unforum

[Chewy]

TINAG: The Most Misused Term of ARG History

[Phaedra]

Hmm, as one of the panelists, I want to make it clear that I don't see TINAG as applying to player behavior.

I see it solely as a design aesthetic. (That is, some combination of your #1 and #3.) I don't think that puppetmasters staying behind the curtain is the main component of their adherence to TINAG. Rather, I think that puppetmaster adherence to TINAG inheres more fully in other design choices: phone numbers that work, internal consistency, etc. The curtain is one component, and even a major one, obviously, but I don't think that it's the main component. A puppetmaster can give an interview during a game, and providing it's to an outlet somewhat removed from the game, I don't think it completely wrecks TINAG (although it does reduce it, for me).

I respectfully disagree with Geoff's (and perhaps others' -- I don't remember offhand) characterization of TINAG as applying to player behavior. Certainly, one might hope that a player, in dealing with a character, doesn't bring up the fact that said character is fictional, but I see that as more of a common sense thing than an adherence to TINAG. Generally speaking, one does not do that in other game types (such as RPGs) that do not hold strongly to a TINAG principle. One also does not shout at characters on a movie screen that they are only fictional, or repeatedly remind oneself of the fictional nature of a novel while immersed in it. That's more about the general suspension of disbelief required for enjoyment of any type of storytelling, even if that suspension must stretch further in ARGs.

What Geoff describes as TINAG is actually, I believe, the effects of successful adherence to the TINAG principle on the part of the puppetmasters. If they successfully create a character that feels, in interactions, like a real person, players will want to treat that character like a real person, not because they're consciously trying to preserve the "immersion" or "reality" of the game, but merely because that is a natural response.

So, as far as I'm concerned, TINAG is a design aesthetic on the part of the puppetmasters, not a behavior type on the part of the players.

Tangentially, Elan is the guy that coined the term, and it was fascinating to me, at ARGfest, to hear him describe it as being a "terrible job describing what [he] meant," which was apparently "We will never make you feel stupid for believing us."

Which at first, I thought, was sort of a radical change from how I understood the term; but then, upon reflection, it's not so far off at all, since my understanding has always been along the lines of a commitment to internal consistency and (make-)believability.

[thebruce]

I agree Phaedra
After reading the first post, I came to realize that what I mentioned wasn't as much what TINAG actually stood for, or the reason for its coinage, but rather, as you eloquently put it, the result of a good TINAG design and adherence.

When I said my part, I was thinking more along the general lines of what keeps the lines of reality blurred - and for me, when people over-refer to the ARG as a game, or debate about what's in or not, and just a general lack of 'entering in' to the arg world, it makes suspension of disbelief more burdensome...

But yes, I agree now that what I was desribing wasn't really TINAG, but a game-playing philosophy.

As for applying to characters or PM's, I also agree with Phaedra, in that 1 and 3 are really very similar if not referring to the same things. The characters are the PM's. So I think 1 and 3 really become a matter of how the PM's treat their in-game resources, and how they treat 'real life' pertaining the ARG - not just a matter of retaining the curtain as it applies to PM identity, but retaining the curtain as it applies to the wall of immersion and believability. Before the curtain is drawn, the room is just a room, but once it's drawn, the illusion of the room as it was is ruined.

And once again, another point of Phae's I agree with - small amounts here and there of PMs associating with 'their arg' I don't think is a huge hinderance, since first we already (or should) know that it's a game we're playing, and chances are we have an idea of who's behind it. I think it can be detremental when the itendity of the puppetmaster team behind an ARG changes the acceptability or general opinion of the ARG - case in point, the Halo 3 campaign vs Ilovebees. But that's another topic

Point being, I agree that yes, the TINAG philosophy is a matter applicable to the puppetmaster team behind the game, which in turn applies to the characters, locations, events, and other in-game elements controlled by the PM team. They can't do anything about how players refer to an ARG, and ultimately, neither can a community. As it pertains to players, it's not so much TINAG as is a matter of whatever is considered 'etiquette' at the time for the community playing the game.

Good distinction, and thanks for bringing it up Chewy

[Rogi Ocnorb]

I'm averse to breaking TINAG down into separate areas of "responsibility". To me it is a more global philosophy that requires work on everyone's part. Players should put on their "game face" and PMs should use heavy material on their curtains.

[Zombie Arthur]

 Where is the line; and is there one?

[Rekidk]

But I don't think your character necessarily must be you. I remember reading something by Konamouse on this subject. I can't find the quote, but I think she said something along these lines:

[EarlyWyrm]

This is off point in the midst of such wonderfully critical thinking, but after my "lengthy" 9 months in the genre, TINAG has come to mean: Just let yourself go.

To expand on such a simple definition - over analyzing the meta takes away from the enjoyment of suspended disbelief. After a brief hiatus from net-land I just started re-reading some of the games I've lurked through and it dawned on me that I missed a lot of enjoyment by dissecting the artform INSTEAD of simply experiencing it. If that makes sense?

That being said, as I realize it's over simplified in the grand scheme of the collective grasp of this genre, tinag simply means "relax and take a ride".

[vpisteve]

Gotta call shenanigans on this whole thread! TINAG is the most misused term in ARG history???? I think not!

*cough*

[rose]

Blair Witch

[HaxanMike]

Re: Blair Witch

[vpisteve]

By the way, Mike, looks like there are some broken links in there. The photo links on http://www.blairwitch.com/photo1.html, photo2.html, etc. are broken.

Dunno if you're in a position to fix (or even care at this point ), but just fyi.

[HaxanMike]

[catherwood]

[rose]

[addlepated]