Archive for December, 2008

17
Dec'08

WoW, The Legacy of Julian Teng

   Posted by: thebruce

In 2006, ARGNet published a year-in-review article in which the idea was raised of running ARGs in virtual worlds such as Second Life and World of Warcraft.  As a twist, Rez Nation even broadcast a podcast from within Second Life.

Today, Wikibruce received a trailhead, to which I’m obliged to respond: OMGKLOO!

A new ARG is underway incorporating the alternate reality of World of Warcraft – but not exclusively.  Developed for GamerDNA, it’s called “The Legend of Julian Teng”, and is set to incorporate the WoW MMORPG, puzzles and mysteries, and likely a number of real-world (or, non-WoW) events, locations, and interactions.

The story behind “The Legacy of Julian Teng”
Brian Morgan and his friends started playing World of Warcraft to stay in touch last summer, but Brian’s research into the mysterious Tunguska event and the life of Julian Teng has caused them to grow further apart than they could have imagined. The last time anyone saw Brian Morgan he was playing a Tauren called Tunguska on Korialstrasz in World of Warcraft in mid-November. Nobody has heard from him since.

Wikibruce had already been asked by a community member to set up a wiki, which is now live at JulianTeng.Wikibruce.com.  To catch up on events, visit Brian’s friends’ guild website buds.gamerdna.com.  Here’s the video of Brian’s friends as they discover him strangely missing:

And now, I present two exclusive Julian Teng clues – two of a few that have apparently been sent to various websites.  This clue came with the filename “3.jpg”

The second clue – that’s a special one. To encourage community involvement, gamerDNA is allowing community members to ‘vote’ for their favourite sites and clues. Wikibruce’s clue is below – so if you want to support Wikibruce, and help this site win a “very exclusive clue indeed”, follow the image to gamerDNA and give it up a thumbs up!  You can also take a look at other clues sent to other websites.

  • Go and visit the Julian Teng Wiki to get caught up
  • Head over the GamerDNA’s ARG Community forum to connect with other players!
  • Remember, this isn’t just for players of World of Warcraft – anyone can be involved!  After all, Brian’s real, and he’s gone missing…!
  • (O Unfiction, where art thou?)

Tags: , ,

Categories: ARGs General, Rabbit Hole, Video games

16
Dec'08

Star Trek on the big big screen

   Posted by: thebruce

While we eagerly watch the Enterprise being built on Earth, awaiting the day when that welder gets tired or just runs out of metal to weld, lots of nuggets are being revealed from other locations about J.J. Abrams’ upcoming film.

  • Intel’s been busy with their Star Trek / Intel branded Star Trek experience at BoldlyGo.Intel.com, revealing a load of exclusive eye candy.
  • And the official website StarTrekMovie.com has just recently been updated with a wealth of new content to boot.

On December 15th, Paramount announced that Star Trek would arrive in theatres May 9, 2009, and be presented in in IMax.

Approximately one year ago, the viral campaign for The Dark Knight called Why So Serious (a phrase of the Joker’s that still sends shivers down my spine!) had fans flocking to specially selected IMax theatres across the continent to view the movie’s prologue (the 8 minute intro sequence) in pure, specially filmed, IMax glory.

So while you tap your fingers at the “viral” NCC-1701.com, and wonder what JJ Abrams has up his sleeve for Star Trek marketing (if anything!), take a gander through this press release.

J.J. Abrams’ Vision of the Greatest Space Adventure of All Time to Run in Select IMAX Theatres

LOS ANGELES, CA, December 12, 2008 ­ Paramount Pictures and IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) today announced that Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams (“Mission: Impossible III”, “Lost” and “Alias”), will be simultaneously released to both IMAX® and conventional theatres worldwide on May 8, 2009. Star Trek, which chronicles the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members, will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. Paramount Pictures will be the exclusive distributor of the film to IMAX theatres worldwide.

Star Trek is one of the world’s most successful science fiction entertainment series and media franchises. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the Star Trek phenomenon has lead to six television series, ten feature films, dozens of computer and video games, hundreds of novels and fan stories, as well as a themed attraction in Las Vegas. Star Trek has also inspired a following of millions of “Trekkies” of all ages that span across the globe.

“We’re excited to share the enhanced IMAX version of this film with the millions of dedicated fans who have been anticipating this release since production began,” said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman, Paramount Pictures. “The IMAX Experience adds that extra level of excitement to an already action-packed film, giving moviegoers a premium ‘event’ at the multiplex.”

Added J.J. Abrams, “I’m thrilled that audiences will be able to experience this new, epic world of Star Trek ­ with an incredible cast and mind-blowing visual effects ­ on what is, obviously, the most remarkable film format in the world.”

“Star Trek combines top Hollywood story-telling talent with space exploration, and each is very conducive to The IMAX Experience,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “Expanding our relationship with Paramount Pictures to include this film strengthens our 2009 slate, and with the continuing rollout of digital IMAX theatre systems, we will be able to offer the fan-base more locations to experience the epic first journey of the USS Enterprise in the most immersive way.“

“Both Star Trek and IMAX have taken audiences to far away places they would normally not be able to go, and in this case, it’s space ­ the final frontier,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “J.J. Abrams has created a powerful movie that has fans worldwide feverishly anticipating its release. We are thrilled to partner with Paramount Pictures to bring J.J.’S exciting vision of this incredible space adventure to IMAX screens.”

From director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (“Transformers,” “MI: III”) comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, “Star Trek,” featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no man has gone before. Star Trek explores the early Starfleet careers of future Enterprise officers Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Scotty (Simon Pegg), Amanda Grayson (Winona Ryder), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), McCoy (Karl Urban), Sulu (John Cho), and Chekhov (Anton Yelchin). A Romulan, Nero (Eric Bana), and a much older Spock (Leonard Nimoy) are influences, as well as Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood), the first captain of the USS Enterprise.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world’s best movie presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX® 3D, and IMAX DMR, technology. IMAX DMR is the Company’s groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. IMAX’s renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the world’s biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2008, there were 320 IMAX theatres operating in 42 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, IMAX®, MPX®, and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

Maybe a few rounds of Slusho will give a boost to those construction workers…

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Categories: Movies, Viral General

12
Dec'08

The Stranger Is Watching

   Posted by: thebruce

(Click for large versions)



Reports of a disturbing email today…

from: Stranger and Stranger
to: Stranger and Stranger
date: Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 10:49 AM
subject: spread the truth
mailed-by: googlemail.com

they say they have her body.

 

on display tonight in portland, they say.
saturday in sacramento.
monday in san francisco.
tuesday in los angeles.

 

do you believe them?

 

well, of the two of us, i know the truth.

 

i say they’re lying.

 

but people will show up. they will believe.
will you help me convince them otherwise?

 

wkapfm.com/evidence_message.zip

 

print these photos out.
pass them out to who you can.
tape them to the walls.
leave them where people will find them.

 

and most importantly:
tell them how to contact me.

 

people need to know.

 

if you won’t be there,
spread the word where you can.

 

take pictures.
send me proof
and i will reward you for your diligence.

 

ever
watching,
ts

Tags:

Categories: ARGs General, Rabbit Hole

1
Dec'08

Are you a hero? Rise to the beta challenge

   Posted by: thebruce

PRESS RELEASE: Hall Industries to take Gaming to the Next Level with ‘Hero Rising’

Hall Industries, one of the world’s leading technology and entertainment companies, is inviting all gamers (both casual and serious) to join the free beta test of HERO RISING at HeroRising.com. Players can test their gaming skills in areas of logic, combat, observation, agility, accuracy, strategy and reflexes and compete against other gamers from around the world for a chance to become the best.

Utilizing state-of-the-art behavioral interpretation, statistical analysis and artificial intelligence software, Hall Industries will be able to gather gameplay data during the beta test at an unprecedented level of detail. Based on this information, we hope to make the complete HERO RISING experience the most entertaining and groundbreaking game the world has ever seen.

Visit HeroRising.com for more information.

***

Since it’s founding, Hall Industries has been a leader in its fields, working with both government and private sector organizations to stay on the leading edge of modern technology. Our Game Development Studio boasts the best and most creative minds in computer animation, motion capture, 3D rendering and experiential programming and continues to provide industry-leading products to our high-expectations gaming audience.

 Visit HeroRising.com, and you’ll find that Disney has enlisted the help of ‘Hall Industries’ to create this web-based video game called Hero Rising.

Here’s where it gets interesting… (if you weren’t already, that is)

A little more digging reveals some hidden nuggets.  For an extended period of the intro, the message seems to ‘break’ and strange programming code scrolls up along the screen…

Flashing occasionally during the mysterious transmission is a set of numbers…

02 13 09 (Feb 13, 2009?)

What’s special about that date?

Is there more to this “BETA TEST” than meets the eye?  And who are Hall Industries, and why does this gaming system they’ve created seem suspicious?

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Categories: ARGs General