5 ARG Creator Obstacles, and How to Beat Them!

Creating and promoting an alternate reality game (ARG) can be a unique and immersive experience for players, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. In this post, we’ll delve into some of the biggest ARG Obstacles that developers and marketers face when creating and promoting an ARG, and offer some tips and advice for overcoming those challenges.

Create a compelling and engaging story.

One of the biggest challenges with creating an alternate reality game (ARG) is coming up with a compelling and engaging story. This involves coming up with original and creative ideas for the overall theme and plot of the game, and then crafting those ideas into a cohesive narrative that will keep players motivated and engaged. This can be especially difficult for ARGs that are designed to be played over an extended period of time, as the story needs to be engaging enough to keep players invested in the game.

• To overcome this challenge, start by brainstorming and coming up with a list of ideas for the story and the overall theme of the game. Do some research to see what other successful ARGs have done in the past, and enlist the help of a team of writers or other creative professionals to help flesh out the story.
• Collaborating with other creative professionals or enthusiasts can be a great way to come up with new and innovative ideas for the story and theme of your ARG. This can include working with writers, game designers, or other professionals who have experience in the field and can bring fresh perspectives and insights to the table. By collaborating with others, you can tap into a wealth of creativity and expertise that can help to make your ARG more compelling and engaging.

Come up with challenging and interesting puzzles.

Another challenge that developers and marketers face when creating an ARG is coming up with interesting and challenging puzzles and challenges for players to solve. These puzzles and challenges need to be thoughtfully designed and carefully balanced in terms of difficulty, as they should be challenging enough to keep players engaged and motivated, but not so difficult that they become frustrating or impossible to solve. Finding the right balance can be tricky, and it often requires testing and iteration to get the puzzles and challenges just right.

• To overcome this challenge, start by coming up with a list of potential puzzles and challenges, and then testing them out on a small group of players to see how well they are received. Enlist the help of puzzle experts or enthusiasts to help come up with and test out new ideas.
• Using analytics and data can be a powerful tool for identifying areas where puzzles or challenges in your ARG may be too difficult or too easy, and making necessary adjustments. By tracking player progress and gathering data on how long it takes players to complete certain puzzles or challenges, you can get a better understanding of where players may be struggling or getting stuck. This can help you to identify areas where puzzles or challenges may need to be adjusted in terms of difficulty, and make the necessary changes to ensure that players are challenged but not frustrated.

Get the word out about the game.

Another challenge that developers and marketers face when creating and promoting an ARG is getting the word out about the game. This is especially true for smaller or independent developers who may not have the same level of marketing resources as larger companies.

• To overcome this challenge, leverage social media and online communities to promote the game. Use targeted social media ads, as well as organic posts and engagement with online communities that are interested in ARGs and other immersive games. Reach out to influencers or content creators in the ARG community and ask them to help spread the word about the game. Attend gaming conventions and events, and set up a booth or demo area to showcase the game.
• Partnering with other companies or organizations can be a great way to promote your ARG and reach a larger audience. This can include collaborating with gaming companies or other organizations that are interested in ARGs and immersive experiences. By partnering with others, you can tap into their networks and resources to help promote your game and reach a wider audience of potential players.

Keep players engaged and motivated.

Another challenge that developers and marketers face when creating and promoting an ARG is keeping players engaged and motivated over the course of the game. This can be especially difficult for ARGs that are designed to be played over an extended period of time, as players may lose interest or become distracted by other things.

• To overcome this challenge, regularly release new content and updates for the game, which can help to keep players engaged and motivated. Incorporate real-world events or elements into the game to make the experience more immersive and engaging for players. Offer rewards or incentives for participating in the game, such as exclusive in-game content or items, or real-world prizes and “trophies” of props and the like.
• Creating a sense of community and interaction among players can be a great way to keep them engaged and motivated to continue participating in your ARG. This can include incorporating multiplayer elements or allowing players to communicate and collaborate with each other in-game. By fostering a sense of community and interaction, you can create a more immersive and engaging experience for players and help to keep them motivated to continue participating in the game.

Be responsive to player feedback and concerns.

Finally, it’s important for developers and marketers to be responsive to player feedback and concerns when creating and promoting an ARG.

• This can include listening to player suggestions or ideas for new content or features, as well as addressing any technical issues or bugs that may arise. By being responsive and proactive in addressing player concerns, developers and marketers can help to foster a sense of community and keep players engaged and motivated to continue participating in the game.
• Regularly gathering player feedback and using it to continually improve and evolve your ARG can be a powerful way to keep players engaged and motivated over the long term. This can involve soliciting feedback through surveys, forums, or other channels, and then using that feedback to make changes or improvements to the game. By showing players that their feedback is being heard and taken into consideration, you can create a sense of community and foster a more positive and engaging experience for players.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, creating and promoting an alternate reality game can be a challenging but rewarding task. By following these tips and strategies, developers and marketers can overcome the unique challenges that come with creating and promoting an ARG, and create a successful and immersive experience for players.

By coming up with a compelling and engaging story, creating interesting and challenging puzzles, leveraging social media and online communities to promote the game, attending gaming conventions and events, regularly releasing new content and updates, offering rewards and incentives, and being responsive to player feedback, developers and marketers can create a successful and immersive ARG that keeps players engaged and motivated over the course of the game.

So if you’re thinking about creating and promoting an ARG, keep these tips in mind to help you overcome the biggest hurdles and create a game that is both engaging and successful.