Category: News (Page 156 of 183)

Orbital Colonyâ€™s Stellar Launch

August 2, 2005 / Yulia Mostovoy

The long–awaited Orbital Colony took off last week with a stealthy launch during ARGFest NYC. Attendees of the convention found, within their welcome envelopes, a rather bizarre credit card advertisement that promised to send their credit “into outer space!”

The embedded puzzle (what? of course there was an embedded puzzle!) led players to the Orbicon Corporation, a company dedicated to the noble task of building a space elevator and bringing humanity to the stars. Theyâ€™re holding a â€œName that Rock!â€ contest, so if you want to get involved, why not enter? There might even be a few rock puns that havenâ€™t yet been made.

Initially envisioned as a training ground for new PMs, Orbital Colony appears to have grown into a full-fledged ARG sometime during its two years of development. The projectâ€™s meta page has more information on its unusual history.

Discussion at Unfiction
Wiki
Chat (irc) in #orbital

Update on PXC Puzzle Cards

August 2, 2005 / Jonathan Waite

Perplex City players were sent an email from in-game character Sente Kiteway earlier today, giving a heads-up to the registered player base that the puzzle cards (which have been sold in select stores across the world for the past few weeks) are now available for online ordering at Firebox. The email talked about a bonus for the first 100 people who order, but it is unknown whether that limit has been met or not.

Akalesh Ascendant

August 2, 2005 / Jonathan Waite

Keen observer Chippy at Unfiction found a new sponsored link when doing a Google search for ARG today. Akalesh Ascendant is a META website for a new ARG coming in February of 2006, according to the site. While nothing is known (at least by us) about the company behind the game (Dark Element), the Flash-based website has a slick quality to it (even though the navigation is still a bit wonky).

The site has an Egyptian theme to it, complete with a catchy music loop. Dark Element is billing the game as “what some call an ARG and others call immersive fiction” and includes a sign-up form for anyone wishing to stay informed. There has already been a puzzle found on the site.

The Traveler – It’s A Series?

July 30, 2005 / Jackie Kerr

traveler There it was â€“ its silvery pinstriped cover, twinkling oddly in the fluorescent lighting, resting atop the black lacquer display shelves before me as I stumbled in the front door. I paused, catching my breath â€“ I could almost see her winking at me from behind the glistening blue sunglass lens, â€œIâ€™m here, waiting.â€

Stepping forward, momentarily detained by the security guard that seemed desirous of wishing me a good evening, I snatched a copy off of the shelves. It was in my possession â€“ that â€œrumored for monthsâ€ novel, written by the elusive John Twelve Hawks, with the delectable story-based game companion websites â€“ The Traveler.

I rushed over to the counter, whipped out my Barnes and Noble membership card (really, itâ€™s made me spend more money than itâ€™s saved me. Tricky corporate entities!), saved myself 10% off the cover price, and rushed out of the store, once again being wished a good evening by the kindly guard. It was to be a good night for at last, I had The Traveler in my possession.

ARGFest New York City is Biggest Yet

July 28, 2005 / Steve Peters

New York saw bands of Alternate Reality Gamers invade their city last weekend, when ARGFest IV came to town. Historically a social gathering of fans of ARGs, this time around reached new heights in sheer numbers and cool events. Over 50 ARG aficionados from the U.S., Canada and Great Britain spent the weekend gaming, partying, attending sessions and generally enjoying one another. Many folks were meeting each other for the first time in real life, despite having known each other online for years.

City of Domes Suspended

July 27, 2005 / Jonathan Waite

Earlier today, players involved with the City of Domes ARG (featured previously on ARGN) received an email from Jacob Trasky at Virtuquest detailing the necessity for the immediate suspension of gameplay as a response to a breakdown in the contract between VQC and its unnamed client. While the announcement was troubling and dissapointing, it was not altogether unexpected, as the game had ground to a halt weeks ago.

With the announcement, it looks as though players who had followed the game will have to wait for further developments between VQC and its client. Trasky made clear in his letter that the company has “great respect for the ARG community, players, and entities such as ARGN.COM and Unfiction.com.” He concluded by apologizing for this “unconcluded effort”. It was unclear whether or not the game would be able to continue if the compensation issues were resolved.