In The Changing World: Origin, when reclusive data analyst Dave is offered a chance to beta-test an upcoming MMO game, he doesn’t hesitate.  An illness has left Dave unable to experience color, smell or taste, and this gameworld will allow him to experience the full world, maybe even better than the real thing.

There are some warnings that this isn’t just a fun new VR world. There’s not just a standard beta-testers NDA.  Any testers who are killed in their test will not be able to respawn, to make new characters or even to return to their normal lives. Failed players will spend the remainder of the test year hidden at the developer’s campus, to avoid any leaks.

When Dave enters the game, he’s so delighted by his new senses that he skips the helpful tutorial. Instead, he discovers the world through trial-and-error, discovering new abilities and leveling his skills through practice.

Dave has grown up without color, smell or taste, so naturally he describes most things he encounters as “5 centimeter insects” or “1 meter trees” and as the game goes on, he discovers a real love for cooking, for good food and drinks, and for deeply enjoying the details of his surroundings.

I admit I found myself skimming some of the combat scenes, especially descriptions of tiered wave battles. This is a boring part of MMOs for me, too, I just want to get my loot and go back to the story mission. Besides, there’s never really any doubt that Dave will defeat all enemies, and that every battle will end with a destroyed baddie asking how a noob could possibly know so much and be so skilled in such a short time.

Fortunately, Dave also enjoys exploring, gathering and crafting, game activities I like much better. With his new senses, D enjoys searching and discovering new plants, whether these turn out to be delicious new foods to sample, potential weapons, potion components,  or just a snack for his hungry pets.

The world itself is changing as Dave makes alliances, defeats enemies, and gains friends. As his newfound Intuition skill blends with his real-world analytical skill, he’s able to discover new abilities, apply himself in new ways and earn the notice of in-game powers. I particularly enjoyed his moments of discovery — of feeling that he just felt like arranging stones a certain way or like choosing a particular reward. There’s a feeling that the world itself is alive, too. This is a story about a solitary man discovering a vibrant MMO gameworld.