Strange Letters?Possible new viral campaign? (Read first post for Synopsis)

[Adam Addict L]

Mine works just fine. The password I've had since I got the Infinivac Network card. I just wait for the proceed button, enter my username/ password, and everything's fine.

really? that's odd...whenever I use my own password since I joined up with the site,it never worked...so I just kept to using a skeleton key password

[Mr.Plum]

I was a long time follower of SITS, and was amazed and captivated the entire 8 or so months I followed it. When I heard a new ARG was starting up, I was hesitant and exited. After I heard it was for X-COM (a game that I'd never heard of) I immediately stopped following. I didn't want to spend months of getting hyped up for a game I knew so little about, and, in turn be potentially disappointed.

This ARG started a couple months ago and I wanted to know how it's coming along. Do you think it's worth me jumping on the bandwagon?

[Adam Addict L]

Do you think it's worth me jumping on the bandwagon?

I think so,it's getting very interesting...apparently some people were killed and some mircofilm found,and now we've been told to make sure our contact information is up to date,and everything is in emergency lock-down right....I'm assuming people are going to start getting something in the mail again at some point soon

[TheEternalOne]

Just got my Gameinformer magazine in the mail... it had a rather informative article about the game. I'll post a link once it's on their website.

[BazzaFFC]

Anyone know when 2k are going to be announcing anything at E3?

I know we have got a trailer and some screenshots but seeing as the actual show kicks off today didnt know if we can look forward to something else? Maybe an update on the Infinivac site??

[Adam Addict L]

still nothing new yet...sigh :( wish something would happen soon..

[Ga1Friday]

still nothing new yet...sigh :( wish something would happen soon..

ditto
tenchar

[TheEternalOne]

still nothing new yet...sigh :( wish something would happen soon..

Seems we're not getting an E3 tie-in...

[Adam Addict L]

Seems we're not getting an E3 tie-in...

looks that way... :(

[Codex]

I might be wrong guys, but has the "screen" zoomed back a little on the shutdown notice? It used to be fullscreen, but now it looks like there is some boundaries as if you're looking at a screen rather than a webpage.

[Supercharge]

I might be wrong guys, but has the "screen" zoomed back a little on the shutdown notice? It used to be fullscreen, but now it looks like there is some boundaries as if you're looking at a screen rather than a webpage.

i think i can see what you mean, you might be right, i wish i could compare what it used to look like to now

[Ksarith]

I might be wrong guys, but has the "screen" zoomed back a little on the shutdown notice? It used to be fullscreen, but now it looks like there is some boundaries as if you're looking at a screen rather than a webpage.

Nah its been that way for a while now. Kinda looks like an old computer screen right?

[Codex]

i think i can see what you mean, you might be right, i wish i could compare what it used to look like to now


Nah its been that way for a while now. Kinda looks like an old computer screen right?

Well, what I was saying is I thought it had zoomed out from the computer screen a little, like you were actually looking at a monitor from a small distance away rather than right up close. I may be wrong though - I was about SitS a couple of times for similar things.

[Ksarith]

Well, what I was saying is I thought it had zoomed out from the computer screen a little, like you were actually looking at a monitor from a small distance away rather than right up close. I may be wrong though - I was about SitS a couple of times for similar things.

I've reloaded the page about 50 times now trying to see if anything changed in the reflection or if looks zoomed out, it may be a little but that could be formatting. It does seem to be loading the page much quicker than it was.

[Codex]

I've reloaded the page about 50 times now trying to see if anything changed in the reflection or if looks zoomed out, it may be a little but that could be formatting. It does seem to be loading the page much quicker than it was.

Yeah, the reflection hasn't changed at all (I did peer intently at that). I'm probably jumping at shadows - this "phase" is giving me flashbacks to SitS.

[Ksarith]

I dont know about you guys but I'm kinda losing interest with the ARG. I mean it just started getting interesting and then a sudden stop. Did SITS do this too?

[Ian]

Yeah, I'm really starting to forget about it. Hopefully an update tomorrow. If there's no update this week, I might just stop following it :/

[Codex]

I dont know about you guys but I'm kinda losing interest with the ARG. I mean it just started getting interesting and then a sudden stop. Did SITS do this too?

I believe there was about a month of downtime between phase one and two? I only found out about it like, three weeks into phase 2 though. You'd have to talk to someone like Swami.

[Epstein_The_Swami]

Most of the people saying that they may stop following it will just change their tune when: A) They simply hear about a new update or change; B) If they receive more of the magic S word in the mail. (Swag, you dirty rascals, swag).

Hell, option B is what got some initially 'dead' members revived and back to life around these boards!

SitS stopped for like, a month and a half between the map and Mark's office (AKA: Phase 1 and 2). When did the blog go on Lockdown? April? Late April? If so, we're a BIT past a month and a half, but just think about other things.

When the time comes, you will know because everyone will be sounding off about it. As we ALWAYS said on one of those SitS weekdays with no updates: "Deep breaths, for goodness sake. AND CELESTE WILL BE FINE, GAWD. SHUT UP ALREADY, SHE'S OK"

[BazzaFFC]

Anyone see this and think of project enemy unknown straight away!!! Mmmmmmmm

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Russian-Spies-In-US-Moscow-Foreign-Ministry-Says-Charges-A-Cold-War-Throwback-After-10-Arrests/Article/201006415656319?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15656319_Russian_Spies_In_US%3A_Moscow _Foreign_Ministry_Says_Charges_A_Cold_War_Throwbac k_After_10_Arrests

[Ga1Friday]

Dear people following this ARG:
I am lost; I am not sure what is going on and would like to catch up. If you think you are up to the challenge please send me a PM. :D THANKS

[Fialvert]

When did you stop checking in on the ARG, so I can save myself a lot of time?

[Ga1Friday]

Thanks to Ian for the update. Turns out that I have not missed anything plot wise but was confused by the lockdown mode. How long have we been on lock down?

[Ga1Friday]

Why are the photos private? Why link to Flickr at all if the photos cannot be accessed?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/infinivac/4604583803/

Just wondering if others are having this issue. :D

EDIT: Liz is looking into the issue, apparently not an intentional part of the ARG. Hooray for the 2K Community Management Team :D

[BazzaFFC]

Why are the photos private? Why link to Flickr at all if the photos cannot be accessed?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/infinivac/4604583803/

Just wondering if others are having this issue. :D

EDIT: Liz is looking into the issue, apparently not an intentional part of the ARG. Hooray for the 2K Community Management Team :D

All working ok for me. Hope we come out of lockdown soon!!!

[Ga1Friday]

All working ok for me. Hope we come out of lockdown soon!!!

Really? How odd. Did you have to sign on to Flickr to see them?

[magicman4443]

Really? How odd. Did you have to sign on to Flickr to see them?
Works for me too. I don't have a flickr account either.

[RaptureRaven]

It's working fine for me now but before I couldn't see them.

[Ga1Friday]

Oh maybe Liz fixed it... :eek: :D

[Reborn in the Ocean]

I couldn't see them, but I guess I will try again :p

EDIT: Nvm now I can see them :D

[TheEternalOne]

I was gone for about two weeks and missed nothing...:(

[Adam Addict L]

I was gone for about two weeks and missed nothing...:(

tell me about it...I wish this ARG would start back up already :(

[Reborn in the Ocean]

Same here I wish it would start up again :(

[Ksarith]

Dont worry guys it'll be any day now I know it. :)

[Fialvert]

You guys are way too impatient.

[Ga1Friday]

You guys are way too impatient.

You may have a point.:p

[Reborn in the Ocean]

But I want to know what all has happened now :p, Fial we have a right to be impatient!

[Fialvert]

You need someway to occupy time. I have the Flynn Lives ARG, which started up again last week. Been like that for 2 months.

[RTM]

I thought this was Bioshock related, Why is it in the Xcom forum?

[Dr. Indiana Jones]

You need someway to occupy time. I have the Flynn Lives ARG, which started up again last week. Been like that for 2 months.

Did you get the post card in the mail? I'm part of it as well, lol.



I thought this was Bioshock related, Why is it in the Xcom forum?

Nope, this is all XCOM ;)

[Adam Addict L]

when is this ARG gonna start back up again? ahhhhh

[Reborn in the Ocean]

when is this ARG gonna start back up again? ahhhhh

It will be a while just keep being patient L :p

[Sinclair Saucer]

It will be a while just keep being patient L :p

Patience is lost on all of us; I am getting annoyed with this quite frankly.

[Reborn in the Ocean]

Patience is lost on all of us; I am getting annoyed with this quite frankly.

Yeah I know what, hasn't it been done for a month now I forgot when it went down and I still get on it like once or twice a week to see if its back up but it hasn't been :(

[Sinclair Saucer]

Yeah I know what, hasn't it been done for a month now I forgot when it went down and I still get on it like once or twice a week to see if its back up but it hasn't been :(

All we can do is just give them our contact info and wait. Obviously we have to wait for swag; that is the main explanation for why this is taking so long.

[magicman4443]

All we can do is just give them our contact info and wait. Obviously we have to wait for swag; that is the main explanation for why this is taking so long.
Or, you know, the games not coming out until sometime next year, and they don't want to run out of story before then.

[Reborn in the Ocean]

All we can do is just give them our contact info and wait. Obviously we have to wait for swag; that is the main explanation for why this is taking so long.

Yeah I just need to find out how to give them my contact info so I can get some swag :D

EDIT: Yeah true it isn't coming out for a while so they don't want to go to fast.

[Chelsealov3]

I haven't followed this for about.. 3 months, but I read every post up until then.
Can anyone give me an update?

[Adam Addict L]

I know XCOM isn't due out until sometime next year...but I wish this ARG would pick back up for a bit...people have/are lost/losing interest :(

[Adam Addict L]

*watches tumbleweeds roll around the thread* :(

[Mr.Plum]

*watches tumbleweeds roll around the thread* :(



Maybe they gave up on the ARG since X-COM doesn't have a particulary large following. Maybe it wasn't worth the money and the effort. I don't know, I'm probably dead wrong but it has been a long time since we heard anything.

[Codex]

Maybe they gave up on the ARG since X-COM doesn't have a particulary large following. Maybe it wasn't worth the money and the effort. I don't know, I'm probably dead wrong but it has been a long time since we heard anything.

I'm guessing it probably has a later in 2011 release. SitS was only just meant to be nine or so months long (March - November), and Frankie Potts is only been going for a couple of months itself, and it's game comes out in August.

My bet is if the ARG doesn't pick up again in September, we will not be getting one. Until then we're probably going to have to play second fiddle to Frankie Potts until Mafia II comes out (August) and then maybe Operation Hermes will start up again.

[Dr. Indiana Jones]

I'm guessing it probably has a later in 2011 release. SitS was only just meant to be nine or so months long (March - November), and Frankie Potts is only been going for a couple of months itself, and it's game comes out in August.

My bet is if the ARG doesn't pick up again in September, we will not be getting one. Until then we're probably going to have to play second fiddle to Frankie Potts until Mafia II comes out (August) and then maybe Operation Hermes will start up again.

True, true..

Btw, how is the Frankie Potts one? What do you have to do with that?

[Codex]

True, true..

Btw, how is the Frankie Potts one? What do you have to do with that?

Nothing, the ending already got revealed in one of the first Mafia II trailers. I haven't been paying much attention to it, tbh :(

[Reborn in the Ocean]

I'm guessing it probably has a later in 2011 release. SitS was only just meant to be nine or so months long (March - November), and Frankie Potts is only been going for a couple of months itself, and it's game comes out in August.

My bet is if the ARG doesn't pick up again in September, we will not be getting one. Until then we're probably going to have to play second fiddle to Frankie Potts until Mafia II comes out (August) and then maybe Operation Hermes will start up again.

Still hope they do Operation Hermes but yeah we will probably have to wait until after Mafia II comes out so oh well... :( its going to be a long break but I guess I can just wait then :p

[Ga1Friday]

I can't help but find it odd that it keeps stopping and starting after the narrative made it seem as though time was of the essence. We need a contact point; someone that is on the inside and starts to leak out why information is crawling out instead of sprinting.

Okay so here is what I want: :D

An agent from within the Infinivac system has defected from the group. All registered Infinivac members get an email (a letter would be even cooler) directing them to the new site.
Oh wait! Even better, when you go to the 202 site the website "crashes" and a DOS window appears. The screen fills with information;
"TOP SECRET TRANSMISSION OVER-RIDE CODE 1337: Thank you for visiting the Infinivac Network. This message can only be viewed by Operation Hermes operatives; please read it carefully. All communications have been halted due to high level directives; Upper administration is keeping everything at a stand still. Unexplained events continue--the IDD is ill equipped to handle the massive influx of reports. Having brought private citizens into the investigation IDD is now unaware of how to continue; there are no protocols. This message is being sent to you through a secure channel without the permission of ALPHA or SECOPGAMMA; A small group of Hermes Operatives were brought in to one of the IDD facilities, we have been unable to leave since the lock down. I fear that unless we can come up with answers to their questions we will never be allowed to leave. I have a family and I am sure that my colleagues also have loved ones searching for them. I am taking this risk and reaching out to you, I am just like you a citizen hand picked by this IDD to help them investigate "Russian" terrorism. This is not Russian. I need to contact my family; my wife is a botanist and I need her expertise. Please review the attached file and send the research to my wife, once she responds with the answers I need perhaps they will release me. The IDD would like you to believe that everything is under control-- it isn't. Keep looking, keep talking... the threat is ever present. I am not sure how long I can keep this channel open and hidden. Please hurry"
Then there would be a link to some blurry pictures of documents and maybe photo (it would look like this guy took pictures of these things, they would not be the originals...maybe make it look like it is on microfilm or even a negative?)

There is also a link to "send information"

Then we would contact this guy's wife via a street address and she in turn would send some people the information that the inside guy needs. People would send this intel to our man inside and the site would continue to update through these means.

It would explain the slow down and allow for a little 'side story' while we wait for the action to pick back up. :)

[RTM]

Did you get the post card in the mail? I'm part of it as well, lol.




Nope, this is all XCOM ;)

If thats so how could the black substance be ADAM as the OP said?

[Ksarith]

The OP hasnt been updated. That was all stuff from before we knew it was XCOM. The thread originated in the Bioshock 2 forum.

[RTM]

The OP hasnt been updated. That was all stuff from before we knew it was XCOM. The thread originated in the Bioshock 2 forum.

AH. I see. I was really confused.

[2K Elizabeth]

Intriguing.

[Codex]

Intriguing.

Oh man... Liz, you can't just drop in here and leave one word responses.... *runs off to check the infinivac*

EDIT: Nope, still in lockdown. *sigh*

[magicman4443]

Intriguing.
You. Are. Horrible. Nothing for months. The network has been on lockdown for ages. And you give us one word. Now I'm going to be checking my mail and the Infinivac network compulsively. At least 10 times a day. :(

[Reborn in the Ocean]

Come on start it back up again Elizabeth! :p I really want to get involved in this one :p and see what happens and I will have to start checking it quite a lot now.

EDIT: Well thanks to a certain someone I am now in possession of these letters and they are amazing is all I can say and I have thanked the certain someone already. :D

[Grathius22]

I wish I had received these strange letters...

I'm always left out!

[I-ChooseTheImpossible]

I wish I had received these strange letters...

I'm always left out!

If your on 2k's mailing list and they start sending stuff out again, you may still receive something.

[Grathius22]

If your on 2k's mailing list and they start sending stuff out again, you may still receive something.

Woah... how do you get on this mailing list?

[Reborn in the Ocean]

Woah... how do you get on this mailing list?

Well if you were doing SitS and sent Meltzer a letter that is one way the new way is probably just be active with Project Enemy Unknow and when they ask to send letters or something if they do send it to the address and bam you are on there mailing list.

[I-ChooseTheImpossible]

Woah... how do you get on this mailing list?

Through sending letters to Meltzer during SitS, some people also got on the mailing list when asked for address etc. So Liz could send invites to people for the BioShock 2 launch party. Not sure if any oppurtunity has come up to get on the mailing list with this ARG yet though.

[magicman4443]

Through sending letters to Meltzer during SitS, some people also got on the mailing list when asked for address etc. So Liz could send invites to people for the BioShock 2 launch party. Not sure if any oppurtunity has come up to get on the mailing list with this ARG yet though.
I believe if you sign up with the IDD through projectenemyunknown.com, you can input your address and such in the profile page. that's probably the best way to get on "the list" right now.

[I-ChooseTheImpossible]

I believe if you sign up with the IDD through projectenemyunknown.com, you can input your address and such in the profile page. that's probably the best way to get on "the list" right now.

Ah, that's right. Forgot about that, since I got sent a card my details were already there. :D

[Adam Addict L]

*watches tumbleweeds roll around the thread* :(

[Reborn in the Ocean]

It should pick back up soon L don't you worry!

[Sinclair Saucer]

I think I saw something!

no wait...just my imagination

[Reborn in the Ocean]

Come on this needs to start up again please :D

[Electro-Bolt]

"lockdown"...

What happened to this viral campaign? It was really interesting. :(

[magicman4443]

"lockdown"...

What happened to this viral campaign? It was really interesting. :(
Well, I think it's only on a....
Hold on. (Checks date of last post)
4... month.... hiatus.....
Well, the game doesn't come out until next year. They'll start it up again eventually hopefully, once we're closer to the date I think.

[Electro-Bolt]

Well, I think it's only on a....
Hold on. (Checks date of last post)
4... month.... hiatus.....
Well, the game doesn't come out until next year. They'll start it up again eventually hopefully, once we're closer to the date I think.

Yeah, hopefully they have some good viral marketing planned out to keep us entertained before the game comes out.

[TheParasite]

Hmm has the site updated? I don't remember these television screens and odd zombie looking creatures flashing on them. Also, where did the picture posting and forum thing go D: ?

http://www.gknova6.com/

Reminds me alot of CoD: Black Ops Zombies.

[Aegeri]

It should remind you of it quite a lot, because it is Call of Duty Black Ops. If you look at the front page of the website it even says it is for Activision (who naturally owns the CoD franchise) and "Nova 6" relates to something in the plot of CoD: Black Ops. I don't think that has anything to do with X-Com.

[TheParasite]

Oh wait-*Massive facepalm* I clicked the wrong website. I guess I just want an update that bad that I confuse websites...=[

[Codex]

You got me all excited before I went to work, Parasite. :(

[Nosmirc]

Oh mans. You know a game is content starved when..... LOL!

[Sinclair Saucer]

Wow..just wow...

[Reborn in the Ocean]

Long time no see Saucer

[Ga1Friday]

I think that we all want an update.... :( :-p

[Reborn in the Ocean]

Yeah I know I certainly would like an update :D

[gamertam]

Just logging in, checking what's new.

Anyway--this is what i remember. Not really important info. but...
--2025409047.com will be 202.
--there was an address something 9047 NW MacArthur Blvd. Washington, DC. 20016 (it could be a wrong addy)
--Something about no Pastrami on Wednesday...lol

anybody got any info you remember or anything from the viral campaign itself? just for old time's sake.

[Electro-Bolt]

What the heck happened to this campaign??? We were all having so much fun with it... :(

I was cleaning my room and found my Infinivac Digital Data Card so I logged back on in case there had been an update. I hate "Code Black Lockdown"

edit: I just realized that the latest entry on the 202 site states that "ALL AGENTS ARE ADVISED TO STAND READY.
OPERATIONS WILL BE REACTIVATED." That post was from months ago so I guess I must have forgotten about it. Hopefully it will eventually start again.

[FtRapture]

So does all this recent news mean it is time for me to pull out that mysterious envelope from months back and start exploring again? Because I am ready to go 2k.. :)

[2K Elizabeth]

So does all this recent news mean it is time for me to pull out that mysterious envelope from months back and start exploring again? Because I am ready to go 2k.. :)

Are you, now. Intriguing...

[Optic Nerve]

Are you, now. Intriguing...

Intriguing.

[FtRapture]

Are you, now. Intriguing...

:\ These mind games are toying with my emotions..

I am just glad things are low key for me right now so I can dive in deep into this.

[geenna74]

Still nothing? What happened??? This started out so great.

[Aylus]

I saw a feature on Inside Xbox a week ago where they interviewed one of the XCOM designers as he talked about gameplay as it related to both the E3 2010 and E3 2011 trailers.

During the interview, he was standing in front of a corkboard. What caught my eye was that tacked to the corkboard were a bunch of pictures and newspaper clippings. Looking closer -- they were the same as the investigation materials a bunch of us received when this all started. Does it mean anything? No idea. But it was interesting to see pop up, since the interview was obviously done fairly recently.

I can't find a copy online anywhere and am guaranteed to forget to take a picture once I get back to my machine, but just a heads up in case someone wants to poke around xbox live.

[2K Elizabeth]

I saw a feature on Inside Xbox a week ago where they interviewed one of the XCOM designers as he talked about gameplay as it related to both the E3 2010 and E3 2011 trailers.

During the interview, he was standing in front of a corkboard. What caught my eye was that tacked to the corkboard were a bunch of pictures and newspaper clippings. Looking closer -- they were the same as the investigation materials a bunch of us received when this all started. Does it mean anything? No idea. But it was interesting to see pop up, since the interview was obviously done fairly recently.

I can't find a copy online anywhere and am guaranteed to forget to take a picture once I get back to my machine, but just a heads up in case someone wants to poke around xbox live.

Hmm... Indeed?

[Aylus]

Hmm... Indeed?

Ok, ok... so I didn't find the video I was talking about, but apparently Jonathan Pelling did a bunch of E3 interviews in front of the same corkboard with all the media outlets. A german one has a pretty good camera angle linked below. I can even see the tube of goo I got!

Gameswelt - XCOM - E3 2011 Video Interview mit Jonathan Pelling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJlmQMZlhYA

So hopefully that means this campaign is just on the longest pause ever, instead of totally forgotten ;)

[2K Elizabeth]

Ok, ok... so I didn't find the video I was talking about, but apparently Jonathan Pelling did a bunch of E3 interviews in front of the same corkboard with all the media outlets. A german one has a pretty good camera angle linked below. I can even see the tube of goo I got!

Gameswelt - XCOM - E3 2011 Video Interview mit Jonathan Pelling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJlmQMZlhYA

So hopefully that means this campaign is just on the longest pause ever, instead of totally forgotten ;)

Oh yes, I know the board. I made it.

;)

[Reborn in the Ocean]

So is the pause going to end soon? :p

[Aylus]

Oh yes, I know the board. I made it.

;)

Hahaha, nice! That board really ties the room together.

So now here's to hoping that:
a) I'm not missing something really obvious with it
b) It's a sign this is still in the hearts and minds of folks out there and not just a prop to distract from Jonathan's jailbird outfit.

[IllusionOfLife]

Ahem, I would like to direct all of your attention to this link:

http://www.citizenskywatch.com/

Excuse me, I'll be having a major fangasm for the next few minutes. Be back soon.

[Azeru]

Budget cuts? Project terminated...

http://www.projectenemyunknown.com/

[Reborn in the Ocean]

Ahem, I would like to direct all of your attention to this link:

http://www.citizenskywatch.com/

Excuse me, I'll be having a major fangasm for the next few minutes. Be back soon.

Can't wait lol :p just saw it on facebook and now I am ready to go for this :D.

[geenna74]

Not sure where to post this but I just got another letter and photo.

The letter says the IDD has been disbanded. The materials they sent out were part of a hoax and should be destroyed.

anyone else?



**Looks like I am late to the party and most people have already moved to the citizen skywatch site.

[Wonderboy2402]

Not sure if this has been mentioned. But only the site when you watch all the ascii text go through, you can download a file at the end of it... The flashing icon.

It is a 112 mb file and when I unzip it has some text documents that won't open.

Change it to .mpg format will let you watch a cryptic movie.

[bluebuttpie]

Could you tell me how to change that txt file to mpg? I can't seem to do it. Many thanks!

[Theta-Sigma]

Could you tell me how to change that txt file to mpg? I can't seem to do it. Many thanks!

Do you have Mac or PC?

[bluebuttpie]

I have a PC.

BTW, the Enemy Unknown website shows a binary code before it goes into lockdown. Anybody translate that yet?

EDIT: It says UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS ATTEMPT

[venom11]

hello everyone! i haven't posted in like one and a half year (beside that one post in skywatch forum)! hope you remember me! :D

so i got another letter from I.D.D. telling me that I.D.D. has been recessed and that project:enemy unkown has been terminated.
explanation is leaking informations,false evidance and false sightings.
so we are not I.D.D. agents anymore.
well i better register on skywatch! :)

[Reborn in the Ocean]

I do remember you Venom lol and yeah P:EU is no more we are now citizen's in skywatch!

[Squishy3]

I got the letter as well, if anyone remembers I was the one who thought to use the card access number as the URL to log into the Infinivac network.

[Electro-Bolt]

I also got the letter/photo. It was a long pause though and I lost interest. I'll look around this new citizen skywatch website you guys are talking about and see if I can get back into it

[katscan]

This has so many views and replies, I have to ask, what the hell was this all about ?!

[Pallid]

Epic necro is epic.

[tazong]

Never seen this thread before - read quite a lot of it to be honest lol - I not sure but i think this is all relevent to 2k marins xcom.
the whole sixtys style - the biggy was the black tar substance - very intresting way to get intrest in to the game.
If it is indeed about xcom lol.
There is a relation between the two xcom games so i wonder if this is a deliberate tactic to get the ball rolling again as we start to approach the launch of the game?

[IllusionOfLife]

This was the first phase of what would become the Citizen Skywatch ARG for Marin's XCOM. Unfortunately the whole thing has been put on hold indefinitely for now. Hopefully it will start back up once we know more about the status of the game.

[katscan]

Oh Thanks Illusion. Had no clue, and it had the highest view count in the forum.

[japester]

This ARG was being designed by the same company that did Something in the Sea, which was epic (I wish that word wasn't so casually used, because it actually applies here). SitS had events all around the world and gave away ridiculous swag. I even had an actor, in costume, come to my house to deliver one of the items. It was in-sane.

So we had high hopes for this one. It started up once as a fake web site, which was kind of fun (access was restricted to those with a special key card). Then it stopped while the game was reworked. It started up again with the live events, but was eventually shut down. I think the last live event may have been in my area. I'm not sure. It was crazy fun, though. A cast of actors ran us through tests to see if we were good candidates for Skywatch. Everyone I brought with me had a good time. Hopefully this will start up again in the future, but I'm not holding my breath.

[rowan72]

Not that I want to get anyone's hopes up for this game (because I'm pretty sure that it is over with), but I recently received a package as thanks for a Guide (http://www.wonderweasels.org/hermes/guide.html) that I had written for the game while it was going on. Considering that the Citizen Skywatch sites are now deleted (so sad), I doubt if this is anything more than just leftovers from the game. But I still wanted to share what I received with anyone who is still around - so you can check out the pictures I posted to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rowan72/sets/72157633304027255/with/8672834639/).

[Codex]

So you recieved it too, Rowan? I have a write up and some other information here: http://codexscompendium.tumblr.com/

[rowan72]

Huh, so maybe it is something after all. You definitely have stuff that I don't. My file folder said "3 Access" and didn't have the website on it (as far as I can see). Sad that the website doesn't have anything on it at the moment - but it is a new registration (within the last week)! So fingers crossed?

[Nosmirc]

Videogamer.com (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3xqroeWX44) got that package as well, although I don't recall him finding a bottle like that.

Also, the text on the microfilm is very similar to this video (http://www.shacknews.com/article/78831/possible-xcom-teaser-says-russian-meteor-a-hoax), with a username that translates into Truth 1962 (it's also tagged with 'whathappenedin62').

Still has XCOM references? Maybe they're not ditching the name just yet as speculated.

Y u scan upside down? :p

[Codex]

Mine just says "1 www.erasethetruth.com." BUT the website doesn't exist yet... Hurm...

Also, Truth 1962? The photo on the bottom of the box was from 1962...

Also: Nosmirc: New scanner, I have exams and I was torn between continuing studying and posting this ;)

[Nosmirc]

Fair enough, for now...lol.

Noticing that between the two boxes you guys got, and the one from that vid I linked seemed to have different After Action Reports. Which, like I mentioned in the other topic from a week or so ago that our agents can actually die now.

[Mandemon]

Now, this is just me, but shouldn't this be in XCOM FPS/ The Bureau forum?

[Codex]

Now, this is just me, but shouldn't this be in XCOM FPS/ The Bureau forum?

But there is no forum :S My need to move a thread is thwarted!

[Aegeri]

The XCOM FPS forum disappeared a little while ago. Hopefully something comes back to replace it soon for this kind of discussion.

[tazong]

When i originally read this thread way back - i thought how cool it would have been to keep discovering little snippets everyday or week and new info coming out(which i have to say is a fantastic approach or way of releasing new info about a game) but reading the forum after the events had happened seemed so sad and souless.
Now it appears to have new life and has begun to breath fire again - i shall be watching closley with bated breath - very very intriging?

[shorn]

....
Now it appears to have new life and has begun to breath fire again - i shall be watching closley with bated breath - very very intriging?

hopefully it is them re-doing the campaign instead of a few people finally getting mail that had been lost for a few months.

[Codex]

Now it appears to have new life and has begun to breath fire again - i shall be watching closley with bated breath - very very intriging?

These things tend to be hella fun. Let the speculation begin!

Edit: I just realized that I got a link on my FB to the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKJebhdzHsM video from an email called "Veritas MCMLXII." It means Truth 1962.

[CthuluIsSpy]

Oh, an ARG marketing campaign? Interesting...I would still rather see gameplay footage though than hype. Though not enough to spoil the game. One of the problems with XCOM EU is that nothing was new; they showed every thing prior to the release. Kinda undermined the "unknown" part of the name.

[SamBC]

I see that the erasethetruth website has a webserver running, but just showing the Apache test page...

[rowan72]

I see that the erasethetruth website has a webserver running, but just showing the Apache test page...

Yeah. It's rather annoying that they still don't have the webpage up. It's really PuppetMastering 101 - have a website before you launch. Although they are lucky that at least the domain is registered. I've been known to register websites (http://bigandawesome.com/) that were advertised yet still available.

[Mandemon]

http://steamcommunity.com/app/200510/discussions/0/810922863420772238/#p2

Some people have been having XCOM pre-purchase appearing on their steam libraries.

From this thread:


something is not adding up A. its a pre-purchese but the game has been out for months, B. The shooter xcom trailers have been deleted and 'covered up.' C. xcom what happened in 62 came out today, points to a reveal on april 26. so ya its kinda of adding up

[Mandemon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zkNjKzkfQE4

Guess they are still online...

[Codex]

In the new trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zkNjKzkfQE4) there's a phone number on top of a rotary phone at about the 2 min mark (when they're flashing around to filling up the space ship, the blacking out of the documents etc). Anyone want to give that a try? I would, but I am on my way out the door. I caught the first few numbers as 415

[tazong]

now that was a fantastic trailer - giving the game release datwe as well - brilliant - cant wait

[Nosmirc]

What was with the pipboy? lol.

So Carter and Weir are still in it, Ooze is still in, The Titan (if it looks anything like it does in the trailer, it certainly is an improvement from what we've seen, simply because there are actual textures now :p) is still in.

I'm curious what will be different this time around. I'm still hoping that it'll be less combative, and more, I dunno, FBIish?

And I think I can just...disregard that pesky reference to XCOM :p

EDIT: Watching IGN's Rewind theater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPv-VBUq4CM) on this, at 4 minutes, they unintentionally bring up a bit of an issue. They don't seem to know that EU and the shooter are in their own continuities, stating that it's an oversight in the writing that Vahlen talks about "for the first time in earth history, we're encountering another race".

I mean, that's still the plan right? But then they have the 'Vigilo Confido' logo on the portfolio.

EDIT2: Whatwhatwhat? Now I'm really confused about what this game is doing.

We clearly have elements from the previous times the game was showcased: Titans, Oozes (IGN states they are Silacoids (http://www.ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Silacoid), but I don't know where they got that from or if they came up with that themselves), Carter, Weir.

But now we also have clear references to EU. The Vigilo Confido logo, and now this, at the 5 minute point of the rewind theater, the report that is being typed references Sectoids. Just an easter egg? Are they just using elements from EU now, and still in a separate continuity? Or are they connected now?

EDIT3: Heh, so IGN interviewed Morgan Gray (http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/04/26/the-bureau-xcom-declassified-announced) about the game.

Looks like those After Action Reports did in fact indicate perma death is in for your squad mates. Good. Good good. 2k Marin has picked up on how important having mortal allies is to the game. While I'm not excited about taking a named character into combat (which means Carter himself can't die), nor the combat heavy approach they're taking (If you're gonna make a game about a covert FBI branch, could we be, I dunno, covert?), I will say this is starting to look better.

[SamBC]

They've said it's an origin story, implying it's the origin of the XCOM in EU; no-one knows anything about it because they covered the whole thing up. Which could be believable, depending on how extreme the carnage and property destruction is. How do you coverup the flattening of a city?

[CelticBloodFireDeath]

They've said it's an origin story, implying it's the origin of the XCOM in EU; no-one knows anything about it because they covered the whole thing up. Which could be believable, depending on how extreme the carnage and property destruction is. How do you coverup the flattening of a city?

Weather balloon. Duh.

[CthuluIsSpy]

Communists.

Or...Communist Weather Balloons?


I swear, if some NPC in the game refers to the aliens as Commies, I'll break a rib laughing.

[SamBC]

Communists.

Or...Communist Weather Balloons?


I swear, if some NPC in the game refers to the aliens as Commies, I'll break a rib laughing.
I think we've been told that the initial investigation believes that the strange goings-on are a Soviet infiltration.

[Codex]

So, the phone number is 415-507-7616, which starts playing the track from the first part of the trailer when you call it (I just spent the long distance money. You're welcome.)

The phone in the trailer has the extension number of 37452, which I tried putting in but it did nothing. Something to keep in mind for later, perhaps?