♪ Joy to the world ♪
♪ The stockings are hung ♪
♪ Let everyone have one ♪
♪ We're birds of a feather ♪
♪ The Greens Are all together ♪
- All right, I'm out. - Wait, what? Cricket!
Just where do you think you're going?
Remy's. He just got the new Christmas update
for "Outpost Infinity."
Ah, yes, "Outpost Infinity."
I know "Outpost Infinity."
What is "Outpost Infinity"?
I believe it's a VR video game, Papa.
Okay, thanks, sweetie.
Uh, what does VR mean?
- It means you're old. - Ah!
VR stands for "virtual reality," Dad.
You put on these goggles and go inside a world
that's so lifelike, it's like real life...
like.
But, Cricket, it's Christmas Eve.
Don't you remember what we do every Christmas Eve?
Ugh! Our three family--
♪ Our three family traditions ♪
First, we decorate cookies.
And then we play Find the Fruitcake,
where I hide a fruitcake in the yard,
and everyone tries to find it.
Try is right.
I'm finding that fruitcake this year,
like I do every year.
Oh, yeah? Well, what about last year when I found it?
Oh, yeah? What about my fist in your teeth?
You were saying, Papa?
Thank you, Tilly.
And finally, we all sing "Gather Round, Ye Family"
while placing a star atop the tree.
Like we do every single year.
Ugh, see, that's the problem.
We do the same thing every year.
So what if I miss it just this once?
What? Are you kidding me?
You're my little Crick-mas elf.
It's always been your very important job to place the star
on top of the tree.
Ever since your first Christmas.
Aw, memories.
I was even bored as a baby.
Look, how about this:
I go to Remy's to play "Outpost Infinity,"
but I promise to be back home before cookie-baking time.
That way we can still do all our old traditions.
Dang it, the boy's reaching across the aisle.
Mm, well, all right, but hurry back,
because when it comes to Christmas cookies,
the most important ingredient is family...
Whoo-hoo! "Outpost Infinity," here I come!
Yeah, okay.
No, no, no, Vasquez, the order's all wrong.
It should go Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,
then Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
Cupid up front? Ha!
Vasquez, you old Christmas prankster.
- Fix it, though. - Hey, Remy.
Cricket! You made it!
Sorry I'm late.
My dad was making a big deal
about our Christmas Eve traditions.
Christmas Eve traditions? We don't do those.
All our energy goes into the big day itself.
Exactly. Christmas Eve should be reserved for gaming.
- You ready? - Yeah!
Cricket, are you sure you should stay?
This snow is really coming down.
Snow schmoe.
- It's VR time! - Whoo!
Can I come down now?
Fix the reindeer and we'll talk.
"Outpost Infinity," here we come.
Oh, man, that game has everything.
Building, monsters, even Christmas-themed violence.
- Uh, Cricket. - What?
I think the blizzard hit.
Oh, dang. We're snowed in!
There's no way I can get back home in this.
Oh, I just know Dad's gonna say something like...
Dang it, Cricket, I knew letting you
go play that video game was a mistake.
How are we supposed to do our family traditions
if the family isn't all here?
Hey, no one's decorating until Cricket gets back.
Aw.
- Uh... - Oh, man, I feel terrible.
We could've just played "Outpost Infinity" from our own houses,
and you never would have gotten stuck over here.
But my family doesn't own a VR system.
Heck, we can barely afford R.
Yes, you do!
I got you one as a Christmas present.
I had Vasquez put it under your tree.
You should really lock your doors.
There's a VR system at my house?
Dad, it's a Christmas miracle!
We can still do all our Christmas Eve traditions...
in virtual reality.
What are you talking about, son?
We can meet up inside the game
and do the same junk we normally do.
It'll be like we're all home together.
Maybe even better.
What in the world?
Oh, glorious techno-magical reality portal.
Papa, please give it a try
so that Cricket can be with us
for our Christmas Eve traditions.
I don't know.
Makes no difference to me,
as long as I can still trounce Nancy
at Find the Fruitcake.
Dream on, old lady.
I'll dominate you in any dimension.
Christmas inside a video game?
Well, this just feels like some sort of cheap gimmick.
No, no, it's an expensive gimmick.
We can talk about the monthly fee later.
Whoa! Uh, what the...?
Oh, intriguing.
- Huh? - Wow.
Welcome to "Outpost Infinity."
a totally customizable virtual reality.
Within this game, we can build our house
and do all our Christmas Eve traditions.
And the best part is, we'll all be together.
Including me!
Remy, is that you?
Hi, Mr. Green.
I burn tons of XP and have all the upgrades.
I... play this game a lot.
Cricket, I just don't know about this.
How are we supposed to do our Christmas Eve traditions here?
This is nothing like being home together.
You're forgetting, Dad. This is a building game.
All we got to do is open the options menu...
Options menu?
...and then building is easy.
What kind of witchcraft is this?
Making things out of thin air?
Where's the fun in building without any power tools?
I didn't even get to use a miter saw.
Speaking of tools, what kind of tool is this?
Hot dog! I gots me a flamethrower.
Hey! Watch it, Alice.
You're not the only one with a weapon.
There's no need for fighting,
because I'd definitely win.
Wait a minute. A flamethrower? A spear?
Tilly has a giant axe?
What kind of a game is this?
One where we must use both our wits and courage
to fight off--
Boredom. Fight off boredom.
Because it's such a peaceful world.
And nothing says peace like building
with these fancy building tools.
This hammer's a lot bigger than any I've ever used.
Now let's finish building our house,
so we can get to those family traditions.
Building tools, eh? What a world.
My axe will only be used for chopping wood.
Remy, come here.
If my dad finds out
what kind of game this really is,
he'll never get onboard with us
doing our Christmas Eve traditions in here.
That's why I need you to patrol the perimeter
and keep any you-know-what's away from my family.
Oh, Cricket, my Cricket.
It would be an honor and a privilege.
Come on, Cricket. Let's get to building.
Oh, yeah. Sounds good.
And voilà. Home sweet home.
This looks nothing like our house in real life.
Uh, sure it does.
- See? - I guess so.
Now let's finish recreating our house
so we can get to those family traditions.
Sounds like a deal to me.
Did somebody say "deal"?
Hey, kids, would you like to purchase
some cool downloadable content?
Customize your appearance with Santa suits, elf ears,
or bedazzled the new candy cane cannon, today on--
What is this thing?
That's Mr. Extras.
He's an annoying in-game feature
that tries to sell you useless game add-ons.
Now you, get. Get, you!
Cricket, stop!
How dare you scare this sweet little scamp?
Oh, especially when he's all alone on Christmas Eve.
Would you like to learn
about the spirit of Christmas, Mr. Extras?
I would love to...
sell you some custom stockings.
Just give me your parents' credit card number.
Uh, we'll work on that.
What in Santa's beard was that?
Uh, Remy must be having the tummy troubles.
I'll go check on him.
Hey, buddy.
Doing okay out here?
That's a lot of monster guts on you.
Yeah, but at least the Christmas update
makes it look like tinsel.
More festive, less gruesome.
Okay, but you got everything under control?
For now, but it's only gonna get harder.
- What? Why is that? - We didn't play long enough
for me to show you before,
but "Outpost Infinity" is a defense game.
The longer we spend in this world,
the more monsters are gonna show up.
Oh, my gosh, I got to get my family
to complete our Christmas Eve traditions soon,
or else we're gonna be mistle-toast.
Wow!
Okay, it's Christmas Eve and we've got no time to waste.
Let's boogie on those traditions, people.
First up, cookie decoration.
Huh? Oh!
Ooh.
Easy, shug, what's the rush?
Rush? No rush.
Just eager to get my decorating on.
Hi, friend.
Would you like to buy an ugly Christmas sweater?
I would not.
Would you care to join in the spirit of Christmas
by decorating some cookies with me?
This can be yours.
Just use your Experience points,
or your Payfriend or Spendmo accounts.
Give it a chance, Mr. Extras.
Maybe a little icing will get you in the holiday spirit.
"Icing"...a happy song with every purchase
of a holiday skins bonus pack.
Oh, Mr. Extras.
Hey, Nancy, you got a little icing on you.
- Where? - Here!
Revenge really is sweet.
Hey, you messed up my masterpiece.
Y'all look like you're ready tradition number two:
Find the Fruitcake.
Dad, we'll clean up here
while you go find a hiding spot for that fruitcake, okay?
Okay.
Hiding a fruitcake in virtual reality?
I don't know about this.
What the...?
Camo cloak?
Hmm.
My greatest hide ever.
They're gonna have a heck of a time finding it this year.
Okay, family,
first one to find the fruitcake wins.
On your mark, get set, go!
- Whoo! - Whee!
As long as we wrap this up soon,
we should have plenty of time to finish everything.
Now where the heck is that fruitcake?
Dang, not in here either.
Where is it, snowman?
Dang, Dad, you really hid it good this year.
I sure did.
What'd I tell you? VR ain't so bad.
It is starting to grow on me.
Hey, why don't I help you guys out a little?
You're getting colder.
Oh, now hotter.
Almost on fire!
Oh, no, colder again.
Oh, my gosh!
Boy, don't you crowd me while I'm fruitcake hunting.
Cricket, I'm sorry!
- Remy, what happened? - A huge wave came,
- and a couple got through. - What?
But everyone was just getting into it.
Hey, Nancy, I think the fruitcake's right above you.
Huh? Whoa!
Uh, what the--? Ah!
Looks more like it's raining wrinkled old ladies.
- Whew. - We got to get your family
to pick up the pace,
or you won't finish all your traditions
before we're overrun by monsters!
But how? We can't even find the fruitcake.
Oh, just use the options menu to create a duplicate fruitcake.
Your dad will never know the difference.
Diabolical.
Remy, I love it.
Hmm. Where did I hide that fruitcake?
Ooh, lookie here. Found the fruitcake.
Game over. Time to move on to the next tradition.
What do you say we call go top that tree?
How did you--?
Where exactly did you find it?
Hmm, do we want white lights
or multicolored ones?
White.
No, multicolored.
Although, white is classic.
However, multicolored is more colorful.
Multicolored looks fine. It's fine.
Time to put on the tree topper.
You know better than to rush your father
- with his ornaments, boy. - Ah! Gramma!
Why have Christmas ornaments
when you can have Christmas armaments?
Defend yourself against the upcoming--
Quiet, you!
Tilly, would you get him out of here?
He's, uh, ruining the Christmas spirit.
Oh, Mr. Extras.
It's time we had a talk.
Have a seat, Mr. Extras.
I tried to show you the spirit of Christmas,
but it's just not working out.
Hurry up, Tilly. We're doing the tree.
I'm sorry, but we must say goodbye.
Say goodbye?
More like, say goodbye to boring game play with--
Shh. Please don't make this more difficult than it already is.
Could I interest you in some power-up eggnog?
Candy cane claws?
Fifty percent off when you buy the expansion pack.
If your algorithm allows it.
Have a Merry Christmas, Mr. Extras.
Okay, circle up and tune your pipes, Greens.
We made it to our final Christmas Eve tradition.
Get ready to get topped, tree.
♪ Mi, mi, mi ♪
A little rusty, Alice?
I only sing once a year.
Well, Cricket, I was a little skeptical.
But we really pulled this off.
Whew! And just in the nick of time.
Okay, family, just like we do every year.
♪ Gather round, ye family ♪
♪ Behold the tree ♪
♪ Together we stand in unity ♪
♪ The love we share Shows who we are ♪
♪ And burns as bright As our Christmas star ♪
♪ Come close, our kinfolk ♪
♪ Come close, our brood ♪
♪ We bring the holiday spirit To you ♪
♪ Christmas comes But once a year ♪
♪ Yet the joy in our hearts Is always here ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪
♪ La, la, la, la ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la ♪
What'd I tell you?
These old traditions ain't so bad, huh?
Yeah, they're starting to grow on me.
Well, my little Crick-mas elf,
it's time for your very important job.
It's a Christmas catastrophe!
Whoa!
They're gonna eat us all!
- Christmas catastrophe? - Who's gonna eat us?
And where did you get such lovely sparkles?
Cricket?
- What's going on here? - Spill it, boy.
I was hoping it wouldn't come to this,
but there's no hiding it any longer.
"Outpost Infinity" is a building game, yes.
- Get to the point, boy! - But it also has monsters
that destroy all the buildings and try to eat everyone.
Monsters? What kind of monsters?
Uh, that kind of monster.
Merry Christmas?
The weather outside is frightful.
Take cover! I'll hold them off!
I should've known we couldn't have family Christmas
in a video game.
Of course we can.
We just need to fight off some super scary,
giant monsters first.
No. I've had enough.
There's nothing like a bunch of monsters
to remind you that this isn't reality.
- The real reality... - No, Dad, wait. We can--
The real reality is that my son
didn't want to do our family traditions and bailed on us.
Sometimes you just got to know when to throw in
the decorative Christmas towel.
Go ahead and eat me,
you tradition killers!
Come and get it, you big icicle!
I'm sorry, Dad. I made a mistake, okay?
Yes, I thought I was bored by our traditions,
but now I realize it wouldn't be Christmas without them.
Without you guys.
Looks like the only way we get to spend Christmas Eve together
is in this game.
So if that means fighting monsters,
then that's what I'm gonna do.
Who's with me?
As your sister, I am forever your ride or die.
Those dopes don't stand a chance.
Let's toast some monster heinie.
And Dad?
You with me?
All right, Cricket. We'll bash some monsters.
As a family.
Charge!
You can take our virtual lives,
but you'll never take our Christmas traditions!
Whoo!
Can't get me now.
Pop goes the snowman.
Oh, everybody!
Hit him with everything you've got!
Hyah!
There's too many of them!
They're gonna destroy our house.
But I never got to top the tree.
I made a little extra help.
We need extra help.
Did someone say extra?
Oh, Mr. Extras.
I realize now that offering a good deal
is a good deed.
You had the spirit of Christmas inside you
the whole time.
Guys! Our house!
Mr. Extras, what do you got?
How about the candy cane cannon?
A weapon that can destroy any enemy with one direct shot.
- It could be yours-- - Yeah, okay, okay.
Take my whole XP bar.
That should be more than enough.
Here, give me that.
Be careful! It only has one...
shot.
Ooh, uh, Remy, what do we do now?
You have to wait. It needs to recharge.
Oh, he did not like that.
I'll keep it safe until it's fully charged.
Remy!
I'll get it! Hyah!
Still getting it.
I got it! Whoa!
Tilly, over here!
Cricket!
Take that.
Oh, no.
It's in the house. Oh, blort.
- I got you, Alice. - Thanks for the help.
I just got to find me another weapon.
How about a fruitcake?
It'll do just fine.
Hyah!
Told you I'd find the fruitcake.
What are you talking about? I found it!
Where is it? Where is it? Ah-ha!
No, this isn't how it was supposed to be.
I just wanted to spend Christmas Eve with my family.
Hyah!
Nothing like some monster guts
to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Dad!
Merry Christmas.
No, no, no, no, no, no!
The house.
Uh...
Christmas Even is ruined,
all because I wanted to play a game.
Go ahead and log off.
You can still do the traditions at home,
just without me.
Or we can stay here and rebuild.
Yeah! Monsters and total destruction can't stop us.
It's no use.
"Outpost Infinity" is a wave game.
Another horde of monsters will just destroy the house again.
That's the whole point.
I'm sorry, but we'll never be able
to complete your family traditions in here.
Well, maybe we don't have to do
the exact same traditions every year.
We could add a new tradition.
Bashing monsters.
Yeah.
Okay, Greens, here comes another wave.
Remember, if you die here, you die in real life.
That's not true.
All right, family,
ready for round two?
- Ready. - Then let's ho-ho...
go!
Yeah!
I didn't realize it before,
but it just doesn't feel like Christmas
if I don't top the tree with my family.
And if I can't do it in the game...
Bingo-bango.
Christmas Eve traditions, here I come!
Well, trudging through the snow ain't gonna work.
Now how the heck am I supposed to get home?
Hmm.
Bingo-bango.
Huh? Cupid up front?
Oh, Vasquez, you've done it again.
Anyway, I got to hurry.
Sorry, Santa.
I gave the reindeer the night off.
It's just you and me.
And I'm driving.
That okay with you, big guy?
I'll take that as a yes.
On Cricket, on Cricket...
Hang on, Santa! We're landing!
Whoa!
Oh, we're fine.
Next stop: home.
- Make way, make way! - Huh?
Make way for the Christmas glass.
Even a blizzard can't stop us from delivering
this beautifully plain and unstained pane. Huh?
Move! Move! We can't stop!
Don't panic.
This is what we trained for!
Santa, duck!
He got my letter!
Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh.
Oh, my gosh!
Merry Christmas!
Hey, where's Cricket?
I'm right here, Dad.
But I don't see you anywhere.
Did you put on that camo cloak?
No, Dad, take off your goggles.
Goggles? Oh, right.
Cricket!
- You're back. - Yeah.
Once I realized
we couldn't do the tree-topper ceremony in the game,
I knew I had to find a way home so we could do it together.
I just wanted to be with you guys.
Like, really be with you.
Aw!
Yeah, Mr. Extras wanted to be with me,
but he was just in it for the money.
Been there.
I'll get it.
Wonder who that could be.
Ah! Monster!
The virtual world has invaded ours.
We're doomed!
Ah! Oh...
Merry Christmas Eve, Green family.
Oh, hi, Vasquez.
We have a doorbell.
Cricket made it home!
It's a Christmas miracle!
Remy? What are you doing here?
Well, when it stopped snowing,
Vasquez dug out the helicopter and we came looking for you.
Aw, thanks, bud.
You know, since your family doesn't have
any Christmas Eve traditions,
want to stay for ours?
Can we?
Hmm. I don't know.
- What do you think? - Well...
We'd love to!
♪ Gather round, ye family ♪
♪ Rejoice with glee ♪
♪ Yuletide cheer We spread to thee ♪
♪ The traditions we share May be old or new ♪
♪ But the meaning of Christmas Is always true ♪
♪ Family, family ♪
♪ The meaning of Christmas Is always true ♪
Cricket!
♪ I got sweat in my eyes ♪
♪ Lost a bet and got bit By a hundred flies ♪
♪ I fell out A big old tree ♪
♪ Hit every branch And scraped up both my knees ♪
♪ I got chased by a dog ♪
♪ Licked by a frog ♪
♪ Got a rash on my leg ♪
♪ Dropped a dozen eggs ♪
♪ I got splinters At seven and ten ♪
♪ And tomorrow I'll do it all again ♪