Hi again,

I asked a question a few threads ago about TM's and AR and what equipment they need to use AR.

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Implanted commlink users still need to have an Image Link to see AR data. So they need either the cyberware or some other visual thing (goggles, glasses, contacts) that an communicate with the commlink. In the case of DNI they can send mental commands to the commlink so they don't need gloves, but they still need someplace for the visual AR data to go hence the Image Link. Read the Image Link description, it specifically mentions it's used to display AR data.

So wouldn't a TM need some external (or internal if you're bold enough) device like goggles, glasses or contacts with an Image Link to see AR data? I don't see where in SR4.core that seeing AR is included with their ability to go full-VR at will. Much like how a TM needs external storage for sending/receiving files I think a physical need exists for using AR which would help support the TM's desire of VR over AR.

Whatcha think?

Thanks,

~GTT

Having a TMs brain interpret AR signals directly with his visual cortex would be #83 on the list of implausible abilities TMs possess. No equipment required. External memory is the only tech aid I'm convinced they need to use the matrix effectively. (As opposed to social/legal reasons to need a comlink.)

Well, a TM is a commlink. Commlinks don't need image links to interact with AR because they don't see AR, they just process it. Same thing with TMs. While they probbly don't see the same thing, they process it the same way.
So instead of the stuffer shack AR logo flying around and advertising NERPs, they see the code language that calls for certain colors and shapes and letters. Sure, it's not the same, but the same amount of information is relayed after they perceive it.

TMs can communicate with a wireless node at will. And they can enter VR at will. They aren't always in VR, or they'd be taking some hefty penalties to all actions, and we can all agree that's not the case.
So they perceive all wireless feeds (if they want). Granted, without an image link they perceive code instead of seeing images, but if you saw unprocessed html tags in a post on the forums, you'd still know that it was supposed to be a link to a website, or italics or whatever.

Remember, you can use AR with out using gloves or image link. A commlink provides an input and output so that it can be used on it's own.

IIRC (which isn't often), the TM sample character has no AR items. While that's not a great proof, it does indicate that TM's do not need AR items.

Also, if it's allowed in your game to use Simsense to conduct AR, then the TM would not need AR items as TMs have both a Commlink and SimModule

I guess GTT is right on that, there's no explicit rule that says TMs can interact with AR. With that interpretation, they would have to drop in to VR to read an RFID tag on the sidewalk.
I always assumed that the Living Persona and a normal Persona were identical in the Matrix, not that Living Personas only can exist in VR.

I believe the beginning of the matrix section explicitly states that any reference to Matrix is meant to mean AR, and that any time they mean Matrix via VR, that VR will be mentioned instead of matrix.

Since VR is only mentioned in one part of the TM section (the part where they talk about always being hotsim) it seems silly to assume they can only interact via VR.

I dunno, man. In the TM description it says that "they can reach out and tap in—giving them instant access to the wireless Matrix, no electronics or cyberware required." And as Lagomorph noted the first part of the Wireless chapter says "Unless otherwise noted, this chapter refers to augmented reality—the most common way of using the Matrix—rather than virtual."
So it seems to me they're constantly in AR/ the wireless Matrix. Because AR is the wireless Matrix.

simsense can generate all of the <sense>links. you don't need an image link when your sim module (which a TM effectively has) simply converts the data to your brain's format for visual data.

Thanks all for the discussion!

After this thread and re-reading some of SR4, I am adjusting my stance on TMs: I think they can access both AR and VR without any equipment requirements. They can sense wireless data (or lack there-of) and can choose to use AR or VR at-will.

One last question that been asked and opined on many times: What about outside queries for SIN information? Can the TM grab the data from storage and forward it when requested? How do you handle this in your group?

As always, Thanks!

~GTT

We houseruled that TMs have organic skinlinks, in addition to organic commlinks and sim modules. Seemed to make sense, and allowed a TM to have their storage unit adhered to the body somewhere out of sight.

There is still the concept of the SIN Credstick. With your organic Skinlink, it would be a just a matter for the TM to touch their SIN stick and transmit the data as a commlink would.

given the importance of AR in SR4, i think it's reasonable to assume that TMs can operate in AR unless it's specifically stated otherwise. i mean, seriously, that'd be a pretty important thing to point out. the reason it's not stated that TMs can use AR is probably that the devs never considered any other possibility.

Hmm... I just got my TM up to 6 Res and now have to think about Submersion but looking over the BBB, I cant see anything that says how long it actually takes.
Its referenced magic initiation due to how similar they are without going into the technical aspect of it.

So, how much time should it take for a TM to submerge for the first time?

i agree, in general, about the vague nature of SR4 rules. however, in this case, it seems pretty clear that TMs can use AR out of the box. it states in the introduction to AR that the best way to use AR is via simsense. TMs can interpet simsense (otherwise, they wouldn't be able to use VR), ergo they can use AR.