Its your new reality.
We built Otherworld to liberate humankind, a voice teases in the books ominous trailer.
Reality can no longer hold you back in Otherworld, there are no limitations.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
EW can exclusively reveal theOtherworldtrailer as well as an excerpt from the book, due for release Oct. 31.
(Preorder ithere.)
Read on to see whats in store, and check out the trailer above.
You never saw Otherworld.
Now keep in mind, most of these idiots never experienced the original Otherworld either.
I always thought that was bullshit.
It took a twentysomething tech billionaire named Milo Yolkin to drag the game back from the dead.
Today at noon, his company released an early-access version of Otherworld 2.0.
Two thousand lucky gamers were chosen to test it, and somehow Im one of them.
The app itself is freeyou just have to buy the exclusive new headset that goes with the game.
Only a couple thousand have been made, and each one costs over two grand.
I know everything is CGI, but my eyes are completely convinced that its real.
Back in the real world, my body is blind, deaf and helpless.
Still, nothing compares to what Ive just found.
Ive come to a stone path that disappears into a cavern carved out of a glacier.
I run my hand along one of the icy walls.
But none of the rumors prepared me for Otherworld.
Its light penetrates the ice around me, and the whole glacier glows like an enchanted gem.
I can hear water rushing somewhere deep within the glacier.
A sharp crack echoes behind me, and I spin around a little too quickly.
My stomach drops and hot vomit rises and scalds the back of my throat.
They havent found a way to truly beat the motion sickness yet.
I close my eyes, swallow and wait until the dizziness fades.
Then I take a deep breath and open my eyes again.
Stretching out toward the horizon is the empty ice field I just crossed.
Somewhere in the distance is the City of Imra, where I began my journey.
Apparently thats where all Otherworld adventures begin.
You design your avatar and walk through a door and suddenly youre outside Imras gates.
In the few minutes I was there, I watched a parade of avatars pass through them.
Theyre all still back there, I guess.
Apparently the citys a CGI Sodom that makesGrand Theft Autolook likeDora the Explorer.
So I set off in the opposite direction.
Away from the city.
Across the ice fields.
Now Im standing here in front of the ice cave, with the wind whistling all around me.
Its a pity I cant feel anything but the steady chill of central air.
If I breathe in too deeply, I can smell the Febreze my moms cleaning lady uses.
But my eyes are burning from snow glare, and my toes are numb.
Before I enter the glacier, I turn one last time and scan the frozen white landscape behind me.
There are no signs of movement, but I know Im not on my own.
Someones followed me here.
Shes always kicked ass at camouflage, and I havent caught sight of her.
But I dont need my eyes to tell me that Kats in Otherworld too.
I feel her presenceand Im finding it hard to wipe the shit-eating grin off my face.
Back in the real world, Kat hasnt spoken to me in months.
Ive tried pretty much everything, and Otherworld was my last resort.
I didnt think she could resist being one of the first to see Milo Yolkins new wonderland.
So I was pretty bummed when I didnt catch sight of her outside Imra.
Its starting to look like my investment paid off, though.
I step forward into the cave and stop.
Lurking in a shadow is a figure I didnt see until now.
Someone or something is guarding the entrance.
I draw my dagger and prepare to strike.
Everything around me may be fake, but the sound of my heart pounding is real.
As my eyes adjust, I see a thin man dressed in what looks like a modern-day suit.
Hes about a foot taller than I am, and theres a scarf wrapped Bedouin-style around his head.
The thin strip of face left uncovered is ebony black.
In one hand the man holds a gnarled staff.
An amulet hangs around his neck, a clear stone in its center.
I rap my knuckles against its hollow chest.
It seems to be sculpted from clay.
I suppose the clay man is a sign that Im on the right track.
Open world or not, the developers wouldnt have placed a statue here for no reason.
Theres bound to be something interesting at the end of the path.
Or watch chunks of ice bobbing in the Slurpee-blue stream thats flowing beside the path?
The scenery alone is worth every single penny of the six grand I charged to my moms credit card.
Its been over a year since she and I have been by ourselves.
He sits on a throne chiseled out of granite.
Hes human in shape, though he seems to be built on a much larger scale.
Whoever he is, he feels no need for clothes.
Heat radiates from him, and the melting ice walls form a sphere around his body.
The moat of meltwater at his feet is clear, but I cant gauge its depth.
I make my way closer, and his head rises.
From what Ive read online, the lands of Otherworld are ruled by demigods known as Elementals.
This might be one of them.
Some Elementals are helpful; many are hostile.
Im guessing the creature in front of me isnt interested in making friends.
I wasnt expecting visitors.
His voice booms in my headset and I have to turn the volume down.
And if hes not an Elemental or an NPC, then Im not the only explorer around.
Whoever this is, hes built a formidable avatar.
I guess not, I say into my mike.
Looks like you forgot to get dressed.
You know, a stud like you would be pretty popular back in Imra.
Ive heard the place is a nonstop orgy.
What are you doing out here when the actions back there?
I could ask the same of you, he says.
Yeah, well, Im allergic to fun.
Long-haired cats, too.
How amusing, he says, giving my avatar the once-over.
You could have been anyone.
And this is what you chose?
What are youa peasant?
He sounds so …disappointed.
Lack of imagination is a terrible affliction.
I glance down at my dull brown robe, sewn from the best cyberburlap available.
Whenever Im given the option, I choose something similar.
I can think of worse, I tell him.
Nothing wrong with keeping things simple.
You know what they say: the flashier the avatar, the smaller the …
I stop the instant he stands up.
His crotch is nothing but a smooth bump.
Hes like one of the action figures I used to torture when I was a kid.
You know, youre missing a little something down below.
I gesture to his absent parts.
They had some amazing options during setup.
Might be worth a reset.
I appreciate your concern, but I have everything I need, he responds, moving toward me.
The ice fields are no place for guests.
Im afraid you must leave and return to the City of Imra.
It just pops out.
Which happens more often than Id like.
My tongue produces words faster than my brain can approve them.
Perhaps youre not aware that Otherworld is intended for players eighteen and older?
Did you lie when you registered?
I didnt, but what the hell does he care?
Spare me the lecture and get ready to rumble, I say.
Ive been battling the environment for seventeen hours straight, and its time for bed.
I need a little PVP action to put me to sleep.
The avatar approaches, and soon hes towering over me.
Once again, Im blown away by the details.
You assume Otherworld is like the games you know.
I assure you its not.
Youve entered my sanctuary, and you are not welcome.
The guys beginning to glow from within like an ember.
As his head lights up, features finally appear on his face, and I almost bolt.
He does not look friendly.
Instead of running, I draw my dagger.
Then youd better kick me out.
Before I can make a move, three flaming arrows zip past my shoulder.
They miss the monstrous avatar and sink into the frozen arched ceiling above him.
A second later, an explosion rocks the entire cavern.
I steady myself and watch as ice rains down from above, burying the beast.
I turn to find a sleek figure behind me.
Shes dressed in a body-hugging suit of reflective material.
You provoked that guy on purpose, Simon, Kat says.
The voice is all hers, and it sets me on fire.
Did you think you had any chance of winning a fight with that dinky little dagger?
I figured youd show up and save me, I tell her.
I wanted to see what youre wearing.Verynice.
Lets go, dumbass, she orders.
Shes never been able to accept a compliment.
Hell be out of there soon.
The mysterious door behind the avatar is blocked now, so theres no real reason to stay.
Its only when were outside on the ice field that I realize somethings different.
The clay mans gone, I say as it registers.
Its not important, and theres much more that is.
Not now, Simon, she says.
I grab her hand and pull her toward me.
Theres no place to run.
A geyser of lava erupts from beneath the ice and showers down on us.
I keep the headset on, hoping for one last vision of Kat.
All I see are sparks.
Excerpt copyright 2017 by The Jason Segel Company.
