Title and Subtitle: THIS IS NOT A GAME: Star Signals the ARG

Elevator Pitch

This ARG aims to expand upon the SCP Foundation universe by presenting a narrative experience that begins within the comforts of social media, and expands outwards. By situating itself in the context of reality, audience members are invited to interact with the narrative as if the story was in fact real.

Abstract

An ARG can be defined as a game that is not restricted to one medium while relying on player interaction to develop a narrative that is presumed to be grounded in reality. Its open-ended format allows for creative freedoms other storytelling modes cannot offer. By contextualizing the narrative within the realm of an authentic space, the content of the story can be perceived as “real” by extension. ARGs are often made up of web-based media objects spread across space and time, both digitally and physically. It’s in this overlap of fiction and reality can a new level of intimacy between the audience and story can be formed. One that is perfect to be exploited in the realm of horror. It’s this invasive nature of the ARG that this project seeks to explore while introducing new audiences to the genre of ARG.

The ARG genre emulates the way a “real” situation would unfold through its object-oriented storytelling, a technique that relies on the media objects to convey narrative information, and fragmented plot, as there is a much bigger story beyond what Vi is explicitly saying to the audience. Audience members must dig deeper into the clues and hidden messages in the content to find answers and push the plot forward. Content reacts to audience input in real-time. Comments and audience input are acknowledged and play a part in how certain events play out. Reinforcing the audience’s feeling of involvement and stake in the narrative. However, this narrative structure requires precise planning and execution to create an authentic depiction of this “real” situation as it unfolds. Unlike some of the most popular ARGs, this one aims to appeal to an audience that is not familiar with the genre by overwhelming them with the typical elaborate puzzles and convoluted narrative. For what it lacks in technical complexity, it presents an interesting storyline with elements taken from the fictional SCP Foundation and places them in the NYUSH community.

Inspired by the SCP story of the same name, Star Signals the ARG follows Vi, a grad student visiting NYU Shanghai, who documents her increasingly strange experience living in Shanghai during the 2022 COVID lockdowns. Her Twitter and Instagram updates paint an unnerving situation wrapped in secrecy and otherworldly influence. Vi has enlisted the help of her followers to the bottom of this rabbit hole. Eventually, this leads up to a final message; a website she’s created to expose those responsible for the disappearance of a NYUSH professor. While also including specific instructions for those wholly devoted to fighting for their right to “become one with the stars”. But this doesn’t mean all secrets have been revealed. This ARG is still active even though Vi might be on the run.

So, are you willing to follow the signs and commit yourself to the church? Because after all, this is not a game, right?