ARGs Presentation

sECTION 1:

WHAT ARE ARGS?

• ARG STANDS FOR ALTERNATE REALITY GAME

• Args are a FORM OF interactive online storytelling,
• they are also referred to as 'unfiction'.

WHAT IS AN ARG?

youtube arg with clues in subtitles

twitter arg told across multiple accounts

puzzle based 'arg' used as recruitment

daisy brown

THE SUN VANISHED

Cicada 3301

examples

what do args involve?

clues:hints to aid the players in solving

a plot:the storyline being told

a rabbithole:the media made to draw players in

a puppet-master:those who are running the arg

sECTION 2:

HOW DID ARGS begin?

now

new media and args

2002

unfictionforum begins

2001

'the beast' arg is released

blair witch project IS PRODUCED

1999

TIMELINE

• released in 2001, the movie 'a.i artificial intelligence' used an arg for promotion
• This arg is later dubbed 'the beast'

the beast

clues in the beast

'warn her''jeanine salla' 'EVAN died sinning'

circled letters spell 'evan chan was murdered'

lines on letters lead to phone number

clues in the beast

• Group formed april 11th, 2001.
• some of the group went on to make lockjaw.
• coined 'arg' to promote this

The cloudmakers

• All args still fall under the label 'unfiction'
• some prefer the term 'tinag'
• less corporate ran/ more homemade
• new media types

args at present day

sECTION 3:

how to get incolved in ARGs

the 'puppet-master'telling their story

interested in args' outcomes but not actively solving it

actively taking part online to solve args

creator

spectator

player

WAYS TO INTERACT

• actively working to solve args,
• done within (usually online) communites,
• online forums, youtube, servers

becoming a player

arg discussion server

vehemence:

hub to find ALTERNATE REALITY GAMes

r/arg:

ALTERNATE REALITY GAMING NETWORK

online communities

argnET:

• More casual than actively playing
• tYPICALLY THOSE WATCHING SUMMARIES, OR WATCHING THE PLAYERS SOLVE

BECOMING A SPECTATOR

discussions of horror media including args

for more detailed deep dives into unfiction

Quick and easy to understand arg explanations

nexpo

night mind

inside a mind

RESOURCES

• Telling a story through unfiction.
• directing the arg and clues.
• Can be done alone or in a group.

becoming a creator

clues hidden in real life

hidden text appearing when highlighted

hidden symbols

Image Steganography

audio encryption

using text ciphers

examples of clues

step by step guides on creating args

arg community where you can get tips

youtube playlist containing tutorials

online guides

vehemence

arg playlist

RESOURCES

sECTION 3:

why args?

• entertainment has begun to digitilise,
• attention spans have significantly dropped
• stories told within long books are now less accessible

online storytelling

• bridge the gap between storytelling and social media
• interactive so easier to stay focused
• still challenge people's brains as books would do

args as an alternative

thanks for listening

any questions?