[MUD-Dev] And the lines blur between rl and games!!!

[msew]

http://pc.ign.com/previews/8565.html


 >>>>> START QUOTE FROM WEB PAGE >>>>>

The play experience is nothing like TV-- or games, for that matter. As the 
team likes to say, Majestic plays you and much as you play it. Even more 
interesting, while the main format for the game is on the web, it will 
utilize nearly every gadget you've got in your house: fax machine, AOL 
Instant Messenger, email, streaming video & audio, phone and digital 
objects. Sound confusing? Good. Like a real conspiracy, you'll start to 
feel involved in something much more than a game. Checking the latest news 
on your Majestic main homepage, or Majestic Alliance (we'll get to that 
later) may lead to getting a suspicious phone call from a stranger late at 
night, or getting an email from one of the main characters in the game 
asking for your help. You may get a link to a special security cam in 
streaming video showing key characters in a secretive conversation, full of 
clues of where to look next for more information, or who to email or chat 
with next. A fax may get you special information about a company involved 
in the storyline, while an anonymous AI-controlled character will send you 
information, even chatting with you in realtime, over AIM.

In fact, the entire experience takes place in realtime. In other words, if 
you get an email from a character in the game saying that they'll call you 
with more information the following day, you'll get a real call the 
following day. Time isn't compressed here, so while Majestic will release 
new episodes every month, it will usually take you 14 to 15 days to get 
through an episode of the game. Not only will you worry about your own neck 
in the game, you'll also get involved with actors playing key roles, as 
well. Their lives will be in jeopardy at times, and it will be up to you to 
make the difference in their lives by cracking codes, listening to sources, 
and searching the Internet for life-saving material.

 >>>>> END QUOTE FROM WEB PAGE <<<<<


the question is:


can a community effectively create something like this where in game and 
out of game becomes non existent?

and

is this a good thing?  there is no separation between the game going for 
morning coffee and wondering if you will be poisoned or if the envelope you 
"mysteriously find" is part of the game or real?  OR  that the new 
co-worker that just was hired is not part of the game also.



I find this REALLY intriguing.  something along the lines of:



N people buy the game.   the game is based on Role Playing Roles and acting 
out these conspiracies / social stimulations to creating scripts for others 
to run.

You get pts based on your "success".


scripts get passive and active reviews from the participants.
     passive: during the game how often they "play"  do they follow up on 
tips given etc etc

     active:  during the course of the game or at the end (if there is an 
end) can review the aspects you like


actors get the passive and active reviews much the same.



this reminds me of the move "The Game" ( http://us.imdb.com/Title?0119174 ) 
Where michael douglas pays for a "game".   Will there be a genre of 
entertainment like that in the near future?




msew






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