ARG Basics
This term describes the blending of fiction with real-world elements to immerse players.
What is alternate-reality gaming?
A story that unfolds across multiple types of media, such as films, games, and social media, is called this.
What is transmedia storytelling?
This 2001 ARG, linked to Halo, was one of the first large-scale ARGs.
What is I Love Bees?
ARGs often start with a subtle invitation into the game, called this.
What is a trailhead?
A major concern of ARGs is that they sometimes blur this boundary between reality and fiction.
What is the fourth wall?
This kind of storytelling relies on players solving puzzles and following clues.
What is interactive storytelling?
This director popularised transmedia storytelling through the Cloverfield ARG
Who is J.J. Abrams?
This ARG was created to promote The Dark Knight and involved hidden messages in Joker cards.
What is Why So Serious??
The process of solving puzzles and uncovering hidden content in ARGs is known as this.
What is rabbit-holing?
Some ARGs have raised ethical concerns due to their ability to spread these kinds of deceptive messages.
What are hoaxes or misinformation?
In ARGs, clues and puzzles are often hidden within these types of online spaces.
What are websites, social media, and forums?
A key principle of transmedia storytelling is that each platform should contribute this to the overall narrative.
What is unique content?
The Beast was an ARG developed to promote this Steven Spielberg film
What is A.I. Artificial Intelligence?
ARGs often use fake websites, social media accounts, and email messages, which are called this.
What are diegetic elements?
This ethical issue arises when ARGs collect data or track players without their informed consent.
What is privacy invasion?
This term describes the moment when a player realises they are part of an ARG.
What is the rabbit hole?
Unlike traditional media, ARGs often make players feel as though they are part of this.
What is the story world?
This ARG, launched by Nine Inch Nails, built a dystopian story world set in 2022.
What is Year Zero?
A puzzle that requires players to search for clues in a video, website, or real-world location is an example of this type of gameplay.
What is an embedded puzzle?
The use of ARGs in advertising campaigns sometimes sparks debates about this marketing strategy.
What is stealth marketing?
ARGs often use this method of collective intelligence, where players work together to solve complex problems.
What is crowdsourcing?
The name of the storytelling strategy where audience interaction influences the story’s direction.
What is participatory storytelling?
This ongoing ARG, known for its cryptic number puzzles and recruitment-style messaging, remains unsolved.
What is Cicada 3301?
This term refers to the method of gradually revealing clues over time to keep players engaged.
What is drip-feeding content?
Some ARGs engage players in difficult or emotional choices, raising questions about their impact on this aspect of psychology.
What is player agency and emotional manipulation?