Alternate Reality Games Blur Reality and Fiction

摘要

In 2001, Jonathan Waite was living in South Korea and lurking around in a futuristic online whodunit called The Beast. Seven years later, most of his friends and acquaintances come from playing so-called alternate reality games, which blur the line between reality and fiction, and entertainment and advertising. "It's a boon for a person like me, who likes to talk to people but doesn't always have people nearby," said Waite, 31, proprietor, ARGNet (Alternate Reality Gaming Network). The story-driven, reality-bending genre is also referred to as 'immersive fiction' and has a fellowship of devotees that is equally split between genders.