Computer Games That are More Real Than Reality

An EPU would link a mind with a computer so that people using them can experience programs.  Full-sensory programming will allow people to think they are in a different world.  The device that allows this will be either something you can wear or a chamber that you recline in.  Many people will opt for the chambers since they can be hooked up with life-support systems if a gamer believes he will be in games for an extended period.  A gaming contest with over 1,000 contestants may go on for over a week and it would be terrible if people died from starvation or exhaustion. 

Here’s an example of an EPU Gaming System:  It would be a chamber with a choice of maybe 100 games a person can experience.  Once the choice has been made, the gamer will have three more choices.  He could be an observer to see how the game is played, or a participant that will be subject to the restrictions of the game, or there will be a “freestyle” setting that will allow the gamer to have almost no restrictions.  That means instead of flying a Spitfire against the Folke Wolfs and Messersmitts, a gamer might choose to fly an F-16.  Of course to make it less lop-sided in combat, the Germans might become more accurate or fly ME 262s if they were available back then.  Taking on the entire Luftwaffe and defeating it sounds fun.  But eventually it will become boring. 

Let’s say I wanted to be a gunfighter in the Old West and I wanted it to be a freestyle program.  I might choose to use a broom-handled Mauser instead of a revolver.  I would like to choose a hand power ray that fires a charged particle beam.  But that would be overkill.  Since I’m using an automatic pistol, the speed of my opponents and their accuracy would increase to make up for the advantage I have.  If I shot all the gunslingers down, I might be able to spend the night with one of the “hostesses” at the local saloon upstairs all night. 

If I were shot and killed, I would electronically “die” and leave the program.  If I were wounded, I would feel the pain and may need some old sawbone to remove the slug.  With the setting on freestyle, I might choose to feel no pain and have the affected area become numb.  I might have Miss Kittly kiss me while I have the slug dug out.  But at least I won’t have to worry about gangrene setting in and requiring amputation. 

In gaming competitions in which over 1,000 contestants might be experiencing a single game, people will be able to experience other people.  Friendships might be formed that otherwise would never happen. 

Let’s say the competition were featuring the Battle of Gettysberg.  There will be Confederate soldiers and Federal troops.  People from different states may choose to join the soldiers of those states that fought.  There would be a mixture of normal participants and freestylers competing.  One freestyler may be manning a Gatling Gun while another may be using a missile launcher with 300 missiles available.  Freestylers may take out other freestylers to gain an advantage again. 

The battle would go on as it actually transpired unless changes happened that dramatically altered the battle.  Maybe General Lee is killed or Picket’s Charge never happens.  That would change the battle so much that other battles that will be fought electronically wil have to change or maybe not be fought.  The Civil War might end by late 1863, for all I know. 

The Battle of Gettysberg may take three days to fight just like it did in reality.  The soldiers would be able to eat and drink around the campfires and smell the blood from the surgery tents.  They will also feel the heat which was over 100 degrees during the day.  That means they will get thirsty and maybe have their eyes tear up from all the smoke the guns create. 

By the end of the battle, there might be 150 gamers that are still “alive.”  The judges will determine who was the best fighter and give him the prizes he deserves.  Or it could even be a female since gamers will take on anonymous identities if they choose.  That means one of the generals that happens to be a gamer could look mean and rough with his beard and wiskey-stained clothes.  But he might be a gorgeous woman who just likes being better than the men. 

There will have to be safeguards to prevent people from using EPU systems too long and dying from starvation or exhaustion.  Since computers will be used that are connected to the brain, they will be able to sense physical trouble and prevent possible death.  It will be illegal to have override systems in case suicidal people want to commit what I call “electronicide.”  I’ll deal with electronicide in another article.

EPU game systems will allow people to see if they might be as good as real athletes.  Let’s say someone wants to play on the 1927 Yankees with Babe Ruth and the other greats from that era.  They could do it.  They might replace one or more of the players so they can play.  They might actually do pretty well.  It’s up to the ability and restrictions of the program.  Freestylers might have a bit of an advantage at the start.  But 80 mph fastballs may become 100 mph fastballs and the fielders’ arms may become better too.

But it may be the only way most people will ever know how it really feels to be in the World Series.  Gamers could even pit gamers against gamers over the EPU Net.  I’ll deal with the EPU Net in another article. 

EPU gaming could become the biggest advancement in gaming since Space Invaders was invented.  Why imagine you’re shooting the bad guys when you can experience it?  Thanks to EPUs that will become a reality that will feel more real than reality.