The Furious Angels
FA Discussion => General => Topic started by: Tbone on March 18, 2008, 05:38:26 pm
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Ok, a discussion was started on this amongst the web developers, but I wanted to open this up to everyone to try and get your ideas. I'm gonna go ahead and copy paste the few ideas we've had so far.
Lithium: I have this one big mental picture in my head and that is of a big stainless steel door with a huge FA logo that opens up to reveal the first step of the challenge. (Nothing original but every badass spy org has a huge ass door right? lol)
Yotogi: My idea for the new "challenge" would be to create some type of ARG (alternate reality game) that people come upon while doing research for the actual Agency game. Basically the way it would play out is if we create a couple of fake websites, find some way to get those sites to come up when people search for the Agency game website, and then just let things snowball from there. (Don't worry I'll have more detail as I come up with it) Thoughts?
Tbone:
This is just one idea I have. was brainstorming during one of my long drives. I think the important part to recruitment is the RP story element of it. I had the idea that an agent in our group (for instance, Lits) sees potential in you to become an agent for FA. So she sends you some sort of cryptic message that leads you to our challenge, but as soon as you start, you get a message from Tbone. He's aware of you researching the group but says he's harder to convince than Lits and that you'll need to prove yourself. So then you have Tbone presenting you with challenges and Lits helping you along the way.
I thought it'd be cool to incorporate maybe audio clips or even video clips of Tbone and Lits talking to you. I thought of Lits b/c I think the person who believes in you should be a sexy woman, to go along with the game...hehe. It could be a made up female agent, however, that many of us could control via emails and whatnot.
I'm not sure about another riddle system. I don't think a complex system is necessary. Something engaging and entertaining should suffice, and if people post answers, well then we've captured their attention. They'll still have to make it through the interview process.
To go into more detail on what I was talking about, the Lits (or female) contacting you would still be under the radar. So we would leave a cryptic post, it might take you to a fake website (like Yotogi was talking about) or just a picture or just an empty login or something seeming like a dead end, but then in the source code or hidden somewhere would be a message from Lits giving you instructions or clues on how to get in touch with our agency. In your quest to contact FA, however, Tbone interrupts you with a video message, basically saying he's aware of your attempts at contacting, but doesn't think you're ready and maybe you can convince him. Then maybe you can finally see a video of Lits telling you that Tbone's hard to impress but that she believes in you and blah blah. The roleplay can continue down a path of fake websites or some sort of interface with maybe more contact with both Tbone and Lits via video, audio, email, etc. until Tbone is convinced enough to give you a little information and let you apply.
I think it could be really cool to incorporate different types of media and communication to give it an authentic ARG feel. Lits and I both have actor training, so with a couple of takes, maybe we could create some cool looking stuff (the trick is making it look like it isn't a geek in a bedroom talking to a webcam...haha).
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Count me in! This sounds like a fresh idea to recruiting. It still has the FA feel to it, with a little more pizazz than what other factions would probably come up with. A great way to assert FA dominance from the beginning, in other words.
Just tell me when/where/how and I'm on board.
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Cool. I would probably just need video or audio clips from you, either playing yourself or a fictional sexy FA agent...hehe. That's assuming we run with that idea.
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I would like to offer any help I can; be it audio engineering, web coding, web hosting, or even just buying the domain names to point to someone server.... I can offer my server as well if there isn't a lot of traffic expected to come to it.
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We would need a script (I'm no good at those things) and to decide on a uniform so they videos can be costumed appropriately.
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We would need a script (I'm no good at those things) and to decide on a uniform so they videos can be costumed appropriately.
You definitely have to have a a sexy business suit. Maybe even a white business suit. Is there such a thing? A dress looks cool in the Matrix, but I don't think it would work in the Agency world.
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Meh, business suit for a spy? Maybe a guy, but everyone knows girl spies have to use the power of seduction...haha.
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Fine, if you want to go with a skin-tight suit, that's fine, too.
:D
Edit://
I think part of the recruitment process should include putting some mini-flash games into the challenge, whatever it may be. As I recall from some articles, The Agency is going to feature a lot of mini games where you have to beat them to find clues and such (Qbert, I remember being mentioned). Maybe we could have a level or two be beating some random flash game, and then finding a hidden link on the winning screen that will take them to either the next step or a different part of the challenge.
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I like the idea of a website with a dead icon on it and having to check the source code.. there is also one I came across that wouldn't allow your mouse to scroll over the icon in order to select it, so to select it you had to tab until it came up and then enter.. I like these ideas because it proves ingenuity and patience.
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yep you must wear as little as possible... The first thing I thought of was those old spy movies that have the girl in a very seductive dress or something of that nature. Something seductive but yet not TOO sleezy :)
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nice ideas guys (und gals) tbone; you old dog you!!!
let me know how I can help (we know I am not the most creative!!)
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some good ideas here. If i can help in any way i would love too.
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I don't mind doing some voice acting... even though I'm not very good. Maybe a multiple choice questionnaire kind of thing would be good.
For example:
[Lits on left of the screen]
Lits: So then, you're really interested? [Picture of Lits changes to one of her, smiling.] Good. I want to get to know you a little better; so I have a little question for you. [Picture changes to Lits pointing behind her (The background will also change as the text/voice over appears)] This man is Mr. Yukio, entrepreneur and successful business man. To the public he's a generous, charity supporting celebrity. But, behind closed doors he supplies weapons to know terrorists. Your task [Picture of Lits changes to one of her smiling] is to question him and get answers. How would you do it?
1) Take my time, no point rushing. I'll make my way through the corporate ranks and gain access to his inner circle.
2) I'll drug his drink and question him while he is none the wiser.
3) I'll gather information for a few weeks and then infiltrate his mansion and hack into the computer network to gain access to the needed files.
4) Fuck subtlety, I'll go up to him point a gun at his head and threaten him. Won't harm threatening his family too.
At the end, when they 'impress' Tbone, maybe the scores will be summed up and the candidate will be given an Operative to go and talk to. For example - if they choose mainly the violent options they will have me (Subb in the agency will resort to violence when possible, even though he is a Spy) who will give that person an intro to the Agency. The same kind of 'Pictures' (Like Lits' "frozen animation" pictures mentioned earlier)
Just a thought?
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Lithium: I have this one big mental picture in my head and that is of a big stainless steel door with a huge FA logo that opens up to reveal the first step of the challenge. (Nothing original but every badass spy org has a huge ass door right? lol)
I think this has mass potential!
I don't mind doing some voice acting... even though I'm not very good. Maybe a multiple choice questionnaire kind of thing would be good.
For example:
[Lits on left of the screen]
Lits: So then, you're really interested? [Picture of Lits changes to one of her, smiling.] Good. I want to get to know you a little better; so I have a little question for you. [Picture changes to Lits pointing behind her (The background will also change as the text/voice over appears)] This man is Mr. Yukio, entrepreneur and successful business man. To the public he's a generous, charity supporting celebrity. But, behind closed doors he supplies weapons to know terrorists. Your task [Picture of Lits changes to one of her smiling] is to question him and get answers. How would you do it?
1) Take my time, no point rushing. I'll make my way through the corporate ranks and gain access to his inner circle.
2) I'll drug his drink and question him while he is none the wiser.
3) I'll gather information for a few weeks and then infiltrate his mansion and hack into the computer network to gain access to the needed files.
4) Fuck subtlety, I'll go up to him point a gun at his head and threaten him. Won't harm threatening his family too.
At the end, when they 'impress' Tbone, maybe the scores will be summed up and the candidate will be given an Operative to go and talk to. For example - if they choose mainly the violent options they will have me (Subb in the agency will resort to violence when possible, even though he is a Spy) who will give that person an intro to the Agency. The same kind of 'Pictures' (Like Lits' "frozen animation" pictures mentioned earlier)
Just a thought?
I like it but without the pic. Maybe a short vid/audio clip of Lits?
Here's my thoughts on the two -- together.
Once the get to the site all they see is a big metal door with only the FA logo on it (Lithiums idea). They click on the door and as it open it makes a sexy door opening noise, as "they walk through" while walking there could be an audio clip of footsteps and there's a laptop or something that immediately comes into play then the laptop screen becomes their comp screen. On this screen there could be:
// Forums <------ would take them to something similar to the bluepill forums
// Joining <----- if they click this we could have a RP script thing, like when you start the challenge here and commands type out. Eventually saying something like "New Message [1]: Open? Y / N" The "Y" and the "N" would be clickable so if they click "Y" then a mini screen could open up in one of the corners of their monitor with our beautiful Lits giving her message.
// About Us <------ Could be an audio/vid recording of Tbone doing his thing or another scripted message.
// Agents <----- They could click this hyperlink to open up a knew window and in this new window could be a list of our Agency's Agents. Each name could be clickable to pull up their profile (having a little picture of them in the left corner with their stats next to it and a background story below.
// Etc. <----- whatever extras things we might want to put. Maybe future vids, etc.
Also we could set up a login system like we have now for the challenge at the beginning where they first get on the "Laptop" screen. They way after they done whatever's needed. they could log in to see if there's any new messages from Lits or someone. :D
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if we create a new "bloop" forum for the agency I think it should be a requirement** that we all check it at least once a week. I know there for a while it fell heavily on Destyn, Broin and other Staff, I tried adding in but not knowing enough of the answers myself I was kinda lost. I think if we are actively trying to bring someone in we should also stay active in helping them "train" if there is in fact a challenge of sorts.
**when I say required I mean heavily encouraged. :)
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Ok, I've been talking with Yotogi and Manic and brainstorming a couple of ideas. This idea seems to incorporate all the good ideas we've had so far.
You're a guy interested in the game. You are perusing the forums and you see a thread titled "I Need Your Help" or something similar. You check it out.
Some random person has posted something similar to this:
Hey all. I got this really creepy email yesterday. All it had was this message and a link to this forum, so I figured I would post it here and maybe you guys could help me figure out what this is all about? Here's the email:
"I don't have much time. Please help me. (http://www.followtheangel.org)
-Susan"
Clicking the link would take you to a random website, perhaps about gardening or an industrial website. Something may seem off about the site, like creepy music or odd words here and there (think the Lost ARG).
Some digging leads you to a message, perhaps a video message, from Susan. It appears to be filmed on a phone cam. You see a girl who looks very scared [or is strangely calm and collected]. She says something like:
"Oh god...if you're viewing this, it means you got my message. I don't have much time to talk - they don't realize I have a phone. I've been kidnapped. I need help. I managed to get into their website. They'll figure out I was poking around soon, though. Please find me. I..."
Then maybe you hear a bang on the door and the video cuts out.
From there you'll get some sort of clue and the puzzles will begin of piecing together where Susan is by finding the clues she's hidden on this website.
At some point you'll run across a guy - let's call him Jason, who is also looking for Susan. He says he knows Susan (maybe her boyfriend or something). So you go through the challenge and, after more messages and interaction with Susan and Jason, eventually find her location and give it to Jason.
After you've gotten to the end, one of two things. Either Jason reveales himself to be Tbone, leader of the Furious Angels Network of UNITE and that Susan is in fact Lits, an agent working for Tbone and that it was an elaborate test to see if you could work well under pressure and be suitable to join the network. Or Susan thanks you for helping rescue her and reveales that she is a secret agent working for the FA Network of UNITE and was kidnapped during a recon mission and that your new friend Jason is actually the leader of FA and that, after being amazed by your skills, would like to invite you to apply to the group.
So this is kind of a recruitment ARG that doesn't reveal its recruitment until the end.
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*text removed b/c I don't read the updates fast enough*
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The idea would not be the feel of live video chat but of pre-recorded video messages rushly uploaded to whoever is trying to rescue you.
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well that's even better!