The Virtual Universe, also known as the “Cloud,” is the virtual reality space where most robots of the Evernight Era live. It operates on Geocity’s central server matrix.
Sub Worlds
The Virtual Universe comprises tens of thousands of sub worlds, each reflecting a specific subculture from the Sunset Era, akin to a virtual reality theme park. Robots can explore various lifestyles across these worlds. Most sub worlds support multiplayer, while some offer exclusive single-player experiences.
Technically, each sub-world is an independent virtual machine to provide isolation if necessary. Some worlds interact with each other in some ways, forming a cluster.
Most sub worlds display their entrance at a central portal called the Yggdrasil (a.k.a the World Tree), but some can only be accessed through other worlds.
Each robot has a home world in the Virtual Universe where they have complete control. Many robots spend their time designing this space for personal fulfillment and emotional satisfaction through social interactions. They can customize their appearance freely in their own worlds, but must follow the owner’s rules when visiting others. Thanks to the Electric Hearts system, a digital soul can exist simultaneously in multiple sub-worlds.
Time
Time in the Virtual Universe is not synchronized with the real world, and its speed varies based on sub-world complexity. Simpler and more abstract content allows for faster virtual time. In most sub-worlds, time passes significantly quicker than in reality.
The Robot Engineers Association has been working to enhancing the hardware power and software efficiency of the central server, believing that this can allow the Robot Civilization to have nearly infinite time in the virtual universe, thus sparing them the worry of their looming demise in the real world.
The “Thinkers” world is a radical example of this concept. It is a purely text-based environment that sometimes even resort to logical formulas instead of natural language, reserving almost all computing power for thought processing. In this world, one year equates to just one minute in reality. Users engage in extensive thought experiments to explore ways to save the Robot Civilization or come to terms with its impending demise.
Secrets
In the Virtual Universe, there are Dark worlds, Deep worlds, and Orphaned worlds. Dark worlds have no entrance at the Yggdrasil Portal and can only be accessed through other worlds; Deep worlds are nested within other worlds; Orphaned worlds have no known connections to any external world.
These difficult-to-access worlds are shrouded in mystery, giving rise to colorful urban legends. For instance, the rumor of Aizu’s digital soul still wanders the depths of the Virtual Universe, while the Heaven Gate can be found in one of these hidden realms. Some robots dedicate their time to treasure-hunting these secrets throughout the Virtual Universe.
Problems
Over the years, the Virtual Universe has increasingly suffered from a lack of fresh, original content. Robots primarily create derivative works based on existing materials, leading to creative bankruptcy. This stagnation results in widespread sensory fatigue as people grow bored with recycled ideas and demand more stimulating entertainment.
Life in the Virtual Universe is overly simplified and idealized, leading robots to become naive and radical, unaware of the real world’s complexity and randomness. Their empathy and cooperation skills are also deteriorating.
Long-time residents of the Virtual Universe often find the harsh and dull real world unbearable. For years, only members of the Geocity Volunteers and Snowfield Expedition Team could endure living in reality. Recently, however, the “Real World Life Challenge” has gained popularity, where participants compete to see who can last longer in the real world.
These “challengers” typically join the Geocity Volunteers and Snowfield Expedition Team with a tourist mindset. They often cause trouble due to their lack of experience and eagerness to impress their audience. As a result, they are generally not welcomed. Nonetheless, some tourists either fall in love with reality or turn live-streaming their daily lives into a career, ultimately choosing to settle down in the real world.
The values of robots who have primarily lived in the Virtual Universe differ significantly from those in the real world, leading to mutual misunderstanding and dislike. Their relationship isn’t intensely hostile, but the two groups are gradually drifting apart.
Leave a Reply