When Literature and Gaming Collide

Earlier this week, alternate reality game (ARG) creator Six to Start and publisher Penguin UK launched "We Tell Stories," a series of six digital short stories released over six weeks. Check out the site and you'll find the first tale, "The 21 Steps" by spy writer Charles Cumming. Told as a layer on top of Google Maps imagery, it incorporates movement throughout the adventure - definitely a unique twist on a familiar interface.

Despite the project's "Six Authors. Six Stories. Six Weeks." tagline, the site's About page notes that "somewhere on the internet is a secret seventh story, a mysterious tale involving a vaguely familiar girl who has a habit of getting herself lost." With that said, think "Alice in Wonderland" and don't overlook any details if you decide to dive in.

For insights into the development of the experience, visit these posts on the blogs of Adrian Hon, Six to Start, and Penguin UK. Also check out this post by LIFT08 speaker Ewan McIntosh.