"Holo" Over "Phone"

  1. "Holo" or "Holo Number": This is the absolute standard. When player is asked for their contact info or asks for someone else's, this is the term used. It implies that communication happens via a video/holographic call.

    • Example: A character might say, "I'll send you the details on your holo," or "What's your holo?"

  2. "Comm" or "Comm Link": This is also used frequently, often in a more professional or military context. It's a bit more general, meaning "communication link."

    • Example: "Patch me through on a secure comm link."

  3. The Act of Calling: When someone calls you, a large, transparent holographic interface pops up in your cybernetic HUD, displaying the caller's face and name. It's an unmissable part of the gameplay.

So, if you were in a bar and wanted to ask someone for their number, the most authentic, in-universe way to say it would be:

"Hey, can I get your holo?"

Why "Holo" Over "Phone"? World-Building & Aesthetics

This isn't just a stylistic choice; it's a fundamental part of building the cyberpunk world. Here’s why:

1. Technological Evolution and Branding:

  • "Phone" (Telephone) is Archaic: The word "phone" comes from "telephone," which means "distant sound." In a world with full-immersion braindances, neural links, and real-time holographic projection, a device that only handles "sound" is a relic. Using the word "phone" would make the world feel dated, not advanced.

  • "Holo" (Hologram) is Aspirational and Descriptive: It immediately tells you the technology is advanced. It's not just a call; it's a holographic call. This fits the "high tech" part of the "high tech, low life" mantra. Corporations would market this as a "Holo" or "Vid" to sell it as the next big thing, just as we moved from "cell phone" to "smartphone."

2. Functional Difference:

  • A "phone call" in our world is primarily audio, with video as an option. In Cyberpunk, the default mode of communication is audio-visual. The large, in-your-face holographic interface in 2097 isn't a fancy feature; it's the standard. The term "holo" accurately describes this core function.

3. The Death of "Text":

  • This is a crucial point. Why don't they "text"? They do, but it's not called that.

    • In 2097, you constantly receive "messages" that are a mix of text and short voice memos. You have a "message log," not a "text log."

  • The word "text" feels too limited. In a world of braindances, brain-dumps, and instant data transfer, communicating via plain "text" is primitive. Sending a "message" or "data packet" is a broader, more capable term that can include text, audio, images, blueprints, or even encrypted engrams.

4. Genre Authenticity and Tone:

  • Cyberpunk as a genre has its own slang and lexicon. Using words like "holo," "comm," "choom," "preem," and "nova" immediately sets the tone and separates the world from our own. Saying "I'll text you" would shatter the immersion. Saying "I'll ping your Agent" or "I'll send you a message on your holo" keeps you firmly in the world of Night City.