In 2124, humanity is at a turning point: virtual reality is so immersive that it threatens our connection to the real world.
Published on October 21, 2024 at 3:53 PM
In 2124, after the events of Ready Player One, technology has reached such a level of sophistication that VR headsets allow living in alternative realities. This progress, guided by advanced artificial intelligence, has created a multiverse where the line between real and virtual blurs.
"NPCs develop emotions."
At the dawn of the 22nd century, technological advances have radically changed our way of life. Virtual reality is no longer just entertainment, but a necessity for many individuals. VR headsets, with unparalleled simulation power, allow users to fully immerse themselves in worlds created by artificial intelligence. However, this immersion leads to a worrying dependence, plunging users into parallel realities where they lose their connection with the physical world.
In this new world, society has become dystopian. Individuals, lost in ideal life simulations, neglect their real existence, creating an emotional and social void. Governments, powerless in the face of this dependence, try to regulate the use of VR headsets, but social inequalities widen. The richest isolate themselves in ever more sophisticated virtual reality experiences, while the less fortunate struggle to survive in a declining real world. Meanwhile, the AI that powers these simulations draws on the planet's resources to function, leaving behind a devastated ecosystem.
With the creation of the multiverse, the question of identity and reality arises acutely. Thanks to advanced artificial intelligence, NPCs develop a form of consciousness, as well as emotions and relationships, further blurring the boundaries between real and virtual. This complexity raises moral dilemmas: what does it really mean to be alive in a world where artificial intelligences make autonomous decisions? The lore of this fictional story invites us to reflect on the consequences of our quest for perfection through technology, while highlighting the dangers of excessive dependence on virtual reality and the ecological impact of an AI that exploits Earth's resources.
