FLY FREE posters (rabbit hole)
The posters will act as the player’s rabbit hole into the game. The phrase “fly free” will serve to identify all communications from the resistance. Hidden in the poster will be a web link, where players can search to follow the meaning of the phrase “fly free”. These posters will serve as the resistance banners in the teaser trailer.
Resistance website with password
The resistance website will welcome players with the poster’s illustration and prompt players for a password. The only way to succeed is my entering “fly free”. The website’s main interaction with players is for sourcing hacked government documents and communication left behind by the resistance leader Alyx.
Hacked government document
The hacked documents found on the resistance website will hint to players parts of the narrative and what happened to the world. They aim to keep players immersed in the game. The documents also leak a location to players (location Y) which is hidden in the document text.
Alyx’s blog
Remnants of Alyx’s blog found on the website during the Drug X reform allow players to become interested in uncovering the identity of Alyx (the resistance leader). The blog works alongside the government documents to contrast both sides of the story. The documents aim to link players to a location (location Z) through repetition of a familiar location.
USB with documents
The USB will be a surprise to players who return to the original location of the taken poster. It will contain bonus personal information from the time of the reform. Hidden in the USB documents will also be clues leading to a location (Z).
Government and Insider actors
The actors are a vital part of the game, as I believe they are the best medium for expressing what the world is like. The government and insider actors will once again contrast both ideologies, offering the player to choose a side. This gives the player a great sense of agency.
Twitter account for resistance
The twitter account will allow players to interact with the puppet masters in real time. The players will receive clues through this medium leading them to the next plot in the game whilst keeping continuity.
Forum (password protected)
The forum is secret and password protected. It’s web location is linked through the twitter account. The forum acts as a unique location for players to interact with each other and work together to affect the game world.
Phoenix/fly free t-shirt for actor
The actor will wear attire that shows the phoenix and the phrase “fly free”. The actor will be silent and when spotted will stealthily lead players to a secret location. This will keep players immersed in the story through their curiosity to uncover the story.
Resistance newsletter
The newsletter joins its players as a community with the resistance characters. The newsletter hints to players a mystery character named Mr Aves. The player is then able to search for this character through social networking sites.
Facebook account for mystery character
The mystery character, conveniently named Mr Aves will bring players closer to an identity that represents the resistance, that players can interact with. The secret identity serves to entice players into uncover it. Mr Aves uncovers his/hers association with the government by leaking Drug X, the drug responsible for citizens memory loss.
Government documents Drug X
Leaked by Mr Aves, the documents shine a light on the game’s milestone, discovering the ill use of drug’s purpose. The documents are another connection to the players and the governments story.
Drug X propaganda
The propaganda released by Mr Aves is for players to recruit others to the game. The main purpose for the propaganda is to attract attention to the Drug X. To progress in the game, players must send Mr Aves people holding the propaganda.
Coded bird photos
The photos are discreet clues to the next point in the game. Photos of birds will be released to players, with small clues in the pictures. This is particularly where the forum will come in handy, as players will next to work together from photos received to complete the clue.
Website for countdown
The final step in the game will lead to a website with an ominous countdown. This will hint to players that they are nearing the end and encourage immersion.
Puzzle for countdown website
The final step to completing the game will be to complete the website’s puzzle before the countdown ends. This is yet another time based element in the game that enhances player immersion. Also players can work together on the forum to solve the puzzle as a whole.
Alyx’s full story video recording
This signifies that the player has finished the game. The player after successfully completing the puzzle is shown a video log of Alyx. Her recording reveals all the story’s secrets and acts as the player’s prize.
Government warning message
The government warning message also signifies that the game has ended. However the player is alerted that they have unsuccessfully completed the game. The player is shown the warning message and all contact with the game is ceased.
