Return to Unfiction unforum
 a.r.g.b.b 
FAQ FAQ   Search Search 
 
Welcome!
New users, PLEASE read these forum guidelines. New posters, SEARCH before posting and read these rules before posting your killer new campaign. New players may also wish to peruse the ARG Player Tutorial.

All users must abide by the Terms of Service.
Website Restoration Project
This archiving project is a collaboration between Unfiction and Sean Stacey (SpaceBass), Brian Enigma (BrianEnigma), and Laura E. Hall (lehall) with
the Center for Immersive Arts.
Announcements
This is a static snapshot of the
Unfiction forums, as of
July 23, 2017.
This site is intended as an archive to chronicle the history of Alternate Reality Games.
  

The time now is Mon Nov 18, 2024 8:19 am
All times are UTC - 4 (DST in action)		 View posts in this forum since last visit
View unanswered posts in this forum
Calendar
 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » Old News & Rumors
[Trailhead] I'm Sorry
View previous topicView next topic
Page 120 of 122 [1826 Posts]   Goto page: Previous 1, 2, 3, ..., 118, 119, 120, 121, 122  Next
Author Message
3v1L Schwinn
Decorated


Joined: 19 Mar 2009
Posts: 245
Location: Bawlmer MD USA

 		Shouldn't it be...
Quote:
"When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my Uncle Feezel did. Not screaming like everyone else in his car."

_________________
Playing:

Experienced: I'm Sorry.
---------------------------------------------
MY SPORT IS YOUR SPORT'S PUNISHMENT.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:30 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger
 Back to top 
Kelvinator
Boot

Joined: 05 Apr 2009
Posts: 31

 		I like the way you think.
_________________
Responsible for: I'm Sorry

"When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my Uncle Feezel did. Not screaming like everyone else in his car."

PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:48 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
ASimulacraOfAlex
Decorated


Joined: 18 Aug 2009
Posts: 184
Location: Duluth, MN
Kelvinator wrote:
I like the way you think.


I just want to say that I like the way you write, my friend. Friend.
_________________
"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."-Aldous Huxley
Playing:
Played: ILBs, I'm Sorry, Sunshine Mine


PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:34 am
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
legioninfinity
Boot


Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 50

 		oh wow what a read.

120 pages? You people are insane, I mean it.

I played meiGeist here at uF a couple years ago and I've been interested in ARGs ever since. Met someone the other day who was one of the regular posters early on here, but who seems to have engaged their lurk cloak after having fingers pointed at them as being a 'jacker. Anyway, he said it was worth a look. So right.

I just spent the last few days browsing through (all) the archived stuff here, reading the TGATT manuscript at the same time and glancing at a lot of CIA'd blog pages. What a trip.

First off, congratulations and thanks go to players and writer for creating a meaty, complex and authentically compelling story. Consummately done. I'm gutted that I only got here in time for the debrief Razz

From what I've read this game has blurred further the lines between what can be IG or OOG. No wait, it hasn't blurred them, it's dissolved them. You, Mr Bricker, are very very brave, the same can be said for your Folded Brood. You are also a wicked wicked man and whether you knew what you were doing or not you waded through the shallows of a sea where some very odd fish swim. I'm still in two minds about just how accidental that was Razz

There's so much more to say about this story/game/whatever but I'll finish by saying that what struck me most about this process is that one guy has been responsible for generating a huge amount of original content, fighting off hackers, jackers and angry angry ARGonauts, negotiating with uF admins, improvising plot development on the fly and generally spinning a million plates at once. Impressive. Frighteningly so, almost.
Why did he do it?
Why did you do it?
There's no commercial tie-in. I don't really buy that this is simply something for the CV either Mr Bricker Wink
So wait, what does that leave? oh yeah, done for the love of doing it. It shows. There's enormous craft and artistry in here, and a level of commitment and attention to detail that only comes from loving it. As a result, the loyal players opened themselves up to the game possibilities and everyone (up to and including me) gets so much more out of it than if it had been a by-the-numbers psychic spai story with puzzles attached. Bravo!
Given that - and I don't want to flog a dead horse but - I'm mystified, as others have been, at why 'I'm Sorry' has kinda got the cold shoulder here. I woulda thought it should be the belle of the ball.

Anyway,

TL;DR - Loved reading I'm Sorry. Exciting to see people pushing at the boundaries. Excellent sleuthing. Mr Bricker: carry on! (after a well-deserved nap break of course)

and this is the thing that bugs me about ARGs: How am I supposed to know when the next Brian Bricker product is going to hit my internets? Very Happy

PostPosted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:21 am
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Kelvinator
Boot

Joined: 05 Apr 2009
Posts: 31
legioninfinity wrote:
So wait, what does that leave? oh yeah, done for the love of doing it. It shows. There's enormous craft and artistry in here, and a level of commitment and attention to detail that only comes from loving it.


I am grateful for both your kindness and for really getting it.

Quote:
How am I supposed to know when the next Brian Bricker product is going to hit my internets?


Great question - I've been pondering it for a week now. Something tells me that those who spent time getting to know me through I'm Sorry will just know. Very Happy
_________________
Responsible for: I'm Sorry

"When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my Uncle Feezel did. Not screaming like everyone else in his car."

PostPosted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:41 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
ASimulacraOfAlex
Decorated


Joined: 18 Aug 2009
Posts: 184
Location: Duluth, MN
Kelvinator wrote:


Great question - I've been pondering it for a week now. Something tells me that those who spent time getting to know me through I'm Sorry will just know. Very Happy


Hehehehehe Razz
_________________
"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."-Aldous Huxley
Playing:
Played: ILBs, I'm Sorry, Sunshine Mine


PostPosted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:10 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
krystyn
I Never Tire of My Own Voice


Joined: 26 Sep 2002
Posts: 3651
Location: Is not Chicago
Kelvinator wrote:
And most of the big mARGketing companies create two-dimensional characters and puzzles for the sake of puzzles to promote some movie or to encourage goofy environmental activism. But now, if you gave a guy like me a team of people and a million dollars - holy cow what a FUN ride it would be! Forget about the movie tie-ins or the social conscience!

wtf
_________________
Alternate Currency
Stories and dreams, crossing my palm like silver.

xbl gamertag: krystyn

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:11 am
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
3v1L Schwinn
Decorated


Joined: 19 Mar 2009
Posts: 245
Location: Bawlmer MD USA
Kelvinator wrote:

Quote:
How am I supposed to know when the next Brian Bricker product is going to hit my internets?


Great question - I've been pondering it for a week now. Something tells me that those who spent time getting to know me through I'm Sorry will just know. Very Happy

[little girl's voice] SQUEEEEEE!! [/little girl's voice]

Errr ahh... I mean bring it on Bricker!
_________________
Playing:

Experienced: I'm Sorry.
---------------------------------------------
MY SPORT IS YOUR SPORT'S PUNISHMENT.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:49 am
 View user's profile Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger
 Back to top 
Kelvinator
Boot

Joined: 05 Apr 2009
Posts: 31
krystyn wrote:
Kelvinator wrote:
And most of the big mARGketing companies create two-dimensional characters and puzzles for the sake of puzzles to promote some movie or to encourage goofy environmental activism. But now, if you gave a guy like me a team of people and a million dollars - holy cow what a FUN ride it would be! Forget about the movie tie-ins or the social conscience!

wtf


WTF indeed.

[edit to add...] Now before I am once again accused of pooping on anybody, let me be clear. I believe that the ARG platform is the future of entertainment and that the games themselves should be the product - not simply tools used to further an agenda, commercial (i.e., viral marketing) or social.

As for the two-dimensional characters and puzzles for the sake of puzzles bit, these seem to be the unfortunate byproducts of outside-agenda-driven projects and this is definitely not a unique sentiment - even on these forums.
_________________
Responsible for: I'm Sorry

"When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my Uncle Feezel did. Not screaming like everyone else in his car."

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:09 am
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
ironnikki
Unfettered


Joined: 13 Jul 2009
Posts: 502
Location: Iowa City, IA

 		I haven't been around very much lately (obviously). I jumped into uF today on a break from writing my lab report, and here I find that the most interesting game on these forums has gone and ended!

Bravo, Mr. Bricker. I was unfortunately unable to become as involved in this as I would have liked, but I thoroughly enjoyed what little I was able to participate in. Though I wholeheartedly agree with your decision to not make an I'm Sorry 2, I would love to play another game that you PMed. Actually play it, I mean, not just pop in every other week to see what's happened. Your plot was intriguing, your characters were enthralling, your puzzles were challenging... As far as I can tell, you pretty much did just about everything right!

And as for the little "unexpected turn of events"... I think that most PMs would either kill the game, or pull the curtain aside to let us know that something happened that shouldn't have. I applaud your ability to adapt so well in your storytelling.

I know that all of that has been said before, but I wanted to make sure that I threw my voice into the mix too. I'll be keeping my eyes open for another Brian Bricker Production!
_________________
An Adventurer Is Me!
Played: Intimation, Purity Towers, Vanessa Atalanta (sort of), TV III

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 3:22 pm
 View user's profile AIM Address
 Back to top 
krystyn
I Never Tire of My Own Voice


Joined: 26 Sep 2002
Posts: 3651
Location: Is not Chicago
Kelvinator wrote:
[edit to add...] Now before I am once again accused of pooping on anybody, let me be clear. I believe that the ARG platform is the future of entertainment and that the games themselves should be the product - not simply tools used to further an agenda, commercial (i.e., viral marketing) or social.

As for the two-dimensional characters and puzzles for the sake of puzzles bit, these seem to be the unfortunate byproducts of outside-agenda-driven projects and this is definitely not a unique sentiment - even on these forums.

The Beast was a game/experience created for a movie. There have been plenty, and CONTINUE to be plenty of fine examples of grassroots and professional games in this genre.

To pretend otherwise is disingenuous, in my opinion.

Look, if you want to bask in the glory of a completed project, have fun! But there are many, many people in this community who have been here (in this genre, at this site, participating in gaming) from the very beginning, and have produced a wide range of projects from grassroots to professional to environmentally/socially-conscious.

Of COURSE people want good experiences to play. I am one of them. But the corporate disdain you employ comes off as a pretty facile platform to stand on at this point in time, and so I called it out.

And, it's not so much taking a dump as it is walking on the backs of people who've attempted one of the hundred million ways there currently are to skin the narrative cat. Being different doesn't make you more sincere. FYI.

Anyway. I found your comment about other projects rude and too easy, so there you go.
_________________
Alternate Currency
Stories and dreams, crossing my palm like silver.

xbl gamertag: krystyn

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:49 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
BlackandBlue
Veteran


Joined: 19 Sep 2008
Posts: 92
Location: Chatsworth, CA

 		Happy medium is possible
Kelvinator wrote:
krystyn wrote:
Kelvinator wrote:
And most of the big mARGketing companies create two-dimensional characters and puzzles for the sake of puzzles to promote some movie or to encourage goofy environmental activism. But now, if you gave a guy like me a team of people and a million dollars - holy cow what a FUN ride it would be! Forget about the movie tie-ins or the social conscience!

wtf


WTF indeed.

[edit to add...] Now before I am once again accused of pooping on anybody, let me be clear. I believe that the ARG platform is the future of entertainment and that the games themselves should be the product - not simply tools used to further an agenda, commercial (i.e., viral marketing) or social.

As for the two-dimensional characters and puzzles for the sake of puzzles bit, these seem to be the unfortunate byproducts of outside-agenda-driven projects and this is definitely not a unique sentiment - even on these forums.


Sorry for the long quote, but it helps keep track of the conversation, as I move into this post.

Having watched a lot of ARGs, PM'd one, researched more and played barely a handful, I have to say that there Brian makes a valid point to embracing this genre of entertainment "for the love of the game."

Even though the game I PM'd was definitely a publicity stunt for a movie, we didn't even mention the movie in the game, except for oblique references to 'fours' as they suited the storyline, which could subliminally lead players to possibly do a search that would lead to movie title, "The Four". We did not go into the ARG to "Sell" the movie. We did it as an experiment in not letting the movie marketing take over the soul of the game, while (hopefully) providing an engaging story line, some puzzles and lots of character interaction to make the game stand on its own as an entertainment.

What I'm saying, is that I agree with Brian's point: when many (not ALL, but many) professional marketers go into doing an ARG, they do so with the mindset of using it as a traditional selling tool for whatever the product is, that they are promoting. I was angry and upset when "Push, NV" devolved into ads for Toyota, and a means to get people to tune into the Super Bowl (like that "show" ever has problems with ratings?) It was a case where the game became secondary, or simply dissolved, because they don't get the immediate sales from it that they expected.

Here's what I come out of this ARG with: Whether it was intentional or not, I must say that I bought more Starbucks products during the course of this ARG than I would have otherwise. I am also looking more closely at a San Francisco based holiday in the near future, thanks to this game. Even though neither was the goal of Mr. Bricker in planning I'm Sorry (or was it? Wink), the subliminal aspects of marketing a product were there, while that was not the targeted goal of the game. I'm Sorry proved that doing it for the love of the game alone, doesn't make the ability to sell something as a by product of the game any less.

As a viral campaign with your company name and company website included prominently in the promotion is NOT a viral and tends to be dismissed as typical advertising, an ARG that constantly pushes the product (title/item/business name) into the forefront of the game is also not as likely to keep players interested.

[edited to remove too much personal history crap.]
_________________
Player history:
Current - lurking everything Smile
Past Play - Lost Experience, Cloverfield, Push, NV
PM'd - Kronos480BC

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:54 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
classical
Unfettered


Joined: 08 Apr 2009
Posts: 459
Location: Minneapolis, MN
krystyn wrote:
But there are many, many people in this community who have been here (in this genre, at this site, participating in gaming) from the very beginning ... But the corporate disdain you employ comes off as a pretty facile platform to stand on at this point in time ...


Seniority does not automatically make one's experiences more valuable. FYI.

Though Brian is new to the PM role, it does not mean he's new to ARG. He deserves more than a round of applause not just for completing his game, but also for responding to what he sees in his research and his experiences in ARG through it. From what I understand, he saw a lack of ARGs that purely embraced the love of the game, so he created one that did, and did so successfully. It's one thing to kvetch and moan about the state of things; it's another thing entirely to do something about it.

Brian's point, though general, has weight. One that I will happily support with more specific examples if you really want to drag this one out. Though BlackandBlue has already provided us with some extremely insightful experiences on that note, which I appreciate a lot. I'm glad you shared 'em with us, man.

But hey, for what it's worth... in my own meager experience, here is what I've observed: few threads on uF have hit the ten-page mark without someone taking shots at what product the new trailhead is trying to promote. It appears that ARGers are naturally inclined to believe first in product placement, rather than think, "hey, maybe this game is simply for the sake of the game."

And that mentality, I feel, is the real byproduct of viral campaigning.

That all said, I'm not sure where you're getting the bit about viral campaigns and the like being bad. Different strokes for different folks, after all. A "good game" is a vague term and entirely relative experience to the singular player.
It's incredibly hard (impossible, maybe) to compare the "success" of a viral campaign with a movie tie-in to a homebrew that games for game's sake ... I mean, their goals for success are obivously different, or we wouldn't bother to differenciate between them, now would we?
_________________
played: i'm sorry

PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:19 am
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
SteganosaurusRex
Veteran

Joined: 15 Sep 2009
Posts: 117

 		Ayn Rand?

You aren't some kind of extreme individual are you?

PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:04 am
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Wulf74
Unfettered


Joined: 04 Dec 2008
Posts: 680
Location: SLC, Utah
Kelvinator wrote:
krystyn wrote:
Kelvinator wrote:
And most of the big mARGketing companies create two-dimensional characters and puzzles for the sake of puzzles to promote some movie or to encourage goofy environmental activism. But now, if you gave a guy like me a team of people and a million dollars - holy cow what a FUN ride it would be! Forget about the movie tie-ins or the social conscience!

wtf


WTF indeed.

[edit to add...] Now before I am once again accused of pooping on anybody, let me be clear. I believe that the ARG platform is the future of entertainment and that the games themselves should be the product - not simply tools used to further an agenda, commercial (i.e., viral marketing) or social.


I don't believe you were the one doing the "pooping" there. Seems to me someone who just has a lot of time on their hands, and lots of criticism for other peoples statements/opinions. Not sure who named her "sheriff", I must've missed that memo.
I suppose some people really do subscribe to the sentiment I once heard from a cousin of mine:
Quote:
You're welcome to your opinion, even if you are wrong.


I wish I had the time to do nothing but troll forums and cause problems.
_________________
I'd like to offer moral support, but I have questionable morals.
Currently being played by: Rule the Gun

PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:44 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
Display posts from previous:   Sort by:   
Page 120 of 122 [1826 Posts]   Goto page: Previous 1, 2, 3, ..., 118, 119, 120, 121, 122  Next
View previous topicView next topic
 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » Old News & Rumors
Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
You cannot post calendar events in this forum



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group