The future of gaming
The Pre-game Rally
“Team! No one will ever remember the Champions League runner-up, and no one deserves to be here today, playing this life defining game, more than you, standing in this finale. From now on, no data, no calculation, or tactics will push us over the line. We need to play with our hearts—for our fans and for our families!”
“Look at you, Marcus. Think back 20 years ago when you were just a little kid in lockdown, all you had was watching a football game with your dad in your tiny apartment. Players were yelling at each other in an empty stadium, and you dreamt of playing in that game one day. Today is that day! The same goes for you, Jack, Chris, Ali! We are living our dream today, and we are going to go out there, be our best, and be the victors we are meant to be.”
“Today, we write our chapter, not just in the history books, but in the hearts of everyone who believes in the magic of this game. Let’s play not for the name on the back of the jersey, but for the badge on the front. Today, we fight not for recognition, but for legacy. We are Wrexham United—unbreakable, unstoppable, united. Let’s go make history!”
As John’s rousing speech reached its crescendo, the virtual space around him buzzed with the palpable excitement of his team. And then, the locker room noise was broken by notification pings:
Football Manager Achievements Unlocked
- Natural Leader Badge Unlocked
- Commanding Speaker Badge Unlocked
A wave of positive reactions flooded in from his team, their digital avatars nodding in agreement and admiration. With a flick of his fingers, John signaled proceeded to lead his team onto the pitch.
A Brief Return to Reality
Saving his progress, John lifted the VR headset from his eyes, momentarily leaving the electrifying atmosphere of the digital world for the quiet of his bedroom. A trip to the washroom was in order.
As he made his way back, his mother’s voice, laced with a mix of frustration and affection, cut through the calm. “If you could have put half of that passion and energy into your studies, we wouldn’t have needed all that AI tutoring,” she exclaimed from across the room.
John barely registered the comment, his mind still entwined with the game, his heart still racing from the adrenaline. Shrugging off the remark, he resettled into his gaming chair, diving back into the world where he felt most alive.
The Legend’s Offer
No sooner had he logged back in than he was greeted by an AI-generated message from none other than Kylian Mbappé, the football legend himself. “Hi John, this is Kylian Mbappé, four-time World Cup winner and former Real Madrid captain. I think Football Manager Plus is just what you need to elevate your game. Head over to the Football manager store, and don’t forget to use the code ‘Kylian’ for a 15% discount.”
John let out a sigh, his excitement momentarily dampened by the unskippable ad. Yet, as he closed the message, his focus sharpened. The virtual stadium awaited, the digital fans were chanting, and the tunnel to the field stretched out before him and his team.
Back in the game
This was it—the moment where dreams and reality converged, where every decision could lead to glory or despair. John, with the weight of leadership upon his shoulders, was ready to step into the light, to guide his team through the tunnel and onto the field, where their fate awaited.
