[arg_discuss] Introductions

[marc mcginley]

Right. I've been lurking far too long, so I think it's about time I made 
myself known.

I'm Marc, a 21 year old Multimedia Technology and Design student from 
Brunel University. Some of you may recognise me as mac_monkey on 
Unfiction and Perplexorum (Where I like to get my hands dirty to keep 
things running). Recently I helped organise Perplexorum's 1st Birthday 
Puzzle trail, paying homage to an ARG from the past, every day.

As part of my dissertation, I have to design and create a piece of 
unique, inspirational multimedia. I'll be researching into areas that 
ARGs have not yet taken, and my final project will be to design and 
create a game which will be totally different to anything seen before. 
If I'm brave enough, I might even run the game instead of just 
demonstrating how it'll work.

I'm very interested in the definition of an ARG. In fact, I'll hold my 
hands up and say that I hate the acronym 'ARG' (does that make me 
evil?). I personally think that one of the reasons that the genre has 
taken so long to build momentum is it's definition. It's inaccessible 
and it doesn't relate to what an ARG actually is.

I'm interested to discuss ideas people may have for new game elements. 
I'm very keen to look into some cool new directions for ARGs (*shudder*) 
please contact me at marc at thedigitaldemons.com if you'd like to discuss 
anything. I find that new ideas are often brought about by finding out 
what doesn't work and why, so I'd also be keen to hear from some 
puppetmasters about things which are taken for granted in an ARG, that 
sometimes don't work at all.

Thanks,

Marc