Systems And Makers

Everyone is utterly speechless, wondering how I can be so bold, especially in front of a live broadcast.

And if my mother and father are watching me right now, they would be speechless as well. Sadly, they are not since they have absolutely no interest in video games, and they consider games are a waste of time.

This is not to mention that my parents are busy working at the moment. Someone has to take care of all their bills after all, and that someone is certainly not me. Well. At least at the moment, for obviously reason.

Asides from no longer living my parents, I am actually strapping for cash.

My older sister is the same in this regard. She is also very busy trying to reach her dream of becoming a world-class chef. Even as busy as she is, she has always kept a keen interest in my dream. I also keep an interest in hers in response, and it is the reason why I am a pretty good chef myself.

I have been taught how to cook by her. Probably out of fear that I will drown myself in junk foods since so many game developers do. That is a misconception. Most game developers are very healthy, as far as I am aware.

While my older sister does not play video games, she understands the processes of game development thanks to me, and she will be able to watch the rerun of the broadcast when she is able simply because I am in it. She will probably be as speechless as everyone here.

Definitely.

A cough eventually breaks the tension, and soon enough, countless laughter burst forth. The laughter is quite contagious, and I cannot help but crack up with everyone as well even though they are actually laughing at me and my resolution.

No one believe that I would claim the top prize, and while it is not a certainty, a chance is a chance.

This is also a golden opportunity to show the world what kind of game developer that I am. It is a good opportunity to alter the perception of video games as well. While I am not a hardcore gamer like most people, defending video games to death, I know for a fact that video games do add a lot to society.

Video games are by no mean a waste of time. It is as much as a sport as any other sports, and with the advent of virtual reality gaming, no one can say that video games are unhealthy.

Anyway, I take a moment to collect my thought before speaking up.

"What makes a game?"

I raise the question with a serious expression, stunning everyone once more. At least very briefly. The laughter dies down afterwards, as some people thought of the answers. I am sure there are plenty of answers already formulate in their mind.

"Great graphics and sounds. Awesome world that I can explore…"

"The adventures and roleplaying. Collecting loots and questing with friends. Taking down that bastard dragon again…"

People begin to give their answers and get a lot of nods and agreements in response. While that is all true, it is not the answer that I am looking for, but then again, it is to be expected with this generation so brainwashed by virtual reality and holographic technology.

I clear my throat and speak up once more. With a smile too.

"I did not ask what a video game is. I am actually asking what a game is, fundamentally, and according to the dictionary, a game is a play or sport, regulated by rules and decided by skills, strength or luck."

I give my answer, making the chatter dies down again. I continue talking, as I do have the attention of everyone at the moment.

"However, to me personally, a game is at its most basic something that entertains me and gives me a sense of accomplishment and joy. In other world, crafting a game is also a game to me because I really enjoy it."

I give my opinion on the matter, and it is as accurate as the answers from everyone else. A game truly is a game if it amuses and entertains the others. If graphics and sounds entertain the player, then it is considered a game.

"Does that mean watching television is also a game? I mean, I am pretty amused and happy whenever I watch my favorite show."

"Yeah. What about going on a date with my girlfriend. It is really fun to be with her, so is that consider a game? Oh shit! Do not tell her that, she will break up with me if she thinks I am just playing around with her. I love you Mary!"

Most people laugh at that and response similar to that, and whatever tensions there were from before has already melted away, all thanks to the loony responses from the people. They are pretty funny, at least from what I have seeing.

"Are you saying that this competition is also a game to you?"

One of the judges finally speaks up. I have half-expected it was from Roland since he has already taken a dislike to me. However, it is not him. It is Nora Stanton instead. In her mind, games are must a mean to make money for the company.

A true business woman with a rod up her a.s.s. I mean that in the nicest way possible, not that I wouldn't tell it straight to her face. Well. Maybe not since that would antagonize her.

But then again, I have already antagonized her due to my own opinion, and I am obviously not a person to backdown from my belief just because it contradicts others. No. Never.

"Yes. This competition is a game to me, just like everything in life including life itself. The only different is that I am unsure whether I am winning or losing at the moment, but regardless whether I am losing or winning, I am happy to be here and play the game. Sometimes, there are great rewards to losing."

I answer Nora, and she narrows her beautiful eyes so ever slightly. She is a very serious person, and it probably a reflection of the whole gaming industry. Game developers make games to make money.

It is that simple, and while that is a good thing, as profits will allow game developers to produce more games, it is also a clutch, as it stops game developers from exploring the concept of gaming. Expanding upon what works and bringing forth innovations. Doing so would most likely make them lose money.

Like why change something that has made them millions and continued to make them millions? I guess that is the thinking of this industry. The thinking of all industries in this world, actually.

I realize it from my girlfriend, my older sister and even my parents, and I think this world is a very good place for me to test multiple systems, especially the systems that are not combat-orientated.

Oh. I know that I generalize, as the technology sector obviously innovates rapidly. Unfortunately, they are hitting a ceiling right about now, and that is a good thing. Becoming too advanced too quickly will bring forth their own extinction.

The greatest weakness to the human race is their own tendency to destroy themselves. This is all due to wielding weapons that are beyond their level of evolution. I am talking about biological, magical or spiritual evolution.

It is like how in ancient times, it takes forever to train an archer, allowing them to appreciate the craft, but then comes crossbow, turning everyone into a killing machine. Not as extreme as the introduction of gunpowder, thus the advent of firearms. That turns a moron into a killer, and when a whole can be burned with a push of a button, extinction is almost a certainty.

This is one of the several problems presented by Deus ex Machine. For without technology, humanity will not survive in the grand scheme of things, but with technology, humanity will eventually succ.u.mb to extinction.

Obviously, the others and I are an exception. It is just like countless people on worlds and realities that are given magical or spiritual powers instead of ingenuity to technologically advance. It is all just a big experiment, actually.

In any case, my philosophy seems to be lost on a lot of people. It is not lost on the judges, but they do not want to accept that. Games are games, and life is life.

"I do not agree. Games are a mean to escape from stressfulness of life, and a game must be perfectly crafted to entertain the people and relive them of their stress, not like your submitted game, William Willow. Your game lacks in everything from what I can see, from graphics to founds to concepts. Your skills and abilities are lacking in all area, and if I were you, I would have chosen a different career as it is obvious that you are not a game developer. In any case, it seems that someone should have placed a filter on the random selector, all to prevent another unintelligence game like yours being showcased here."

Roland speaks up this time. He smoothly hints that my game is randomly selected, which in effect, just reinforced the fairness of the competition. He can bullshit all he wants, but I do know the truth. There is only one reason that my game is showcased at the moment, and it is thanks to Desora.

In addition to that, Roland also insults me, and for that alone, I want to destroy him, but not with the power at my command. No. I will beat him at his own game. That is, to show him and the world that I am the best game developer there is.

As a matter of fact, why do I not make that a goal? A quest of sort.

Quests and missions are compulsory to any system. It gives the user a goal to work towards. Obviously, it should also be very difficult, thus making the eventual accomplishment all that more satisfying.

"My skills and abilities as a game developer are lacking in all area? I am not worthy to develop any sort of intelligence game? What do you know when you have not played the game yourself?"

I question before narrowing my eyes at the older man. He does not know why but he instantly feels a deadly chill all over his body. In fact, all the judges have felt it too. It is called killing intent and spiritual pressure. Only a nanosecond as anymore would kill them.

"I will tell you what, Roland Strong. I promise that within 5 years, I will be the best game developer in this whole country. No. This whole world. If I fail, I will never show my face in this world ever again!"

I call out and tell the System to make that wager with me. If I have failed in that, I will never step onto this reality again. No. I would never create a game ever again, regardless whether it is video games or other kind of game.

"I will hold you to that, William. It is good that you are passionate about this, but do not bite off more than you can chew. Being the best of anything is subjective. You should know that, so if this people of this world do not unanimously state that you are the best, then I consider that it is your lost."

Desora comments, making me wince. Ah shit! I am being a hot head again. I just hate it when people tell me that I cannot be something simply because they think they know better.

Roland just sneers at that and tells Rina to continue with the show. There is no need to take my words for anything in his mind, as he does not see me as anything.

However, the audiences are moved by my declaration. I am betting my honor and my future, and it is very commemorable.

"That is cool, bro. I had really thought you freeze up there, but your words move me."

Lionel comments when a new game is showcased on the screen. To him, life is truly a game, and he is losing the game. He knows it since he is not a really good game developer. He is a good author though, but writing does not pay well.

I nod at him, and watch he opens his phone and selects my game. All to give it a shot. A proper shot.

Lionel is not the only one, as there are plenty of other people as well. They have previously judged my game on its cover, and now, they decide to judge it on its actual merit.

That is the best that I could ask for, and I am sure they would come to enjoy it since there is one golden rule to any greatest game ever. That is, easy to learn and difficult to master.