What is an A.R.G.?

An introduction to alternate reality games.

Chris Weber
6 min readFeb 11, 2023
Photo by Galina Nelyubova on Unsplash

If you have never heard of an alternate reality game (ARG), this article will be useful for you.

If you are familiar with ARGs, please let me know what you think of my definition here. I am still learning all the ins and outs.

What is an ARG?

In my dynamic definition, an ARG is essentially a fictional multimedia puzzle that hides in plain sight. It is a narrative that lives in the shadows. They are hiding everywhere and waiting to pounce on unsuspecting victims…

Read on for a slightly less dramatic definition.

“An alternate reality game is a type of multimedia game for multiple players that takes place in real-time and evolves according to decisions taken by the players rather than by a programmer” — Collins Dictionary

I asked chat GPT for a more detailed definition.

“An alternate reality game is a type of interactive digital media that blends elements of gaming, storytelling, and online communities. It typically involves a narrative that is spread across multiple platforms, such as websites, social media, and real-world events and is designed to be played by a large number of players…

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Chris Weber

Measuring the gravity in collisions of technology and news. I'm diving into the intricate world of media to untangle Earth's most captivating stories.