In this age of information, audiences increasingly seek out a connection to the stories they read and the games they play. When a connection is made, immersion occurs. With each new medium and innovation, it becomes easier to reach and create this state of immersion. Experiments in Immersion, Part One aims to explore the use of subversion and intervention by browser extension to elicit said immersion in readers and players of online interactive narratives and narrative- based games. Part One is focused on the story-dependent alternate reality game (ARG), a game that uses reality as the platform for play, that is, it takes place in real time, using real elements like websites, phone numbers, actors, to engage players. Future studies will engage more story-game genres and online story genres.

This was the subject of my thesis for the ITP graduate program at NYU. When finished, I will upload my thesis paper here for viewing. Check the blog for more information.