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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » GAME: Save My Husband
Re: To marketers & developers
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mntndust
Boot

Joined: 09 Jun 2007
Posts: 27

 		Re: To marketers & developers
I can offer my opinion
Oh and P.S. there is a similarity between this game and a PS2 game,
People in this game resorted to cheating, and I know almost all kids know they can go to the computer for cheat codes.

[edit - replaced the post deleted by mntndust having a hissy fit - kona]

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:58 am
Last edited by mntndust on Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Big_Larry
Veteran


Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 96
Location: Not there... maybe somewhere else.

 		Re: To Marketers-developers and such
If I can offer my opinion (plz don't slam me lol)
mntndust wrote:
Oh and P.S. there is a similarity between this game and a PS2 game,
People in this game resorted to cheating, and I know almost all kids know they can go to the computer for cheat codes.


Okay, first of all, they aren't cheat codes, they're "game enhancement" codes. (I had the Game Genie on the Sega Genesis back in the day.) Very Happy

Second, and more importantly, have you played in any major ARGs? What you have so blithely labeled as "cheating" is precisely what is required of you when playing a well-planned and well-thought-out ARG.

I played Urban Hunt (that's when I found UF), and had been involved with one or two others before that. I knew nothing about much player-side stuff discussed here. I didn't know what ROT was, didn't know what a hash was, didn't know there was software to embed data in images, didn't even think to look inside the source of a webpage to see if there was any metadata. I knew how to do a search on the internet from having years of experience in technical support and having to find sources not available in-house.

It seems that all the ARGs in which I have had some involvement are designed to be played by a group of people. I think any reputable PM out there knows of this community, and therefore designs the game with this community in mind. The folks at Deep Focus are marketing people, not PMs. They simply didn't know what they were getting themselves into. Next time, they will know, and they'll secure what needs to be secure before the game starts.

Design for the lowest common denominator is what you need for marketing; a much higher level is needed for challenging those who have played some of the major ARGs. They won't design an ARG for those here who have the skills; it doesn't benefit the client.

Cheating? I think not. Taking the gifts, skills, and experience from prior ARGs and applying it to what ultimately was a simplistic melodramatic farce? Yeah, that's it exactly.

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:54 am
Last edited by Big_Larry on Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:55 am; edited 1 time in total
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mntndust
Boot

Joined: 09 Jun 2007
Posts: 27

 		Oh Sorry I guess the designers of Game spot
are politically incorrect.. they should'nt have titled their page
CHEAT CODES they should have said "Game Enhancements"
http://www.gamespot.com/cheats.html?type=cheats&platform=7

That reminds me of a ship recently in the news, it wasn't "sinking" it was "taking on water".

Sorry for the confusion.

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:05 pm
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Big_Larry
Veteran


Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 96
Location: Not there... maybe somewhere else.

 		I apologize for miscommunication on the "game enhancement" comment. Apparently the smiley didn't get posted on the message originally, and you don't remember the the advertising for the Game Genie for the Sega Genesis, therefore you didn't realize that portion of my post was a joke.

Regardless, I would like to say something as calmly and politely as possible. If you're here to play a game and/or learn about ARGs, welcome. If your intent is to continue to ramble on about how the players here allegedly cheated, I ask you, with all the respect you are due, to please go away.

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:04 am
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Fl Villager
Guest


 		Treasure Hunts, Who Dun Its?-Advertising Gem of 21st Century
I totally agree that Madison Avenue should be paying attention to the huge numbers that are involved in online games such as "Gold Rush", "Treasure Hunt", "Volvos" and "Disney" 'World's End Hunt' and "Save My Husband". Like what many retailers are doing with store space, combining more than one outlet per building is the same idea that could be done with advertising and just as effective. (As an example to combines sales outlets, think 'Pizza Hut/Taco Bells/Long John Silvers' all under one roof, a very common sight in today's market.)
Combining resources enables these businesses to offer attractive rewards and provide family entertainment that is not only enjoyable but educational. A few years back in fact, I felt the public school systems should offer history and geography classes in the "Treasure Hunt" format that was offered by NBC TV.

Still in it's infancy, servers are crashing or slowing down because millions upon millions of people are playing games to ultimately succeed in obtaining a prize with a million to one odds. There is something there, a cost wise magnet for advertisers to use as an effective tool in obtaining it's goal of reaching, attracting and capturing a consumer's mind and wallet.

Think about how magazine subscriptions would increase if a monthly clue that leads to a final answer to a 'who dunnit' murder mystery game was enclosed within it's pages? Or how much exposure a product, especially the new ones, would receive if their endorsements were associated with a treasure hunt that becomes Monday morning water cooler topic of the week? I think Volvo is on the right track with it's recent ad campaign it has had the last 2 years with it's hunt. Until I participated in it this years hunt, I would have never ever considered buying a Volvo. I can honestly say, I would now but for the life of me cannot explain why the change except maybe I have become loyal to a company who has provided me so much joy and entertainment with the blogs and game it's hunt provided me. In fact, daily I could not wait until I was on my computer to focus on that hunt and I am still suffering "end of the world" withdraws but the plus is, there is only 348 days until the next one, give or take a day.

Product familiarity it a key ingredient in selling ones product. By the time one completes the game, hunt or mystery , those products are almost members of the ones family. I truly feel NBC dropped the ball when it did not renew it's "Treasure Hunt" show another season. Not only was my entire family watching but also learning, American History and trivia and we are all the better for it.

When CBS/AOL introduced Gold Rush, I wonder what rating increases were noted to the TV show "Entertainment Tonight"? Or what increases in sales, "People" or "Star" magazine had because of it's participation and involvement with the monthly program.

Indirectly by providing fun entertainment in the form of a 'who dun it' or escaping on a pirate ship and searching for treasure in the Seven Seas, the goods associated with these games are deeply embedded into the brain of consumers and that is the ultimate goal of any advertiser. Granted, "Save my Husband" was poorly made and not researched enough but the success of the program enable Deep Focus to relocate it's offices from Brooklyn to pricey Manhattan. The cost to provide a game format are relatively low especially if more than one sponsor is associated to the game. It's reach is as far and wide as the advertiser wishes it to be. "Gold Rush" was played world wide as was "Volvo's" hunt. The friends I made world-wide from Russia to Malaysia is a hidden bonus for me but in a marketing sense a great success for Volvo.

There is no doubt that Volvo leads the pack with it's gaming ability. Imagine recycling the game and incorporating it into the classrooms across the county. Not only have they captured consumers for today's market but by placing it into the classroom they would be insuring faithful customers for the future. And the reality of it all is the advertiser's ultimate goal is to attract customers and this format definitely does! The games will attract them, all that must be done after that, is insure that the game stays top notch, exciting and captivating, and the future is insured. The price, well, how much does Brad Pitt charge per minute to make an TV commercial and what does the networks charge per minute to air those ads?

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:08 pm
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Phaedra
Lurker v2.0


Joined: 21 Sep 2004
Posts: 4033
Location: Here, obviously

 		Re: Treasure Hunts, Who Dun Its?-Advertising Gem of 21st Cen
Fl Villager wrote:
There is no doubt that Volvo leads the pack with it's gaming ability.


Well, actually, I think a lot of people would argue compellingly that other people have done it better than Volvo.
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:23 pm
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catherwood-offline
Guest


 		Re: Treasure Hunts, Who Dun Its?-Advertising Gem of 21st Cen
Fl Villager wrote:
Think about how magazine subscriptions would increase if a monthly clue that leads to a final answer to a 'who dunnit' murder mystery game was enclosed within it's pages?


Think about how many magazines will be mutilated on newsstands, if people don't have to purchase the rag to read the clue inside. Even issues sealed in plastic often get torn open by people who steal the collectible without making a purchase.

Similar vandalism probably occured during the Dr.Pepper treasure hunt, where unique access codes were printed inside the cardboard of a 24-can cube. (We bought 30 cases of Dr.Pepper from a warehouse store to get enough codes to find the treasure location, and we still lost.)

(yes, i'm a cynic)

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:58 pm
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Fl Villager
Guest


 		Re: Treasure Hunts, Who Dun Its?-Advertising Gem of 21st Cen
Phaedra wrote:
Fl Villager wrote:
There is no doubt that Volvo leads the pack with it's gaming ability.


Well, actually, I think a lot of people would argue compellingly that other people have done it better than Volvo.


I use Volvo as an example for that is the format that I like best. I am not aware of any other games and communicated this thought earlier with a post misplaced the final day of Save My Husband. But your message and mine does concur!

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:01 pm
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FL Villager
Guest


 		Re: Treasure Hunts, Who Dun Its?-Advertising Gem of 21st Cen
catherwood-offline wrote:
Fl Villager wrote:
Think about how magazine subscriptions would increase if a monthly clue that leads to a final answer to a 'who dunnit' murder mystery game was enclosed within it's pages?


Think about how many magazines will be mutilated on newsstands, if people don't have to purchase the rag to read the clue inside. Even issues sealed in plastic often get torn open by people who steal the collectible without making a purchase.

Similar vandalism probably occured during the Dr.Pepper treasure hunt, where unique access codes were printed inside the cardboard of a 24-can cube. (We bought 30 cases of Dr.Pepper from a warehouse store to get enough codes to find the treasure location, and we still lost.)

(yes, i'm a cynic)


Hi!
Please excuse me for not being more clearer in explaining my message. I play the Coke #'s game but that is not the type format I am referring to. I am also not encouraging a one line sentence in a magazine either. What I propose would be more like a half page or full page stories that each month another chapter with clues is submitted so it may be researched and further investigated for the grand finale at the end. That way it would encourage the purchase of the magazine or better yet, have a copy of it online for those who can't afford the magazine since the use of the magazine is one way to get the message out to the consumer since the ad aka story is being paid for by an advertiser in the magazine. Remember when television shows were first introduced? It was General Electric presents or Proctor and Gamble, sponsors of tonight's show. And look where we are today with television. The cynics who said television shows wouldn't make it or be useful in marketing products were wrong then. The Internet with hunts and games is the television of the new millenium in a way.

BTW It may prevent some vandalism of the magazine. I am a cynic too, for when I am at the doctors office and reading a good story there are many times that when you turn the page half of it is missing because someone tore out a recipe or worse yet, a coupon.

Let me clarify that I would like to see more treasure hunts and mystery's incorporated into advertising so it is a win-win for all. I am not encouraging a one sentence clue but well thought out stories with clues within the storyline that would require further research. Sorta like a Readers Digest versions of "Da Vinci Codes" or "National Treasures". The demand and interest for this type format is there. Just think back on what day 8 was for you here in this forum last week.

Instead of bottle necking it all into one day or one specific time because of a first come, first win requirement, have it spread out over a period of days so that all have a fair chance at winning without throwing the Internet world into a total tailspin. I am giving thoughts that further study is needed and the details of which need a lot of fine tuning. This is just the hypothesis to such format.

BTW I noticed your name and thankyou for taking the time to keep this forum up. I appreciate it as I am sure the many others who enjoy this site do. Respectfully,

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:38 pm
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Parrotsale
Boot

Joined: 08 Jun 2007
Posts: 36

 		I have to say this game was alot of fun! I think that children already know that advertising is "cheating" the first time they ate at a fast food burger shop they noticed that the burgers do not look at good as they do on TV! That the crisp leaf of lettuce has become wilted to a small piece of who knows what, the tomato is sliced so think you can see right thru it and the onion slice is small bits of what?
So, welcome to the real world, kids are smarter then we are! They only go to those places to get the meal boxes they serve them in and to receive free little toys.
If anything this game taught children how to surf for the right answers, look for hidden links, find out how the internet back doors work, the chemistry codes, etc. To me, I would be very proud if one of my children were into that game!
Thanks for all the spoilers for keeping some folks in the game and having fun...isn't that was this was all about???

PostPosted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:48 pm
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Dragonflymaiden
Greenhorn

Joined: 02 Jun 2007
Posts: 6

 		"Cheating" complainers
Is it Really "Cheating"?
I am a bit weary of all the complaining about "cheaters". I do concur with you Big_Larry in that this is an arena where those of all skill levels can congregate and hone thier skills.

In the work force - when people (especially unskilled People) pair up and learn from others - they call it OJT - on the job training. I've never heard of someone being fired from learning skills from someone else. Most people, whether ARG'ing or in the real life work force, generally post information for credit before sitting around the water cooler to discuss actions taken.

Stay and learn - or get left behind.
My grandfather was a farmer - He was known for saying - Don't grumble about farmers with your mouth full.

Same here - don't grumble about shared information when you're interacting with it too Idea Exclamation

PostPosted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:21 pm
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