The Sparkle Letters

Dear Princesses,

I see I caught your attention with talk of thinking machines which are used as mere playthings. You seem confused as to why such a powerful device would be necessary for a game. The thing is, these games are wildly complex--and surprisingly detailed.

The first example I encountered was a game the humans call Counter-Strike. It is primarily played in teams of 5; I am told other games are more flexible, but Counter-Strike relies heavily on teamwork and a numbers advantage would tilt the game in one side's favor.

One team is called the 'Terrorists'. I have tried to transliterate it to Ponish, and the closest analogue is in Old Ponish: 'vargen noktmaesi'--workers of nightmares. I have asked O'Bama about this, and he has said that the 'Terrorists' are based upon various terrible groups of Humans who committed great acts of evil. Within this game, the Terrorists have a singular goal: Use an explosive to destroy something within the play area. There are two possible 'bomb sites' which the Terrorists can destroy, and either one grants victory.

The other team is the 'Counter-Terrorists', whose goal is--naturally--to counter the terrorists. They, in turn, are based on the soldiers who bravely go forth and do battle with the Terrorists.

Where this becomes far more interesting--and requires a thinking machine--is the 'fog of war'. Neither team has complete knowledge of the other team's position. This would be impossible on a shared board. It is perhaps possible with a pair of boards and a divider, but tracking movements would become nigh impossible and bog down the game. And, with the thinking machine tracking all players in real time, it is possible for the players to play the game in real time as well! And I have not even begun speaking of the elements of dexterity and skill--such as controlling one's weapon, as the firearms used by the characters in the game tend to buck wildly about when fired. The way each weapon moves is predictable, and I have already mastered the 'P90'. Such a game would simply not be possible on a tabletop.

Amazingly--and amusingly--the game also includes a function by which one can speak through the thinking machine to the other players, who could be situated in many countries around the planet; they appear to think I am a particularly good imitation of myself. It is somewhat strange to hear someone talk to you as if you are merely a storybook character--to hear the amusement in their voice, as they conclude you must be simply a great ventriloquist.

But this is all unimportant. Please, send word of your progress with the portal. I will confer with O'Bama regarding the official introduction of our kind to America.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle

Dear Princess,

Twilight has been going on and on about that game she just learned about. It seems she's really been inspired by this simulation. I wonder, has the game's own inspiration simply gone over her head?
I have begun scouring this 'internet' for information. Aside from some very...entertaining images, I found quite a lot of information about the 'Terrorists' in this little game. And they are disturbing. There are many reasons for their conflicts, but each one of these groups shares a single unifying feature: Their total willingness to commit any evil in the name of their cause.

Of course, I'm one to talk. You're quite familiar with my work, aren't you? I'm more disgusted by myself than by these villains.

Your forgiveness is appreciated, however. It heartens me to know that, despite how much you've seen me do, you believe me when I say I wish to do better. Perhaps, as the human said, I do deserve a second chance.

With bated breath,
Queen Chrysalis