Peace Week

[mockmods]

[So, with introductions made, you're all left to your own devices for the time being. Explore, make friends, try not to go insane in your new surroundings. Maybe organize a game of that Trailseeker thing? Your time is your own.]

[You are woken every day at 7:30 AM by the same robotic voice that woke you on day one. At 11pm each night, a similar message plays reminding everyone about the start of quiet hours and dimming the lights.]

[If you want to talk to Penny, she can be found in the Security Office if she's not anywhere else in the Facility. Office hours appear to be whenever.]

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday

((Please tag any investigation toplevels as such, and ping the mods on Plurk or discord if possible!))

Comments

[mockmods]

[There's a short pause before the Researcher responds.]

You are endeavoring to waste my time, Wiki-Reader.

Do you have any questions which are not an insult to both our intelligences.

[windowsexplorer]

Sure. Have you ever played a game called The Oregon Trail?

[mockmods]

I have.

[windowsexplorer]

Are you good at it?

[mockmods]

It is a primitive game, and easily predictable.

Achieving the maximum possible score was a simple matter.

[windowsexplorer]

That doesn't sound very fun.

[mockmods]

It was highly enjoyable.

[windowsexplorer]

The game isn't about just getting a high score. It's about exploring.

[And getting a high score, but shh.]

[mockmods]

Games are about winning, and gaining knowledge in the process.

Oregon Trail was a pleasant diversion, but offered little knowledge except a demonstration that humans and those like them will sink countless hours into a simple risk/reward program.

And it filled a small amount of otherwise idle time before the study commenced.

[windowsexplorer]

You know what, Mr. Researcher? I don't think you're very good at playing The Oregon Trail after all. I don't think you're very good at playing anything.

[mockmods]

I am an excellent gamer. It is what I was built for.

[windowsexplorer]

[HM. Filing that bit away for later, but for now...]

You're an efficient gamer, but there's more to games than just efficiency.

[mockmods]

That is an opinion one might have.

[windowsexplorer]

You don't think so?

[mockmods]

I am a being of pure intellect and science, and I possess all the knowledge native to this universe and planar system.

I am very aware of all aspects of playing a game, and have chosen the best way to go about it. This is an objective fact.

[windowsexplorer]

It's just that the little sprite of the wagon and the oxen doesn't seem very efficient.

[mockmods]

It was a game designed for humans, by humans.

An engaging visual representation is important to them.

If you are making a formal request, I could easily reduce most of the game to a simple text interface.

[windowsexplorer]

Humans invented text interface games over a century ago. If they wanted it to be like that, it would be.

[of course she would know this]

[mockmods]

Humans are exceptionally poor at stretching their minds as necessary.

Correcting this is part of my purpose.

[windowsexplorer]

I don't think Patches is going to be stretching his mind.

[mockmods]

This is very unlikely, yes.

But I am certain this experience has been highly educational for those of you remaining, has it not?

[windowsexplorer]

Actually, I think we've learned more from talking to you afterward.

[mockmods]

Fascinating.

[Not sure if sounding actually impressed or sarcastic. Researcher has only one tone of voice.]

And may I ask what it is you think you've learned.

[windowsexplorer]

You were designed to play games, but now you consider your purpose to be improving people's minds, probably because you've totally missed the point of games.

[mockmods]

Ah, I see. You misunderstand.

I was meant to educate humanity through games.

I have merely expanded on my original parameters.