And if the next chapter of the story were more concrete story and less speculative story, I could consider it a prize, too. But that isn't how they are telling this story. I have always seen that this is a VMC, not so much an ARG. So, to those treating it like an ARG, to those only wanting the story, to you I say, "Stop entering keys, stop posting links to the BPC, stop trying to make this the ARG that it is obviously not." You'll get your next chapter, those who want material rewards (not SWAG: Stuff We All Get) get their reward, everyone is happy. You get your speculation and story points, and play in speculation-land; we glean our clues and story points, and add it to the story being told, not one that we are telling or trying to help tell.rpepper wrote:Ok, let me rephrase it because I think you missed my point. The "prize" that you typically get is the next chapter in the story. People are flipping out because they want a t-shirt, book, etc. "That isn't social, that is a contest." You're right...THIS is a contest, not an ARG. No hard feelings, but I just thought that most of what I'd seen from ABO was friendly and helpful, but some members today have started to make me question that. I'm sure that it's a minority of members, and overall from what I've seen that's a correct assumption. The majority of people on here are friendly, helpful and interested in the story/experience more than the swag.ii otnemem ii wrote: And I disagree about the social aspect of the ARG being the main focus. There are puzzles, you solve them, you get a prize. That isn't social, that is a contest. The Halo storyline, the speculation; that is social, and I agree is interesting, but for me personally, Iris wouldn't be as interesting if I didn't get something out of it. We've already seen that Bungie isn't giving us specifics, but broad strokes with plenty of room for speculation and which can be interpreted hundreds of ways still. But all of this can be re-capped at the end, no social aspect needed.
If you really believed that this ARG is only a social story-telling game, you would stand back while those participating in the contest aspect of it did their thing, so that you can get to your prize, while they earn theirs; you would solve the puzzles, get as far as the BPC page and stop there.