Why I Play ARGs
by Nicholas Molnar
1. The Lost Ring
1.1. Package in the mail
1.2. Old olympic poster
1.3. Tied to findthelostring.com
1.4. Led to '08 summer games
1.5. AKQA was the marketing firm that led the project
1.6. Player generated wikis and collaborative systems
1.6.1. Encouraged by game organizers
1.7. Successfully recreated a new made-up game around the world
1.8. Massive Collaboration
1.8.1. Labrynths needed to be created in cities around the world for training in the game
1.8.2. Creates a real-world social experience
1.9. Gameplay
1.9.1. Lead player is blindfolded
1.9.2. Other players lead them through the labrynth by surrounding them and humming
1.9.2.1. Creates virtual walls
2. What Are ARGs
2.1. Online/Real World hybrids
2.2. Storytelling and a collaborative narrative
2.2.1. Grand story
2.2.2. Sense of importance
2.3. Typically involves a mystery
3. Dark Marketing
3.1. Hidden sponsorship
3.2. Meant to attract young, hip, demographics
4. Evoke
4.1. IFTF
4.2. Game designed around solving real world problems
4.3. Targeted to harness creativity from Africans about the problems of Africa
4.4. Encourages people to solve problems of the future
4.5. Built in model of mentorship and conversation
4.5.1. Ideas are discussed and extended
4.6. Why Philip Plays Evoke
4.6.1. Try and make a difference in the world
4.6.2. Develop new solutions
5. Low Budget ARGs
5.1. Matrix ARG game was done by 3 out-of-work people
5.2. Cruel2BKind
5.2.1. Done on the streets of SF
5.3. I created Faceless Invasion for under $3K
5.3.1. Sequel was a little more ARGy and had about the same cost