The second and third day of the New Angeles Expo is open to the public and easily the busiest days of the convention. The Barre Civic Centre exhibit halls are packed with attendees, several displays and booths previewing new products slated for a future release or those looking to recruit new employees to their entry-level positions. Many of these booths are also hands-on or have some interactive aspect that adds further appeal in attracting people. Naturally, the Big Four megacorporations have the largest booths in the expo and it is nearly impossible to miss their large displays nearly taking up each corner of the exhibition halls as fixtures.
The focus this year naturally seems to be on space, as expected given Mayor Delgado's current agenda. In the middle of the exhibition hall, there is a large and realistic project of both the Earth and Luna to keep the image that both are connected at the forefront of people's minds. The halls are busy with numerous people moving about, weaving between booths are they find things to broken their horizons and discover new opportunities in the great megacity of New Angeles.
Time Slot: Please note, this event does not take up a timeslot during the day. Narratively, the New Angeles Expo is open until the Late Evening of Day 4.
Impression Points
A massive part of the New Angeles Expo is for exhibitors to build up their contact list. Both for the purposes of networking or merely adding names to massive ad campaigns on the Network (of course, everyone maintains that people can opt-out at any time). Attendees may take part in up to three different activities a day. To sweeten the appeal of handing over contact data, it is customary for some megacorporations to provide gifts or mementos to some attendees so that they remain in their thoughts for any future business.
Naturally, attendees are equal and only the best gifts are reserved for the best impressions made. Each Success in the event will generate one Impression Point, while each Advantage will general half of an Impression Point (rounded down, collectively by individual days). Triumphs will generate an additional one Impression Points. Impression Points can be collected on both Day 3 and 4, then traded for a gift of their choosing. Impression Points may be traded between attendees, passing their referrals to someone else if they wish to.
Attendees must participate in the corresponding megacorporation booth in order to qualify for the selection, marked in bold. For example, if attendee wishes to trade their Impression Points to win a Teacup Giraffe, they must have made a skill check at the Jinteki booth once during one of the two days at the expo.
Haas-Bioroid
Every year, Haas-Bioroid arranges a massive pavilion of bleeding-edge technology that often becomes the envy of many around the city. There are numerous displays where the newest and most advanced cybernetics are displayed, tapping into each function and market. As of late, they have added in the proliferation of implanted brain-machine interfaces. They have been previously in limited use, sometimes falling into underground clinics, but their move to make the implant more available to the public has drastically reduced the danger involved in getting such a device installed. Many of their bioroids are on display, although it is difficult to know which ones are merely on standby or merely a show model.
Haas-Bioroid has previewed their new sports hopper, the LXT-110. The hopper features their trademark automatic pilot with a live traffic feed to get passengers to their intended destination on time. It also features interior tru-leather seats with a refreshment cooler as well as an entertainment suite with a subscription to all of the latest shows from the NBN. Lucky attendees may win a free three-year lease to such a luxurious hopper, although it will only come in silver.
- Test drive! To participate, attendees may make a skill check using either Pilot (Agility) or Drive (Agility) at Average Difficulty (◆◆). If the participant is a Courier or shows off their borrowed LXT-110 sports hopper in a scene, they receive an additional one boost die (+ ■) to their roll. If anything happens to their LXT-110 sports hopper in a scene, this roll is considered a failure and the points gained are negated.
- Total Recall! To participate, attendees may make any Willpower, Cunning or Intelligence skill check at Average Difficulty (◆◆). Participants may choose to delve into a past memory and have that recorded in some semblance. If this is memory is shared, gain 1 boost die to the roll (+ ■). If this memory is a dream, imagination or otherwise fictional, the roll also receives 1 setback die (+ ■) in the roll.
Jinteki's exhibitions favour a subdued approach with soothing minimalistic decor and deliberate booth placement for ease of travel. This year's focus seems to be their line of space corps, showcasing sturdy and resistant corps that are able to yield a large amount of produce with minimal care, perfect for hard environments of the sterile domes with low gravity. Unfortunately, their radiation resistance capabilities make each plant self-terminating after one use, which Jinteki claims is a safety measure. Many of Jinteki's clones are staffed here, which is a showcase in itself of the service and presentation they offer.
The Teacup Giraffe was all the rage in the fashion world when Miranda Rhapsody was seen walking with one in her handbag during the premiere of The Wizard of Oz (remake). Since then the biotech company has expanded to other creatures, such as bears and elephants. These pets come neutered and pre-programmed with good habits which make them the perfect pet, as well as a hot commodity. One of the exhibits is a hands-on splicing lab, where attendees can experiment by designing their own personal teacup pet.
- I choose you! To participate, make a skill check with either Survival (Cunning) or Science (Intelligence) at Average Difficulty (◆◆). If the participant is an Academic or have an appreciation of animals, they have further insight in designing their own customer teacup pet and gain one boost die (+ ■) to this roll.
- Serenity Now! To participate, make a skill check with either Medicine (Intelligence) or Science (Intelligence) at Average Difficulty (◆◆). If the participant has 13 or more Strain Threshold, they gain greater benefits to the treatment offered and stay longer for the therapeutic session to gain one boost die (+ ■) to their roll
The area dedicated to the NBN has a large variety of screens and projections cataloguing their massive number of channels. The megacorporation is already confident that most people are already connected to the Network and their large suite of entertainment services, it is impossible to miss breaking news from the New Angeles Sol or the latest Miranda Rhapsody movie. They are constantly seeking to further connect more people to their services. Many of their services are repacked to be more affordable, although the offer is only available to new members, including daily AI assistants that make suggestions and services based on the recorded needs of their users.
The NBN is also aware that while they are the leader in media, there are others who are seeking to find their success and get their foot in the deep sea of entertainment. There are many terminals where attendees can upload their personal vidcast or record their own in their professional recording booth to receive a chance to be featured in one of the NBN's numerous outlets for their 15 Seconds of Fame. One of the new products featured is the ACET-1 Holographic Image Enhancer which casts a subtle holographic project that enhances the wearer, sharpening some details and blending out certain blemishes. The effect is said to be surreal or superficial but the initial shock fades with continued use.
- Make Yourself Heard! To participate, make a skill check with either Charm (Presence) or Deception (Cunning) at Average Difficulty (◆◆). If the participant did not contribute any Expo Points on Day 2's Seminar Talks event, they receive one setback dice (+ ■) to the roll. If the participant has a preexisting show or program, make mention of it in the post to gain two boost dice (+ ■ ■) to the roll. Alternatively, if the participant has spoken to three or more different people today, they qualify for the same bonus. Bonuses cannot stack.
- Tracking Shot! To participate and test run one of these drones, the participant makes either a Perception (Cunning) or Computer (Sysop) (Intelligence) skill check at Average Difficulty (◆◆). Camera drones may be loaned out for the day and if the participant manages to take picturesque or tricky shot, this must be done in a separate scene and the participant must pass a Perception (Cunning) or Computer (Sysop) (Intelligence) skill check at Average Difficulty (◆◆), limit of one roll per scene. If they have been successful, they receive an additional two boost dice (+ ■ ■) to the roll in the side event.
The section of the Expo rented by the Weyland Consortium is loud and boisterous which fits with the company image when it comes to subtly. This is further evident by the sound of live weapons testing and some large lunar construction equipment they've brought as part of their displays. There are shells of micro booster rockets from Jemison Astronautics hung from the ceiling, as well a miniature space station concepts from Gagarin Deep Space.
Skorpios Defense Systems have unveiled their new line of smart-targeting pistols and small arms. The selling point of the weapons is that the special ammunition features extra propellant to guide the bullet to its intended mark, "homing bullets" in short. Haas-Bioroid general scoffed at the product, seeing as that was a previous venture of theirs before their creation of the NEXT line of weapons. However, Skorpios Defense Systems touts that they are able to produce them far cheaply and their distribution channels allow them to get them into the hands of people quickly. They've allowed attendees to test their weapons.
- Shoot a smart-targeting gun! To participate, make a skill check with either the Ranged (Light) (Agility) or Ranged (Heavy) (Agility) at Average Difficulty (◆◆). This is considered making an attack. If 3 Advantages or a Triumph is scored, all Advantages can be traded for Impression points each. Participants who are Soldiers, NAPD, or have the talent World War Vet are given an upgraded weapon to shoot and gain 1 boost die (+ ■) to their roll.
- Talk investments! To participate, make a skill check with either Negotiation (Presence) or Charm (Presence) at Average Difficulty (◆◆). A credit check will be done on the participant. If they have less than 1,000 Credits on hand, they suffer two setback dice (+ ■ ■) to the roll. If they have more than 2,000 Credits or are a Ristie, they gain two boost dice (+ ■ ■) to their roll instead.
Other megacorporations and corporations are also present at the New Angeles Expo, even if at lesser compacity compared to the Big Four megacorporations. Melange Mining has a helium mining simulator set up where attendees can test drive their mining equipment virtually and attendees will receive a special 'space-thermos' at the end. Globasec has an arrangement where attendees can take part in a virtual war game where they will be given a uniform cap with their name on it at the end of their participation. Levy University has been showcasing its expanded Network programs and upgraded virtual classrooms.
- Mining simulator, Virtual War Game, and other activities! Attendees may participate in activities found in the New Angeles Expo, hosted by lesser megacorporations and other organizations. While these won't garner much attention, by comparison, they will still provide some impression. The attendee gains 1 Impression Point without rolling. This can only be done once per day.
Attendees have until the end of Day 4 to collect Impression Points from the events, which they may trade for the following.
1 Impression Point - Stylish Video Shades: The participant made pick a stylish video shade of their choice, which can be connected to their PAD or equivalent computer and allow for hands-free operation. Unfortunately, these shades are hardwired to show the occasional ad from a Megacorporation of their choice.
2 Impression Points - Dinner Voucher for Opus, by Alyssa Choi: The participant receives a voucher and exclusive reservation for two (or three with some convincing) to Opus, a fine dining restaurant in Laguna Velasco. This voucher is for a five-course meal with offerings from its wine cellar. The megacorporation of the participant's choice will have a centrepiece at the table as a reminder of their generous meal sponsor.
3 Impression Points - Best Buddies™, by Jackson Howard: The participant may choose any one Best Buddies™ from series three to seven. Bedtime Buddies™ are plushies that come with a built-in PAD and minor AI assistant that help children learn, play and grow. It also allows parents to remotely monitor their children. Some of the popular characters include Hiral Hippo, Dean Dinosaur, Kim Koala, and other characters from Sunshine Junction. They have consistently sold out every gift-giving holiday.
4 Impression Points - Instant remedy package (Jinteki): A one-time use injection that heals 5 wounds or 5 strain, with no downsides or conflict with other slap-patches.
5 Impression Points - Top of the line camera drone (NBN): The attendee receives a camera drone. This camera drone provides Advanced Early Warning, adding two Boost dice (+ ■ ■) to the operator's check to determined Initiative.
6 Impression Points - LXT-110 sports hopper (Haas-Bioroid): The attendee receives a 3-year lease for the LXT-110 sports hopper. Bioroid-Assist 7.1.3 is included in this lease and can be downloaded to a PAD to grant one Boost die (+ ■) to all Pilot (Agility) and Driving (Agility) rolls.
7 Impression Points - Smart-targeting pistol (Weyland Consortium): Skill-used is Ranged (Light). The weapon profile is as follows: Damage is 6, Crit is 3, Medium Range, Encumbrance 1, HP 1, Guided 4.
8 Impression Points - Diversified stock portfolio (Weyland Consortium): The stock option currently has an evaluation of 400 credits, cashable at the end of Day 5.
9 Impression Points - Memory minder (Haas-Bioroid): A memory minder is a module that can be installed on any existing PAD. Once per week, the owner of the Memory minder may re-roll an Intelligence, Willpower, or Cunning skill check of their choice.
10 Impression Points - ACET-1 Holographic Image Enhancer (NBN): Once per encounter, the attendee may upgrade a Charm (Presence), Deception (Cunning), or Leadership (Presence) check.
11 Impression Points - Personal teacup pet (Jinteki): The attendee gets a genetically modified pet of their creation, some limits may apply. This pet has the same profile as the Teacup Giraffe.
