Illusionist Suite
Programs: Chameleon, Masking, Special Effects
Availability: 2 x Rating
Cost: (Rating 1-3) Rating x 120 nuyen; (Rating 4-6) Rating x 240 nuyen
Renraku Computer Systems is proud to announce its new line of utilities for the Augmented Reality user. The Illusionist Suite is a collection of Augmented Reality Environmental (or ARE) programs for the layman who wants to impress his friends with a bit of 'magic', even if he doesn't have the Talent. Included in this software suite are the Chameleon, Masking, and Special Effects programs.
Chameleon
Availability: 2 x Rating
Cost: (Rating 1-3) Rating x 50 nuyen; (Rating 4-6) Rating x 240 nuyen
Chameleon is a complex little program that displays an image of the AR environment behind you, and projects it in front of you. This minor form of 'invisibility' provides a bonus equal to its rating on Infiltration checks, but is only effective against those using regular vision. It has no effect on other types of vision, such as thermographic, and it has no effect on cameras, or those not accessing AR. In addition, results may be sporadic in static or dead zones, or areas without much AR sculpting.
Masking
Availability: 2 x Rating
Cost: (Rating 1-3) Rating x 50 nuyen; (Rating 4-6) Rating x 240 nuyen
Masking is a clever little advancement on the Body Shop technology, allowing you to change your appearance at will. Instead of displaying AR clothes, like Body Shop does, Masking displays changes to your physical body, within limits. It provides a bonus equal to its rating on Disguise tests, but is only effective against those using vision. It has no effect on other types of vision, such as thermographic, and it has no effect on cameras, or those not accessing AR. The Masking utility comes with several 'preset' faces, including Gary Cline, Damian Knight, Nadja Daviar, Kat o' Nine Tails, and Buttercup, as well as other celebrities and socialites.
Special Effects
Availability: 2 x Rating
Cost: (Rating 1-3) Rating x 50 nuyen; (Rating 4-6) Rating x 240 nuyen
Special Effects is an ARE utility allows you create AR special effects, not unlike some of the more powerful techniques that are used in simflicks today. These can be as simple as creating atmospherics (a low mist rolling across the floor, or flashes and bangs), or more complex effects, such as having a certain sound or effect go off when the user does some prespecified action, or says a command word. Special Effects can provide an AR bonus to tests at the game master's discretion (see Using Augmented and Virtual Reality, page 225, SR4A), but is primarily a form of entertainment or distraction. It has no effect on those not using AR.
