7.17.2023
Working title “World of M.A.R.N.”, Massive Augmented Reality Network, is a labor of love towards some of my favorite franchises of all time: Pokemon, Digimon, Dragon Warrior Monsters, Monster Rancher, Dennou Coil, Summer Wars, Horizon Zero Dawn, etc.
World of M.A.R.N is aimed at facilitating coming of age, mystery, and battle adventures set twenty minutes into the future. As a player, you will take control of a teen who has access to a pair of high tech glasses that use Augmented Reality (AR) to replace everyday phone, camera, and computer functionality. Play happens in an episodic style, having a central plot that can be started and finished within a single session. Episodes can be strung together to form a season, culminating with a season finale. A unique feature of this game is its optional use of cards in combination with a character sheet to represent your player character’s monsters.
These special glasses are what your PC will wear, replacing just about every device used on a daily basis. This is how they make calls, take pictures, access the internet, complete homework, etc. Even though they are quite expensive, the manufacturers have worked out a deal to provide pairs to every student in the school your PC attends. Most schools have worked out similar contracts in order to provide their students with the best education possible.
Some glasses have the processing power built into the frames. However a majority connect via Sharktooth to a small computer carried in the purse, bag, or pocket of the wearer to do the processing. This is called the Computer Companion version, or ComCom for short. If you have a ComCom, you need to be in the same room with it or your glasses will have limited functionality. ComCom or not, the glasses will connect to a server in the cloud to run any heavy or lengthy computations.
AR is used to display information and tools to the wearer. Hovering keyboards at your fingers and non-intrusive weather reports when looking at the sky are commonplace. Ads have been disabled outside of shopping establishments unless you are browsing the net. Typically hand gestures are used to trigger and utilize programs.
Functionally, almost all of the glasses are the same, but there are many varieties of looks to choose from. Those with money or connections to the manufacturer may be able to get their hands on prototypes or prototype functionality, but that is rare.
Glasses are at full capacity when the Sync Rate between the user and the glasses are at maximum percent. No one is ever at full percentage, but different enhancements will increase a user’s ability to maintain a higher sync rate. If you are harmed in the digital space, your sync rate is affected. Glasses shut down after sync rate goes to zero. There are some studies that show negative mental effects when glasses are force reset due to sync rate while a user is actively engaged.
MARNsters are the digital creatures that inhabit the AR world. When you first get your glasses, you will be given three Marnsters at random to choose from. It is common for glass users to compete and battle with each other using their Marnsters.
Each game takes place within a district of a larger city where the students live. There may be occasion for school trips to other areas. Hex cards are used to represent the city map, and you can use the number letter combinations to create adventure scenarios and plot hooks.
All dictionary words will be bold italicized the first time they appear in the document. Or should be at least… TODO
Augmented Reality (AR)
Computer Companion (ComCom)
Gate Warden (GW)
Glass
MARNsters
Non-Player Character (NPC)
Player Character (PC)
Sharktooth
Sync Rate