History Literature / UserUnfriendly

* ArtisticLicense: When one of the [=NPCs=] begins saying the same thing repeatedly and becomes nonfunctional, Cornelius explains to the group that the program is "looping." He incorrectly defines a loop as a set of instructions that get repeated endlessly. In reality, a loop simply means a set of instructions that get repeated any number of times--which is perfectly normal and an absolutely essential part of programming. It's only a problem if there's no exit condition for terminating the loop. This is known as an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_loop "infinite loop"]], a common pitfall in programming that causes software to freeze or get stuck. Furthermore, because the first [=NPC=] gets into an infinite loop after Robin says "It's just a stupid game," and the second one does so after Cornelius starts talking about programming, the group concludes that what triggers these loops is referring to the game as a game or making anachronistic references in front of an [=NPC=]--even though there's no particular reason to think that's the case. Cornelius thinks it's because they said things the programmers didn't anticipate, but it's hard to believe the programmers wouldn't have anticipated such comments from players.

* ArtificialIntelligence: Especially from the perspective of when the book was first published (1991), the [=NPCs=] display a highly sophisticated ability to understand the human players and converse with them in a natural way.

* LetsSplitUpGang: Early on the players decide to split into two group to save time while exploring different parts of the realm. They eventually rejoin one another.

* ArtisticLicense: When one of the [=NPCs=] begins saying the same thing repeatedly and becomes nonfunctional, Cornelius explains to the group that the program is "looping." He incorrectly defines a loop as a set of instructions that get repeated endlessly. In reality, a loop simply means a set of instructions that get repeated any number of times--which is perfectly normal and an absolutely essential part of programming. It's only a problem if there's no exit condition for terminating the loop. This is known as an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_loop "infinite loop"]], a common pitfall in programming that causes software to freeze or get stuck. Furthermore, because the first [=NPC=] gets into an infinite loop after Robin says "It's just a stupid game," and the second one does so after Cornelius starts talking about programming, the group concludes that what triggers these loops is referring to the game as a game or making anachronistic references in front of an [=NPC=]--even though there's no particular reason to think that's the case.

* PrejudiceAesop: Arvin/Harek repeatedly makes sexist assumptions about Marian--thinking of her as "bossy," with "dippy girl's reasoning." He's forced to rethink those assumptions when he learns [[spoiler:the real-life player is Noah, and not Dawn Marie]].

* ArtisticLicense: When one of the [=NPCs=] begins saying the same thing repeatedly and becomes nonfunctional, Shelton explains to the group that the program is "looping." He incorrectly defines a loop as a set of instructions that get repeated endlessly. In reality, a loop simply means a set of instructions that get repeated any number of times--which is perfectly normal and an absolutely essential part of programming. It's only a problem if there's no exit condition for terminating the loop. This is known as an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_loop "infinite loop"]], a common pitfall in programming that causes software to freeze or get stuck. Furthermore, because the first [=NPC=] gets into an infinite loop after Robin says "It's just a stupid game," and the second one does so after Shelton starts talking about programming, the group concludes that what triggers these loops is referring to the game as a game or making anachronistic references in front of an [=NPC=]--even though there's no particular reason to think that's the case.

* LetsSplitUpGang: Early on the group decides to split into two camps to explore different parts of the realm. They eventually rejoin.

* LetsSplitUpGang: Early on the group decides to split into two camps to explore different parts of the land. They eventually rejoin.

* ArtisticLicense: When one of the [=NPCs=] begins saying the same thing repeatedly and becomes nonfunctional, Shelton explains to the group that the program is "looping." He incorrectly defines a loop as a set of instructions that get repeated endlessly. In reality, a loop simply means a set of instructions that gets repeated at least once--which is perfectly normal and an absolutely essential part of programming. It's only a problem if there's no exit condition for terminating the loop. This is known as an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_loop "infinite loop"]], a common pitfall in programming that causes software to freeze or get stuck. Furthermore, because the first [=NPC=] gets into an infinite loop after Robin says "It's just a stupid game," and the second one does so after Shelton starts talking about programming, the group concludes that what triggers these loops is referring to the game as a game or making anachronistic references in front of an [=NPC=]--even though there's no particular reason to think that's the case.

* AllForNothing: [[spoiler:After they finish the game, the players are too preoccupied with getting Arvin's mother to the hospital to check their final scores. Later, the game is confiscated so they never find out. They do know, however, that Arvin was the one who bested the Big Bad at the end.]]

** After Abbot Simon becomes nonfunctional due to a software bug early in the game, the [=NPCs=] keep telling the group they'd be better off if they had a cleric with them, much to the group's increasing annoyance because they're unable to explain why they lost their cleric, and they know it isn't even their fault.

** After Abbot Simon becomes nonfunctional due to a software bug early in the game, the [=NPCs=] keep telling the group they'd be better off if they had a cleric with them, much to the group's increasing annoyance.

* TokenMinority: Arvin correctly guesses that Feordin is his friend Cleveland due to the character being black, seemingly implying that Cleveland is the only black player. Also, Arvin's comment that Nocona "looked like a native American Indian" suggests not only that Nocona's player Dominic isn't Native American, but that none of the other characters in either the game or the outside world are.

* ArtisticLicense: When one of the [=NPCs=] begins saying the same thing repeatedly and becomes nonfunctional, Shelton explains to the group that the program is "looping." He incorrectly defines a loop as a set of instructions that get repeated endlessly. In reality, a loop simply means a set of instructions that gets repeated at least once--which is perfectly normal and an absolutely essential part of programming. It's only a problem if there's no exit condition for terminating the loop. This is known as an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_loop "infinite loop"]], a common pitfall in programming that causes software to freeze or get stuck. Furthermore, the players seem to be under the impression that what causes the infinite-looping is their talking about "the game" or making other anachronistic references in front of an [=NPC=], even though there's no particular reason why that would happen.

''User Unfriendly'' is a 1991 [[YoungAdultLiterature young adult novel]] by Vivian Vande Velde, the first of three books concerning a fictional company, Rasmussem Enterprises, that produces [[{{Cyberspace}} Virtual Reality]] [[RolePlayingGame role-playing games]] (the InsideAComputerSystem variety) in the [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture near future]]. The novel is narrated by Arvin Rizalli, who with a group of friends is playing a pirated copy of a Rasmussem game set in a [[MedievalEuropeanFantasy medieval fantasy world]]. Unfortunately, the lack of company technicians monitoring the game proves a bigger problem for them than they anticipated, especially when they realize they need to quit before the end but [[InsideAComputerSystem are unable to]], putting pressure on them to [[RaceAgainstTheClock win the game as quickly as possible]].

''User Unfriendly'' is a 1991 [[YoungAdultLiterature young adult novel]] by Vivian Vande Velde, the first of three books concerning a fictional company, Rasmussem Enterprises, that produces VirtualReality [[RolePlayingGame role-playing games]] (the InsideAComputerSystem variety) in the [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture near future]]. The novel is narrated by Arvin Rizalli, who with a group of friends is playing a pirated copy of a Rasmussem game set in a [[MedievalEuropeanFantasy medieval fantasy world]]. Unfortunately, the lack of company technicians monitoring the game proves a bigger problem for them than they anticipated, especially when they realize they need to quit before the end but [[InsideAComputerSystem are unable to]], putting pressure on them to [[RaceAgainstTheClock win the game as quickly as possible]].

* BottomlessBladder: Averted in one scene where Arvin/Harek [[NatureTinkling looks for a place in the woods to urinate]], only to be [[spoiler:knocked unconscious by attackers]]. The issue of players having "nature calls" within the game is never addressed again, which is a [[PlotHole little curious]] given there are several scenes where multiple players are packed in a cave or prison cell together for lengthy periods of time, where it would be difficult to get much privacy for relieving themselves.

* ArtisticLicense: When one of the [=NPCs=] begins saying the same thing repeatedly and becomes nonfunctional, Shelton explains to the group that the program is "looping." He incorrectly defines a loop as a set of instructions that get repeated endlessly. In reality, a loop simply means a set of instructions that gets repeated at least once--which is perfectly normal and an absolutely essential part of programming. It's only a problem if there's no exit condition for terminating the loop. This is known as an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_loop "infinite loop"]], a common pitfall in programming that causes software to freeze or get stuck. Furthermore, the players seem to be under the impression that what causes the infinite-looping is talking about "the game" or making other anachronistic references in front of an [=NPC=], even though there's no particular reason why that would happen.

* NeverMyFault: [[spoiler:Dominic/Nocona is furious at Arvin/Harek for letting the others know he was werewolf-bit, leading them to tie him up, but it was in response to his bullying Arvin for--justifiably--being concerned about his mom. Also, it was Feordin who was the most insistent on tying Nocona up, and Arvin even tried talking them out of it. In spite of this, Dominic blamed Arvin alone, and continued his grievance after the game was long over despite Arvin's very legitimate need to deal with his mother's medical emergency.]]

''User Unfriendly'' is a 1991 [[YoungAdultLiterature young adult novel]] by Vivian Vande Velde, the first of three books concerning a fictional company, Rasmussem Enterprises, that produces VirtualReality [[RolePlayingGame role-playing games]] (the InsideAComputerSystem variety) in the [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture near future]]. The novel is narrated by Arvin Rizalli, who with a group of his friends are playing a pirated copy of a Rasmussem game set in a [[MedievalEuropeanFantasy medieval fantasy world]]. Unfortunately, the lack of company technicians monitoring the game proves a bigger problem for them than they anticipated, especially when they realize they need to quit before the end but [[InsideAComputerSystem are unable to]], putting pressure on them to [[RaceAgainstTheClock win the game as quickly as possible]].

''User Unfriendly'' is a 1991 [[YoungAdultLiterature young adult novel]] by Vivian Vande Velde, the first of three books concerning a fictional company, Rasmussem Enterprises, that produces VirtualReality [[RolePlayingGame role-playing games]] (the InsideAComputerSystem variety) in the [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture near future]]. The novel is narrated by Arvin Rizalli, who with a group of his friends are playing an illegally acquired copy of a Rasmussem game set in a [[MedievalEuropeanFantasy medieval fantasy world]]. Unfortunately, the lack of company technicians monitoring the game proves a bigger problem for them than they anticipated, especially when they realize they need to quit before the end but [[InsideAComputerSystem are unable to]], putting pressure on them to [[RaceAgainstTheClock win the game as quickly as possible]].

* AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents: Arvin feels this way about his mother being in the game with him and all his friends.

* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler:Dorinda at the end paralyzes most of the players as she plans to turn them into a painting from which she can suck their LifeEnergy to use for her own purposes.]]

* ArtisticLicense: When one of the [=NPCs=] begins saying the same thing repeatedly and becomes nonfunctional, Shelton explains to the group that the program is "looping." He incorrectly defines a loop as a set of instructions that get repeated endlessly. In reality, a loop simply means a set of instructions that gets repeated at least once--which is perfectly normal and an absolutely essential part of programming. It's only a problem if there's no exit condition for terminating the loop. This is known as an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_loop "infinite loop"]], a common pitfall in programming that causes software to freeze or get stuck. Furthermore, the players seem to be under the impression that the infinite looping is caused by one of them referring to the game as a game or making other anachronistic references in front of an [=NPC=], even though there's no particular reason why that would happen.

* BottomlessBladder: Averted in one scene where Arvin/Harek [[NatureTinkling looks for a place in the woods to urinate]], only to be [[spoiler:knocked unconscious by attackers]]. The issue of players having "nature calls" within the game is never addressed again, which is a [[PlotHole little curious]] given there are several scenes where multiple players are packed in a cave or prison cell together for lengthy periods of time.
* ButtMonkey: Arvin sees himself as one throughout the game, though it's mostly due to an inferiority complex and oversensitivity to the other players' criticisms, combined with [[spoiler:his being on edge due to his mother's medical condition]]. After the game is over, he's surprised when Giannine describes him as having been one of the more impressive players in the group.

* DelightfulDragon: When the group temporarily splits up, the half that doesn't include Arvin (the narrator) encounters one of these, much to Arvin's disappointment. He's especially frustrated because they got stuff from it by solving riddles, and Arvin considers himself skilled at riddles.

* ExtremelyShortTimespan: The entire game takes only an hour in the real world, though time is compressed in the Rasmussem machine so that the players experience it as five days.

* InsideAComputerSystem: In the version of VR presented in these novels, users are actually unconscious and in REM sleep, with the game world being essentially a computer-generated SharedDream. The danger is that users can't exit the game prematurely without outside help.

* MoralLuck: [[spoiler:While Arvin does use skill and quick-thinking to win (as when he swallows the crystal), he finds out afterward that it depended on the far end of the staff being pointed at Dorinda when he broke it, something he didn't know he had to do and was simply coincidental from his tug-of-war with her.]]

* OurOrcsAreDifferent: The orcs in the game are stupid, smelly, and cowardly--though CommonTongue-speaking--creatures who [[PrimitiveClubs carry around clubs]] and can [[InnateNightVision see in the dark]].
* OurGoblinsAreDifferent: Arvin describes the goblins as having lumpy, Play-Doh-like faces and being hard to tell the genders apart.
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: One of the [=NPCs=] turns out to be a werewolf. He can transform at will, command ordinary wolves, and has a chance to infect those he bites.

* StoppingTheBlameGame: [[spoiler:Dominic/Nocona is furious at Arvin/Harek for letting the others know he was werewolf-bit, leading them to tie him up, but it was in response to his bullying Arvin for--justifiably--being concerned about his mom. Also, it was Feordin who was the most insistent on tying Nocona up, and Arvin even tried talking them out of it. In spite of this, Dominic blamed Arvin alone, and continued his grievance after the game was long over despite Arvin's very legitimate need to deal with his mother's medical emergency.]]

* ButtMonkey: Arvin sees himself as one throughout the game, though it's mostly due to an inferiority complex and oversensitivity to the other players' criticisms, combined with [[spoiler:his concern for his mother's health putting him on edge]]. After the game is over, he's surprised when Giannine describes him as having been one of the more impressive players in the group.

* PhantomZonePicture: The villain uses magic to trap victims inside of portraits and drain their life force.

* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler:Dorinda at the end paralyzes most of the players as she plans to turn them into a painting from which she can suck their LifeEnergy to use for her own purposes.]]