1053 Unwinding

The crowd roared in excitement as the race started, and the VR system's sensors portrayed the noise as spectators lined up in the audience, watching the start of the race. They couldn't actually affect the race in any way or pass messages, but the sensors were designed to pass on the excitement and let the players know that they had an audience, which was the primary reason for playing here in the Games Room instead of at home or in a smaller VR café.

The music was dimmed even further, replaced with in game audio on this side of the club as the audience grew, and the countdown to the green light began.

"He's totally going to have his tentacles in a knot when this race finishes. No way does he have a chance." The Researcher on Max's left laughed, borrowing an Innu euphemism for frustration.

Two more gamers managed to load in during the countdown, and the crowd erupted in good-natured jeers and laughter about how they were going to get humbled for their hubris.