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 Forum index » Meta » General META Discussion
A quest for an ultimate ARG...
Moderators: imbri, ndemeter
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Komissar
Boot


Joined: 27 May 2008
Posts: 40
Location: Moscow Russia

A quest for an ultimate ARG...
what would make a "perfect ARG" in your opinion.

Hello colleagues,

I am trying to put together an image of a "perfect ARG".
What best points in aRGs of all times combined would give us perfection?

Is it all about ingenious but solvable puzzles? The multitude of layers? The plot and backstory originality? The "reality" of what's going on? The number of real world contacts? The possibility of interplayer interaction? Or is it something else?

What would you personally see in a "Perfect ARG"?

Please hsare your thoughts.

PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:06 am
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Star Spider
Veteran


Joined: 20 Apr 2007
Posts: 148

Hello Komissar!

I think it depends on who you are catering your game to really. There is such a diversity of people who enjoy playing ARG's. Some are in it for the puzzles, some for the narrative, some the character interaction and some (like myself) in it for the real life tie in's and the combination of all the elements.

I think the best thing to do would be to decide what you want people to accomplish and what kind of genre you are looking to play with. I personally believe it would be impossible to create the 'perfect game' everyone's ideas of perfection are so different and to try would just end up with a chaotic mess of styles and genres in a vain attempt to appeal to everyone.

Write what you know - is a saying that really applies here. If you have passion for the content and subject matter then that is what will project through the game. But most importantly plan, plan, plan. Cover all your bases, create a solid game that runs full length and doesn't not let people down. Even if you don't appeal to EVERYONE'S style, everyone will appreciate and recognize a solid, well designed game.

Best of Luck!

PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:02 am
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konamouse
Official uF Dietitian


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 8010
Location: My own alternate reality

Echoing above.

You cannot please everyone. The best product is one you believe in, what you like and what you know. When you try to cater to the likes/dislikes of other people, you end up pleasing no one....because there are so many different tastes.

Some people play ARGs for the story. Some for the puzzles. Some for the community. Some for the interaction. Some just for a prize at the end.

And the best product is one that makes sense in the context it presents itself. And follows through to the end of the game.
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PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:31 am
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Komissar
Boot


Joined: 27 May 2008
Posts: 40
Location: Moscow Russia

Yes, you guys are certainly right Smile Guess i did not phrase the initial question the way I meant to Smile (there are some drawbacks to not being a native speaker Razz)

What i meant was YOU personally - what do you look for in ARGs? I wanted to see people's replies and then try to see what I would be most comfortable with in designing one...

What i would really like to hear is the: "some (like myself) in it for the real life tie in's and the combination of all the elements." as spider wrote.
_________________________________________

What i myself like in ARGs: complicated but solvable puzzles, multi-layered atmosphere (lots of detail), real-life links and (I was amazed to find out truly!) This wonderful community to interact with.

PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 12:49 pm
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faeryqueen21
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Joined: 25 Sep 2007
Posts: 1348
Location: Pasadena, CA

I would say for me it's story. I will stick around a game that does not have the best production value if the story draws me in.
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PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:44 pm
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notgordian
Unfictologist


Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Posts: 1383
Location: Philly

"Love Actually" themed-ARG told through weekly mailings of gourmet chocolate.

PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:27 pm
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konamouse
Official uF Dietitian


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 8010
Location: My own alternate reality

There are already a number of threads in META that you might want to read. Various topics but you gleem much information.

http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=25330
http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24637
http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24643
http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22411

And many others deep into this section of unFiction. Enjoy.
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PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:52 pm
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October
Unfettered


Joined: 04 Jan 2007
Posts: 362
Location: Houston, Texas, USA

notgordian wrote:
"Love Actually" themed-ARG told through weekly mailings of gourmet chocolate.


So, when are you launching this ARG, NotGordian? Chocoholic ARGonauts want to know!
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PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 10:51 pm
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Komissar
Boot


Joined: 27 May 2008
Posts: 40
Location: Moscow Russia

konamouse wrote:
There are already a number of threads in META that you might want to read. Various topics but you gleem much information.
And many others deep into this section of unFiction. Enjoy.


Thanks, Konamouse Smile I most certainly will Wink

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 1:35 am
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notgordian
Unfictologist


Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Posts: 1383
Location: Philly

October wrote:
So, when are you launching this ARG, NotGordian? Chocoholic ARGonauts want to know!


The project seems to be on indefinite delay -- I keep eating all the puzzles. Should have planned for a mushroom-themed ARG.

PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 12:13 am
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rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

notgordian wrote:
The project seems to be on indefinite delay -- I keep eating all the puzzles. Should have planned for a mushroom-themed ARG.
I would so play an ARG based around the Sacred Mushrooms of the Waterbed.
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PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 1:02 am
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Will 2.0
Unfictologist


Joined: 22 Jun 2007
Posts: 1431
Location: Burlington, Vermont

rowan wrote:
notgordian wrote:
The project seems to be on indefinite delay -- I keep eating all the puzzles. Should have planned for a mushroom-themed ARG.
I would so play an ARG based around the Sacred Mushrooms of the Waterbed.

Maybe the Cupboard guys will steal the idea... Shocked
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PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:50 am
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rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

Will 2.0 wrote:
Maybe the Cupboard guys will steal the idea... Shocked
It wouldn't be the first game to use something that strifey made up and that I happened to communicate to the PMs. I still get sad sometimes that the game we tried to play as pirates didn't play along with us though. I really did want to see what the magic unphotographable book said.
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PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 2:15 pm
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Will 2.0
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Joined: 22 Jun 2007
Posts: 1431
Location: Burlington, Vermont

It prolly had a picture of Toucan Sam saying "Follow Your Nose" Wink
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PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2008 3:30 pm
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Star Spider
Veteran


Joined: 20 Apr 2007
Posts: 148

Back on Track

Hey Komissar,

I see this thread has been a bit de-railed... so in an effort to get things back on track for you here is a little excerpt from something I wrote recently about ARG's:

Personally my interests lean towards the live event/ geurrilla experiences that might have people running around solving puzzles in a city-wide treasure hunt or playing games in odd locations with people they might never have met if not for ARG's. I enjoy the idea of people coming together for the greater good and creating game spaces in unexpected places. I recently attended an event for The Dark Knight ARG run by 42 Entertainment. It was a wonderful experience because of the coming together of a diverse group of fans. One of my favorite aspects however was the connectedness through digital media. It was a beautiful moment when, at one point, there were 100 people running through the streets of downtown Toronto, cell phones to ears, PDA's & laptops blazing, communicating to their various groups who could not be there but were providing vital support by way of clues revealed over the net that could not necessarily be accessed by cell phone. I like the idea of being in on a secret, being immersed in an 'Alternate Reality' by running through familiar places and interacting with real world people as well as in-game ones. That, to me, is what brings an ARG to life.

Best of Luck!!!

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:24 pm
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