Test Environment: A LitRPG fantasy book

Pixelate #1

by Xavier P. Hunter

If you can't beat the computers, BE the computer.

Freshly unemployed gamer Arnold O'Connor is short on cash and facing eviction. When an indie game developer advertises looking for participants in a brain study to help revolutionize enemy AI, he's not thinking about the benefits to his hobby, just his bank account.

But things get weird once the trials start. Neuroscientists monitor his brain waves as Connor performs a variety of tasks, culminating in venturing into a testing version of the very game they're hoping to develop. The tests mess with his sense of reality, seeing things he can't touch and deafened to some sounds but not others. The game world operates on the same principles, forcing Arnold to wonder whether he's inside the game or just playing it.

The only way to find out for sure is to reach the end victorious!

Test Environment is the first book in the Pixelate series. Pixelate is a LitRPG fantasy series that follows the adventures of Arnold O'Connor as his digital self, delving into the secrets of a world that feels as real as his own body. The Pixelate series will appeal to fans of classic tabletop RPGs, World of Warcraft, and Lord of the Rings Online. It touches on themes of self and reality, style vs. stats, and how to kill dragons through the superior application of math.

It's a book you won't be able to log out of! Grab a copy and try for yourself.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2024

Reviews

[Sean Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always say I’m not a big Litrpg fan, which is true; I don’t read much of it. But I do seem to very much enjoy the books in the genre I have read! I pre-orderd the second of these on the way to work this morning, so that holds true here, too. And great author alias to boot.

I think the shock reveal at the end of chapter 36 was my favourite. Connor as a character is interesting, and the whole idea is, if not quite a refreshing take on the genre, certainly a very nicely handled execution. I didn’t want to put it down, picked it up in my lunch break, and am not looking forward to wait an entire month for the next one!

[Frank Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnold (a.k.a. Connor) tests out a new VR game. Or does he?

I had a lot of fun reading this and spotting jokes, game references, and tropes. Essentially, it’s a play-though of an imaginary VR game, but the game is an early version which has its fair share of bugs and other problems.

Arnold O’Connor has been hired as a play-tester for a stealth game startup. After several weeks of training and preparation, he is finally let loose in the game itself. His job is to try it out and report any bugs he finds. Unfortunately, one of those bugs is the lack of a ‘logout’ option. We follow Connor and the other testers on the program as they battle through to be the first to reach the top of the ‘Spire of Fate’ so they can end the game.

The author does a good job of making the recruitment and training process seem real, and a definite contrast to the often sloppily-implemented game world. The characters are interesting and Connor is believable as a long-time gamer. There’s a twist, of sorts, but it is easy to spot pretty early in the story.

[Ryan Tow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book in this genre of writing. I’m typically a nonfiction and biography reader, but being that I’ve played video games for just about my entire life, I decided to give this a try.

I found myself immersed in the world and visualizing what characters may look like in my head. The story was enjoyable and I couldn’t stop listening. For those that prefer audio books, beware of the “EEEEEE! CHIPPA-CHIPPA-whatever,” as it may be the loudest thing you ever hear. That is my only complaint about it haha.

Arnold (aka Connor) was a solid character and I enjoyed his development throughout the story. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for in this book, as I do enjoy a lot of isekai anime and thought this would be a nice read. At first upon finishing, I thought there should be more detail in some parts, but seeing as there are four books in the series, I took back some of that criticism.

I look forward to the next three in the series!

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Test Environment is a LitRPG tale that is based on a game tester being staged as one of the characters in the game. It's not real clear that's happening until the end of the book, and even then, it's more hinted at then actually stated, but still, the story is pretty good, and it's one I can recommend whole heartedly. I really liked this one, and I suspect LitRPG fans that like testing environments (I.E. not fully fleshed out game worlds) will enjoy this one as well.

[Brett Wickersham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnold O'Connor, having just been fired from his menial job, takes a job for quick cash. He is introduced to a video game world where by playing he is helping to train the AI. In his immersive work he meets other players, and learns about himself as a player and a person. This book gives an interesting view of the world of game design, especially when seen from inside the game itself. Hopefully this series continues and grows.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karl Hakimian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story raises more questions than it answers and makes me want to know what's coming next. The characters and the bizarre way they ended up interacting was and interesting twist.

While things were not spelled out, I'm pretty sure thing are not what they are presented as being. Should make for interesting future stories.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read a couple of pages, but after reading 2 profanities, I stopped. I'm trying to read cleaner. Does anyone use clean language anymore?

[Scott Shjefte]

Repeatative, flat ending. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. purchased this edition on April 1, 2024, from Amazon for free. Role playing dungeon testing new game.