[arg_discuss] TINAG and the curtain: necessary?

[Morbus Iff]

In the chat last night, there were some ruminations on whether TINAG and 
the curtain are necessary for all ARGs, and whether a modern day "get 
more players" or "give players money" or "reach critical mass" could 
make use of TINAG. Daze Szulborksi's THIS IS NOT A GAME [1] was 
mentioned; its primary belief is that TINAG is critically important to 
the makeup of an ARG (my one sentence review [2]: "Dated; lots to 
disagree with. Still required and unique.").

In a project I'm currently working on, 60 Blank White Cards (60BWC), I 
have thrown away TINAG the curtain entirely, and I wax about why in one 
of three "inspired by" posts. Note that 60BWC plans a cash prize. With 
that said, it's not the only reason:

   http://www.60bwc.com/s1/entry/inspired-perplex-city

Some relevant snippets:

"It's important to note the difference between an "ARG to market" (such 
as I Love Bees for Halo 2, and numerous others), and one intended for 
something else. When your goal is to build a community then surprise 
them in the end with Ovaltine, mystery is just fine. When your goal is 
to sell product, build a brand, or come out Day 1 and say "we got 
prizes!", mystery can work against you: it creates suspicion that the 
prize isn't real, that your money could be wasted on irrelevant product, 
or that no one can be held accountable."

"In modern ARG gameplay, mystery can work against
you in other ways. [see the post for the rest.]"

In conclusion: "I've become satisfied that both IG and OOG, both TINAG 
and TIAG, both story and discourse, are critical to an enjoyable 
experience; the mystery of "what's going on in this story?" is more 
important than "they mustn't find out this isn't real!"

[1] http://www.amazon.com/This-Not-Game-Alternate-Reality/dp/1411625951/
[2] http://www.disobey.com/detergent/lists/books

-- 
Morbus Iff ( there is no morbus, there is only zuul! )
Technical: http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/au/779
Enjoy my: http://www.disobey.com/ and http://www.60bwc.com/
aim: akaMorbus / skype: morbusiff / icq: 2927491 / jabber.org: morbus