In this article, we will talk about some ARG platforms, that you can utilize to launch your game. Some ARGs will use one or two, some will span across a large variety of platforms. We’ll pull some examples, and talk about some other options.
Be advised: This article is not complete. There’s plenty more information to be added soon!
What Platforms are available?
So the ARG Platforms you choose will widely affect the way your game is played and solved. The common term for multiple platforms is “Transmedia storytelling.” This can be using videos on Youtube, audio messages embedded in voicemail, text on Twitter, etc. Some ARGs actually use physical locations as clue drop points as well. The takeaway here is it’s really all up to your imagination. Wherever you can nest a puzzle or a clue… can be turned into a platform. Most well-known ARGs take advantage of multiple platforms simultaneously, creating a more diverse gameplay experience.
A few platform examples:
VIDEO ARG PLATFORMS:
When choosing to use video as a platform, the methods used to create puzzles can be as diverse as the platforms, themselves. The big trick here is to get a video editing software, and some sort of method/idea to embed your puzzles or clues into that video.
AUDIO ARG PLATFORMS:
Audio platforms can be a little less ranging, compared to video. But that’s no reason to discount the value of audio as a platform. What’s more… Audio puzzles can be embedded into video platforms as well. This allows for an even more layered puzzle content piece.
TEXT ARG PLATFORMS:
Social Media tools like Twitter have seen extensive use in deploying ARG projects. Things like cryptic messages, links, ciphers, even story elements… They all fit amazingly in text form. Some of which, can only exist in text form. Never underestimate the power of written puzzles.
PoorRolemodel
Hello! I’m Glint, and I like helping creators create! Specifically, I like sharing things I’ve learned over the years involving computers, puzzles, and stories! I fell in love with ARGs a few years back, mostly due to gamifying a bunch of nifty things I’d learned while pursuing a career in information security! I love ciphers, hidden messages, and clever use of code to create narrative adventures!