unforum

[Jas0n]

try using html entities decode:

http://snarkles.net/scripts/sneak/sneak.php

[squid808]

I got the two emails as well... the one had the .png file (below) and the following is the exact html copied straight into a file. I wonder if other people got different ones and they combine to make something? Or possibly there are errors in the html that I didn't catch by eye, though I'm not good enough to see anything else.
http://www.laika-comic.com/misc/test.html

[miki_38x1]

I got that exact same PNG file. Is the link you provided the outcome of that code, squid? If so, it definitely looks like piece number one to another picture puzzle that we'll need to assemble. The email said to expect a video tomorrow, so I'm guessing there will be another HTML code to add in after that in the video. Just a spec though.

[squid808]

[Star Spider]

Conversation and Code

[WrathMonkey]

I'm in

[WrathMonkey]

[Star Spider]

Hello and Welcome Monkey!

As far as I can see there are no clearly defined rules and boundaries in the ARG world. It is a newish medium of play and experimental. Mistakes are welcome - how would we learn without them? But as far as I can see it would be difficult to make a mistake as I am not really sure what that would mean in this context - besides perhaps an incorrect guess as to the villains location...

I have been trying to get some more - personal information through e-mail with the criminal.

As for the reply - the criminal seems fairly consistent and I reckon you can expect a reply within the next 24 hours (that seems to be the most it has ever taken him to reply).

My most recent conversation with him has been as follows (an attempt on my part to get more personal information):

Me: "Why has no one tried to stop you yet? I am sure you cannot continue killing so many without so much as a peep from the authorities"

Him: "They usually don't find out until I am long gone without a trace.
I'm at my destination."

Me: " "Usually" connotes that this is not always the case. Has there been a time when you have been discovered in some way?"

Him: "Oh, yes. I was nearly put in jail. I was young at the time, and careless. It scared me quite a bit!"

Me: "Ok so if it scared you then - why would you want to go now? Being locked away forever appeals to you now? I know you claimed you want to kill behind bars but I don't get how that is such a prize..."

Him: "I want more of a CHALLENGE. I'm bored of my life now. "

Me: "I understand but there are a BILLION ways to challenge oneself on this vast planet. But if you stick yourself behind bars there is not much of a challenge there. If you are bored now just wait until you have been stuck in a cell for a few years! Besides killing is not much of a 'challenge' it does not require much skill to - for example bash someones head in - scaling Mt. Everest - now that is a Challenge (and more aesthetically pleasing then criminals and steel bars)!"

Him: "I have scaled Mt. Everest. I have painted great works. I was once a singer. I have a grand plan for what will happen when I am behind bars. Believe me, you will hear about it for years to come."

[Corbenk]

Hi, Iam pretty new to ARGs, the only one I have even lurked on was Trinstod, and I still cannot get it out of my head, that is, in fact, the only reason I'm here. I remember telling myself I'll register if Iever find another one I like, and here I am.

I think this is all quite interesting. I am wondering if it would be okay to e-mail him.

[WrathMonkey]

[BirdsDoThus]

Re: Conversation and Code

[faeryqueen21]

WrathMonkey, just remember when you are interacting with a character that to them, This Is Not A Game. Therefore, they shouldn't know about unFiction, "signing up", or "lurking". You didn't directly mention unFiction but you let on that there was a place we were all talking about this where one "signs up" to play. You have not actually made a mistake, but you were close. Just keep in mind that you should not mention this place to characters. I have before. Believe me, some people here will tear you a new one for it and then end it all with a smiley face. Not to scare you, cause learning is all part of the process. Welcome, and enjoy!

[Star Spider]

I think a good idea would be to establish motivation - so far all I have been able to get from him is that he is bored and he wants to go to jail because he has a plan for inside... boredom does not seem to be a very compelling reason for killing so many people!

As for the whole 'mistake thing' let me play devils advocate for a minute. I am of the camp (although I might be camping alone) that there are no mistakes when interacting with characters in games - I think that the characters should be able to handle whatever we can throw at them and recover with grace. I think a game should be flexible enough to allow for REAL interactions whatever that may mean to you. There have been some discussions on this in the META discussions... Although I am totally into respecting the GM (or PM) and playing the game that has been provided I also think that it is fair to expect people to test the limits of the games and bend the rules - especially since most games in this genre don't have clearly defined rules (they become clearer as you move along). If you have broken a rule I think it should be up to the characters to tell you - because you never know some games rules may be another games freedom!

As for this game itself - well the villian has told us clearly that we are playing his game - so I think technically to the character - This Is A Game

(Waiting patiently to be torn a new one)

[myf]

[WrathMonkey]