CFP: International Narratology Workshop

 

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Narratology (ICN, University of Hamburg) and the German Department, University of Ghent kindly invite you to participate in the

INTERNATIONAL NARRATOLOGY WORKSHOP
„Event, Eventfulness and Tellability“
Friday, 16 February & Saturday, 17 February 2007
at the University of Ghent, Belgium

Programme

Continue reading CFP: International Narratology Workshop

“Cross-Media Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game”

HinterWar MobileThere are many approaches to content creation and distribution in this age of cross-media production. One emerging trend is the ability to access the same virtual world in a variety of media platforms. Apparently, the first MMORPG that you can play on your computer and mobile phone was developed by Activate Singapore and published by Nokia in 2005. HinterWars: The Aterian Invasion is described as follows by Activate:

HinterWars: The Aterian Invasion is a Cross-Media Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) that allows gamers to play simultaneously with tens of thousands of others, using either their mobile phones or their PC.

HinterWars represents an all-new gaming concept that for the first time brings together the two most popular gaming platforms – the mobile phone and the PC. Tens of thousands of players can play at the same time in a persistent game world, at home or on the move.’

And then by Nokia on the official site:

‘HinterWars: The Aterian Invasion: the revolutionary dual-platform Symbian Mobile Massively Multiplayer Online Game (3MOG) that allows gamers to play simulataneously with tens of thousands of other using either their Nokia Series 60 and Nokia N-Series gamedeck or their PC.’

Sensibly, the world is scaled according to the device. I think it is a great direction. Check out: www.hinterwars.com/

 

ARG event in Sydney Tomorrow!

42 Entertainment, the company behind massive ARGs such as I Love Bees (a prologue to Halo 2), is behind what Daniel Terdiman of ZDNet News calls ‘a hybrid game–part alternate-reality game, or ARG, part traditional sweepstakes–that’s actually a marketing vehicle for Microsoft’s Windows Vista.’ (You could say that 42 Entertainment are the Hollywood of ARGs.) The game revolves around boxes that provide clues through puzzles and clues delivered at events. The first event was at CES, the video of which is online, as well as a ‘Hear the Challenge’ video with a great call-to-action in the form of a lady saying she is looking for ‘exceptional people’, ‘people way ahead of the curve’, ‘the people you’re looking for can handle it,’ ‘we’re going to make someone famous around the world,’ with prizes that are worth their while . The video ends with a great call-to-action:

‘Most of you won’t figure this out: vanishingpointgame.com’

I like this, because it is different to the now overdone calls that ask for help whilst telling you how brilliant you are. These still work, and are important, but there needs to be a variety in the way people are encouraged to act. For a call to action to be effective, it needs to ignite interest, motivate and surprise the person. This doesn’t happen if it is delivered in the same manner all the time. This is why, too, what ARGs are will always change.

But anyway, back to the game. As I mentioned, one of the aspects of the game is the delivery of clues in real world events. These are not events that require players to participate in (at this stage!). There is a multi-country event happening tomorrow. And we, those in Sydney, will have one too. I won’t tell you where it is or when. Go to the site to find the box, the GPS and time…and then maybe I’ll see you there. 🙂

http://www.vanishingpointgame.com/

For those interested, there is a Vanishing Point wiki where players are sharing clues and organising themselves. Enjoy!