In this article, we’re going to talk about ARG Rules, and best practices, for your games. ARG creation is exciting. Puzzles that transcend media platforms can spark amazing ideas, and get players doing crazy things as they walk along a path that you’ve carefully prepared and curated for them. But there are some things that you, as a creator, are expected to do (or not do), for the health, safety, and well-being of your players.
Please keep in mind that this is a living document, and will be updated until it’s felt to be complete.
ARG Rules
These are a must. We’ll cover best practices below. But these are DEFINITELY a must.
- DO NOT USE PRIVATE IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.
- DO NOT REQUIRE TRESPASSING FOR DROP LOCATIONS.
- DO NOT ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT WITH, OR SUGGEST REAL BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT
- DO NOT ENCOURAGE THE EXPLOITATION OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT YOUR OWN.
DO NOT USE PRIVATE INFORMATION.
The use of private identifiable information is a no-no. Putting the privacy of people at risk is never okay. Period. This means:
- Using Real People’s names, or other identifiable information, from real places. Your own, or participants’ names are fine, if -you- are comfortable doing so, and -they- have given express permission to do so. Your ex-partner from High School, whom you haven’t talked to in ten years… however… Big NOPE.
- Using Real Residential addresses. Creating a puzzle that would in any way encourage a player to go knocking on someone’s door is an absolute no. Do not do that.
Real people being used as plot points in your not-real game is dangerous. It’s never okay.
This also includes character interactions on places like social media. You may have access to a player’s name, email, or some other sort of identifying information. DO NOT call your players’ names out publicly. DO NOT post the information they may have granted you via email lists, or similar. They’re trusting you. The community is trusting you. Do. Not. Violate. That. Trust. Keeping your players safe is the utmost priority, at all times.
DO NOT REQUIRE TRESPASSING FOR DROP LOCATIONS.
I get it. That abandoned warehouse building down the road looks like the perfect place for some crazy shenanigans. But regardless of how cool it would be… If you don’t own it, don’t use it. The owner of the abandoned warehouse building down the road may very much not enjoy having their property snooped around by total strangers. There could be a multitude of other risks involved as well. A player in Jail for trespassing, or in the hospital from being attacked by something (or someone), cannot play your game. DO NOT PUT YOUR GAME ABOVE THE SAFETY OF YOUR PLAYERS.
DO NOT ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT WITH, OR SUGGEST REAL BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT
Having your phone ring off the hook while you’re trying to do something is miserable, right? Imagine trying to make your cool new Analog Horror video, and someone’s knocking on your door every five minutes. What’s more… Imagine that all these interruptions are coming from absolute strangers, trying to talk to you about your Car’s Extended Warranty. Sounds like a nightmare, right?
When you use real businesses, you’re creating this same sort of situation for them, while they’re trying to conduct business. Sally’s Custom Trophy and Engraving Shop isn’t likely prepared for a wave of phone calls, asking about some headless body in a basement, and also probably isn’t equipped to give decoded answers to people slamming the door in holding a partially used McDonald’s napkin with a scribbled string of binary.
So leave Sally, and the custom trophies, out of the game.
The exception to this, obviously, is if the Business is actually in on the game. But there’s a pretty damned good chance it’s not.
DO NOT ENCOURAGE THE EXPLOITATION OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT YOUR OWN.
I know this one sounds confusing. There’s definitely a bit of a line here, that needs to be drawn. Using resources readily available to players via websites is one thing. Clever URL tricks, or whatever… Sure. That’s fine. Encouraging people to “Hack into foreign government websites,” though? I feel like this should be a no-brainer.
We do end the rule with “that are not your own,” and that’s an important part of it. If you want players to find some sneaky way into your own website, computer, etc… That’s fine. Just be mindful, that risk falls in your lap. If you’re having people shell into your droplet, or giving them admin to your WordPress site… Expect the worst. Yeah, it might be fine. It might not completely blow up in your face. But it very likely will, and if you’re encouraging that level of involvement… Expect it to.
Make sure that whatever it is you’re trying to set on fire… Is yours to set on fire.
ARG Best Practices
While these aren’t absolute ARG rules, per se…they’re definitely things you should always strive to account for, when creating your games.
- Consider Accessibility
- Insure Drop Locations are WELL-LIT and free of potential hazards.
Consider Accessibility
Accessibility is a very important thing. It can be what ends a game for players with disabilities, and other burdens. With that in mind, it goes without saying that not every puzzle can be accessible to everybody. So make sure to try your best, but don’t completely beat yourself up if you can’t cater to everyone.
An example of being more accessible is if you’re doing a drop, and you have a choice between somewhere that is wheelchair-friendly, and somewhere that is not, choose the wheelchair-friendly location.
Something as easy to overlook as where your players can and cannot go, again, can potentially make or break an experience for them.
Insure Drop Locations are WELL-LIT and free of potential hazards.
This should be a RULE, but unfortunately… situations change. Streetlights stop working, animals or people decide they like the location as much as you did when you put the drop down, etc. I get it, the environments change, and sometimes it’s too late to make corrections. But you can “scope out” the location. Check it at night, and see if your drop location will be visible and lit. Verify that it’s not somewhere that people gather. And don’t just check it once. Check it a few times. Make sure that you feel confident that a player can safely get to the space, find your drop, and get out.
Conclusion
ARG Rules are often “common sense,” but posting them in plaintext feels like it’s probably a good idea. And, explaining the why behind it may help creators build fun AND SAFE games for their players. The safety and well-being of your community is paramount, above all else, including your game. Your community is putting their trust in you when they start the path you’ve made for them. Don’t risk their safety.