Make An Alternate Reality Game!

How to invent an alternate reality tips from game designer Jane McGonigal games

An alternate reality game is an adventure you have in real life .
You can’t play it alone!
You have to join forces online with many other players.
Most importantly : the game can show up anywhere , anytime !
Let’s play!

10 Steps to Inventing an ARG
1. Start a puppet master team !
Join our team!

2. Brainstorm your theme or story . What’s the game about?
Now give the game a name !
Best idea EVER

3. Pick the game “ verbs .” What are you asking players to DO to win the game?
Solve… collect… create… go to… write… find…
Do what?!

4. Make a “ media plan ”. What sites and technologies will you use?
Blogs… SMS… Facebook… Twitter… MySpace… IM… email… websites… Flickr… Youtube… ITunes…
Ooh, let’s use that!

5. Design your community . What collaboration sites and technologies will you use?
Wikis… Google Docs or Groups… Discussion forums… Comments… social network group…
share! discuss!

6. Decide on a launch date – when does the game start? How long will it last?
Save the date!

7. Identify your team’s strengths, and pick design roles :
story writer, researcher, game director, media artist, puzzle designer, actor/interactor…
I’m so good…

8. Make a game timeline .
How does is start? What happens next? Are there important “plot points” or missions? What is the media schedule? How does it end?
& then what?

9. Create the content !
Set up your characters’ profiles and sites…
Make your videos, take your photos, write your blog posts, create your puzzle clues...
We made it!

10. Decide who to invite .
How many players do you want? And who will you invite?
Friends, family, classes, online communities, neighborhoods…?
Wanna play?

That’s it!
YOU’RE READY TO PLAY!
OMG! Let’s go!

4 Secrets of an Awesome ARG
Make sure your players know EXACTLY what to do.
“ THIS IS YOUR MISSION!”
It’s your mission!

2. Help your players show off their superpowers!
“ What are YOU good at?!”
Secret strength!

3. Make it super-social!
Bring your players together in “ real time ”… and real space?
We’re so together

4. Your players are the real stars of the game.
“ Starring… YOU!”
You’re amazing!

How to invent an alternate reality You can write me! jane@ avantgame.com games

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Make An Alternate Reality Game!

by Jane McGonigal on Jun 04, 2008

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