From adam.m.s.martin at googlemail.com  Sun Mar  1 16:54:12 2009
From: adam.m.s.martin at googlemail.com (Adam Martin)
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 21:54:12 +0000
Subject: [arg_discuss] Stepping down as Chair
Message-ID: <E1A7E8F1-95E0-4769-A60C-FDE36B8836BF@googlemail.com>

I'll be stepping down as Chair of the ARG SIG once GDC is over (ie end  
of this month).

We don't have an official process for this, but an election seems the  
best way to go. Andrea and I will look into it and send out more info  
when we have it.

This shouldn't negatively affect the SIG or list, we can keep  
everything going OK until a handover has been sorted out, whenever  
that is.

I'll still be on the mailing list myself, just not involved in running  
it anymore.

Adam

From wendeth at wendydespain.com  Tue Mar  3 20:43:45 2009
From: wendeth at wendydespain.com (Wendy Despain)
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:43:45 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [arg_discuss] GDC 09 - events?
In-Reply-To: <E1A7E8F1-95E0-4769-A60C-FDE36B8836BF@googlemail.com>
References: <E1A7E8F1-95E0-4769-A60C-FDE36B8836BF@googlemail.com>
Message-ID: <94542c6952f4531a79a777c8ce0b813b.squirrel@webmail.wendydespain.com>

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to figure out my GDC 09 schedule, and one of the things I
like to do is try to make it to sessions and panels run by people in
the SIGs I participate in.

So, does any of you have GDC sessions this year? Doesn't matter if
they're directly ARG-related or not. I'd still like to hear your
thoughts.

I'll start...

I'm on a panel called "The Dating Game" at noon on Friday. It should
be pretty entertaining, as it's exploring the question of why movies
are a great first-date option, and games are not.

(I actually think that ARGs solve most of the problems games have with
being a date-friendly medium, we'll see if I can work that into the
panel discussion.)

Your turn!

Wendy Despain



From mandersen at argn.com  Wed Mar  4 11:42:54 2009
From: mandersen at argn.com (Michael Andersen)
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:42:54 -0500
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG_Discuss Digest, Vol 44, Issue 2
In-Reply-To: <mailman.12.1236178803.69654.arg_discuss@igda.org>
References: <mailman.12.1236178803.69654.arg_discuss@igda.org>
Message-ID: <b8fd5f7a0903040842i3f973203pbaa18909c5c00ba5@mail.gmail.com>

RE:  "The Dating Game", I remember hearing a number of ARG developers
talking about the success of immersion and community building in campaigns
by referencing players who got married as a result of the game.  More of an
"accidental first date", one might say.

Most recent instance I can recall was Lance Weiler with Beyond the Rave,
where the couple was married by a minister who also played the game.
http://lanceweiler.com/blog/2008/05/social-entertainment/

Michael Andersen

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 10:00 AM, <arg_discuss-request at igda.org> wrote:

> Send ARG_Discuss mailing list submissions to
>        arg_discuss at igda.org
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>        http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>        arg_discuss-request at igda.org
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
>        arg_discuss-owner at igda.org
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of ARG_Discuss digest..."
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. GDC 09 - events? (Wendy Despain)
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Wendy Despain" <wendeth at wendydespain.com>
> To: "Discussion list of the IGDA ARG SIG" <arg_discuss at igda.org>
> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:43:45 -0800 (PST)
> Subject: [arg_discuss] GDC 09 - events?
> Hey everyone,
>
> I'm trying to figure out my GDC 09 schedule, and one of the things I
> like to do is try to make it to sessions and panels run by people in
> the SIGs I participate in.
>
> So, does any of you have GDC sessions this year? Doesn't matter if
> they're directly ARG-related or not. I'd still like to hear your
> thoughts.
>
> I'll start...
>
> I'm on a panel called "The Dating Game" at noon on Friday. It should
> be pretty entertaining, as it's exploring the question of why movies
> are a great first-date option, and games are not.
>
> (I actually think that ARGs solve most of the problems games have with
> being a date-friendly medium, we'll see if I can work that into the
> panel discussion.)
>
> Your turn!
>
> Wendy Despain
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>
>

From wendeth at wendydespain.com  Wed Mar  4 12:12:39 2009
From: wendeth at wendydespain.com (Wendy Despain)
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 09:12:39 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG_Discuss Digest, Vol 44, Issue 2
In-Reply-To: <b8fd5f7a0903040842i3f973203pbaa18909c5c00ba5@mail.gmail.com>
References: <mailman.12.1236178803.69654.arg_discuss@igda.org>
	<b8fd5f7a0903040842i3f973203pbaa18909c5c00ba5@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <de001ecb2caab11ad3d1217f32812c64.squirrel@webmail.wendydespain.com>

Hey, thanks Michael!

Wendy Despain


On Wed, March 4, 2009 8:42 am, Michael Andersen wrote:
> RE:  "The Dating Game", I remember hearing a number of ARG developers
> talking about the success of immersion and community building in
> campaigns
> by referencing players who got married as a result of the game.  More
> of an
> "accidental first date", one might say.
>
> Most recent instance I can recall was Lance Weiler with Beyond the
> Rave,
> where the couple was married by a minister who also played the game.
> http://lanceweiler.com/blog/2008/05/social-entertainment/
>
> Michael Andersen
>
> On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 10:00 AM, <arg_discuss-request at igda.org> wrote:
>
>> Send ARG_Discuss mailing list submissions to
>>        arg_discuss at igda.org
>>
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>        http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>        arg_discuss-request at igda.org
>>
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>        arg_discuss-owner at igda.org
>>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of ARG_Discuss digest..."
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. GDC 09 - events? (Wendy Despain)
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: "Wendy Despain" <wendeth at wendydespain.com>
>> To: "Discussion list of the IGDA ARG SIG" <arg_discuss at igda.org>
>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:43:45 -0800 (PST)
>> Subject: [arg_discuss] GDC 09 - events?
>> Hey everyone,
>>
>> I'm trying to figure out my GDC 09 schedule, and one of the things I
>> like to do is try to make it to sessions and panels run by people in
>> the SIGs I participate in.
>>
>> So, does any of you have GDC sessions this year? Doesn't matter if
>> they're directly ARG-related or not. I'd still like to hear your
>> thoughts.
>>
>> I'll start...
>>
>> I'm on a panel called "The Dating Game" at noon on Friday. It should
>> be pretty entertaining, as it's exploring the question of why movies
>> are a great first-date option, and games are not.
>>
>> (I actually think that ARGs solve most of the problems games have
>> with
>> being a date-friendly medium, we'll see if I can work that into the
>> panel discussion.)
>>
>> Your turn!
>>
>> Wendy Despain
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> ARG_Discuss mailing list
>> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
>> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>


Wendy Despain
quantumcontent.com


From Markus.Montola at uta.fi  Wed Mar  4 12:54:32 2009
From: Markus.Montola at uta.fi (Markus Montola)
Date: Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:54:32 +0200
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG_Discuss Digest, Vol 44, Issue 2
In-Reply-To: <b8fd5f7a0903040842i3f973203pbaa18909c5c00ba5@mail.gmail.com>
References: <mailman.12.1236178803.69654.arg_discuss@igda.org>
	<b8fd5f7a0903040842i3f973203pbaa18909c5c00ba5@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20090304195432.17241l1vxxtfo1gg@imp3.uta.fi>

Hi,

we are giving a talk on pervasive games -- games that break the  
boundaries of games; about games that are played on the streets, that  
call players in their homes and make them play at surprising times,  
and that involve and invites outsiders to participate.

While it's not on ARGs per se, it's probably of interest to ARGists:  
Our thing covers all the ground between ARGs and location-based games.  
We've been hugely inspired by games like The Beast, I Love Bees et  
cetera. And also by high-end treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, internet  
puzzles, assassination games et cetera.


Best,

  - Markus Montola

(308) Beyond the Screen: The Principles of Pervasive Game Design
Speaker: Markus Montola (Researcher, Nokia Corporation), Jaakko  
Stenros (Researcher, University of Tampere), Annika Waern (Game Studio  
Director, Interactive Institute)
Date/Time: Tuesday (March 24, 2009)   11:45am ? 12:30pm
Location (room): Room 134, North Hall
Experience Level: All
Track: Mobile: Original Innovation
Format: 45-minute Lecture

Session Description
Pervasive games are played in the 'real world'. They exploit mobile  
phone as a social device that follows the player everywhere and is  
always on. While all good mobile games enrich everyday life with  
playful pleasures, pervasive games also spice up the gameplay with  
real world elements: Pervasive games are played out on the streets,  
they can involve outsiders and invite you to play at surprising times.  
Drawing on case examples from successful commercial titles as well as  
far-out experiments, this presentation looks outside the box and  
reveals the wide possibilities of pervasive gaming.


>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: "Wendy Despain" <wendeth at wendydespain.com>
>> To: "Discussion list of the IGDA ARG SIG" <arg_discuss at igda.org>
>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:43:45 -0800 (PST)
>> Subject: [arg_discuss] GDC 09 - events?
>> Hey everyone,
>>
>> I'm trying to figure out my GDC 09 schedule, and one of the things I
>> like to do is try to make it to sessions and panels run by people in
>> the SIGs I participate in.
>>
>> So, does any of you have GDC sessions this year? Doesn't matter if
>> they're directly ARG-related or not. I'd still like to hear your
>> thoughts.
>>
>> I'll start...
>>
>> I'm on a panel called "The Dating Game" at noon on Friday. It should
>> be pretty entertaining, as it's exploring the question of why movies
>> are a great first-date option, and games are not.
>>
>> (I actually think that ARGs solve most of the problems games have with
>> being a date-friendly medium, we'll see if I can work that into the
>> panel discussion.)
>>
>> Your turn!
>>
>> Wendy Despain
>>
>>


From andrhia at gmail.com  Sat Mar  7 14:23:56 2009
From: andrhia at gmail.com (Andrea Phillips)
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2009 14:23:56 -0500
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG SIG Draft Constitution
Message-ID: <5c799fd60903071123u424409b0uef491c9665b586e0@mail.gmail.com>

Hello, friends and SIG members,

Given Adam's decision to step down from the SIG leadership, I feel
like it's time that we formalize the leadership and governing
principles of the SIG a little better. For one thing, I'd really like
for everybody feel like they have a stake in how the SIG is run and
what its fate is; and if we have more hands on deck, maybe the trains
will run on time around here. (Mea culpa!). (And forgive my mixed
metaphors.)

That said, I've cribbed heavily from the Writers SIG and drafted an
ARG SIG Constitution:
http://www.igda.org/wiki/Alternate_Reality_Games_SIG/Constitution

I figure we should take about two weeks to look at it and respond;
based on feedback I (or you!) can make revisions to this Constitution,
and then I'll find a way to set up a poll for us to vote on it
anonymously to ratify. This may actually require a lot of discussion;
for one thing, the Writers SIG is a lot bigger and more vocal than
ours, so we might want only a single Executive (I already made the
minimum goal Committee size smaller).

I also plan to set up a chat session on the topic in about a week's
time -- but I'm not sure what would be the most convenient day and
time for the majority of SIG participants. If you've got anything to
say on that, please speak up.

Annnnnd have a lovely weekend, everybody. :)

-- 
Andrea Phillips
http://www.deusexmachinatio.com
Words * Culture * Interaction

From wendeth at wendydespain.com  Sat Mar  7 15:30:50 2009
From: wendeth at wendydespain.com (Wendy Despain)
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2009 12:30:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG SIG Draft Constitution
In-Reply-To: <5c799fd60903071123u424409b0uef491c9665b586e0@mail.gmail.com>
References: <5c799fd60903071123u424409b0uef491c9665b586e0@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <b1a8b3f49947fc01d8f73c687444e207.squirrel@webmail.wendydespain.com>

I've learned to love http://www.whenisgood.net


On Sat, March 7, 2009 11:23 am, Andrea Phillips wrote:
> Hello, friends and SIG members,
>
> Given Adam's decision to step down from the SIG leadership, I feel
> like it's time that we formalize the leadership and governing
> principles of the SIG a little better. For one thing, I'd really like
> for everybody feel like they have a stake in how the SIG is run and
> what its fate is; and if we have more hands on deck, maybe the trains
> will run on time around here. (Mea culpa!). (And forgive my mixed
> metaphors.)
>
> That said, I've cribbed heavily from the Writers SIG and drafted an
> ARG SIG Constitution:
> http://www.igda.org/wiki/Alternate_Reality_Games_SIG/Constitution
>
> I figure we should take about two weeks to look at it and respond;
> based on feedback I (or you!) can make revisions to this Constitution,
> and then I'll find a way to set up a poll for us to vote on it
> anonymously to ratify. This may actually require a lot of discussion;
> for one thing, the Writers SIG is a lot bigger and more vocal than
> ours, so we might want only a single Executive (I already made the
> minimum goal Committee size smaller).
>
> I also plan to set up a chat session on the topic in about a week's
> time -- but I'm not sure what would be the most convenient day and
> time for the majority of SIG participants. If you've got anything to
> say on that, please speak up.
>
> Annnnnd have a lovely weekend, everybody. :)
>
> --
> Andrea Phillips
> http://www.deusexmachinatio.com
> Words * Culture * Interaction
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>


Wendy Despain
quantumcontent.com


From bclark at gmdstudios.com  Mon Mar  9 11:00:33 2009
From: bclark at gmdstudios.com (Brian Clark)
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 11:00:33 -0400
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG SIG Draft Constitution
In-Reply-To: <5c799fd60903071123u424409b0uef491c9665b586e0@mail.gmail.com>
References: <5c799fd60903071123u424409b0uef491c9665b586e0@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <379FE4D052FF462D88E5FCA793895DF1@Tricorder>

So I'm vomiting feedback here, perhaps as a way of getting a dialog going,
but I'm not particularly passionate about any of these positions. Viva la
"MEH!"

1. This proposed constitution essentially has:

	Committee Members appoint new Committee Members
	Committee Members elect Executive Members
	Executive Members (2) can act in the stead of the Committee

>From my personal experience, that works fine with small organizations where
the Committee exists primarily as a group of catalysts, but can present
intrinsic problems that feel cliquish as the organization grows. In essence,
it means the membership of the SIG has no real role in the management of the
SIG and, in worse case scenario, might end up existing simply as the voting
body to appoint a "strong executive trio".

2. Similarly, the structure suggested is kinda divorced from the goals
articulated. I tend to favor organization structures that grow from
responsibility instead of authority. To illustrate, what if there were
standing committees that anyone could join that were tasked with particular
duties, and the organizing committee was in essence the chairs of each of
those committees?

3. As articulated, committee membership looks like it is "for life" -- if
you actually dropped dead for not apologizing for missing three meetings :)

4. I realize the "Caveat Lector" is meant tongue in cheek, but since that
means "reader beware" it seems to imply that the committee or executives are
free to disregard the constitution (or worse, "self-destruct it") if they
find it expedient to do so.

That said, my personal perception is that the SIG remains nascent primarily
because it hasn't really committed itself to doing much more than chewing
the fat or serving as a platform for canonizing individual's efforts, rather
than because it lacks some system for governance. Until there is actually
something to "govern," is this level of structure really needed ... or, to
further mix Andrea's mixed metaphor, do we need to make sure the trains run
on time if we haven't invented trains yet?


Brian

-----Original Message-----
From: arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org [mailto:arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org] On
Behalf Of Andrea Phillips
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 2:24 PM
To: Discussion list of the IGDA ARG SIG
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG SIG Draft Constitution

Hello, friends and SIG members,

Given Adam's decision to step down from the SIG leadership, I feel
like it's time that we formalize the leadership and governing
principles of the SIG a little better. For one thing, I'd really like
for everybody feel like they have a stake in how the SIG is run and
what its fate is; and if we have more hands on deck, maybe the trains
will run on time around here. (Mea culpa!). (And forgive my mixed
metaphors.)

That said, I've cribbed heavily from the Writers SIG and drafted an
ARG SIG Constitution:
http://www.igda.org/wiki/Alternate_Reality_Games_SIG/Constitution

I figure we should take about two weeks to look at it and respond;
based on feedback I (or you!) can make revisions to this Constitution,
and then I'll find a way to set up a poll for us to vote on it
anonymously to ratify. This may actually require a lot of discussion;
for one thing, the Writers SIG is a lot bigger and more vocal than
ours, so we might want only a single Executive (I already made the
minimum goal Committee size smaller).

I also plan to set up a chat session on the topic in about a week's
time -- but I'm not sure what would be the most convenient day and
time for the majority of SIG participants. If you've got anything to
say on that, please speak up.

Annnnnd have a lovely weekend, everybody. :)

-- 
Andrea Phillips
http://www.deusexmachinatio.com
Words * Culture * Interaction
_______________________________________________
ARG_Discuss mailing list
ARG_Discuss at igda.org
http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss


From dflor71 at gmail.com  Tue Mar 10 11:58:53 2009
From: dflor71 at gmail.com (David Flor)
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:58:53 -0400
Subject: [arg_discuss] "Behind the curtain" write-ups
Message-ID: <50b4b0580903100858u4e57e5dbqf9b6b6a96cb0cf4d@mail.gmail.com>

As some of you may know, I'm currently running my not-so-serious,
pseudo-parody, short run ARG called "Downstream". Dan Hon, if you're
out there reading this, you'll probably hate me for it, as I'm pretty
much doing everything you said not to do on purpose. ;)

In parallel with running the game, I've been writing some "meta"
threads on my blog, in the hopes that it might help out some
prospective "grass roots" PMs out there.

So far I have two write-ups:

"Impression is Everything" - on picking a launch date, player
impressions and the need for patience:
http://www.brainclouds.net/Darklight/20090308/META-Impression-is-Everything.aspx

"Geeks Bearing Gifts" - on the "dos and don'ts" of sending swag to players:
http://www.brainclouds.net/Darklight/20090310/META-Geeks-Bearing-Gifts.aspx

I intend to write a lot more of these during and after the game's run;
I've found this to be more useful and get a better response than my
past attempt at a post-game write up. Some people complain that they
don't want to see me talk about a game that's currently running, hence
my "meta" tag designation; if you don't want to know, don't read.

And, since I'm at it, the first posting above brings up an interesting
concept I thought of: the 24-hour ARG-a-thon. Basically running a
game, from beginning to end, entirely online, in one 24 hour window.
I've gotten some positive response over it, but to do something like
that involves monumental preparation. But I was wondering: has
anything like that ever been done before?

Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Tnx & Rgds...
David Flor
Darklight Interactive

"Omne ignotum pro magnifico"

From markus.montola at uta.fi  Thu Mar 12 05:02:58 2009
From: markus.montola at uta.fi (Markus Montola)
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:02:58 +0200
Subject: [arg_discuss] New blog on Pervasive Games
Message-ID: <49B8CFC2.6080202@uta.fi>

Hello,

In anticipation of our forthcoming book, "Pervasive Games: Theory and 
Design", we have put up a new blog on pervasive games. After submitting 
a book manuscript, you seem to get new ideas and observations all the 
time. Since it's too late to put them into the book, we have to vent 
them out elsewhere -- hence the blog.

We are blogging about games, culture and technology that take play 
beyond the screen and the board: Things like location-based games, 
alternate reality games, scavenger hunts, street sports and many forms 
of street art.

Welcome to visit us at http://pervasivegames.wordpress.com


Best regards,

  - Markus Montola (& Jaakko Stenros & Annika Waern)

From joel_josephson at kindersite.org  Wed Mar 18 05:17:40 2009
From: joel_josephson at kindersite.org (Kindersite Joel)
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:17:40 +0200
Subject: [arg_discuss] European Union language ARG education project
	Secondary schools participation needed
Message-ID: <071101c9a7aa$64d6afc0$6502a8c0@770V>

ARGuing is a Comenius project funded within the European Union Lifelong 
Learning programme for the promotion of language learning for secondary 
school students (ages 13 to16).



ARGuing is an innovative project that addresses two needs in European 
education in a totally new way:

1.How to bridge the widening technological gap between educators and their 
students.

2. How to motivate students to understand the benefits of learning languages 
at a level that impacts on their existing personal lives.



The project has created a special collaborative, multilingual game, called 
an Alternate Reality Game, that has been piloted in 3 schools across Europe, 
extremely successfully. Language teachers have said, 'The students responded 
extremely positively and have taken a renewed interest in language 
learning'.



We are now looking for further secondary schools that would like to 
participate in the final piloting of the project. Every participating 
teacher and school will receive official certificates of participation from 
the project. You can read much more about the project on our website at: 
http://www.arg-education.eu



Places are very limited for the pilot, but educators and teacher trainers 
can also join the game as Observers. You can reply to this message and we 
will send you further information so you can understand how you can be 
involved.



The project will produce a methodology, teacher guides, case studies and use 
case scenarios so that educators can understand how similar games can be 
used in learning.



Thank you for your interest.



Best regards



Prof. Thomas Connolly

Coordinator ARGuing EU project

University of The West of Scotland

Thomas at arg-education.eu

http://www.arg-education.eu 


From mandersen at argn.com  Wed Mar 18 15:29:28 2009
From: mandersen at argn.com (Michael Andersen)
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:29:28 -0400
Subject: [arg_discuss] Research Re: Word of Mouth Seeding Strategies
Message-ID: <b8fd5f7a0903181229yfeb7daasa69aca80835490f8@mail.gmail.com>

Earlier today, I came across this article describing research in the field
of networks and social hubs that might be helpful in developing launch
strategies.

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2170

What criteria do you use when planning your launch (assuming the strategy is
not of the "stealth" variety)?  How has it helped you reach your target
audience?

From btradish at earthlink.net  Thu Mar 19 02:32:39 2009
From: btradish at earthlink.net (John Evans)
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:32:39 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [arg_discuss] Research Re: Word of Mouth Seeding Strategies
Message-ID: <16031677.1237444359507.JavaMail.root@elwamui-polski.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Henry Jenkins recently did a series on "spreadable media" (what other
people might call "viral media", a term which he thinks is not
useful--read the articles).

http://henryjenkins.org/2009/02/if_it_doesnt_spread_its_dead_p.html

Part 7 is "Aesthetic and Cultural Strategies", which I found
particularly interesting!

--
John Evans
Chaoseed Software - http://chaoseed.com


From deusexmachinatio at gmail.com  Thu Mar 19 15:32:39 2009
From: deusexmachinatio at gmail.com (Andrea Phillips)
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:32:39 -0400
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG SIG Draft Constitution
In-Reply-To: <379FE4D052FF462D88E5FCA793895DF1@Tricorder>
References: <5c799fd60903071123u424409b0uef491c9665b586e0@mail.gmail.com>
	<379FE4D052FF462D88E5FCA793895DF1@Tricorder>
Message-ID: <5c799fd60903191232w3559621bp96f1789477ae6426@mail.gmail.com>

Brian makes some excellent points, many of which arise from the ways
the Writers SIG is different to ours. Which is, you know, OK. :)

I can think of a couple of other models that might work better for us,
though I'm not updating the draft in wiki without a little more
discussion. First, I'd suggest skipping the whole Committee business
-- I figure the whole SIG is our Committee, really -- and just elect
an executive group of, say, three people. We can either have a
secondary election among the SIG as a whole choosing one of those
three as chairman, or we can skip the whole chairman thing and just
allow executive decisions on a majority basis. (The reason to have an
executive at all has to do with IGDA-level administrative stuff;
holding email moderation rights, participating in the SIG-Admin group,
pulling GDC stuff together, etc.)

I am all for forming sub-committees for specific purposes, like, say,
running ARGology or scheduling IRC chats or coming up with Topic of
the Week topics, but we've had a lot of trouble in the past getting
solid commitments for this kind of thing. Do we thing formalizing
positions like that would encourage participation?


On Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM, Brian Clark <bclark at gmdstudios.com> wrote:
> So I'm vomiting feedback here, perhaps as a way of getting a dialog going,
> but I'm not particularly passionate about any of these positions. Viva la
> "MEH!"
>
> 1. This proposed constitution essentially has:
>
> ? ? ? ?Committee Members appoint new Committee Members
> ? ? ? ?Committee Members elect Executive Members
> ? ? ? ?Executive Members (2) can act in the stead of the Committee
>
> >From my personal experience, that works fine with small organizations where
> the Committee exists primarily as a group of catalysts, but can present
> intrinsic problems that feel cliquish as the organization grows. In essence,
> it means the membership of the SIG has no real role in the management of the
> SIG and, in worse case scenario, might end up existing simply as the voting
> body to appoint a "strong executive trio".
>
> 2. Similarly, the structure suggested is kinda divorced from the goals
> articulated. I tend to favor organization structures that grow from
> responsibility instead of authority. To illustrate, what if there were
> standing committees that anyone could join that were tasked with particular
> duties, and the organizing committee was in essence the chairs of each of
> those committees?
>
> 3. As articulated, committee membership looks like it is "for life" -- if
> you actually dropped dead for not apologizing for missing three meetings :)
>
> 4. I realize the "Caveat Lector" is meant tongue in cheek, but since that
> means "reader beware" it seems to imply that the committee or executives are
> free to disregard the constitution (or worse, "self-destruct it") if they
> find it expedient to do so.
>
> That said, my personal perception is that the SIG remains nascent primarily
> because it hasn't really committed itself to doing much more than chewing
> the fat or serving as a platform for canonizing individual's efforts, rather
> than because it lacks some system for governance. Until there is actually
> something to "govern," is this level of structure really needed ... or, to
> further mix Andrea's mixed metaphor, do we need to make sure the trains run
> on time if we haven't invented trains yet?
>
>
> Brian
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org [mailto:arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org] On
> Behalf Of Andrea Phillips
> Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 2:24 PM
> To: Discussion list of the IGDA ARG SIG
> Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG SIG Draft Constitution
>
> Hello, friends and SIG members,
>
> Given Adam's decision to step down from the SIG leadership, I feel
> like it's time that we formalize the leadership and governing
> principles of the SIG a little better. For one thing, I'd really like
> for everybody feel like they have a stake in how the SIG is run and
> what its fate is; and if we have more hands on deck, maybe the trains
> will run on time around here. (Mea culpa!). (And forgive my mixed
> metaphors.)
>
> That said, I've cribbed heavily from the Writers SIG and drafted an
> ARG SIG Constitution:
> http://www.igda.org/wiki/Alternate_Reality_Games_SIG/Constitution
>
> I figure we should take about two weeks to look at it and respond;
> based on feedback I (or you!) can make revisions to this Constitution,
> and then I'll find a way to set up a poll for us to vote on it
> anonymously to ratify. This may actually require a lot of discussion;
> for one thing, the Writers SIG is a lot bigger and more vocal than
> ours, so we might want only a single Executive (I already made the
> minimum goal Committee size smaller).
>
> I also plan to set up a chat session on the topic in about a week's
> time -- but I'm not sure what would be the most convenient day and
> time for the majority of SIG participants. If you've got anything to
> say on that, please speak up.
>
> Annnnnd have a lovely weekend, everybody. :)
>
> --
> Andrea Phillips
> http://www.deusexmachinatio.com
> Words * Culture * Interaction
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>



-- 
Andrea Phillips
http://www.deusexmachinatio.com
Words * Culture * Interaction

From brooke at mirlandano.com  Thu Mar 19 17:52:11 2009
From: brooke at mirlandano.com (Brooke Thompson)
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:52:11 -0400
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARG SIG Draft Constitution
In-Reply-To: <5c799fd60903191232w3559621bp96f1789477ae6426@mail.gmail.com>
References: <5c799fd60903071123u424409b0uef491c9665b586e0@mail.gmail.com>
	<379FE4D052FF462D88E5FCA793895DF1@Tricorder>
	<5c799fd60903191232w3559621bp96f1789477ae6426@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <753CE77B-11DE-4805-8954-D4E293537C0D@mirlandano.com>

pulling out bits & pieces from Andrea & Brian....

Andrea:
>  First, I'd suggest skipping the whole Committee business
> -- I figure the whole SIG is our Committee, really -- and just elect
> an executive group of, say, three people.

Brian:
>>> From my personal experience, that works fine with small  
>>> organizations where
>> the Committee exists primarily as a group of catalysts, but can  
>> present
>> intrinsic problems that feel cliquish as the organization grows. In  
>> essence,
>> it means the membership of the SIG has no real role in the  
>> management of the
>> SIG and, in worse case scenario, might end up existing simply as  
>> the voting
>> body to appoint a "strong executive trio".

>> 2. Similarly, the structure suggested is kinda divorced from the  
>> goals
>> articulated. I tend to favor organization structures that grow from
>> responsibility instead of authority. To illustrate, what if there  
>> were
>> standing committees that anyone could join that were tasked with  
>> particular
>> duties, and the organizing committee was in essence the chairs of  
>> each of
>> those committees?


My take:
I agree with Brian, but I can also see the need for a small executive  
group that is responsible for the SIG in a more business-like sense.  
Ideally, this group would have little power/influence, as most of that  
should come from those participating. However, they can deal with the  
various business junk & step in for each other when needed.


Andrea:
> I am all for forming sub-committees for specific purposes, like, say,
> running ARGology or scheduling IRC chats or coming up with Topic of
> the Week topics, but we've had a lot of trouble in the past getting
> solid commitments for this kind of thing. Do we thing formalizing
> positions like that would encourage participation?

In my experience, it's a mixed bag. Sometimes having some formalized  
groups and/or positions does help. Not only does it provide for a way  
for people to find ways to get involved, but it develops leaders and  
organizers who tend to keep things going. However, it takes someone(s)  
with a bit of time and a bit more passion to make those groups solid  
and if they stagnate for a while, that can actually decrease  
participation because the group looks unproductive and who wants to  
get involved with that? However, doling out leadership titles can  
sometimes counteract that because titles come with accountability.

Now, on your list, I'm not sure that "Topic of the Week" requires an  
entire committee - in my experience, those things tend to be most  
successful when they're organic and happen when one person takes it on  
and just does it repeatedly until it becomes a weekly topic. The  
value, in that case, is often less about the topic and more about the  
sense of regularity and camaraderie that helps to strengthen community  
bonds. The discussions that come out of them just happen to be a great  
bonus :) ARGology, however, is something that seems made for a  
committee.


>

From adam.m.s.martin at googlemail.com  Thu Mar 26 19:48:07 2009
From: adam.m.s.martin at googlemail.com (Adam Martin)
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:48:07 -0700
Subject: [arg_discuss] Suggestions for GDC meetup tomorrow?
Message-ID: <ca93830d0903261648p690aa3a7j50fc8ae2f6da45e6@mail.gmail.com>

We've got a 9:00am session at the annual Game Developers Conference
(GDC) tomorrow (room 113 downstairs in Moscone North).

This is an informal event. Like other years, it'll mostly be a
networking / meetup thing.

But it's also a chance to cover stuff relevant to the SIG while a
subset of ARG people (and interested game developers) are together in
one place. The audience leans more towards mainstream games industry
than e.g. SXSW.

If there's anything in particular you'd like mentioned / asked / etc,
email me and I'll bring it up. Or just turn up tomorrow and throw it
out yourself.

Otherwise, I hope to see some of you tomorrow morning!

https://www.cmpevents.com/GD09/a.asp?option=C&V=11&SessID=8591

Adam

From Bryan.Alexander at nitle.org  Fri Mar 27 01:43:23 2009
From: Bryan.Alexander at nitle.org (Bryan Alexander)
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:43:23 -0400
Subject: [arg_discuss] Suggestions for GDC meetup tomorrow?
References: <ca93830d0903261648p690aa3a7j50fc8ae2f6da45e6@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <08119B28F4B3FF46A5747921C9FAA67868BBD7@AA1EXCH06.office.share.org>

Wish I could be there.  But I'm on the other end of North America, helping with two conferences in a row (teaching with technology).


-----Original Message-----
From: arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org on behalf of Adam Martin
Sent: Thu 3/26/2009 7:48 PM
To: Discussion list of the IGDA ARG SIG
Subject: [arg_discuss] Suggestions for GDC meetup tomorrow?
 
We've got a 9:00am session at the annual Game Developers Conference
(GDC) tomorrow (room 113 downstairs in Moscone North).

This is an informal event. Like other years, it'll mostly be a
networking / meetup thing.

But it's also a chance to cover stuff relevant to the SIG while a
subset of ARG people (and interested game developers) are together in
one place. The audience leans more towards mainstream games industry
than e.g. SXSW.

If there's anything in particular you'd like mentioned / asked / etc,
email me and I'll bring it up. Or just turn up tomorrow and throw it
out yourself.

Otherwise, I hope to see some of you tomorrow morning!

https://www.cmpevents.com/GD09/a.asp?option=C&V=11&SessID=8591

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


From am14 at leicester.ac.uk  Sun Mar 29 16:09:08 2009
From: am14 at leicester.ac.uk (Moseley, A.)
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:09:08 +0100
Subject: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning
Message-ID: <439DB4BD66E08F40903F804806A77AB3A61710202D@EXC-MBX1.cfs.le.ac.uk>

I just visited argology.org for the first time in a little while, after feeling guilty that I haven't updated the education pages for some time - and found that a warning message appears about unsafe content blocking access to the site. It is quite tricky to figure out how to get past this if you search for argology through Google, too.

Anyone know what's up? Can anyone fix it?

Then I promise to update the Education section ;-)

Cheers,
Alex.

From cdena at cross-mediaentertainment.com  Sun Mar 29 21:19:54 2009
From: cdena at cross-mediaentertainment.com (Christy Dena)
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:19:54 +1100
Subject: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning
In-Reply-To: <439DB4BD66E08F40903F804806A77AB3A61710202D@EXC-MBX1.cfs.le.ac.uk>
Message-ID: <20090330011957.RBKO9871.nskntotgx01p.mx.bigpond.com@HPPIE>


Yep, I saw that the other day and I emailed John about it. He just needs to
clean through the content to get rid of whatever hack is in there and then
resubmit the site to Google. It should be fixed soon!

Also, I've been meaning to post about ARGology. I did hand over the reigns
because I knew I'd be busy but I'm keen to add some more content too. Like,
a listing of the all the brands that have worked with ARGs AS WELL AS a
listing of independent ARGs! That would be good. 

Anyone keen to do work on an independent ARGs list and/or ARG brand
list...or any other resource? Let me know via the list or direct email.

The site is definitely being used -- I get traffic and inquiries from it. 

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, 30 March 2009 07:09
To: arg_discuss at igda.org
Subject: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning

I just visited argology.org for the first time in a little while, after
feeling guilty that I haven't updated the education pages for some time -
and found that a warning message appears about unsafe content blocking
access to the site. It is quite tricky to figure out how to get past this if
you search for argology through Google, too.

Anyone know what's up? Can anyone fix it?

Then I promise to update the Education section ;-)

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


From btradish at earthlink.net  Mon Mar 30 14:24:40 2009
From: btradish at earthlink.net (John Evans)
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:24:40 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
Subject: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning
Message-ID: <10902001.1238437480654.JavaMail.root@elwamui-karabash.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Hey guys, I was on a trip last week so I've been digging myself out of a
pile of email. I'm looking into the Google warning. (If only this had
come up TWO weeks ago...) I'd be happy to talk about doing more stuff
with Argology, as soon as I get a little more time to deal with it. ;)

--
John Evans


From marcus.helm at gmail.com  Mon Mar 30 20:08:48 2009
From: marcus.helm at gmail.com (Hugh Davies)
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:08:48 +1000
Subject: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning
In-Reply-To: <20090330011957.RBKO9871.nskntotgx01p.mx.bigpond.com@HPPIE>
References: <439DB4BD66E08F40903F804806A77AB3A61710202D@EXC-MBX1.cfs.le.ac.uk>
	<20090330011957.RBKO9871.nskntotgx01p.mx.bigpond.com@HPPIE>
Message-ID: <4ca6fcda0903301708g349b269bm4131c070afc86c44@mail.gmail.com>

Hi Christy

Im happy to start compiling a list of brands using ARG's as well as
independant ARG's.

Ill submit a draft list together by the end of the week.

Im thinking a table including ARG name, year run, developer company or
independant as well as the purpose, product or client.

But I welcome suggestions from all.

hugh


On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:19 AM, Christy Dena
<cdena at cross-mediaentertainment.com> wrote:
>
>
> Yep, I saw that the other day and I emailed John about it. He just needs to
> clean through the content to get rid of whatever hack is in there and then
> resubmit the site to Google. It should be fixed soon!
>
> Also, I've been meaning to post about ARGology. I did hand over the reigns
> because I knew I'd be busy but I'm keen to add some more content too. Like,
> a listing of the all the brands that have worked with ARGs AS WELL AS a
> listing of independent ARGs! That would be good.
>
> Anyone keen to do work on an independent ARGs list and/or ARG brand
> list...or any other resource? Let me know via the list or direct email.
>
> The site is definitely being used -- I get traffic and inquiries from it.
>
> 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, 30 March 2009 07:09
> To: arg_discuss at igda.org
> Subject: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning
>
> I just visited argology.org for the first time in a little while, after
> feeling guilty that I haven't updated the education pages for some time -
> and found that a warning message appears about unsafe content blocking
> access to the site. It is quite tricky to figure out how to get past this if
> you search for argology through Google, too.
>
> Anyone know what's up? Can anyone fix it?
>
> Then I promise to update the Education section ;-)
>
> Cheers,
> Alex.
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss

From cdena at cross-mediaentertainment.com  Mon Mar 30 21:35:15 2009
From: cdena at cross-mediaentertainment.com (Christy Dena)
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:35:15 +1100
Subject: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning
In-Reply-To: <4ca6fcda0903301708g349b269bm4131c070afc86c44@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20090331013522.FNPZ14063.nschwotgx02p.mx.bigpond.com@HPPIE>


Awesome sauce Hugh!! :)

And yep, when you've got time John -- I know it is a pain (I've spent too
much time cleaning out hacked websites these past couple of years!). Aceness
when you can! :)

-----Original Message-----
From: arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org [mailto:arg_discuss-bounces at igda.org] On
Behalf Of Hugh Davies
Sent: Tuesday, 31 March 2009 11:09
To: Discussion list of the IGDA ARG SIG
Subject: Re: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning

Hi Christy

Im happy to start compiling a list of brands using ARG's as well as
independant ARG's.

Ill submit a draft list together by the end of the week.

Im thinking a table including ARG name, year run, developer company or
independant as well as the purpose, product or client.

But I welcome suggestions from all.

hugh


On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:19 AM, Christy Dena
<cdena at cross-mediaentertainment.com> wrote:
>
>
> Yep, I saw that the other day and I emailed John about it. He just needs
to
> clean through the content to get rid of whatever hack is in there and then
> resubmit the site to Google. It should be fixed soon!
>
> Also, I've been meaning to post about ARGology. I did hand over the reigns
> because I knew I'd be busy but I'm keen to add some more content too.
Like,
> a listing of the all the brands that have worked with ARGs AS WELL AS a
> listing of independent ARGs! That would be good.
>
> Anyone keen to do work on an independent ARGs list and/or ARG brand
> list...or any other resource? Let me know via the list or direct email.
>
> The site is definitely being used -- I get traffic and inquiries from it.
>
> 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, 30 March 2009 07:09
> To: arg_discuss at igda.org
> Subject: [arg_discuss] argology.org unsafe warning
>
> I just visited argology.org for the first time in a little while, after
> feeling guilty that I haven't updated the education pages for some time -
> and found that a warning message appears about unsafe content blocking
> access to the site. It is quite tricky to figure out how to get past this
if
> you search for argology through Google, too.
>
> Anyone know what's up? Can anyone fix it?
>
> Then I promise to update the Education section ;-)
>
> Cheers,
> Alex.
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
>
> _______________________________________________
> ARG_Discuss mailing list
> ARG_Discuss at igda.org
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss
_______________________________________________
ARG_Discuss mailing list
ARG_Discuss at igda.org
http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/arg_discuss


From cdena at cross-mediaentertainment.com  Mon Mar 30 21:56:46 2009
From: cdena at cross-mediaentertainment.com (Christy Dena)
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:56:46 +1100
Subject: [arg_discuss] ARGs Around the World data
Message-ID: <20090331015648.IERS5821.nschwotgx03p.mx.bigpond.com@HPPIE>

Hello everyone! 

 

Wohoo!

 

To compliment my ARG Stats, I?ve finally released data on ARGs Around the
World (non-English-language ARGs etc). 

 

http://www.christydena.com/2009/03/released-args-around-the-world-data/

 

As I say in one of the pages ? a big thank you to Andr? Sirangelo (Brazil),
Annika Waern (Sweden), ?rica Benites Manssour (Brazil), Genevi?ve Cardin
(Canada) and Patrick M?ller (Germany) for being so generous with their time
and information! 

 

Please, feel free to email me with any corrections and additions!

 

Enjoy!

 

Best,

Christy

 

Cross-Media Specialist

School of Letters, Art and Media, University of Sydney

More info @  <http://www.christydena.com/> www.christydena.com