Brainstorming a Federal Alternate Reality Game

I’d like to invite Government Web practitioners (educators, marketers, and content developers, and leaders) to attend an informal workshop/brainstorming session to explore the idea of producing a Federal multi-agency Alternative Reality Game (ARG). The general idea of a multi-agency ARG would be to use game play as a way of engaging citizens in an exploration of democratic ideals. It would also be a way to discover new connections between Federal agencies, and new ways of connecting citizens to their government.  (Some background on ARGs is below.)

The workshop will be held Monday, June 22, from 1pm to 3pm, in offices near the National Air and Space Museum on the mall in Washington, D.C.

(RSVP info below)

Agenda:

• Overview of Alternate Reality Games, what they are, who plays them (you’ll be surprised), how they wor
• Drivers for a multi-agency ARG: why do it, and what might come of it
• Brainstorming over possible game scenarios, themes, outcomes, logistics, constraints
• Define next steps and action items

My co-hosts are:

• Chris Testa: Acting CIO an Director of Outreach Technology, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Georgina Goodlander: Manager, Luce Foundation Center for American Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum
• John Maccabee: President, City Mystery

Some background about ARG’s

• Wikipedia article about ARGs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game
• Paper about the Smithsonian’s recent “Ghosts of a Chance” ARG (Designed by John Maccabee and run by Georgina Goodlander at the American Art Museum’s Luce Foundation Center for American Art): http://www.archimuse.com/mw2009/papers/goodlander/goodlander.html
• Ghosts of a Chance home page: http://www.ghostsofachance.com/

If you’re interested in attending or have any questions please drop me a line: edsonm [at] si.edu.  I'll confirm attendees via email COB Friday, June 19th. Space is limited so act now!

Comments

[J.L. Reid]

While I would love to attend this session, my schedule won't allow it.

I would, however, like to offer my services or any other assistance in moving this project forward.

[EQ2 Accounts]

This is quite an interesting posting on a brainstorming session for a Federal multi-agency Alternative Reality Game. I am sure something innovative and good must have come out of it.

[aion kinah]

I wonder what has happened to the brainstorming...

[Michael Edson]

My bad. I got sucked into the vortex of finishing our Web and New Media Strategy (http://smithsonian-webstrategy.wikispaces.com) and am just now coming up for air. Look for notes and suggested next steps in the coming days. Apologies to all...

[wow account]

my brain is on a break from all the brainstorming.......