Game: Launch

People are slowly counting down inside the computer shops. Twenty seconds left before Glory is finally released.

"Ten!" the players are getting their headsets from the computer tables.

"Nine!" they raise the volume up, up, up.

"Eight!" they flex their fingers in order to have proper control as they start playing.

"Seven!" they test their mouse if it moves properly across the screen for easier movement.

"Six!" they place their fingers on the respective buttons needed to operate their characters

Five!" they find their comfortable sitting positions, not too slouchy, not too postured.

"Four!" the players who need glasses give their spectacles one last wipe in case it became dirty.

"Three!" they take one last glance at the people who are seated next to them, excited to finally play the game.

"Two!" they prepare their game cards, ready to place it in the game card reader.

"One!" and they insert it. Logging in to the game.

The most awaited game of the year which is said to be one of the most expensive multiplayer video game ever developed, finally launches. The first ever server of Glory, hundreds and thousands of waiting players inserted their game cards almost at the same time together.

Loading, the screen reads. A logo appears while it's loading. It has a gold colored wings, most likely an eagle's, at both sides, and at the center is a burning sun while in the middle of the sun is a star, with two swords crossing and on top is the word GLORY, in capital letters.

The very first thing that appeared after the loading screen is the player information box. Just like any other games, it is essential for the players to fill-up their player information for the game and set up passwords and such for security purposes to protect their accounts.

They are required to pick a gender, there are those male players who choose to carry female characters in the game. Sometimes, it's usually because it's easier for some to control female characters in-game. There are also female players who use male characters in game. There are just some who like to play pranks on their fellow players. Whatever the reason, that's what they do. The developers aren't really strict when it comes to the players genders.

The last requirement is the player's picture. It is because the game will scan the player's features and create a character that has the same facial features as the player. That's why those who chose opposite genders in the game ended up laughing as they uploaded their photos and the game generated their characters. They look so alike but… at the same time so different.

"What the- I can't believe I look so good as a dude!" a female player laughs and punches her friend sitting next to her.

"And I look good as a chic!" her friend laughs with her.

After providing the necessary requirements and the creation of the characters the game loads for another thirty seconds and then slowly the home portals appeared for each of the players.

The fantasy effect of the game is breathtaking. Everything seems to be in 3D which is a plus points for the players. The first thing to greet you after passing through the portal is a bird. They will give you instructions and other more things you need to know about the game. You just need to read his speach bubble and follow the instructions he gives just like any other games. He gives you tasks to finish and after accomplishing it he gives you some basic knowledge about the game. An example of these tasks is looking for a missing pet from an AI character. After accomplishing the task also raises the level of the player's character.

A player needs to reach level five in order to use low leveled skill from the three classes of their choice. The player can unlock all of the first level skills of each class when they reach level ten. If the player wants to level up faster, there are ways to earn experience points faster though it requires a player's level to be higher because the tasks will be more difficult. Such as slaying the dark lord, steal the hidden scroll at a heavily guarded temple, escort the princess and protect her from assassins while transporting her to a safe place.

The most exciting tasks are those that need a specific number of players in order to complete the given task. The more difficult the task, the more experience points the player receives, the faster their character level up.

As the night, or day, progresses the only thing you could hear inside the internet shops are the sound of the players tapping their keyboards. There are also some shouts of joy and some groans obviously showing the results of the tasks they are working on in order to level up. Some ball their fist in the air as they reach level five and others curse because they failed their last task in order to reach level five.

-

"I've examined all the 23 classes of the game. For sure, the players are having the time of their loves right now. I'll try this game out tomorrow since I could 't find a vacant spot no matter where I go. In the end I just ended up being tired. I just need to study one more class. If only there's a free internet connection and a computer unit, this would be much easier." Ye Xiu yawns as he lays down.

"I'll just continue tomorrow." He adds to himself. He's rented a cheap apartment because of his strict budget. Given the cheap rent obviously the room is small, the bathroom is far from his room, a small bed which seems to be broken, a small window at the top corner. He's also the one who's supposed to provide his own pillow and blanket and he doesn't actually feel very secure inside. It's like someone is bound to break in any time.

Yet, Ye Xiu doesn't care about any of it. He has a sense of duty to prove to himself that he can survive without the help of his father. To show him that he can stand on his own two feet.

It's been a while since he left home and the only source of his finances is him betting in different video games. He provokes his opponents while playing until they lose their temper and propose a bet. Of course, he makes sure that if he wins the bet his opponent would pay. That's why they agree that they should put out at least half of what amount they agreed upon.

Not long, Ye Xiu is already well known in an 24/7 internet shop named God Chow. The name was actually taken from a famous God of Gambling named Chow Yun-Fat.

The internet shop's all over China seems to be on a roll from the time that Glory launched up 'til the next morning. They are featured in news in every channel, and they even have a live broadcast. Just like that, Glory, the first ever released multiplayer video game set the record for the most played, the most earned income, the hottest topic on social media, and the most successful game released ever.