I still have to come up with a good title..

“..Update, Six!“

Well, the timer on MissionIceFly reached 0! Since that moment, a new stage of the ARG got unlocked, MissionIceFly/rescue.

This page contained a video, initially obfuscated, that became clearer (at least visually and sonically) once iceflies were retrieved in the previously mentioned locations.

The retrieved iceflies blinked for some time, in a sequence identified as Morse code. Unfortunately only few people seemed to be able to write down the sequence, and I haven’t come across yet to anybody having translated the complete message. Those who got part of the message seem to agree on the “.COM” end of it, which suggests we are dealing with a URL (probably “survivalcode.com“). This URL in fact appeared also in the video for a couple of frames, once all the iceflies were retrieved.

SurvivalCode.com prepares the next stage of the game. A video gives more texture to the whole experience, and characters become more defined.

You are then redirected to a small flash movie that sees you approaching the entrance of a facility. You are not granted access to this building yet, as a timer counts down to the moment in which I guess the door will open. Reaching this point unlocks a set of log files in your profile page, in the form of pieces of concept art.

Another interesting detail: In the profile page there’s an image that seem to be a QR code. I initially tried to decode it, unsuccessfully.

The structure of the page makes me believe that we are dealing with only a section of the code itself, which will be unveiled later in the experience. What we are seeing now is only 1/9th of the code, hence the fact that we can’t decode it yet. Moreover, this fragment of the code seem to be the same for all users.

If you are not already, you should definitely follow the #missionicefly hashtag. Quite a lot of updates in there!

UPDATE:

..as @eolith pointed out, one of the log files mentions the “Traelek Institute“, which happens to own a site. On the footer of its homepage we can find a phone number, which he suggests to call.

Also three other valid subdirectories were found (even if I don’t know exactly how):

• http://traelekinstitute.com/misguided/
• http://traelekinstitute.com/ascent/
• http://www.traelekinstitute.com/blameless/

..and a new one I just found googling “site:traelekinstitute.com”..

• http://www.traelekinstitute.com/decoy/

This is definitely a legit lead.

UPDATE 2:

Here the transcription of the prerecorded message that met those who called the above mentioned number:

source

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..Remember Reach?

Here we go again! While Halo 4 is still being developed, a new prerelease marketing campaign seems to be in its very infant stage.

Reports from multiple sources seem to associate a new mysterious site (called TestSubjectNeeded) to the creators of ILoveBees, the great Alternate Reality Game campaign that served as viral marketing for the release of Halo 2. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, this will give you a clue.

Anyway, on TestSubjectsNeeded you are asked to volunteer for “unconventional experiments” at the Human Preservation Project. Hints about sensory enhancement make me think about the Spartan augmentation programs, but we will see what is this all about..!

But participating to this initial evaluation test will not allow you to get to know about the mission of the Human Preservation Project. I guess it’s one of those “you will be hearing from us” internship application thingies..

After the test you are encouraged to create a badge representing your “cognitive landscape”, and to register in order to submit it to the system.

Another interesting detail consists in the fact that if you click on that bug logo on the top-left of the screen you will be redirected to MissionIcefly, a different site providing a countdown, a list of cities and the promise that when the count will be over, volunteers will be asked to follow “a signal” in one of those cities listed.

A clickable box links to this video, whatever its meaning might be:

In conclusion, what do we have?

No idea. I guess the Human Preservation Project is related to Dr Hasley’s SPARTAN-2 biological augmentation program, but more than that, no clue!

I’m looking forward to see what’s gonna happen 23 hours from now, when the countdown will reach 0..

Read more at:

• DeviceMag.com: New Alternate Reality Game Halo 4 Related?
• GameSetWatch.com: Halo 4 Prompts ILoveBees Part 2
• StrategyInformer.com: Human Preservation Project = I Love Bees 2.0?

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“Set in the year 2020, the story follows the efforts of a mysterious network of Africa’s best problem solvers. Each week, as players unravel the mystery of the Evoke network, they will form their own innovation networks: Brainstorming creative solutions to real-world development challenges, learning more about what it takes to be a successful social innovator, and finding ways to make a difference in the world.”

Read the rest of this entry »

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You know those mornings.. missed the bus.. freshy spring breeze.. Nothing better to do than reading a good book while waiting to go to work!
Here an excerpt from a book called “Changing the Game, How video games are transforming the future of business“.

Alternate Reality Games (ARGs)

Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) are another way that marketers are blurring the line between the real and the virtual. AGs, like virtual worlds, are not quite games in the traditional sense of the word.

ARGs are best described as collaborative, interactive narratives that blur the lines between reality and game. They employ a wide range of electronic and physical media to engage with players, such as Web sites, text messages, e-mail, real-world billboards, comic books, and staged publicity events. The end result is a storytelling experience that draw hundreds of thousands of people into an incredibly engaging puzzle-solving exercise that persists for days,weeks, or months on end.

Unfortunately, our description hardly captures the magic of a good alternate reality game. So please indulge us for a moment, and imagine that you are playing Changing the Game — The ARG. Read the rest of this entry »

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