TERRORISTS: FORGET SOCIAL MEDIA, USE AN ONLINE COMPUTER GAME! A wave of terrorist attacks is sweeping through the lowlands of Europe. The signature is of an unknown organization, presumably of Muslim origins. How and where do these terrorists prepare their strikes so well? Why isn't there a single trace, not even one intercepted communication? Yet, when Robert Barnes finds TERRORISTS: FORGET SOCIAL MEDIA, USE AN ONLINE COMPUTER GAME! A wave of terrorist attacks is sweeping through the lowlands of Europe. The signature is of an unknown organization, presumably of Muslim origins. How and where do these terrorists prepare their strikes so well? Why isn't there a single trace, not even one intercepted communication? Yet, when Robert Barnes finds out by accident that strange messages are being sent through an online computer game, the authorities don't take him seriously. Convinced only he can save the lives of thousands, he decides to submerge himself in a virtual world. He enlists the aid of Rebecca, an acknowledged gaming veteran. While struggling to learn the basic rules and workings of an incredibly realistic virtual realm, he is swept up in a breathtaking pursuit. Through crowded cities, over stunningly beautiful mountains, across endless prairies and among millions of other players, they close in on the terrorists. They are not prepared for what they finally discover, nor for what discovers them in turn. With the terrorists gearing up for the attack on their ultimate target, Robert and Rebecca must risk all to get a warning out in time. Desperately trying to protect their true identities, they confront danger in and out of the online world. How are they going to prevent an Armageddon that will shake the world like nothing has since 9/11? In the virtual world the odds are even, as Robert and Rebecca are just as well equipped as the terrorists. In the real world, the rules are different. Rule number one: there's no cure for death... - Review from YouWriteOn, February 2011 - It's really good, first class. I wasn't sure what to expect but as soon as I started reading, I was completely drawn into the story. The prologue is lovely [...] delicately done and the settings are described beautifully. It is extremely well written, the narrative is fluid and confident, and everything is interesting and appears relevant to the plot. - Review from Bailey's EZ Reader Picks, February 2011 - The first thriller featuring an online game! [...] this chilling story explores the opportunities that social media networks like gaming platforms offer to terrorists. An absolute must-read! - Review from Smashwords, February 2011 - I couldn't stop reading. I loved every single letter. This is a seriously good story. [...] the plot is a nice twist, didn't see it coming.
Mmorpg: How a computer game becomes deadly serious
TERRORISTS: FORGET SOCIAL MEDIA, USE AN ONLINE COMPUTER GAME! A wave of terrorist attacks is sweeping through the lowlands of Europe. The signature is of an unknown organization, presumably of Muslim origins. How and where do these terrorists prepare their strikes so well? Why isn't there a single trace, not even one intercepted communication? Yet, when Robert Barnes finds TERRORISTS: FORGET SOCIAL MEDIA, USE AN ONLINE COMPUTER GAME! A wave of terrorist attacks is sweeping through the lowlands of Europe. The signature is of an unknown organization, presumably of Muslim origins. How and where do these terrorists prepare their strikes so well? Why isn't there a single trace, not even one intercepted communication? Yet, when Robert Barnes finds out by accident that strange messages are being sent through an online computer game, the authorities don't take him seriously. Convinced only he can save the lives of thousands, he decides to submerge himself in a virtual world. He enlists the aid of Rebecca, an acknowledged gaming veteran. While struggling to learn the basic rules and workings of an incredibly realistic virtual realm, he is swept up in a breathtaking pursuit. Through crowded cities, over stunningly beautiful mountains, across endless prairies and among millions of other players, they close in on the terrorists. They are not prepared for what they finally discover, nor for what discovers them in turn. With the terrorists gearing up for the attack on their ultimate target, Robert and Rebecca must risk all to get a warning out in time. Desperately trying to protect their true identities, they confront danger in and out of the online world. How are they going to prevent an Armageddon that will shake the world like nothing has since 9/11? In the virtual world the odds are even, as Robert and Rebecca are just as well equipped as the terrorists. In the real world, the rules are different. Rule number one: there's no cure for death... - Review from YouWriteOn, February 2011 - It's really good, first class. I wasn't sure what to expect but as soon as I started reading, I was completely drawn into the story. The prologue is lovely [...] delicately done and the settings are described beautifully. It is extremely well written, the narrative is fluid and confident, and everything is interesting and appears relevant to the plot. - Review from Bailey's EZ Reader Picks, February 2011 - The first thriller featuring an online game! [...] this chilling story explores the opportunities that social media networks like gaming platforms offer to terrorists. An absolute must-read! - Review from Smashwords, February 2011 - I couldn't stop reading. I loved every single letter. This is a seriously good story. [...] the plot is a nice twist, didn't see it coming.
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Kevin –
The Good: It was a decent story. Having the plot largely intertwined with World of Warcraft had me a bit worried, but the author pulled it off well. I only had the most basic of experiences with WoW, so having one of the characters learning as he went was helpful. The Bad: Lots of typos -- nothing major, but still noticeable. The characters of Robert, Rebecca, and Khalid were developed fairly well, but I felt like a lot of the other characters were pretty one-dimensional.
Clarissa Allen –
Was a decent read for sure. I know the point was to prove how MMORPGs could be used as good cover for communications for terrorist organizations, but I would have liked some more character development between the main character and his girl. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the romance, tho.... lol Was a decent read for sure. I know the point was to prove how MMORPGs could be used as good cover for communications for terrorist organizations, but I would have liked some more character development between the main character and his girl. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the romance, tho.... lol
Martijn Hartman-maatman –
Nice. but a bit unbelievable
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