unforum

[FauxHammer]

To clarify, i didn't say Iris itself is just a swag grab, because it does at least have some story to it and puzzles to be solved. All i said was that the "bounce path control" stuff specifically could be called a swag grab because it separates participants of this "ARG" based not on their participation or their contributions to solving the puzzles, but simply based on whether they happen to be paying attention at the exact right moment. (and whether or not they're getting screwed by .net glitches ).

[thebruce]

[Phyltre]

1. I haven't stepped on anyone yet with the first two servers. Doesn't seem likely I could step on someone regarding the other three. In fact hundreds of people try it the MOMENT it goes live on b.net forums (for a laugh go visit them right after a bounce control page is found, it's total confusion) so I don't get how a person who is following the ARG storyline getting a key is worse than someone who isn't getting one.

2. So far there's no storyline, and no community generated with the keys. I would totally agree with you if this were ILB or similar. People actually had to work together. But the last link to a key server clue (the kiosk quote) came from a different forum, and when I posted it in the IRC, people called it BS. Not too much community there on any end. It's moving so fast, and so many people are involved, it's quite cannibalistic. That's not my preference, that's the way it is--information leaks roughly the second it's discovered, so there's no community. You'd have to be crazy not to think I'm working with you guys here on the forums same as everyone else. In fact I WAS working with Angribuddhist with his in-game forums, until SOTA, AR, and any storyline dropped off the radar pretty much completely.


Whenever community crops up, I'll be there. I'm not playing for swag, I'm playing the game. The game at this moment, unfortunately, is SOLELY about swag. Anyone who is playing the game is playing for swag, whether they claim it or not, because that's the only thing all the non-server stuff is relevant to. There is no community involved in seeing the bounce control link on the IRC, clicking it, and entering a key. It happens too fast. If the game were about essay writing, speculating the heck out of some vague statements, or making your own in-game forum communities--well I DID that, when it was. And I'll do it again if and when Bungie decides to make that a part of this ARG. I'm just playing the ARG as presented. I think it's insulting to ask anything else...after all, if it had been earlier in my time zone, I would have certainly been one of the people who went to a marked location and would have been AFK for the keys.

In fact, the chances of one of you getting a package goes up much higher when I DO get a key than when I don't. I can't "community" any of you to your house when you are at work, I can't shut your families up to give you time on the computer, and I can't Jedi mindtrick hundreds of people into not entering their keys, but I can sure give you guys duplicates when and if I get them. That's greed? Or stepping on other people? Or killing community? I just don't see the logic. My stepping back changes nothing, my stepping up at least could change something. Unless you think I really want five ARG t-shirts...

[Capin Mike]

I see the points on both sides of this discussion. I play the games just for the sake of the game, to see the story unfold. When the swag came up I just figured it was an awesome bonus for some of the people playing and I still view it as that, just a bonus, not a reason for palying the game, the reason for playing the game is to finally get more backstory regarding the forerunners.

[Humor] Finally Phyltre's miotives are clear, he's gonna cut up 5 T-shirts and make pants out of them.

[thebruce]

first, calm down... I'm not railing on you for wanting to be the first into the servers. Anyone would say they'd love to be the first as well. But I have to strongly argue your point that "Anyone who is playing the game is playing for swag, whether they claim it or not" which is ludicrous. For one, some people couldn't care less about the swag. SOME people care about the story, care about the amazing plot that is Halo, and what this Iris campaign will reveal, more than stuff they get in the mail they don't necessary need or care for.

And obviously I'm not talking just about entering a key, but about the value of swag as it pertains to this campaign. So if you were to attempt to unlock every server, and not care about swag but give whatever you receive away, then my point remains, and I'd say you're still 'fostering community', as it were.

And yes, technically when you race to be top 100 you step on anyone else who's also racing for the top 100 who didn't make it because you got there first - not that that's bad, that's just the nature of the race. And as I said, so far it doesn't seem that Iris is against that. If they were, they'd stop people from entering another key if they already unlocked a previous server.

Like I said, you're perfectly within your right to attempt to be in the first 100 for every server - that's part of the design of Iris, you're doing exactly what you're expected to do. OR you could take an extra step and give back to the community (if you value swag as just a bonus) when you're not expected to, whether that be not claiming a key, or claiming a key and giving away the swag you receive.

Either of those methods of playing are acceptable here. The latter will make you more friends.

ARGs are constantly changing. Expectations, quality, content, rules... ultimately there's no "right" or "wrong".

[Shlonster]

No offense to thebruce or phyltre, but I think this is becoming a much bigger deal than is warranted. As far as I can tell, most people playing this game aren't 5 years old and can live without a t-shirt. I'm not saying I wouldn't love to be one of the first 100 and get the swag, but i don't care THAT much. Phyltre is saying it's the ONLY reward for this game, but he's wrong. Some people play just because it's fun to play. Even if I don't get a single piece of physical reward from this ... whatever it is... experience, I don't care. It's fun.

Play for whatever you want to play for, but I can't believe there have been such long posts about this. It's a t-shirt.

[thebruce]

agreed

[SGMX]

[Phyltre]

[Sharpsniper99]

i havent read the thread because i really do have to rush off - but i hope a moderator from ABO has already said this


but us guys over at ABO dont agree with this - the guy who made that thread doesnt represent the majority of us - please dont take that thread too seriusly !

infact that thread has been locked and if you read it the majority of posts where against this form of rivalry

[thebruce]

no problems Phyltre
yes it's true that unlocking the servers is what furthers the Halo-related 'plot' (for the most part), but really, the servers will get unlocked whether you or I are in the first 100 or not, whether anyone gets swag or not. The only point I'm stressing is that Iris isn't about the swag - from an ARGer standpoint - but it is an aspect of the campaign, from a player's standpoint. So anyone can play for the swag or not, and still enjoy the experience. Which is why, even on ABO, many are asking that if you've got swag previously, give others who haven't, a chance. While not required by Iris, it's just a suggestion as a way to 'be nice' or 'fair' to other players. Even though, ultimately, YMMV

I'm only discussing this because recently these two 'meta' topics have arisen (both here and ABO, possibly other places):
- rivalry/competition among forums (naming 'teams')
- competing for swag vs giving others a chance

Valid discussions IMO, and neither point has 'right' or 'wrong' options in the context of Iris, but they do both have choices that reflect the style of play and level of social and community involvement and enjoyment chosen by the player. The swag itself is a bonus (as of right now at least =P)

[Phoenix1337]

Has anyone considered the possibility that the PM's might not actually be using exactly 100 keys to unlock the website? I mean, If I were setting this up, I'd filter out the people who'd already received swag. So if there were 50 repeats, It'd take 150 keys to open the server. It's all linked up to your Live ID account right? So it wouldn't be that hard to implement.

Just a thought. It will be interesting to see if the people who got 2 keys get 2 swag shipments.

[tsondie21]

well if people do get two things of swag and want to be part of the loving "community" well then I would certainly accept one of the t-shirts, just so you could prove yourself

[Phyltre]

Heh, interestingly enough, I got a PM from an undisclosed person almost immediately after posting that I was strongly considering sending out any duplicate swaggage. I guess we all love free stuff.

[skybruin]

all of this talk about rivalry vs community makes me think of a certain moderator here on the forums whom took time out of her foray at a live event to grab as much swag as she could to send to people who could not attend that event. then proceeded to send out this swag with personally wirtten notes.

As someone who received said swag (the DVD) I was very appreciative and treasure that item greatly to this day (thanks again Pheadra!).

Now hopefully IRIS will have something in similar numbers so that those who trudged along on this journey can have something to remember it by as well.

I for one, like some here as well will give any duplicate swag items I might recieve to those whom did not, and I would start with those who are getting the birthdate errors.