Comments on: SXSW Session on “Mashing Up ARGs and Video Games” http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/ Alan Levine's space for barking about and playing with technology Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:09:59 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Dee http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/comment-page-1/#comment-53993 Dee Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:40:40 +0000 http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/#comment-53993 Alan - ARGs can be about anything at all. Lots of plots center around weird occurrences or missing people because they're easy to create write to, but a light-hearted game would be an excellent addition to the genre. To be a little more specific about how many people it takes to run a game, grassroots games have been orchestrated by groups from one person to a dozen or more. Professional games can be just as big as your budget allows. Like Ken said, it's possible to run a quality game with just a small amount of money and a few people, as long as you have coordinating skill sets, like a good web designer, a good writer, someone who's good with details and production, etc. I wish we had hours for our panel, because there are so many good questions about the practicalities of running games. Alan – ARGs can be about anything at all. Lots of plots center around weird occurrences or missing people because they’re easy to create write to, but a light-hearted game would be an excellent addition to the genre.

To be a little more specific about how many people it takes to run a game, grassroots games have been orchestrated by groups from one person to a dozen or more. Professional games can be just as big as your budget allows. Like Ken said, it’s possible to run a quality game with just a small amount of money and a few people, as long as you have coordinating skill sets, like a good web designer, a good writer, someone who’s good with details and production, etc.

I wish we had hours for our panel, because there are so many good questions about the practicalities of running games.

]]> By: alan http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/comment-page-1/#comment-53956 alan Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:25:29 +0000 http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/#comment-53956 thanks writer guy... World w/ oil is fantastic. I think I just need to plunge in and try. One question is whether ARGs need always be dark stories thanks writer guy… World w/ oil is fantastic. I think I just need to plunge in and try. One question is whether ARGs need always be dark stories

]]> By: Tom http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/comment-page-1/#comment-53842 Tom Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:21:54 +0000 http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/#comment-53842 Alan, If you end up pursuing the ARG for higher ed idea and need some collaborators I'm more than game. I've been looking to do this for some time. I tried to rope Jim Groom into it just the other day. I just see it as the most amazingly cool thing ever- if it's done well. Not sure what it would take, a lot I imagine, but I think it'd be worth it. Alan,

If you end up pursuing the ARG for higher ed idea and need some collaborators I’m more than game. I’ve been looking to do this for some time. I tried to rope Jim Groom into it just the other day.

I just see it as the most amazingly cool thing ever- if it’s done well. Not sure what it would take, a lot I imagine, but I think it’d be worth it.

]]> By: WriTerGuy http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/comment-page-1/#comment-53825 WriTerGuy Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:52:47 +0000 http://cogdogblog.com/2008/03/08/arg-sxsw/#comment-53825 Hi Alan - I was in that audience too, and appreciated your question. I would add that although many past ARGs were well-funded commercial projects, lots of $$$$ is not an absolute requirement. ARGs are very open to invention. I put together WORLD WITHOUT OIL, and its budget was a fraction of a typical commercial endeavor. I think especially for people looking at a localized ARG (for instruction or activism, say) need clever game design and smart writing more than they need bucketz of money. Hi Alan – I was in that audience too, and appreciated your question. I would add that although many past ARGs were well-funded commercial projects, lots of $$$$ is not an absolute requirement. ARGs are very open to invention. I put together WORLD WITHOUT OIL, and its budget was a fraction of a typical commercial endeavor. I think especially for people looking at a localized ARG (for instruction or activism, say) need clever game design and smart writing more than they need bucketz of money.

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