This document discusses alternate reality games (ARGs) and their potential use for learning. ARGs combine real-world and online elements to solve mysteries or puzzles either individually or in teams. Examples provided include i love bees and The LOST Experience for entertainment, and Traces of Hope and World Without Oil for serious purposes. For learning, case studies describe DevLearn 2009 and Constellation Wine ARGs designed to introduce social media tools and reinforce product knowledge, respectively. The document outlines ARG design basics like problem definition, storyline creation, character development, and success metrics. It concludes by inviting readers to contact the author for more information on designing ARGs.

1. Alternate Reality Games: The ABCs of ARGsDistance Teaching & LearningAugust 3, 2011

2. All About MeKoreen Olbrish, CEO, Tandem Learningkoreen.olbrish@ tandem-learning.comSL: Nina SommerfleckTwitter: @koreenolbrishBlog: www.blogspot.com/learningintandemWebsite: www.tandem-learning.com

3. ARG: Alternate Reality GameMix of real world and online competitive elementsCollect clues to solve a mystery/puzzlePlayed individually or in teamsAlso called pervasive games

4. Alternate vs AugmentedLet’s not confuse them…

5. Not Meta Games

6. ARG TerminologyPuppetmasterThe Curtain RabbitholeTrailhead This Is Not A Game (TINAG)

8. i love beesChain Factor (Numb3rs)The LOST ExperienceARGsfor Entertainment

9. Serious ARGsExamples:Traces of HopeWorld Without OilEvoke

10. ARGs for LearningHow can games address learning goals?

11. What are the unique characteristics of ARGs that make them appropriate for learning?Case Study: DevLearn 2009Goals:Introduce/practice using different social media technologies for communication, collaboration & learningEncourage networking and provide opportunities for relationship building Game structure:Team playCollecting “clues”

12. DevLearn 2009 Zombie Apocalypse

13. DevLearn 2009 Zombie Apocalypse

14. Event-based ARGsvsLearning ARGs

15. Case Study: Constellation WineGoals:Reinforce product knowledge and messagingPractice selling skillsEncourage networking and provide opportunities for relationship building Game structure:Team playCollecting “clues”Online and on site game play

16. Constellation Wine: The Characters

17. Constellation Wine: The Invite

18. Constellation Wine: Roots Hotel

19. Other Recent Examples

20. DevLearn 2010: Dr. Strangelearn

21. Now It’s Your Turn!ARG Design Basics:Problem to solveHow to solve itStorylineCharactersScoring

22. What is the problem? What is the problem you are trying to solve?

23. What do you want people to know, or do differently as a result of playing the game?

24. Why are people not doing things this way now? (Incentives, barriers)

25. What is the environment that the problem occurs in?

26. How do you know this is a problem?