Chapter: 70

"I think your company may have invented a new visual effects technology. The scene we just saw looked so real, but it was actually a virtual setting created using this new visual effects technology" said the woman who was called upon, sharing her speculation.

"Well, that's an interesting idea. Although you didn't answer correctly, your response opens up a whole new direction. Applying this new technology to the field of film and art could indeed be a lucrative path!"

"So, even though you didn't give the correct answer, I've decided to give you the complete set of the new product we're launching tonight.

Do any other audience members have any other ideas? Even if you didn't answer correctly, if I find your idea really impressive, you might still have a chance to win a prize!" As he spoke, Mark scanned the audience seats below the stage.

"Now, let's have a gentleman answer this time. The gentleman in the black suit in the first row, fifth seat." The audience was very enthusiastic, and Mark once again selected a lucky individual.

"Oh, I'm so lucky tonight. I believe tonight's new product could possibly be a civilian space compression technology. When you were demonstrating earlier, you used a teleportation prop and an iron longsword to slay the wild boar. These things appeared out of thin air, and I didn't see you carrying them before. So, I speculate that the new product might be a space device similar to Doraemon's 4D pocket."

"Uh... Your imagination is truly beyond me! However, unfortunately, your answer is way off the mark. Now that the suspenseful part of the press conference is over, I believe everyone is curious about what our Mark Research Center's new product is. So, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Let's formally introduce our company's flagship product for the spring 2011: NerveGear, the world's first civilian fully immersive VR machine, or you could say, a virtual reality gaming console."

After Mark unveiled the true appearance of the new product to the audience, the entire conference venue fell into an eerie silence, which lasted for nearly 5 seconds.

Roar!

Cheers and applause erupted, a deafening sound that almost seemed capable of overturning the roof of Madison Square Garden. This was a technology that had appeared multiple times in various novels, anime, and movies, but always felt unattainable. It's no wonder the audience erupted in such enthusiastic applause. In fact, not only the live audience but also the viewers watching the conference remotely joined in the frenzy, expressing their excitement.

"From your screams, it's evident that everyone is highly anticipating our new product. But the exciting moment has just begun. Please calm down and let me finish this damn presentation."

"Hahaha!" The crowd burst into laughter at Mark's self-deprecating humor.

"NerveGear, the name of our new product for this season, is a civilian fully immersive VR machine. With it, you can log into a virtual gaming platform and choose your favorite game or simply enter scenic worlds and explore them.

Through NerveGear, we can provide ordinary people with completely different experiences and give disabled individuals a chance to regain a fulfilling life. In the past, we referred to the widespread internet network coverage as the virtual world. But now, a true virtual world that people can enter has been born.

Although NerveGear can be applied in various fields, tonight we are mainly focusing on the gaming industry. If other organizations in related fields are interested in collaborating, they can contact our company for further discussions.

As you just saw, we showcased a portion of the Aincrad scenery. Yes, Aincrad is the virtual world created for our first VRMMORPG (Virtual reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) called Sword Art Online.

We will offer the game development related platforms to major game developers for a fee. Game companies or individuals interested in entering the field of virtual reality game development can also contact us. Additionally, through the game development platform, developers can design and build their own virtual worlds. The subsequent game development and tourism within a virtual world can be economically lucrative.

Now that the product demonstration is over, I can interact with all of you in person. I'm sure many of you are looking forward to our live experience segment."

As soon as Mark finished speaking, the scene transitioned once again. However, this time, there were no breathtaking and magnificent landscapes. Instead, there were four white walls and a small bed. A person was lying on the bed, wearing a black semi-open helmet with a network cable and a power cable connected to a panel at the head of the bed.

Soon, the person slowly woke up, sat up from the bed, and when he took off the helmet from his head, the live audience immediately recognized him as Mark.

Mark waved to the camera, saying, "Everyone, I'm back in the real world now. Wait a moment, I'll see you on the main stage!"

Mark changed his clothes and arrived at the main stage. Following a similar flow to the previous press conference, he invited four volunteers on stage to experience the wonders of virtual reality technology. However, unlike the previous completely random selection, although Mark hadn't communicated with these individuals beforehand, they were carefully chosen by the company's publicity team.

Among them were a visually impaired person, a patient with congenital heart disease, a retired soldier who lost his legs on the battlefield, and a veteran gamer. Although there were no monetary transactions, as long as these individuals sincerely and vividly expressed their user experiences on stage, the promotional effect would be achieved.

As expected, when the visually impaired person regained sight in the virtual world, when the heart disease patient could engage in intense physical activities, when the retired soldier could run again with his legs, and when the gamer experienced a level of gameplay he had never had before, seeing the beaming smiles and uncontrollable excitement on their faces, how many of the live audience could resist opening their wallets?

"As we reach this point in the press conference, I believe what everyone is most concerned about is the price of NerveGear and the game Sword Art Online. Now, I will announce to you all that the NerveGear Basic Edition has a retail price of $39,999, the Professional Edition is priced at $46,666, and the Custom Edition is priced at $88,888. We also offer installment payment options. As for the game Sword Art Online, it will be available for the price of only $1,999, allowing for unlimited play."

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