An exclusive gaming industry community targeted
to, and designed for Professionals, Businesses
and Students in the sectors and industries
of Gaming, New Media and the Web, all closely
related with it's Business and Industry.
A Rich content driven service including articles,
contributed discussion, news, reviews, networking, downloads,
and debate.
We strive to cater for cultural influencers,
technology decision makers, early adopters and business leaders in the gaming industry.
A medium to share your or contribute your ideas,
experiences, questions and point of view or network
with other colleagues here at iVirtua Community.
Perplex city is one of a number of alternate reality games (ARGs) that blur the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds. The first recognised one was The Beast, developed as part of a marketing campaign for the film AI. It has been running for 2 years...
They use real world events and clues planted on the internet, television and newspapers to guide players on a real-life treasure hunt.
From the press release...
Quote:
After nearly two years, a cryptic treasure hunt played out between the real and virtual worlds has been won.
Andy Darley from the UK was one of 50,000 players who took part in the alternate reality game, Perplex City.
Gamers from 92 countries have solved clues on the web and around the world in a quest for the Receda Cube, an "artefact" buried in a hidden location.
Mr Darley eventually tracked the object to a wood in Northamptonshire. Finding it nets him £100,000 ($200,000).
Quote:
"I was playing for the puzzles and the stories, but it was only a few days ago that I thought I was in with a chance," said Mr Darley.
"As I pulled the Cube from the sticky, wet clay, and even afterwards as I was waiting to return the Cube, all I could think about was how bizarre the whole thing really was."
These "ARGs" are even more obsessive than MMORPGs, but honestly I think they are a lot more exciting if your in to that kind of thing, healthier and alot more stimulating. Not forgetting you can actually complete an ARG, and you cant complete an MMORPG which is a way of life, not a quest. (although quests feature in MMORPGs as a small part).
It brings gaming to a while new, and more real level, and I am in favour of it quite the opposite to what i believe of MMORPGs.
About the game: Perplex City also used puzzle cards, bought in shops and on the internet, that contained optical illusions, cryptography, and riddles. The rarest cards have traded hands for more than £200 on online auction sites.
Music with clues in the melodies and real life parties, often with elaborate scenarios, also led gamers towards the final goal.
Again, from the Press release:
Quote:
Perplex City has been running since April 2005 but speculation about the location of the hidden object has escalated in recent weeks.
Following a recent live event, Mr Darley tracked the cube down to Wakerly Great Wood, Northamptonshire at 0400 GMT on 02 February. To claim his prize and end the game he returned the cube to the Perplex City headquarters in London.
A new Perplex City game will start later this year.
Digg Topic
Tag topic on On del.icio.us
Technorati Search
Post to Slashdot
