The gap in the experience wasn't a matter of being one or two generations ahead.
It was superiority on an entirely different plane.
Cai Jingwen didn't spend much time on the commercial side. She had said what she needed to say. The rest was for them to think through.
“That concludes the Origin World's four core features: Instance Worlds, simulated sparring and ranked matches, laboratory mode, and the Marketplace economy.”
She walked back to center stage.
"Next, sales."
The attention of the three hundred or so people in the audience sharpened instantly.
"The first batch will consist of ten thousand units."
Ten thousand.
Expressions varied across the audience. Some were already doing quick calculations. Ten thousand units, divided among High Martial Arts Schools nationwide, research institutions, the military, the Special Operations Department...
Not enough.
Nowhere near enough.
"The first batch will be available exclusively to students currently enrolled in High Martial Arts Schools."
Someone in the back row shifted.
"Reservations open tomorrow. Allocation will be by lottery. Winners will have their units shipped a week later."
Cai Jingwen spoke as casually as if she were listing dishes on a menu.
"Production capacity is limited. Once capacity expands, sales will open to the general public. The date is yet to be determined."
Yet to be determined.
Those words left everyone hungry for more.
Ten thousand units. Far too few.
Cai Jingwen saw the audience's reaction. "That concludes the product introduction."
She stepped back.
“Next is the live demonstration. Three testers will put on the Origin World headsets here onstage and enter the Training Pavilion in real time. The entire process will be projected onscreen.”
The large screen split into three views.
Three young people walked out from the wings, wearing High Martial Arts School uniforms. Two men and one woman. Each