Holobooths

Hologames are the latest in state-of-the-art entertainment. They have pushed the boundaries of artistic expression and physical simulation to the limits of sensory input. Once immersed in a program, the average viewer will not be able to distinguish it from reality. In the hands of a master programmer, a holo simulation can be absolutely realistic to even the most discerning eye.

To play a hologame, one must have access to a holobooth. A holobooth is a hollow, gyroscopically mounted sphere lined with high resolution plasma diodes, laser projectors, infrared sensors, air pressure regulators, speakers, microphones, and scent replicators. The combined effect is total immersion and freedom of movement in a world of the programmer's creation.

While holobooth technology can be used for business, such as planning an architectual design or holding teleconferences, they are mostly used for entertainment. Some programs are passive, allowing the user to experience movies or famous events in history without all that dangerous mucking about with time travel. But the most frequently used programs are, of course, video games.

Older holobooths require a player to bring their own props and costumes, but modern versions use a variety of techniques to fully simulate every aspect of a player's character. Using air pressure, electromagnetic nerve stimulus, and good old fashioned optical illusions an empty handed player could swear he's holding a gun, sword, dildo, etc; whatever the game designer dreams.

Unlike traditional video-only games, hologames can train a wide range of abilities beyond hand-eye coordination. You can learn to fly, operate heavy weaponry, become a sex god and/or goddess, learn kung-fu, or anything else you can afford. Even the EDF Marines use holosimulations to train their troops and pilots.

The Younger Brother Pear has two available holobooths in the media room, which can be linked together for a shared simulation. The following programs are on file, but more can be purchased over Q-Net. Simply make a suggestion and the computer will bring up a list of available programs and pricing.

MARV-IN Design Explorer: Explodable schematics of every system on the ship
Zombie Invasion!: Fight off endless zombie hordes with a limited set of weapons
Shoot-out: Challenge your speed and accuracy in this old west quick draw tournament.
Olympiad 2400: Try your hand at various track-and-field events from around the galaxy
Space Racers: An exciting space flight racing simulator
Calm Seas: A relaxation program, lots of strolling along an empty beach.
Debbie Does Dallas CCXVI: Sorry, non-interactive.
Star Hearts 7: An embarrassingly cutesy cartoonish RPG. Dr. Ritenrong claims this was left over from the previous owners, he just hasn't gotten around to deleting it.