Description

In the not-so-distant future, the application "Rent-a-Vice" offers an unprecedented service: the ability to rent out the "virtual experiences" of others. This intriguing concept is encapsulated within a 150,000-word interactive cyberpunk-noir mystery novel by Natalia Theodoridou, which was a finalist for the 2018 Nebula Award for Game Writing.

The premise is simple yet complex: paying users can immerse themselves in the extreme, potentially self-destructive vices of others, such as binge eating, cliff diving, and beyond. These "feeders" sublet their bodies at great personal risk, allowing customers to indulge in these experiences without facing the consequences themselves.

A Tale of Choices and Consequences

You play as a private investigator burdened with personal and financial troubles, including the looming threat of losing custody of your child. When a mysterious client hires you to find their missing lover in the dark underbelly of the "Rent-a-Vice" industry, you embark on a journey filled with moral dilemmas, ethical quandaries, and complex interpersonal relationships. Your decisions will shape the narrative, leading to multiple possible endings.

Exploring the Depths

Dive into the shadowy world of "Rent-a-Vice," where the ethics are murky and the stakes are high. Etho-politicians argue that Virtual Experiences (VE) compromise societal well-being and normalize vice and disorder. Yet, users seek something more profound than mere entertainment. What drives them? And what do the feeders gain from this arrangement, aside from financial compensation?

Your Journey

As you navigate this intricate world, you have the freedom to choose your path:

• Identity and Orientation: Play as male, female, or non-binary; gay, straight, or bisexual.
• Moral Choices: Fight or embrace your personal demons, challenge the powers that be, and find unexpected friendships.
• Impactful Decisions: Save those in need, leverage their vulnerabilities, or take a radical stance against the system.
• Ethical Dilemmas: Expose corruption or use it to your advantage, all while honing your detective skills through shared human experiences.
• Personal Relationships: Negotiate to keep your child, reconcile with your ex, or explore new romantic possibilities.
• Societal Impact: Champion the marginalized, set a new ethical standard, or climb over the bodies of others to achieve your goals.

Will you resist temptation, or will you succumb to the allure of vice? The choice is yours in this immersive and thought-provoking adventure.