The Alterra Project

Small section devoted to terminology in case some people don't quite understand everything with a short explanation as needed.

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

– A very broad term... When a computer program is able to interact freely with a user, it could be said to be an AI. When a object is programmed to react to different conditions it is also considered an AI, but a true AI would be an object that is programmed, can make it's own rules, has it's own thoughts, and is genuinely aware of its own existence.

Armlet

– Made up technology for this novel, consider it a combination smart watch, smart phone, personal assistant, and identity manager. Called an armlet because it is usually worn on the arm. A very generic term like how we call both Androids and iPhones just 'Smart Phones'.

HUD

– Heads up Display, this is another generic term, in most cases it is the overlay that everyone sees when they're wearing their armlets or something else that has one like a neural link helmet or a neural integrator. In the virtual world anyone can use it without an armlet, helmet, glasses, or any other surface as the system in the virtual world can just generate it for the players.

Matchmaking

– Players playing a game will enter a queue and be matched against other opponents ideally of similar skill for a single match. Usually it is done without revealing your opponents until the match begins.

Mech

– A large robot, usually humanoid in shape and that can be piloted in the most common cases. If you can't picture it, think Transformers, or Power Rangers, or something else with large robots.

NPC

– Non Player Character. These are characters in games that are not controlled by a player, but still play a part in a game. Normally they have a predefined set of actions they perform and never deviate from them, so in the case where the players feel like they are lifelike is due to the NPCs being able to think for themselves. Because of this players will say they are AI or have Artificial Intelligence.

Neural Integrator

– Another piece of fictional technology. It is only usable in virtual environments and it allows you to transfer your senses into a protected virtual environment within a virtual environment. This makes more sense if you've ever seen the movie Inception and understand it to some extent. Why do they need this? Because speeding up time with respect to the real world would take way to much processing power to do it on an entire world scale plus people have different limits they can handle.

Neural Link Helmet (Neural Helmet)

– More fictional technology. It is a helmet that transfers all of your brain's commands to the device that it is connected to, which in this case is almost always a mech. Those with enhanced cognitive functions are able to use these with ease where as the average person can at most get it to recognize a very limited range of commands.

Player-Killing

– When one player kills another player, generally this is normal in most online games, but it can be taken to extremes when one player gets hunted over and over again, especially if you receive a penalty of sorts upon death.

Player vs. Everyone (PvE)

– This is when the game is players versus system generated enemies or just the environment, no killing or direct competition with other players in most cases.

Player vs. Player (PvP)

– Similar to player-killing, this refers to battles between players or when a game revolves purely around competing with other players.

Sandbox (or Sandbox World)

– An empty virtual world created for the purpose of a user to be able to experiment with anything from simulated objects, people, terrain, or even the laws of physics. Basically a world you can set your own rules with. A sandbox game is one that a player is usually given a set of building tools and they are set free to create whatever they wish without any constraints sometimes. Minecraft is probably the most well-known sandbox game.

VR

– Virtual Reality. I don't think I have to explain what this is, but just in case, it is a completely artificial environment that does not interact with the real world. Today we can only immerse a tiny portion of our senses into it, but in this novel, it uses complete immersion where your consciousness will enter a simulated reality.