SOLVED. old sci fi book involving virtual reality(?) [s]

[Kate]

I started to read this book as a kid but only read a few pages, so I don't really have much info. I know that it was an older book, written at least in the 80s if not earlier. Definitely written before 2000. It's sci fi, and all I remember is that the main character gets naked and then goes down a slide (I think) that leads to a virtual reality simulation of some sort. I believe the main character was a man. The simulation might have been combat-related but might be misremembering.

Tbh I was pretty young when I tried to read it so the whole naked thing just grossed me out and I stopped reading lol! But for some reason it has stuck with me to this day and I would love to find the book and maybe try reading it again. Who knows, maybe this time the nudity won't freak me out as much all these years later! Thanks in advance for any help! Sorry my description is so vague!

[Bard]

Could it be one of the Phaze series by Piers Anthony? Two worlds divided by a shimmering 'curtain' disguised in various ways. The fantasy world, where magic works, uses medieval clothing but the tech world, which is very hierarchical, requires 'serfs' to be nude. Serfs can advance themselves socially by competing in the Games, a series of intense one on one contests ranging from physical combat to board games and intellectual challenges. A serf named Stile discovers the Phaze curtain, and helped by an intelligent female robot, learns how to make a life in both worlds.

[Kate]

That’s a definite possibility thanks! If that’s the one then it’s even weirder than I remember lol!

[Kate]

Kate ~~
Let us know if it is one of the Phaze books by Piers Anthony. We love to know the answer, and we mark the thread as solved and shelve the book.

[Kate]

I am not 100% sure but it seems very likely so you can go ahead and mark it as solved!