An alternate reality game (ARG) designed by the writers and producers of Lost to occupy fans and expand the storyline between the end of season 2 and the start of season 3.
According to a New York Times article at news.com [1], the game will be "a multimedia treasure hunt that makes use of e-mail messages, phone calls, commercials, billboards and fake Web sites that are made to seem real." These cross media experiences have grown increasingly popular as marketing tools to promote movies and games, the most famous being Microsoft's "I Love Bees" ARG that preceded the release of Halo 2. The Lost Experience is different in that it is created by the show's actual writers and will progress the storyline. According to Michael Benson, a senior vice president at ABC, "I want to prove to the audience that this is something they will enjoy, that is organic to the show. I don't want the audience to feel like 'they are just selling to me or marketing to me.'"
According to an ABC press release released April 24 2006, the "Lost Experience" will be Internet-based and will feature a parallel story line that is not part of the TV show. It will begin May 2 in the United Kingdom, May 3 in the U.S. and May 6 in Australia. There is no winning prize, but the experience will offer clues that could unlock some of the island's many secrets. "It's like a giant, worldwide mysterious jigsaw puzzle that will come to life for all the world to solve," Mike Benson, senior vice president of marketing for ABC Entertainment, said in a statement. What is known about the challenge is that it includes the introduction of new characters and the mysterious Hanso Foundation. The first clue requires finding a toll-free number that will be released during the show or commercial breaks. Clues will vary by continent, so participants will benefit from coordinating their information. ABC said the game is designed to appeal to both fans and people unfamiliar with "Lost."
Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have stated in the official podcast that the Hanso Foundation website, which has been offline for several months, is "down for remodeling" and will be a part of the game.
International Launch Dates
- The game will launch on May 2 in the UK, during Channel 4 Television's premiere of the Season 2 opener, "Man of Science, Man of Faith"
- The game will launch on May 3 in the USA & Canada, during the episode "Two for the Road". Carlton Cuse told fans "Watch the May 3rd episode very carefully. You can TiVo it, but don't skip the commercials."
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