[arg_discuss] an ARG FAQ

[Christy Dena]

Great pickup Alex, and yes, sounds like a good idea for the site. Good stuff
Wendy.

I was thinking that the 'What the *^&% is an ARG?' question will be answered
in the 'What are ARGs?' section on the site. But having a FAQ section would
be good as well. I like your idea, Wendy, of a small selection of samples
with links to key content (as opposed to the listing in the wikipedia
entry). This small sample should include independent works too though, like
Metacortechs and the informative MU Archives
(http://www.metaurchins.org/book/page1.htm).

Also, I was thinking that the FAQ could work well as a myth-buster, in the
style that Adam was leaning towards in the ARG SIG website. For instance:

What is the difference between ARGs and augmented reality games?

What is the difference between ARGs and online virtual worlds or MMORPGs?

What is the difference between ARGs and other types of pervasive games?
[curly one!]

Best,
Christy  

-----Original Message-----
From: arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org [mailto:arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org] On
Behalf Of Moseley, A.
Sent: Monday, 19 May 2008 18:57
To: 'arg_discuss at igda.org'
Subject: Re: [arg_discuss] an ARG FAQ

Hi Wendy,

"some web site somewhere" could be non-other than the new argology.org which
Christy is masterminding. I think you just signed yourself up for an FAQ
section with your excellent starter!

Alex.

_________________________________________
Alex Moseley, Principal Computer Officer,
Faculty of Arts, University of Leicester.
Tel: 0116 252 5317 | Email: am14 at le.ac.uk



> ------------------------------

>

> Message: 3

> Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 17:53:21 -0700 (PDT)

> From: "Wendy Despain" <wendeth at wendydespain.com>

> Subject: [arg_discuss] an ARG FAQ

> To: "Discussion list of the IGDA ARG SIG" <arg_discuss at igda.org>

> Message-ID:

>

> <60930.72.254.63.81.1210899201.squirrel at webmail.wendydespain.com>

> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1

>

> Hi folks,

>

> I've been thinking one thing we really need is an FAQ about ARGs. So I

> thought I'd just start with a few questions and answers. Feel free to

> edit or disagree or add. I figure once we hash some of this out on the

> list we can put it on a website somewhere. So here goes:

>

> Frequently Asked Questions about Alternate Reality Games

> (FAQ about ARGs)

>

> 1) What the heck is an ARG?

>

> An Alternate Reality Game (ARG for short) tweaks elements of real life

> to lead players down a path that tells a story and lets them help

> shape that story. The internet is at its heart, but it crosses media

> and blurs the lines with reality too.

>

> 2) What are some recent examples of ARGs I can read about?

>

> Year Zero - Trent Reznor's solution to doing a concept album in an age

> where MP3s don't come with liner notes and cover art. He pulled fans

> into an alternate world described in his dark, apocalyptic music. It

> ended with a private concert for those players who could follow the

> clues to the final venue which was interrupted by a staged police

> raid.

> -- Wired Article

> -- Nine Inch Nails Album Site

> -- Wikipedia Entry

>

> Art of the Heist - Audi introduced a new car model by setting up a

> theft at a car show and letting players track down the culprits.

> -- Business Week Article

> -- Audi Press Release

> -- Wikipedia Entry

>

> Last Call Poker - The story behind a console video game called Gun,

> set in the old west, was introduced through an online poker site where

> players discovered some of their opponents were ghosts and tracked

> down their tragic history. Groups gathered in graveyards to solve

> puzzles.

> -- CNET Article

> -- Marketing Company Brief

>

> The Lost Experience - A website for the fictional airline featured in

> the show talks about the loss of the airplane and explains why no one

> is searching for the survivors on the island. They even got an

> executive from this non-existent company onto a late-night talk show

> to give a straight interview about the families of the characters on

> the show petitioning the company to go look for them.

> -- ABC News Article

> -- ABC's Lost Experience Site

> -- Wikipedia Article

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------

>

> _______________________________________________

> ARG_Discuss mailing list

> ARG_Discuss at igda.org

> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss

>

>

> End of ARG_Discuss Digest, Vol 33, Issue 14

> *******************************************

>

_______________________________________________
ARG_Discuss mailing list
ARG_Discuss at igda.org
http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss