Chapter 70 - Everlife Online

Vince posted a replay of the Future Tech announcement and more specific product information on their website and social media platforms.

Video game fans tuning in to E3 around the world couldn't believe the recent news from Future Tech.

While Vince was walking towards the Future Tech exhibit with Marco, he was approached by a young man in his late teens and a young woman about the same age.

Both seemed non-threatening, so Vince instructed his security detail to allow them through.

"Mr. Dalton, we thank you so much for the console and Hypervisor. I can already tell my workflow on YouTube will be much more efficient with Infinity products." 3D Jaden stated sincerely.

"I've always wanted to stream Virtual Reality games when they eventually come out, and now I'll have the opportunity to be one of the first VR Twitch streamers!" Wonder Alice added.

"I'm glad you're excited to use our new products. You look familiar. Are you 3D Jaden? The vlogger and APL content creator?" Vince asked.

"OMG! Vince Dalton watches my videos?!" 3D Jason said to Alice in surprise.

"I keep tabs on active social media influencers for War Online. People like you are the reason why the APL is as popular as it is. So why don't both of you join us at the Future Tech exhibit? We'll meet up with the rest of my companions and test out Everlife Online." Vince suggested kindly.

"We'd we be honored to accept your invitation, Mr. Dalton," Alice sincerely replied while Jaden was still in shock.

Marco and the other security operators escorted them through the busy convention center and arrived at the exhibit a few minutes later.

Alexis noticed Vince arrived and immediately welcomed him to the recently opened Future Tech exhibit.

"The E3 announcement was a massive success, Vince. You definitely know how to put on a show." Alexis stated honestly.

"Our new line of products will change the world. So it was only suitable to make it entertaining. Have you seen Kyle and the others?" Vince asked.

"Your mother and Dr. Sera went shopping around LA. Elon and your friends are playing Everlife Online in the private demo room." Alexis replied.

Alexis then showed Vince the way towards the back of the exhibit, which was full of excited gamers testing Hypervisors and Infinity consoles for the first time.

The three famous actors were sitting on the sofa on top of the exhibit stage, being interviewed by Future Studios as additional fan service for the crowd. The Rock was even playing the story prologue using the Hypervisor. A big screen showed his point of view for the audience.

"How long did we book the three of them for E3? I forgot." Vince asked, embarrassed.

"3 hours in total for the announcement and post-show. Did you want to extend the contract length?" Alexis asked.

"They've done enough promotion for Everlife. It would be ungracious of me not to accommodate them further for today, so invite them all to the yacht for some relaxation. Include Pharell, Daft Punk, and the Jabbawockeez. We'll leave after their post-show." Vince instructed.

They arrived at the private demo booth and saw his friends and Hailee playing the racing multiplayer game mode.

"Vince, that was an excellent show Future Tech put on; nobody even noticed me watching among the crowd," Elon stated.

Wonder Alice and 3D Jaden were stunned to see one of the most famous LA businessmen in person.

"Thanks for the compliment. These two are Wonder Alice and 3D Jaden. I met them on the way here. 3D Jaden does plenty of informative War Online online videos weekly, so I invited them along." Vince explained.

"My name is Elon. It's a pleasure to meet you both. Let's play the heist game mode and make some money for our online characters!" Elon suggested excitedly.

"What specialization are you leveling up on your character first?" Vince asked curiously.

"The hacking mechanic got me hooked with all the different intrusion and breach devices in the game. So I'm going for a silent hacker build." Elon replied.

"That's a viable strategy, even in the single-player story. You can technically finish the game without killing enemies by only stunning or knocking them out with tech weapons." Vince replied.

3D Jaden and Wonder Alice wore their Hypervisors and connected to the demo Infinity consoles to join the online server.

"Be careful playing Everlife in VR if you're susceptible to motion sickness. We have computer monitors as well if you need any." Alexis commented.

"Thank you for the reminder, ma'am," Alice replied while setting up the game in the Hypervisor.

"Wow! The operating system in AR and VR is so intuitive. I can do ten actions with each finger instead of just left and right-click." 3D Jaden commented.

"I appreciate the compliment. The Hypervisor distinguishes each finger and arm using Infi AI. We spent months refining the user controls and menus, right guys?" Jessica stated.

"Hell yeah." "Damn right." Rick and Sarah replied.

"My name is Jessica, by the way. Vince forgot to introduce us, so let me. That scruffy-bearded kid is Kyle; those two blonde twins are Rick and Sarah, while that young lady is Hailee." Jessica explained.

"I'm Alice, and this is my boyfriend, Jaden. Thank you for having us!" Wonder Alice replied sincerely.

"My goatee isn't scruffy at all! And my beard is better compared to most in our age." Kyle interjected in defense.

"I'm just messing with you, bro! Now come on and steal the diamonds already. The police AI is halfway here." Jessica replied.

"Where's Patel and his family gone?" Vince asked curiously.

"They left for San Francisco after the E3 show on one of our Stingrays. Patel mentioned they'll be back at the yacht later tonight." Alexis explained dutifully.

"Thanks for the info. You can help the other personnel on the exhibit floor. We can get ourselves set up in here." Vince stated.

"My employees at Future Education can handle the public outside; I've made sure of it. It would be my pleasure to serve the private demo room in the meantime." Alexis replied sincerely.

[This is my chance to prove my worth to the boss directly. I won't have many more opportunities in the future.] Alexis pondered.

"Alright. Do what you will." Vince replied.

Vince and Marco tested the gun mechanics in the assault mission game mode while the rest farmed Everlife Online cash in various other game modes.

An hour later, the post-show ended, and the three lead cast members arrived at the private demo booth. 

Vince disconnected from the online server to thank them for promoting Everlife on stage.

"Vince, the Everlife Online is so much fun with so many game modes to play scattered around Everlife City. The Hypervisor made me a bit sick at first, but I got used to it after five minutes." The Rock said excitedly.

"I saw the crowd waiting in line outside enjoying the post-show. I appreciate the three of you taking the time to attend E3." Vince said sincerely to all three.

"Don't worry about it. You already paid us $20 million each for voice acting and motion capture work. Fairly easy money, I would say." Robert Downey Jr. replied honestly.

"And I heard from Alexis you're inviting us to your yacht for an after-party. That sounds so much fun. My companion here will love it. Won't you, Hailee?" Jennifer Lawrence commented.

"I agree the idea sounds entertaining. I'm so down to go!" the young lady, Hailee, added.

"It's not mine yet, but my mother insists I buy the thing. I might ask for both your opinions later tonight." Vince replied.

"Alexis, I'll leave our E3 exhibit for the weekend in your hands. We'll see you at the yacht when you close up shop later." Vince stated.

"You can count on me, Vince. Please enjoy the rest of your day." Alexis replied.

Except for Pharrel, Daft Punk, and the Jabbawockeez, who were doing other gigs later the same day, everyone gathered and headed towards the private parking garage.

"I didn't expect an invitation to your yacht, Mr. Dalton. I've never been on one before." 3D Jaden mentioned.

"Haha! It was my first time on a yacht yesterday, so it's a fairly new experience for us too." Vince replied.

They approached the Stingray parked at the back of the convention center, which could fit all of them easily.

"Sweet ride. I've seen the CAV flying around LA from time to time, but this one is much bigger and has a sleek aesthetic to it. Kind of like the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber." Robert commented in awe.

"Only Future Tech and the US military own Stingrays at the moment. Most of them are in Afghanistan or foreign Future Security branches." Vince explained.

3D Jaden, Wonder Alice, and the other guests excitedly boarded the transport AV. They enjoyed the rare sight of flying over LA on their way to the yacht.

[The city is so beautiful from this point of view.] Wonder Alice pondered while looking out the window.

Stats last time checked:

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion

15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)

$10 Billion cash in Future Tech

105,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics, Future Education, SpaceX)

20,000+ operators under Future Security

Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner

Five company collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E)

Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram)