fAr stAr

Does it sound something related to artificial intelligence, or the alternate/parallel world theories expressed in Matrix and other similar movies??? well its quite like the same thing, only difference is that its controlled in real-time by real people, not computer AI and you can not only be a part of it but drive the whole thing…yes, your response can change. The most compelling aspect of ARGs is the medium…the medium of the game is real-life…yes, real life. All you need is a computer connected to the cyber space. So the game actually doesn’t look or feel like a game, as the slogan This Is Not A Game (TINAG) suggests. . Like most Role Playing Games (RPGs), players assume the role of a fictional character in the fictional world of the game, ARGs also played on this format, with a very interesting variation. The character you play in the game is YOU, not any fictional character on the game.

But the interesting part is yet to come…the most important thing I always wanted to see in a game is Learning. If a game is not teaching you anything good, its just a waste of time. Now unlike any other First Person Shooting (FPS) games, ARGs require a certain amount of skills in various fields to play. The information needed to play the game may be encrypted in Morse Codes, Pictures, ASCII, or even in the Source Code. A Puzzle or two is a must for ARGs. The Tutorial on Unfiction is a good start-up to learn the techniques used in most ARGs to encrypt/hide the hints/clues. Now not a single person can possess all those skills required to play the game…here comes the concept of community. ARGs are always played in a community, where each one is contributing its bit to solve the on-hand problem. The members of the communities interact through various mediums; forums, mailing lists, blogs, twitter and what not.

By now if you are still thinking whats all that shit don’t go any further, but if all of that sounds interesting to you and you want to know more about it, Game Mice has a very good Quick Start page for ARGs. Wikipedia has a detailed page on ARGs as well, which suggests that this genre is getting quite popular in western countries. Unfiction and ARGnet are good places for the latest news and happenings related to ARGs. Unfiction hosts a massive community of ARG players from all around the world, unfortunately not much representation from the South Asia though.

Some of the most popular concluded ARGs are The Beast, which is acclaimed to be the first ARG, Ocular Effect, which was created as an interactive tie-in for the ABC Family television movie Fallen and Cathy’s Book. Some of the on-going ones are The Lost Ring, which is endorsed by the International Olympic Committee and sponsored by McDonald’s and will end with the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, 48 Hours in Purgatory and a newly started GeoPikzz.

So if anyone interested in joining the fun, check the main website, find its corresponding threads on forums read what other are doing and start playing…c ya in an ARG