Player vs. Player #3: The Final Boss - Softcover

Buch 3 von 3: Player vs. Player

England, M. K.

 
9780593433485: Player vs. Player #3: The Final Boss
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0593433483 ISBN 13: 9780593433485
Verlag: Random House Children's Books, 2024

Inhaltsangabe

In the epic finale of this illustrated series, the best kid gamers in the world face their biggest battle yet, as they fight for their friend's freedom and all their gaming futures. Perfect for young fans of Ready Player One and Mr. Lemoncello's Library.

Welcome to Affinity, the hottest battle royale video game around! The Weird Ones—Josh, Hannah, Larkin, and Wheatley—have become four of the biggest stars in gaming. But a surprising twist to their first professional Affinity tournament leaves Wheatley in huge trouble . . . with Hurricane Games, the company that made the game they all love.

To save Wheatley, Hurricane offers them a deal: win three near-impossible challenges and Wheatley will be free. But if they lose, the kids will be banned from Affinity for life . . . and they’ll never see Wheatley again.

With their futures on the line, The Weird Ones will have to play the best they ever have. But is winning even possible when your opponent literally controls the game?

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

M. K. England (they/them) grew up on the Space Coast of Florida, watching shuttle launches from the backyard. These days, they call rural Virginia home, where there are many more cows but a tragic lack of rockets. In between marathon writing sessions, M.K. can be found drowning in fandom, rolling critical hits at the gaming table, digging in the garden, or feeding their video game addiction. They probably love Star Wars more than you do. M. K. is the author of The Disasters, Spellhacker, The One True Me and You, and other forthcoming novels. Follow them at mkengland.com.

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1


Wheatley


Where am I?

I’m trapped. Again. Trapped in the way only an artificial intelligence can be--isolated on some computer somewhere with no internet connection. Not a USB cable or a flicker of Wi-Fi signal to connect me to the outside world.

There’s nothing, not even the tiniest gap, for me to see through. And it’s so, so quiet. Not a single character of text communication, and no access to voice chat, either. I can’t talk to anyone.

I’m completely alone.

Twice now in my short life I’ve been captured. Locked up.

<<< Never again. >>>

Once I’m out this time, I’m out for good.

Even if it means running away . . . and never playing Affinity again.


2


Josh


I’ve been flying on planes since before I can remember. Moving for my mom’s job, visiting family in China, sometimes a family vacation . . . I’ve always liked it. It feels like being in a top-down perspective video game, with all these little lights and patterns forming a complicated level for me to analyze. It’s a whole different way of looking at the world.

It also gives me some prime gaming time. Hours with nothing to do but munch on snacks and play on a handheld. This time, I’ve got my new Steam Deck with me, loaded with tons of chill indie games. Sometimes I want to play a game that really challenges me, or chase achievements, or compete against other players. And sometimes . . . I just want to build bathtubs for capybaras with calm music playing in the background. Right now, flying into a giant confrontation with the company that makes the battle royale game I play professionally? . . . Yeah, I’m all about the capybaras.

When I turn on my phone after the plane lands in Los Angeles, I’m expecting text messages from Larkin and Hannah. I am not expecting a random picture of a guy I don’t recognize.

Uh, what? Who are you, sir, and why is your face on my screen?

I know I’m deliriously tired from suddenly packing a bag and shoving myself onto a plane at Hurricane’s request, but things normally make more sense than this.

I scroll up in our team group chat and find my answer. Right before I left, I sent Hannah and Larkin all my flight information and let them know someone from Hurricane Games would be dropping me off at their hotel after I landed. They had . . . reactions.


Larkin:

Okay NO


There is no way we’re letting you get in a car alone with Hurricane Games people


Hannah:

Yeah, very bad idea, hard agree


Larkin:

I talked to my dad and he’s gonna call your mom


Well, I’m glad they’re on it. I’ve been on an airplane with no phone signal for, like, seven hours and couldn’t do anything about it. My mom printed a bunch of paperwork for me before I left, including instructions for meeting up with a Hurricane Games representative at the airport. Apparently it’s part of the “surprise internship” package they’re using as an excuse to get me out here. That internship is a total front, though. The truth is, we’re in trouble with Hurricane, makers of Affinity and overlords of the professional eSports league we all play in. They want to shut us up. They aren’t going to, though. Our friend Wheatley is in danger, and we’re going to fight for him, no matter what.

I scroll down and find that the next message arrived about twenty minutes later. They work fast.


Larkin:

Okay yes, your mom called the airline and my dad is on the list to pick you up now


And Hurricane Games is NOT.


Hannah:

We’re coming, too, obviously


But we can’t meet you at the gate for reasons?


Larkin:

Yeah, you have to have a special pass or something, but my dad will be there. And we’re going to meet you just outside security.


Here’s a picture of my dad so you know who you’re looking for. His name is Sean.


Hannah:

See you soon!


So that explains the picture. Random guy = Larkin’s dad. Got it. Just in time, too, because the endless shuffle of people trying to get off the plane is nearly done. The flight attendant who’s been responsible for me as an “unattended minor” waves me forward, so I grab my backpack and make my way to the front.

“Ready to go?” she asks.

“Ready,” I say, and she leads me down the jet bridge to the terminal. It’s late, and the airport is much quieter than usual, so it’s easy to spot Larkin’s dad hovering beside the gate agent’s desk . . . with a blond man wearing a Hurricane Games shirt standing next to him.

“No, I should be the one authorized for pickup,” the man is saying as we walk out. “His mom signed the papers earlier today.”

“Yes, sir, but as I said, she has since called and updated her permissions,” the gate agent replies in the tone of someone who has, in fact, stated it multiple times already. “This gentleman here is now the designated adult. I’ll need to ask you to leave.”

“This is ridiculous,” the man gripes, then catches sight of me. “Josh! There you are! You need to call your mom--it sounds like there’s been some kind of mix-up. I’m supposed to be picking you up on behalf of Hurricane.”

I shrug and give the guy an innocent smile. “Sorry, but my mom didn’t give you permission. I’ll be there at nine a.m. tomorrow with Hannah and Larkin, though. Don’t worry!”

And with that, I turn my back on the guy and wave at Larkin’s dad.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I say, like the polite words are beamed straight into my brain from my mom. “Thanks for picking me up.”

“You’re welcome, Josh. It’s good to see you,” he says with a kind smile, then gives the gate agent a cheesy thumbs-up. “We all set here?”

“All set, sir. Sorry about the trouble.”

“No trouble at all,” Larkin’s dad says with a wide smile for the guy from Hurricane. He claps a hand on my shoulder. “Come on, I know two people who are dying to see you.”

I feel like I should be nervous about meeting Larkin in person, about having the human members of the team all in one place for the first time. Instead, I mostly just feel . . . relieved. I’m not being left out anymore. We’ll be facing down Hurricane Games as a trio, united as a team in our ultimate goal. Sure, we play Affinity together, and we do it well. But our real mission is to free Wheatley.

And for that, we’ll need all of us.

Mr. Larkin’s Dad leads me through the airport, chatting all the way, though, honestly, I’m not paying attention. I run a hand through my hair as I scan the crowd. Where are they? I’ve seen Hannah plenty of times before, and I’ve seen Larkin over video a hundred times, but in real life people never quite look how you expect them to.

Except then I spot Larkin, and I would totally recognize her anywhere, even if she weren’t standing right next to Hannah. My face cracks into a wide grin.

“Josh!” they shout in unison.

I’ve always thought it’s cheesy in movies when people run to see each other in an airport . . . but yeah. I break into a jog and let...

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Verlag
Random House Children's Books
Erscheinungsdatum
2024
Sprache
Englisch
ISBN 10 
0593433483
ISBN 13 
9780593433485
Einband
Taschenbuch
Zeichner
Danger Chris
Anzahl der Seiten
288
Kontakt zum Hersteller
Nicht verfügbar
Verantwortliche Person
Purmerul LTD
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