Enspire Learning Presentation for

the Texas Association of MuseumsConference

What is an ARG?

► Alternate

► Reality

► Game

Debrief

► What are your immediate thoughts/impressions?

► Did you learn anything from this experience?

► Can you describe what an ARG is based on this experience?

“The Enspire team who worked with me from the initial point of contact through implementation was exceptionally professional, friendly, helpful and detail-oriented. The simulation itself was a big success.”

-Dr. Corrine Bendersky, Professor of Management, UCLA Anderson School of Management

What is an ARG?

► Alternate

► Reality

► Game

What is an ARG?

► It's a game, and the game board is the entire world

► It's a story in which each player plays protagonist

► It's a social, collaborative experience

Anatomy of an ARG: Learning Objectives

► Start with end goals for your audience

► What do you want them to learn?

► What do you expect them to be able to do after this experience?

► Is this something that can be measured?

Anatomy of an ARG: TAM presentation

Learning Objectives► By the end of the ARG, learners should be able to:

► Give a basic description of an ARG► Identify characteristics of La Salle's ship, La Belle► Identify characteristics of some large and small museum

collections around Texas ► Locate a hub through which to network with colleagues and

collaborators► Articulate efficiencies in the use of free web-based applications

(Wordpress, Facebook, etc.) in the development of an ARG

Anatomy of an ARG: Story

► Start with an end state - what do you want your audience to achieve?

► Does this end state give you any sense of themes, characters (hero and villain), etc?

► What do you want your audience to witness, experience, interact with along the way?

► Are there any risk/ reward decisions to make things interesting for the player?

► Is your story paced the way you want it to be paced?

► How should you engage your audience at the beginning?

Anatomy of an ARG: TAM presentation

Story► End state: Wanted audience to identify La Belle before

seeing it► Zeroed in on the canon since it idetified the ship to

archaeologists► Extrapolated story elements: France, archaeology, etc.► Based story on Indiana Jones-style adventure► Introduced hero and villain archetype characters/story

► Identified Texas museum collections that could lead a player to identify La Belle from dolphin handles

► Introduced players to the game through sudden text message

Anatomy of an ARG: Puzzles

► Make the ARG interesting and interactive

► Help the designer pace the experience

► Give the player a sense of reward that enriches the game experience

► Insert collaboration into the game

Anatomy of an ARG: TAM presentation

Puzzles:

► Business cards► Translations ► French riddle► Embedded clues in Oronge's Facebook page and Lea's blog► Anagrams

► Oronge Poix Fatale = Age of Exploration► Lea S. Deall = de la Salle

Anatomy of an ARG: Media

► Find the media that best conveys the illusion of the story

► Find media for engaging, collaborative puzzles

► Always look at open-source, free media first

► Think about how the medium influences pacing

Anatomy of an ARG: TAM Presentation

Media:

► Cell phone

► Free web-based apps► Facebook► Wordpress► Google Translate

► Printed media► Business cards

What Use is an ARG? Case StudiesEntertainment: ► LonelyGirl15► The Game ► ImprovEverywhere

Marketing:► Nine Inch Nails: Year Zero► "I Love Bees" for Halo 2► The Dark Knight

Education:► Luce Foundation Center at the Smithsonian

ARGs in Museums: Case study

Smithsonian:

► Scaled down version of larger ARG: Ghosts of a Chance► Story: Spirits haunt the museum. Learn their stories and put

them to rest. ► Designed as a way for young museum patrons to engage with

stories in the collection► Changing perspectives on museums: adding fun► Museum education as dialogue, not monologue for young,

interactive audience

Final Tips

► Give players the opportunity to opt in

► Collaboration is key

► Find ways to control the pacing of the ARG

► Capitalize on free, open-source media

► Expect the unexpected

Conclusion/Q&A

Enspire Learning1708 GuadalupeAustin, TX 78704(512) 472-8400