A World Made Just For You
An Introduction to ARGs, Part 1
Since I’ve already contributed a couple of very different articles, it’s probably about time I introduced myself and explained my reason for writing here on Alterati. As you can gather from the heard above, my name is Dave Szulborski, and my main goal in writing here is to discuss Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) and other forms of emerging game-based new media, and along the way I’ll be sharing my experience and insight gained from working professionally in the genre for several years now.
By way of a very brief introduction, I have created or worked on ten ARGs in the past 6 years, beginning back in 2001 when I was a beta tester on Electronic Arts’ Majestic, one of the first commercial ARG efforts.
The games I’ve created or worked on include:
ChangeAgents – Rogue Chip (2001), Operation Mindset (2001), Out of Control (2002)
Chasing the Wish (2003)
Urban Hunt (2004)
ARGTalk (2005)
Audi’s Art of the Heist (2005)
General Motor’s Who is Benjamin Stove? (2006)
Catching the Wish (2006)
Magnolia Pictures – Monster Hunter Club (2007) for their film The Host
Additionally, I have been involved as a consultant / interactive content and / or puzzle creator on several other major marketing campaigns recently, including online games for:
• a Hewlett Packard promotion called Hedgegames for Dreamworks’ 2006 film Over the Hedge
• the Travelocity “Missing Gnome” campaign (2006)
• a M&M’S promotion for the 2007 Shrek the Third film from Dreamworks entitled Fairy Tale Ransom
• the Chevrolet Rise of the Autobots campaign for the Dreamworks / Paramount film Transformers
Finally, I am also the author of This Is Not A Game: A Guide to Alternate Reality Gaming (2005, New Fiction Publishing), the first book about this new genre of entertainment, marketing, and storytelling and the only book examining the history, creation, and real-world application of ARGs written by an actual game creator. As you can see, I have a bit of experience in both creating and analyzing Alternate Reality Games, both on an independent level and as part of multi-million dollar marketing campaigns for some of the biggest and most progressive clients in the world.
In the next few weeks I’ll be giving you an introduction to Alternate Reality Games, what they are, how they are made, and why myself and so many other new media artists and theorists are so excited about their potential. I’ll also be giving you a few exclusive glimpses behind the curtain of ARGs, into the world of the Puppetmaster, sharing with you some personal examples how ARG players often find these games transformational, inspirational, and life changing.
Next week: Part 2 – Into the Rabbit Hole.
In the meantime, please check out the many Beginner’s Resources about ARGs on my website, including a mini ARG with a complete walkthrough guide and a PDF version of the first two chapters of my second book, Through the Rabbit Hole, a beginner’s guide for ARG players.
