[uyt]

I love puzzle hunts and escape rooms but I never got into ARGs. How do people find out about them? And are there any interesting ones going on right now?

This also reminded me of another long article on this topic but I can't find it again. Only thing I remember was that it had elaborate puzzle rooms filled with fancy practical effects that ate up a few millions in funding? It also had cult-like exclusivity and was invite only. Does anyone know what I am talking about? I am pretty sure I saw it on HN but it might've been a few years ago.

[lehall]

You’re probably thinking of the Latitude Society, by the creators of the Jejune Institute. Invites were given as blank white cards that would swipe you in at an anonymous building at an appointed time, kicking off the first part of the experience. https://nonchalance.com/latitude.html

There weren’t elaborate practical effects per se (there were some cool builds, like custom arcade cabinets) but many extremely talented experience designers worked on it so it felt very magical.

[uyt]

I think I was recalling the pepper ghost effect stuff.

[pronoiac]

You might be thinking of this Latitude Society article: https://www.vice.com/en/article/xygykj/my-year-in-san-franci...

[uyt]

Yes this was the article I was thinking of!

[fallinghawks]

Back when they were popular there might be a "help me" message posted in arg-related forums or even emails sent directly to people who played args. Replying would take you to the trailhead, an entry point to the game. Unfiction.com was one of the major forums but it looks like the discussion section is completely gone now. argn.com seems to be a more 21st century looking site.

[meowster]

There is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alternate_reality_game... but they look like they're all complete except one where the "prizes" are just clues about an upcoming game release.