Re: Life - Business & Technology

Chapter 85 - Battle Royale

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Advertisements from Apple and other consumer electronics manufacturers played throughout United States television channels and online media. 

The commercials revealed new products releasing soon, much cheaper than Future Tech's higher-end devices. For example, Apple's new iPhone was demoted to a middle-class mobile device but would now boast processing power equivalent to the first-generation AIM electronic devices. 

Many consumers were thrilled to hear about more economical options for their favorite devices and now wouldn't have to shell out the big bucks to buy from Future Tech. 

The rich Silicon Valley suits were so proud of themselves for spending billions of dollars in exchange for sufficient technology enough to fight against Future Tech's sudden growth. 

Meanwhile, Russian military factories had begun churning out below-average aerodyne vehicles meant to equip their frontline troops for the inevitable war against Ukraine on the other side of the border. 

Instead of focusing on defensive capabilities like Future Tech's FAV-1, the Russians added more firepower and accessible pilot controls because their version of AV wasn't equipped with the same cutting-edge AI assistance program the CAVs and FAVs feature nor the Future Tech insurance. 

[We got a sweet deal from those dark web outlaws. AV tech and an assured hack job are well worth ghosting Interpol and their current investigations.] Putin pondered in his Kremlin office. 

More than three thousand miles away from Moscow, a few Syrian military officers were finalizing a deal with a mysterious extremist group that recently made their existence known in the middle east, selling tech and information in the local black markets. 

Plenty of other organizations and companies uninvolved in shady dealings have been rapidly advancing their technologies and offerings using the first-generation and current-generation Future Tech products available to the public. 

The massive performance boost in the computational capacity of the new processors most professionals have adopted has positively affected daily workflows, especially in laboratories worldwide. 

One significant example is the Hollywood industry, which has joyously migrated all its 3D rendering workloads to either AIM or Infinity workstations, reducing render times and overall costs. 

Motion capture and photogrammetry were trivial matters for anyone who owned a Future Tech mobile device and used its Infi AI-driven camera to capture high-fidelity images. 

Disney also recently negotiated with Future Tech to purchase two Infinity Supercomputers as soon as their chief technology officer learned of the new offerings from the Austin tech giant. 

Humankind was improving and changing much quicker than in Vince's past life. As a result, the butterfly effects of his existence are getting more and more apparent.

After the office tour, an Irish man in his mid-20s couldn't believe his eyes. Kyle awarded him $1 million for the community modder award and a job offer to work at the FPS sub-division at Future Studios. 

"Pinch me! I think I'm dreaming." Brendan blurted out while reading the contract details. 

"Even though Future Studios employ the highest number of dedicated game developers in the world, we're still looking for innovative creators to add more value to our video game ecosystem. After speaking with the FPS progenitor himself, John Carmack, an hour ago, I feel like you share the same passion for video games and deserve a spot on my team." Kyle explained with an air of leadership, even at the age of 15.

[I won't have to eat Brazilian-brand instant noodles anymore?! And I even get a job offer to work with John Carmack!? That seals the deal for me.] Brendan pondered as he signed the paperwork without a second thought. 

Vince, Dr. Taylor Miller, John Carmack, and Palmer Luckey enjoyed a few drinks at the penthouse bar to learn more about their new colleagues. 

"I was amazed when I first tested the Hypervisor. The quality and level of detail your company integrated into the mini-led displays were marvelous. Do you mind my asking how many you've sold so far?" John asked curiously. 

"We've sold about 5 million Hypervisors units so far, and a third of our users actively play Everlife and War Online using VR desktop mode," Vince replied. 

"Very popular, indeed. It's natural for customers to flock towards the latest and greatest consumer devices as they did with the first iPhones a few years ago." The young Palmer commented. 

"I'm sure the Oculus version will sell much better due to the significant price difference. More people need to experience this life-changing VR and AR technology!" John stated in a passionate tone.

"There's still a place for traditional displays, especially for industrial applications like the instruments on the Dragon Space Capsule, but now we have more granular and refined control with the Hypervisors. Side note, I'm not sure if you've heard of a recent Everlife Online mod released a week ago, called PlayerUnknown's Battle Royale. It's a hugely popular online game mode centered on the first-person shooter aspects of Everlife. The modder is meeting with Kyle to receive his community award and prize. You may have ideas about the FPS genre you can suggest to him when we meet for dinner." Vince explained.

"I'm sober enough to try it out on a traditional display screen. Give me a second." so John said before pulling out the new Infinity Notebook he purchased at the ground floor Future Tech storefront.

"That's completely fine. Everlife was explicitly designed for traditional displays to allow most people to play it. So VR isn't essential to enjoying the different game modes." Vince replied while powering on his Infinity Workstation.

Aiya arrived carrying two Infinity Notebooks meant for Palmer and Dr. Miller to use, but the good doctor declined courteously.

"You boys can enjoy the rest of the day while I return home to my son for the evening. I expect we'll see each other soon, Mr. Carmack." Taylor said before leaving the penthouse.

"Alright, we can play trios after doing the quick tutorial," Vince stated as he invited John and Palmer to his in-game squad.

All three loaded into a large modded level within Everlife Online with targets in varying distances and weapons laying around ported from the base Everlife game.

"I suggest practicing with the FA-416, the Future Arms variant of the M4 carbine. It's the most common gun spawn in the mod. Try out the mid-range and short-range optics at the shooting range." Vince explained.

"Wow! Besides the insane graphical fidelity, these animations are smooth as silk. How were you able to do this?" John asked passionately.

"The stock animations that come with the modding toolset were created using full-body inverse kinematics and motion capture of various people from Future Security, Studios, and contracted Hollywood actors. In addition, Infinity Unreal Engine automatically fixes minor mesh issues using Infi AI assistance." Vince explained in detail.

"Amazing! I'll make it my priority to learn the ins and outs of your new software development suite. Even the physics feel authentic." John replied after shooting a target at 50 yards a few times.

"You guys should play Everlife. The story alone is worth the playthrough." So Vince stated as the three of them deployed for their first battle royale match.

"One hundred random online players will parachute drop into any available part of the map the FT-Super Galaxy we're riding flies over. Let's drop there. That area provides an average amount of loot, but most players avoid it." Vince explained as he pinged [River Town] on the squad map.

[I'm glad Brendan started modding Everlife instead of Arma in my past life. How could I forget how popular Battle Royale games were. Kids on Tiktok were dancing the Fortnite emotes unironically.] Vince pondered while looting a house.

Brendan was kind enough to provide a HUD minimap to help teammates keep tabs on each other.

"Guys, I think I'm in trouble here," Palmer said in worry as he heard a group of enemies running around his vicinity.

John took position on the third floor in a house across the road from Palmer. He found three enemies looking to loot [River Town] and took it upon himself to fire the first shot from his excellent vantage point.

John was lucky; he found an SR-25 and ACOG scope in the same house and downed one enemy via headshot.

"Great shooting, John. Watch this!" Palmer exclaimed before rushing the last two enemies while brandishing a stock FA-416.

He took cover behind an abandoned truck and emptied his magazine towards the two enemies attempting to revive their teammate.

"The gunplay is just so good, Vince!" John said while looting his kill.

"Online connectivity and realistic physics were crucial to my vision of Everlife Online, and we spared no expense in developing the game engine for our purposes," Vince replied proudly.

The toxic gas slowly covered the playable areas of the map until the last few teams fought for survival.

Unfortunately, toxic gas caught the trio in the open between two squads which sent them straight back to the lobby after a valiant attempt.

"I feel the rush in my blood, Vince. This game mode is addicting!" John commented.

"That's why we offered the developer a lucrative deal. Future Tech is always looking for talent. He may be of use to our upcoming projects. I already feel the US military's interest in purchasing augmented reality training simulations for SOCOM and specialized roles like bomb defusing." Vince replied.

"I envy your commitment to the business side of things. But, unfortunately, I've always been too focused on developing games rather than growing id Software." John said honestly.

"My mother thinks it's my affliction," Vince replied in jest.

The three of them laughed before jumping into another match of Battle Royale.

Stats last time checked: 

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion 

15 million BTC (currently trades at $25,000) 

$16 Billion cash in Future Tech 

105,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics, Future Education, Epic Games, 60% of SpaceX, 10% of Tesla, 10% of Koenigsegg) 

20,000+ operators under Future Security 

Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner, The Longhorn 

Five company collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E) 

Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram, Twitch)