Mind Games

The Gaming Revolution

"I can't believe it. People actually know who I am."

Belle laughs at my statement. I tug on my short locks, still a little star-struck about being at PAX.

"This is the ultimate gamers' convention." Belle reminds me. "Anyone who follows a YouTube gamer is here. And probably a few people who follow non-gaming or mixed channels. And you really think that absolutely none of the people here would follow you?"

"I guess my channel's all American followers, plus you." I shrug.

"Come on, there's something they're unveiling today." Belle says, grabbing my wrist and pulling me through the crowd.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming!" I chuckle, following quickly. I'm really thankful that all the steampunk gear I packed was of the more hands-on variety; I'm wearing brown overalls (fitted with an underbust corset, of course) that are perfect for running and a short-sleeved white blouse. I also have my trusty pouch and a pair of knee-high black boots, and a wrist cuff covered in gears and shinies. And, of course, my steampunk glasses.

Belle leads me into the crush by a stand with a man talking excitedly. I try to tune in on his voice.

"... completely revolutionizes the gaming world! We are putting your mind into the world of the game, making it so that you are truly the main character of the game. You are in the game, without being in any real danger."

My jaw drops. Belle shoots me a grin.

"Now, all the YouTubers running panels and booths here? They put in the YouTube channel of two people they know who came here."

I stare at Belle. She nods excitedly, beaming at me.

"Now, I'm gonna draw six names outta this bag. Each pair of you, say hello to your new partner."

I gnaw on my lower lip, listening nervously. A girl next to me squeals in excitement and pushes her way to the stage. I watch young men and women dart up to the stage, laughing and slapping high-fives with their mates. Four, five...

Six. My shoulders slump dejectedly. I guess, even with Belle rallying for me, it's still all up to chance.

"Now, for the really fun part. See, we decided we should have at least one professional gamer, just to see how they fare in such a situation."

"Hello everybody. My name is-"

"MARKIPLIER!!!"

... Alright, yes, I joined in on the screaming fan moment. I'm a nineteen year old girl, cut me some slack!

Markiplier waves enthusiastically, holding up a Tiny Box Tim plushie.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I've been asked to select one of you to be my partner in testing out this new console," he grins. "But, of course, I can't make up my mind! So, I've asked Tiny Box Tim to do the honours. You ready, buddy?"

"Ready, Mark!" Tim replies. I giggle softly at that. Mark lets out a boisterous, manly cry and throws the plushie high into the air. Even though it's one in almost a hundred, I raise my hands and snatch at the air.

My hands close on the middle of the plushie. One of Tim's hands rests on my goggles.

"We have a winner!" the announcer cries.

"Go on, ya lucky girl!" Belle exclaims, giving me a light shove. A few other teens, either genuinely nice or just too pumped up by the entire situation, cheer and jostle me as I make my way to the stage.

"Well, hello, baby." Mark smiles. "You're the girl from the elevator yesterday."

"Well, now, sweetheart, what's your name, and your channels?" the announcer asks.

"I'm Marlene." I begin. "I run MarlyGeek Tech and MarlyGeek Makes."

"Right, and what's your favourite type of videogame?" the announcer asks.

"RPG's, Square Enix-type fantasy games... And real quality horror games." I say.

"What do you mean by quality?" the announcer queries.

"Not just darkness and threat of my neck being snapped." I reply. "There has to be something else. Something of the slow, torturous variety. Otherwise, it's not really scary."

"Ooh, she's a badass!" the announcer laughs.

"A strong, independant woman who don't need no man!" Mark grins. "But, hey, you got me anyway."

"Now, you're going to have to take off the headgear," the announcer says. "The headset of the console can fit glasses, but not a huge accessory like that."

I take off my glasses and slip them into my hip-pouch. I grope around for a moment, then draw out my thick-rimmed, rectangular glasses.

"How were you able to see through that?" one of the other selected women asks.

"I got the optometrist to put my prescription in it." I grin.

"I want a pair!" Mark whines childishly, pulling the full puppy-dawg look. "... No, seriously, those are awesome and I want some."

"Alright now, ladies and gentlemen, revealing the long-awaited, dreamed of, amazing... MATRIX INCEPTION!!!"

And a curtain lifts as everyone starts to put two and two together about the name.

"Did you have to get the copyrights for that name?" a teenaged guy asks with a snicker. I turn and look at the display. There are six huge screens, each one set beneath a comfy looking seat. In each seat rests a headpiece shaped rather similarly to a bike helmet, though it has several ridges running from the temples back to the nape of the wearer's neck. We all move in and sit down on our seats.

"One last thing."

That's never good...

"The MI unit tells your brain that the game you're in is reality," the announcer explains. "You still know everything that's going on outside, that you're using the MI, but while you're plugged in, you'll believe that the story of the main character, or characters, is your story, and the world you're in is the real world. Helps contribute to the experience."

I look for Belle, but she's lost in the crowd. I can feel the nerves at the base of my skull grow hot and my stomach tighten. This might not be such a good idea.

"What's wrong?"

I look over at Mark. He's still wearing his trademark grin (which is still way better in person than on camera).

"You've got me protecting you," he chuckles. "And I'm so strong, and brave!"

"And handsome." I say, mimicking his tone. Mark's smile widens.

"See ya in the game." I murmur, sliding on the helmet.

"Live in five, four, three..."

My vision whites out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let it begin! LET IT BEGIN!!!

... Yes, I am insane. Any idea what the first game's gonna be, guys? Just a note, one or two will be my own ideas or other games I know, but you should recognise most of the games off Mark's channel. And here's the wrap!

Thank you kindly for reading the story. If there's something you'd like to say about my story, there's a beautiful little device named the comments box below. If you enjoy the story and you want to stay up-to-date, consider following and joining the Moon Rebellion. That's all for now, sayonara my lovelies.