unforum

[Worker]

[META] I guess I'm out

[djrazz]

ditto this is just a huge ploy to make money

[smile]

... wheres that violin emote - Its around here somewhere

Tbh, no one is forcing you to play - I didn't recieve a parcel either, nor own a catalogue, although I am in the UK so I dunno.... I've been well into ARG's since evan chans first page lol - and so I guess im not at all upset we finally get a UK based one. - and remember, you've had the postcards in NYC, so theres an active PM base over there too.

... try to enjoy it for what it is?

[Worker]

[GuyP]

There's no reason at all why the PM's would want to save the game for a select few... they're gonna want as many people to play as possible! Remember, its still early days...

[djrazz]

[Marrec]

Why not pay to play? Hell, I would have payed the amount they're asking for one of the early postcards, and I didn't even know we'd need them.

Also, about it being a game just for 333 people... I don't see where you get this idea. Soon, (possibly on May 12th) all the postcards will be for sale for everyone. You don't need to live in the UK to have Firebox ship you some postcards. Hell, you don't even have to buy any postcards to play. There is still the rich alternate reality that is PXC to digest AND Sente himself said that this puzzle solving card game thing isn't all there is to PXC.

So... take a deep breath.

[Rolerbe]

<states the obvious>An ARG of any appreciable size (and PPC has now shown itself to have some scope...) will be beyond the reach of hobby creators. We all recognize TNSTAAFL. </states the obvious>

Given that, there are only three ways to finance the endeavor: Promotion/advertising, where the sponsors expect to prompt a purchase of some other item to get your money -- e.g. TV ads, the Beast, ILB, etc.; or pay for play by pay for access -- e.g. Movies, Majestic, etc., or pay for related merchandise.

It's turning out that PPC is funding itself, at least partially, by pay for related merchandise.

The 3rd way is through donations, whether public (corporate donations, grants for the arts, etc.) or private (passing of the hat at the end of the performance). There is ample evidence that passing the hat nets at most half of production costs.

I don't see the justification for the outrage. buy cards or not. Play or not.

[bill]

They never made it a secret that there would be opportunities to spend money in the game. One of the Hons was quite vocal about the game being a revenue opportunity or some similar statement. And we've known at least as far back as when the newspaper ads came out that there would be a prize involved. Firebox has been known my most as a major sponsor, if not THE sponsor since the days when all we knew was Project Syzygy.

Realistically, did anyone expect a completely free game?

For me, the bigger issue is how does one fairly and equitably award an individual prize for what is essentially a communal experience?

[Dorkmaster]

I feel a rant coming on...

To add to what bill said, as well as comment on the "game for 333 people" comment, the fact remains that there are ways to play, even now, without owning cards, wearing a Leitmark, or living in the UK. Sure, it may make it easier and more accessible if you have one or all three, but ILB was MUCH more exclusive to the USA than PerplexCity has been as of yet. Considering that the PM staff live in the UK, they decided to get a UK sponsor. Their mailings went out from the UK, so it's going to take longer for out-of-country mailings to get there. Moreover, the puzzles that have been received in the mail HAVE been posted for all to help with and to share. Sure, some have been solved in the first post, but if it's not a difficult puzzle, then that's what you get. It's not a conspiracy against you, it's just a simple puzzle for the recipient of said puzzle.

While I respect everyone's feelings in this regard and while I really do understand the frustrations, the point is that this game IS very accessible to all players... it just has a bit more perk for those living in the UK, but you CANNOT fault the PMs for that. My advice: Grow a thicker skin, decide you want to play (or not) and stop complaining. I have no parcel. I have no Leitmark. I live in Illinois. I LOVE Perplex City, and I would say that anyone who accuses the game of not being open to anyone but Brits is just looking for a reason to complain in public. I am not trying to put down anyone specifically here as honestly, this community needs to have all of us to flourish, but if it's not your game, then it's just not your game. But you don't have to throw a pity party about it.

Ok, I'm done. Thanks for letting me get that out.

[brat-sampson]

What's all this about needing to have a parcel to be involved? Believe me, there's nothing of any real worth in this parcel. There's information about websites (which I saw before I even knew I had a stinking parcel) and a couple of puzzles to solve. Nothing to seperate parcel winners from anyone else.

[gem_star]

Well said Dorkmaster.

I don't think I'll be getting a parcel now, i'm in the UK and they seem to have mostly been delivered by now, but I do hope this doesnt put players off, especially overseas ones. I can see reason in wanting to create revenue by selling the cards, as all this webstuff can't be cheap!! There seems to be tons of work gone into this ARG.

I havent really delved too deep into what was on the cards just yet, but as others have said it shouldn't determine the whole outcome of the game should it?? Besides there's copies of the cards available to look at by those who have been fortunate to receive them by post.

[jbd]