing out 5 engineers from the technical team, our server has finally upgraded from a potato to a horned potato! Now it can accommodate 200 players entering the server simultaneously. Aren’t you excited? Aren’t you thrilled? Go check your backend mailbox! Applause for the Exalted!"

"The biggest change in this version update is mainly the attribute panel, task panel, and—the additional map function gifted to you! Are you happy?"

"I’m as happy as you are! Under the temptation of roasted potatoes, the developers finally understood the functionality we wanted."

"Of course, don’t get too excited too soon. Considering the player’s game experience and game authenticity, we have decided after five days and nights of continuous department meetings to integrate these functions into a special prop named ’Vital Signs Monitor (VM).’"

"After reaching the Citizen level, players need only pay 40 silver coins to purchase this device. Due to its special setting, each player is limited to one per account, non-unbindable, non-transferable. If your teammate unfortunately dies, remember to retrieve their VM, otherwise the shelter will deduct 10 silver coins from their account for the ’Device Retrieval’ task reward."

"As long as you are in the shelter or near the sanatorium, the VM can connect to the shelter’s server to carry out task operations."

"Besides the task bar, the core function of the VM is still the attribute panel! Through a small screen, you can conveniently check the development progress of your gene sequence, character attributes, buffs or debuffs, as well as contribution points and citizen level."

"Of course, you don’t even need to show off your contribution points—the VM itself is a symbol of identity and power! In our setting, only ’Citizens’ who have made outstanding contributions to the shelter deserve this honor. Owning it also means that you are no longer a rookie but a true warrior qualified to venture into the Wasteland!"

"Additionally, the VM’s onboard laser mapping function can accurately capture nearby obstacles and walls, and upload the map data to the shelter’s server. Even if you’re directionally challenged, you’ll be able to find your way home—your mom no longer has to worry about you getting lost in the Wasteland!"

Click, upload.

Done!

Chu Guang stretched lazily, pushed back his chair, and stood up.

After staying up until nearly dawn for two days straight, even his iron body was feeling the strain.

This time he planned to sleep until noon, hoping to get his sleep schedule back on track.

Thinking of this, Chu Guang looked towards Xiao Qi crouching in the corner.

"Xiao Qi, don’t forget to wake Xia Yan when it’s time."

"Alright, Master."

After delegating the last task, Chu Guang happily went back to the neighboring room to sleep.

While Chu Guang was sleeping soundly, the discussion about the "Alpha0.5 Version" on the official website nearly crashed the servers!