[Forgery]

Incase anybody cares, new update on the site

Forg

[equi_design]

Just use the stem url: http://the-hogwarts-experience.blogspot.com/

[JohnLockeGuy]

link on first post no longer works

[Jenna]

She says on the blog that it's only a temporary name. A project name, if you will.

[colin]

I see what you're saying JohnLockeGuy. When I read it seemed like a mashup of TLE and LonelyGirl, i.e they grabed to two latest big ticket items and ran with it.

In addition to this the blog has been updated with

Quote:

I just took it from the name of another ARG that happens to be my inspiration for this.

Going beyond trying to stick it in a box, which really serves little purpose, considering it hasn't even been made yet: I think this could be a really good game, there is certainly enough potential in the HP universe to make a great web-based game. I hope someone with some experience is onboard with them.

[JohnLockeGuy]

I just keep digging myself a deeper hole, don't I? I'm gonna try and explain myself one last time, then I'll stick the foot where it belongs and lie down in my grave if people still don't understand.

Usually I wouldn't have a problem with the conspiracy formula. Think about it... TLE was the only ARG I've ever been REALLY, really involved with. So when I see The Hogwarts Experience ARG, my brain naturally goes to The Lost Experience ARG. Then, thinking about The Lost Experience, I go on to read that this new ARG involves a girl trying to bring down a secretive organization by posting video blogs hidden across the net? It's similar.

If a new ARG came about called Ellie Loves Bees, and promised to send information to players through hacked websites and ringing payphones, what would you think?

OK, I'll be leaving this thread far behind now... Sorry if I offended anyone.

[stilettoblade]

wow, johnlockeguy, whats your deal?
it has "experience" in the title, therefore it'll be a "lost experience" ripoff?

one of the current small games has "the" in the title (the end/ny takma), i'll bet it's a ripoff of "the beast"! I mean, it's got hidden stuff and puzzles in it! just like the other one!
/sarcasm

[JohnLockeGuy]

Yeah, I guess you're right... never really thought about it that way myself. (With regards to your ARG formula.)

[Lovek]

Although there are MANY other ways, conspiracies just seem to make the most sense for an ARG plot, seems to me.

I mean, puzzles + drops + meetings = a group of people trying to hide something. Granted, that's not the only thing those equal, but it sure is the easiest.

Those things don't lend themselves well to a romantic comedy, for example.

But, I like conspiracies, so I'm easy to get along with.

In short, I've started looking at ARGs the same as movies and books. Sure, the plots don't vary much, but if the writing and characters are good, I'm all in.

[JohnLockeGuy]

I'm sorry, I came off sounding all high-and-mighty, didn't I? I agree, just because there's a conspiracy doesn't mean it can't be good. It's just that the use of the word EXPERIENCE got me. And then the similarity. I'm just wondering how original it can be, if she's trying to copy TLE that much.

[Phaedra]

Gupfee wrote:

I think it's a great sign that she's actively recruiting a team to help, instead of trying to go it alone like some of the dumba$$ wannabes we've seen crash and burn here.

Amen to that.

Plus, while in general I like to see Things I Haven't Seen Before, just because an ARG shares characteristics with others that have come before doesn't mean it can't be good. First, any ARG worth its salt should, in my opinion, be trying to bring in new players who've never played an ARG, so just because a basic plot idea isn't new to us doesn't mean it won't be new to a lot of the players, and second, the fact that a lot of movies are variations on the same theme doesn't mean they're not enjoyable.

So there's a conspiracy. Cliched, yes. But that doesn't mean they can't do neat and innovative things.

[Gupfee]

I think it's a great sign that she's actively recruiting a team to help, instead of trying to go it alone like some of the dumba$$ wannabes we've seen crash and burn here.

[imbri]

You know, it just may be all that she knows about ARGs. But it also may be that she's a decent writer and can tell a compelling story. She may also be creative and try new things.

But, hmmm, probably not. You're right.

[JohnLockeGuy]

imbri wrote:

Aside from the word "experience", I think you've just described half the ARGs that have ever been done. Ok, and maybe the whole "video blogging" thing but, really, until last year, that wasn't exactly easy to do (bandwidth and such being what it is). But blogs, oh yes, there've been blogs.

Yeah, you're right... but the whole EXPERIENCE word just kinda tipped me off that maybe the "conspiracy, girl-with-vendetta, posting antics to the world, convincing everyone that The Man Is Evil," is all this girl Molly knows about ARGs.

It seems like a REALLY ambitious grassroots ARG, but whatever. More power to her.

[imbri]

JohnLockeGuy wrote:

I mean, come on... It's got the word EXPERIENCE in the title, they've got a secret organization, a girl trying to bring that organization down, leading us to letters from the organization, video blogs from the girl, articles about organization...

Aside from the word "experience", I think you've just described half the ARGs that have ever been done. Ok, and maybe the whole "video blogging" thing but, really, until last year, that wasn't exactly easy to do (bandwidth and such being what it is). But blogs, oh yes, there've been blogs.

Just because something may have been inspired by something else, does not mean it's "bad" and I've known quite a few "wannabes" that have been better than the original. So, let's try judging things when they come and not off of a blog saying "hey, I'm looking to do this" - at least she's soliciting help and seems to be thinking out the story and the mechanics of it all.