OOC page found hereSolipsism is a philosophical problem. In essence, the problem of solipsism is that there is no possible way of knowing if the world outside your own mind is real. What if this is all a dream? What if you're in 'the Matrix'? This RP takes place in an alternative universe where this is the case. The world as you know it is a program. You are part of the program. In November 1998, the programmers decided to make contact and explain the situation to humankind. They did this by adding some new code to our world. Specifically, they founded a company called Amalgam Industries run not by us, but by them. The staff who work there are avatars of people from the real Universe, and their products and services are generated from the manipulation of our world's code. So, what did they do with this company - what were these goods and services? Did they bring us the cure for cancer? Did they share with us the deepest secrets of our Universe? Nope. They organised games. Huge, nationwide games.
You're rummaging through your post one sunny April day, 2016, when a leaflet catches your eye. It's professionally designed with a sleek metallic grey colour scheme; the background looks textured, suggestive of a close-up image of carbon-fibre or some such material. The lettering proudly stamped across the front in an aggressive, militarized font shouts "NATION: SKIRMISH" gleaming away in what is perhaps stainless steel lettering. "The new 'Pseudo-corporeal Experience' brought to you by Amalgam Industries", it informs you underneath in a somewhat less intrusive typeface, and you find yourself thoroughly intrigued.
Below appears the text on the front of the pamphlet.
NATION: SKIRMISH The new 'Pseudo-corporeal Experience' brought to you by Amalgam IndustriesFrom the curators of NATION: RACE and the classic NATIONBALL comes the newest and most exhilarating challenge to date... Amalgam Industries presents NATION: SKIRMISH. Amalgam Industries are pioneers of pseudo-corporeal scenario engineering - choreographing vast, nationwide tournaments that appear in every way to take place in the real world, but without any of the long-lasting consequences of the destruction and havoc the wreak. Have you ever wondered how long you could survive in a world where
everyone wants you dead, and
everyone has the means by which to kill you? What if you could fight back?
NATION: SKIRMISH gives you this opportunity with an every-man-for-himself firefight spanning the whole country. As the game starts, your country is mapped to a 'save-state' that will be reverted to at the end of the game. During the game, all laws can be ignored, since ultimately, there will be no consequences. You begin with weapons and your task is to be the last remaining player in the country. With well over 5 million players expected, your chances may seem monstrously small, but someone has to win! Will it be you alone to defeat a nation?
NOTE TO NON-PARTICIPANTS:
NATION: SKIRMISH will be announced at a secret, random time by a 20 second countdown which will be audible everywhere across the country. Simply say aloud "join nation skirmish" to opt in to the game. Not doing so will simply remove you from the game, and as such participation is not mandatory. Once the game is finished, since your country is reverted to a save-state earlier in time, you won't have to wait a moment for the game to play out - it will be like it never even happened.
RULES AND FEATURES:
The countdown will begin at an undisclosed time in June 2016.
You begin NATION: SKIRMISH in the very place you were when the countdown BEGAN. This goes for every person and object in the country... So use your 20 second countdown to make note of your surroundings. If you're in a busy place, you'll have to act fast... Everyone starts with their gun in their hand!
You are given a selection of weapons that will aid in various types of combat. A crossbow, requiring skill and accuracy but allowing for long range damage almost silently; A sub machine gun providing volleys of bullets that will prove deadly at short range; and 3 tag grenades, where anyone caught in the blast will become visible through solid objects and take some damage.
You are given a wristwatch that tracks certain useful statistics: Remaining players, your personal kill count, your health, the current time and your remaining SMG bullets. There are also two buttons. One removes you from the game if held down for 5 seconds, acting as a suicide. The other reloads your SMG, which automatically fills up with bullets when 'reloaded' after your 25 bullet clip is exhausted or you choose to reload with the watch. A 5 second timer will count down on the watch will be displayed for both this and after the firing of the crossbow.
You are given a holster for your back that can hold either weapon and a belt for your grenades. This allows you to wield one weapon whilst holstering another.
Pain and injury have been completely removed. You instead have 10 health to track your current success of survival. The crossbow always deals 8 damage, SMG bullets 1 and the tag grenades 2. Upon receiving damage, a momentary feeling of slight paralysis is experienced, as though shocked by weak electricity. Damage from real world dangers will also removing health, such as falling a great height.
Your watch will alert you with a buzz at midnight every day. At this time, 1 health is restored to everyone (maximum 10), 1 tag grenade is restored to everyone, and a ring of light is emitted from every player travelling at 1km/s, expands indefinitely outwards in every direction and travels through solid objects. With this, you can approximate the directions and distances of remaining players at midnight every day.
Even though we revert to a save-state before NATION: SKIRMISH once the game ends, we will ensure you still keep all of your fond memories of this once in a lifetime experience!
The RP would take place just before the start of the countdown, with RPers likely being a group of friends who prearranged a spot to try and meet up and work as a team during the game, something many people will try and do. Who's interested? :)