unforum

[Gupfee]

[Rekidk]

/me steps away from his razor and runs.

Ack! Sorry--I didn't mean to say that Year Zero was filthy luchre or anything of the sort. It's hard to classify anything as art-for-art's-sake, because--as has been said--it's all based on perception.

What is the impact of an ARG in marketing terms, anyway? How many more people actually bought, for example, Halo 2 just because of ILB? There are certainly a few people--there are even people who bought an Xbox because of ILB--but compared to traditional marketing, it's not as cost-effective. However, it's all about positive brand-awareness, which is something that regular advertising can't buy. (Eg. ARGers tend to associate Halo w/ a positive experience, long after the experience has ended.)

In that sense, just about every ARG is done for the love of those who play it, because they result in a relationship (rather than lots of extra sales--at least short-term).

Uh, or maybe I'm missing the mark entirely.