bethy wrote:Of course IRC channels will exist, my suggestion is that official game play NOT be recognized on IRC, or in any chat room for that matter. If people insist on the chats, then it should be done where a full and complete log can be done and posted for everyone to see.
Bethy, I really like what you're saying here. One way or another, if the game info/leads/clues/speculation can't be accessed by everyone, it does really kill off the game. That said, I also think that the chat is a great way to brainstorm and sift through information/speculation, not to mention how much excitement it added to the drops. So, as you've already mentioned, if #operationaphid and/or #tachyon are used, perhaps it would be a good idea to somehow keep an archive of them here?
I really have to agree with Renegade. Don't get me wrong, I didn't have anything against the "elites" or veteran chat folks personally. A couple (dunno if they would be considered "elite" or not) have been quick to come to my rescue when I had some very "101" questions from other ARGs (Kas, Caslynn, Skunk, thank you!
) At times, this "tight rein" held by a few did help the game proceed. They've worked long hours and put a fair amount of cash into drop retrievals, organizing teams to solve puzzles, etc. And, although this fact may be on shaky ground due to recent events, there were some killer code breakers in their ranks.
But, for the most part, there was (or, at least I felt) an air of exclusivity around it all. More often than not, it seemed the same people pulled the strings and directed the discussions; those of us who didn't "get" this were mostly blown off or ignored. I don't think it was a situation of nobody else willing to step up to the task, but rather some strong personalities that, together with close ties to the rest of the "elite", kept that from happening.
I don't think this is anyone's fault in particular, it just "happened"...lol! Famous last words, right? The drops necessitated the creation of a group of retreivers (hehe...golden, labrador -sorry, I digress
)living in the area, and reliable participants to act as operators, along with a whole slew of other circumstances that fell into place to create this "clique-y-ness" that so many of us have felt.
But anywho ~ good, bad or neutral, that's all over and done with now. Assuming that the creationitzas flush another PM out of the bushes and this thing gets rolling again, there are a few things that would be nice. First off, while I've never been a fan of dumbing down anything, if the PM's can see that only a select few people are capable of solving a majority of the puzzles, it might be time to rethink them...not simplify, but perhaps hide a few clues that, when uncovered, will give us a veiw from another angle.
I also would like the idea of hidden resources online....give us something to work (hope) for between major clues/events. Anything to keep us on our toes, and enable the
PMs to steer the story more, and make sure everyone has access to the story arc, not just a team of core players who manage info as they see fit.
Also, while this may be impossible with it now being so intertwined with LG15, it would be nice to make it more ARG, and less interactive fiction. Rather than handing out easter eggs at the end of a puzzle trail, create scenarios where the storyline is directly influenced by the choices, successes and failures of the players. It would take a
damn creative PM to figure out how to work it in while staying within the LG15 lines, but I have faith....
It would add to the spook factor, that's for sure.