Game On

[ Have 1 Nerd Hangout, Have 1 Jock Hangout | None | 200c ]

KENNEDY: Addison! Got time for a quick chat?

ADDISON: Sure, Kennedy, what’s up?

KENNEDY: So, tell me, are you into gaming?

ADDISON: Not really, no. Sorry, Kennedy. It’s just not really my thing.

KENNEDY: Not at all? Not even the occasional 15 hour MMO raid?

ADDISON: Were those words?

KENNEDY: Sigh… then I’m guessing you haven’t heard of the Ultrathon. It’s an elimination gaming tournament held at MPX, the Mega Play Expo. Contestants play console, tabletop, and computer games for a chance to win amazing prizes! If you’re a gamer, winning the Ultrathon is even better than breaking 400,000 XBL points!

ADDISON: Sounds cool! You’re entering the competition, right?

KENNEDY: I really want to, but I can’t afford the registration fee. Can you help me raise some money?

ADDISON: I’ll see what I can do!

[ Spend 3000 coins | None | 15b ]

KENNEDY: Score up, Addison! We raised even more money than I was hoping for.

ADDISON: What can I say? I’m a natural grinder.

KENNEDY: Well, now that I can pay the registration fee for the Ultrathon game tournament, it’s time to drive to MPX. What do you say, Addison? Up for a road trip? I could really use the company…

ADDISON: Sure, sounds fun. Just tell me you didn’t learn how to drive from GTA…

KENNEDY: Ha! Don’t be ridiculous… I got it all from Need for Speed!

ADDISON: Wait, what?

KENNEDY: Let’s roll! Feel free to bring another friend, too!

[ A Classmate, Kennedy (Bailey) | 1h | 300c ]

ADDISON: We finally made it to MPX! And this place is totally amazing! Light-gun shooters! Classic board games! And who knew there were so many different kinds of Pong?

KENNEDY: I did, but gaming is kind of my thing…

BAILEY: It looks like the Ultrathon is about to start.

KENNEDY: Yep! And Round 1 of 3 is Street Tek Fighters! It’s going to be a slam dunk, except not literally because that’s a sports reference!

ADDISON: You sound pretty confident…

KENNEDY: I should be. I’ve hitbox-mapped and frame-counted the special moves of every playable character in the entire STF franchise. This match ought to be like boss-battling in Easy Mode… A few well-timed jab-kicks and then… HADOUKEN!

ADDISON: You did it! You just won your first match in the Ultrathon tournament! You get to advance to Round 2! I really think you have a chance to win it all!

KENNEDY: Thanks, Addison. I’m glad you still think I can win the Ultrathon, because I’m not so sure anymore…

ADDISON: I don’t understand, Kennedy. You totally crushed Round 1. Why do you look so worried?

KENNEDY: Because that was the game I’m best at! What’s going to happen when I play a game I haven’t perfected?

BAILEY: You’re really worried about that?

KENNEDY: Of course I am! Every single one of my opponents has braved the jungles of Pandaria, driven back demons in Sanctuary, and bred at least two rainbow dragons! I’m just not sure I’ve got what it takes to elevate my skills to their level…

ADDISON: Sure, you do! You mastered one game. I can help you master other games, too!

[ Level Kennedy | None | 400c ]

KENNEDY: Level up! I just went King of Kong on that old school arcade classic…

ADDISON: And right before that, you sunk my battleship!

KENNEDY: You were right, Addison. My opponents weren’t better than me. I just needed to unlock the potential buried inside my Gamer DNA!

ADDISON: It sounds like you’re ready to start Round 2 of the Ultrathon tournament!

KENNEDY: I would be, but there’s one problem… Round 2 is supposed to be a war strategy game, but the game they chose is barely even a game! You don’t even roll dice! All you do is talk and negotiate treaties with the other players…

ADDISON: You need someone who can help you learn to negotiate?

[ A Classmate, Kennedy, A Student Gov (Bailey, Hadley) | 3h | 500c ]

HADLEY: Hey there, Kennedy! I heard you need to learn the art of diplomatic negotiation?

KENNEDY: Yeah, and I need to learn fast. Round 2 of the Ultrathon is about to start!

HADLEY: In that case, just try to remember this: the best negotiators spend more time listening than talking…

BAILEY: In fact, you should try to talk as little as possible!

KENNEDY: So play the quiet game? I can do that!

ADDISON: Hadley, your negotiating tactics worked perfectly! Kennedy has barely said a word to the other players and claimed almost every country on the game board!

HADLEY: Almost?

BAILEY: Looks like more than that to me!

KENNEDY: King me, France! That’s some diplomacy up in your face!

ADDISON: Congrats, Kennedy! You made it into the finals of the Ultrathon! Are you ready for the main event?

KENNEDY: I sure hope so… this last game is a new combat simulation called Starship Damocles, and it’s supposed to be almost impossible to beat! From what I’ve heard, it makes the Kobayashi Maru look like Kumbaya.

ADDISON: That sounds really tough… I think. Do you need any more help?

KENNEDY: I’m the starship Captain, but I’ll need a crew to carry out my orders. Can you find some friends to help out?

ADDISON: I’ll do my best!

[ Addison, A Level 3+ Classmate except Kennedy, A Level 3+ Classmate except Kennedy (Bailey, Morgan) | 5h | 5r ]

BAILEY: Helmsman Bailey, reporting for duty!

MORGAN: Security Officer Morgan, at your service, Captain!

KENNEDY: I can’t believe it, Addison! You found me a crew to man the consoles of the space combat simulation!

ADDISON: ‘Addison’? I believe you meant to say, ‘First Officer’.

KENNEDY: Heh… First Officer, is the crew ready to play Starship Damocles?

ADDISON: Aye, Captain!

KENNEDY: Then set a course for our most dangerous mission yet, the final round of the Ultrathon! Engage!

BAILEY: Engaging reverse thrusters at 33 percent!

KENNEDY: Security Officer Morgan, we need torpedoes back online!

BAILEY: That’s a negative, Captain! Morgan contracted space dysentery! We had to vent them out the airlock!

KENNEDY: Then we don’t have a choice… launch the Doomsday Orbs!

BAILEY: Launching!

ADDISON: Sensors indicate the rival ship has sustained critical damage and must surrender! We won!

KENNEDY: We won? But that means that I just… Control Alt Suh-weet! I just won the Ultrathon! I’m the ultimate Gamer!

ADDISON: That’s so cool! What did you win?

KENNEDY: Just this note that says, ‘I’m sorry, but your princess is in another castle’...

ADDISON: Oh, that’s not what I expected--

KENNEDY: Just kidding! The prizes are awesome-sauce! I get pre-release versions of all the next-gen consoles, AND a lifetime supply of cool ranch chips! Thanks again, Addison! I never would’ve won without your help.

ADDISON: Any time!