The live-streaming servers officially flicked to 'Active', and within less than ninety seconds, the global viewer count violently ticked upward, smashing millions and climbing. The digital chat feed was a blinding, instantaneous blur of international excitement.
On screens across the world, the opening shot stabilized to reveal the sweeping, desolate vista of the Uncharted Island's black-sand beach. The ocean behind the cast roared aggressively, its dark waves crashing against the shore, while the looming, jagged wall of the ancient jungle stood like a silent fortress to their left.
Dozens of high-definition production drones hummed in the salty air, their camera lenses zooming in on the veterans standing ready on the damp, dark sand.
