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Smoking Gun teases original IP with preview of 'X' graphic novel, ARG

Hidden within the preview (on page 13, actually) is a link to a tie-in ARG that borrows the opening of the classic text adventure, Zork. This Easter egg is actually pretty appropriate, given that Rushkoff coined the term "viral media." We've gotten as far as "decoding" the Declaration of Independence, which, at least in the conspiracy-filled universe of X, contains warnings of aliens among us and a coming global tyranny. (As opposed to more modern government documents, which warn of a steep fine for filing your taxes late.)
Home's Xi ARG is now complete
As detailed by the PlayStation Blog, all Xi-related spaces in Home will still remain active "for a few weeks." It looks like all you latecomers have some time to catch up. So get out there and start searching!
Dutch filmmakers whet our Half-Life 2 appetite with superb short
Two of the people involved, Tim Smit and Steven Roeters, recently won a film competition landing them a meet-and-greet with Discovery Channel's Mythbusters. In an article from their college campus paper following the competition, the pair mentioned they were hard at work on a film titled What's In the Box? So, unless they forgot to mention Valve contracted them for a viral marketing ad, this one remains labeled as an homage of sorts.
The official site for the short film seems to indicate the story isn't finished yet, and we honestly cannot wait to see what happens next. Watch the incredible short after the break.
[Thanks, enfo]
Resistance 2 ARG website is back!
Pardon Bungie's Dust, Superintendent strikes again

At the time of this writing speculation continues to run wild within the Bungie Forums. Popular theories point to new campaign levels, a map pack retail disc with a new cinematic (as seen in Halo 2's map pack) or an entirely new title within the Halo Universe, specifically due to references of the MAC weapon. Some of the more interesting tidbits could easily be gleaned from scanning the string of text (available after the break). The primary, DARE, is given a code number which ends in S1 leading some to believe the string of text occurs prior to Covenant attacks during the SPARTAN-1 era (yr.2491) -- way before John-117 joins the program in 2517.
Which theory gets us excited? The mention of squads could point to a pre-Halo era tactical shooter in the original SPARTAN phase that led to the creation of Master Chief. Wild thinking and speculation but we can't wait to see where this one is going.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Frank Gennaro performs self-surgery for Project Abraham
The gambling addict and family man Frank Gennaro was injected this week on the Resistance 2 ARG site Project Abraham -- and the results ain't pretty. Word of warning: the injection video involves self-mutilation and is extremely graphic, even compared to previous Project Abraham videos. In other developments, Nathan Hale has awaken from his coma and according to his dossier, "seems like a new person ... It's almost as if the injection made him stronger." There's also no voting this week, since Danby is the only one remaining. Stay tuned next week to see what happens after all the subjects have been tested.
Khaner dies for love in latest Resistance 2 viral video

Glenn Khaner, who was chosen for this week's injection on the Resistance 2 ARG website Project Abraham, dies a rather horrific death in the latest video. What is different about Khaner death is that it really tugs at your heartstrings; if you examine his dossier, it shows a transcribed conversation he had with Nathan Hale where Khaner admits he intentionally failed a placement exam in order to be sent to Alaska. Now, if you listen to Dr. Aklin's recordings, she alludes to a past relationship she had with Glenn where she "broke his heart" and talks about the guilt she currently feels as she is falling in love with Hale. It is at this point one realizes Khaner entered into Project Abraham just so he could be in the proximity of Alkin.
Hale's induction video is now viewable and he is one of the candidates for injection. Currently, 76% of votes currently going to him. Who are you voting for this week?
America First America Only's weekly newsletter uncovers more alleged secret government plans: the abandonment of US coastlines in the event of an invasion. Schematics of a fortress the government intents on sending people to in the case of an attack are presented to us. Accusations of brainwashing TV signals, as well a list of people who sent in tips last week can be seen on the back of the newsletter. Check it out here.
[Thanks, Chunky and DeforMAKulizer!]
Confused by the Resistance 2 ARG? Infinite Bits has you covered

ARGs are a great marketing tool, if done right, and it's rumored that the company behind this one is the best in the business. You may know 4orty 2wo from I Love Bees, The Beast and Last Call Poker, three of the biggest ARGs so far (with The Beast being widely considered to be the first of its kind). So don't be afraid to get involved in Dr. Aklin's tale. But please, suspend disbelief before taking part. It's way more fun that way.
Surprise! No injections on Project Abraham this week
America First America Only apparently received some tips from those of us who "hacked" into SrpaNet and published pictures of Chimeras and Cloven in their news weekly. The second page suggests that these "aliens" are from a watery planet; can that planet possibly be Earth itself?
Lastly, those of you who left your number with Project Abraham last week received a call. We missed ours, but thanks to NeoGAF, we have a partial recording of the phone call for you to listen to right here.
[Thanks, DeforMAKulizer and Dave!]
Channing Brown hurls on you in Resistance 2 ARG video
A rather gruesome video of Channing Brown's injection has been posted on projectabraham.com. The video is graphic and you need to enter your date of birth to view it. Word of advice: make sure you don't watch this during lunch. Like the last update, you can now vote for the next unfortunate soul to be experimented on -- Frank Gennaro, Kenneth Danby or Keith Oster. The upper left corner now contains a Rolodex card to fill out your name, phone number and e-mail. Also of note is this personality test and a tape recording of Dr. Aklin's sentiments.
We also found some new documents on SrpaNet via NeoGAF. We won't give everything away, but here's a hint -- type in "SEC howardp:belinda" and it will log you into the terminal. If you manage to access the right files, they contain a "Controlled" seal and a number. Other files contain pictures of Chimera.
One of the document numbers is "i2p8y0bynt2k" and you can head over to America First America Only and submit it into their tip box. The newsletter has also been updated. This is what we found so far after playing with it since last night, but if you guys find anything else, let us all know in the comments.
[Thanks, Mad-elph and Chunky!]
You could win gold in the Velvet Assassin ARG
The hunt is currently on for the second of three caches of gold, and clues have started appearing in the public announcements section of UK's The Times. Because we love you so very much, we've put all three after the jump. If you're ready to do some investigating, we'd suggest digging through this in-game blog or, if you're up for something less immersive, this thread about the game.
Resistance ARG expands: America First, America Only
[Thanks, Kenton for the tip. Thanks, Zach for the e-mail.]
Project Abraham countdown ends, features more videos
[Thanks, Jonathan C. & raj!]
Katee Sackhoff is Dr. Cassie Aklin in Resistance 2 ARG video
The Blackout part of the site has also been updated with a letter from a Colonel Grant Thompson addressed to Cassie, aka Dr. Aklin. It informs her that the government has "suspended all injections until further notice" and that only six candidates remain in the Project Abraham because of "unexpected results to the first injection of the serum."
Some questions we are thinking about: Is Nathan Hale one of the remaining six subjects? Is this Project Abraham what turned him into what he is? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[Thanks, Jonathan C.!]
Ominous Resistance 2 ARG site Project Abraham uncovered
What does this all mean? Is that actress Katee Sackhoff of Battlestar Galatica fame standing over us in this video? What is Project Abraham? Is that logo on her shirt the same as the one of the US military from getawarjob.com? The Morse code at the end of the video apparently spells "blackout" and leads you to another part of the site, with a picture of seven guys that you can move around on a table.
Is Nathan Hale one of these guys? Is the darkness on the sides moving? We noticed pressing tab will frame a yellow rectangle around the picture. You can also drag the picture all the way off screen on the bottom and the right, but not the top and the left, And what is that in the window on the left? Take a look around and post your thoughts on this. *hums The X-files theme*
[Via NeoGAF -- thanks, Noshino!]


















