Wiki FAQ
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Welcome to Game Detectives!
This list of frequently-asked questions is a compilation of the most useful knowledge for new ARG players.
Game Detectives
What is Game Detectives?
Hello and welcome! The Game Detectives community aims to be an engaging, inclusive, friendly platform dedicated to playing and solving ARGs (Alternate Reality Games) and other cryptographic or puzzle-based events and games. Our community was originally called Steam Sale Detectives and existed as a subreddit dedicated to uncovering the mysteries surrounding the Steam Winter 2015 Sale. This investigation proved very popular, and a Discord server was created for real-time investigation discussion.
In a short time, our community had grown to over 14,000 members. Shortly after the Steam sale event concluded, we changed our name to encompass a broader spectrum of ARGs and mysteries, including those separate from Steam. To facilitate this, an entirely new subreddit was created, which today is known as Game Detectives.
Since then, a committed community has rallied and solidified, seating themselves as a distinct force in the puzzle-solving scene. Major ARGs we have contributed to include the Eye Sigil ARG, Frog Fractions 2, Sombra ARG, Battlefield 1, Waking Titan, and many more. The core of our community is a Discord server which contains discussion on current ARGs, as well as various community chat topics.
How can I join the community?
You're very welcome to join us! You don't need anything special to get involved, apart from a little interest:
- Create a wiki account and start editing
- Come chat in our Discord server
- Visit our ARG Academy
How do I get in touch with GD staff?
The best way to message an admin or moderator is either to use the mod mail feature on our subreddit, or to come chat with us live on Discord.
ARGs
What is an ARG?
ARG stands for Alternate Reality Game.
An ARG usually uses real-world clues to take players on a journey outside of any traditional entertainment medium. ARGs often consist of a trail of clues spread between the real world and the virtual world; for instance, an ARG may include real websites for fictitious companies, phone numbers that players can call to speak to ARG characters, or geocaches hidden in the physical world. ARGs are typically stumbled upon accidentally, with no direct confirmation by its organizer (or 'puppet-master'). These clues often include various puzzles and cryptography.
In the context of video games, ARGs often include information surrounding a game or its plot. Sometimes certain clues can only be found in-game, or 'obscure' websites.
Although purists may argue that all ARGs must follow very strict guidelines to be referred to as such, the term is commonly used to describe any cross-media meta game through which players progress based on solving a series of clues.
How can I learn how to play ARGs?
We host a series of free, interactive tutorials at the Game Detectives Academy! These tutorials are meant to teach some basic skills used in ARGs. They are aimed at the complete beginner, so feel free to jump in!
What are some examples of previous ARGs?
This wiki documents all the ARGs we have been involved with solving - you can find the complete list of investigations here.
I have information about a new ARG; where should I post it?
You may post your own trailheads in the #trailheads channel of our Discord server. As long as you're not self-promoting, you can post about any ARG in the #general-investigations channel.
If the ARG generates enough discussion, a new channel may be created for the ARG.
Can I make my own ARG?
Yes! That said, there's no guarantee your project will generate discussion in Game Detectives. There's also no guarantee that a dedicated channel or wiki page will be created for your ARG.
Wiki
How can I contribute to the Wiki?
You can contribute to the wiki by creating an account and confirming an email address. Please read the style guide before editing.
As a new user, you will not be able to create pages or upload files. These permissions will be automatically be granted once your wiki account meets the following criteria:
- Account is at least 1 week old
- Account has made at least 50 edits
Additionally, active wiki editors and outstanding contributors may be manually promoted to the "warden" role, which comes with the ability to moderate the wiki more effectively.