Game Groups > Genre: Alternate reality game

An alternate reality game, or ARG, is a type of game in which the real world is used to supplement the gameplay in some form. This can take the form of such things as players receiving real phone calls from "NPCs", narrative-furthering events being held in real world locations, or requiring players to use outside technology to solve puzzles. ARGs present their plots as events that are really taking place, in order to further the players' immersion in the story, and many circles consider it an unwritten rule that participants should play along with this presentation.

Alternate reality games are often used as a form of viral marketing, though this is not always the case.

Related links

• TV Tropes: Alternate Reality Game
• Wikipedia: Alternate reality game
• Unfiction (resource and community-based website for past and current ARGs)