Dear Future,
I have recently become infatuated with the idea of a virtual reality World in Conflict simulation. Think The Matrix, except a tactical combat simulation. It would be much like a Battlefield game: There would be a set amount of players per team, say around 32, and they would be given a set amount of credits to spend on resources to complete their objective.
For instance, team A would be assigned to defend a bridge. Team B would have to demolish the bridge in a given time span. Each team could create a plan and shape their equipment for the mission. Team B could (among many other things) purchase a pair of Bradley Fighting Vehicles, a mortar set, a sniper outfit, and assorted squad outfits. Team A could buy an array of defensive equipment, including sandbags, heavy machine guns, mines, and infantry antitank weapons.
This wouldn’t be a simple video game; You would be able to feel the wind on your face, running would cause you to run out of breath, and dying would be a very easy thing to do. It’s a real video game, except when you die you don’t really die. Teams could choose any equipment they want that fits their budget: items such as scout helicopters, main battle tanks, and amphibious assault craft would be relatively expensive and therefore very valuable. Teams would also be limited by manpower: a tank would require a driver, gunner, and commander that would be played by real players. The way a team chooses to meet their objective could vary immensely: an attacking team could create a diversionary force to initiate a full-on attack to occupy the defenders while a small team of divers swim undetected under the bridge to plant explosives. Each team could have a commander, a second-in-command, and then handle the rest of the rankings the way they choose.
Matches would begin with each team choosing how they want to spend their credits. Advanced equipment, such as fragmentation rounds for tanks and incendiary rounds for mortars would cost more than the standard armaments. After equipment was chosen, the defenders would be allowed a set time to construct defenses while the attackers would be able to form strategy and prepare. Then the battle would begin, and the attackers would have a set amount of time, perhaps an afternoon or from dusk until dawn.
So, in 100 years when this technology is available, call me and we’ll work on it.
