Have you ever noticed how the US media loves euphemisms? Somehow genocide has become “ethnic cleansing” and our current economic clusterfuck has been dubbed an “economic downturn.” What does this have to do with Lost? Well, the alternate reality game, that I’ve mentioned before has been canceled. Well, not completely canceled, but everything that had been planned has been scrapped. I guess ABC is cutting budget fairly aggressively. Seeing as they axed three of their best shows, I’d say that’s a fair statement.
Regardless of the situation, all the fun Dharma goodness that we were getting has abruptly ended. Frankly, I’m not that heartbroken. I’m not sure if budget problems were effecting the ARG before it was shut down outright, but it pretty much sucked. It was really slow in developing and there was no story behind it. I had hoped that it would pick up the pace as we approached the new season, but I guess it did the exact opposite. So it goes.
The two brains behind lost, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, felt bad and will be giving some behind the scenes nuggets to all those people who became members of the Dharma Initiative, through what they are calling “Dharma Special Access.” For those of you who missed out, I think you still might be able to join up at Dharma Wants You. If you can’t, or don’t feel like registering, I’ll be keeping you up to date if anything exciting happens. All the content will be exclusive to the ARG players for a week or two, then it will be hitting the whole of the interwebs, at ABC’s website I would assume.
We’re getting closer and closer to the new season, and any little teaser is welcomed. Less than two months away now! Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
Anyone been playing the ARG? Are you bummed about this, or are you like me?
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Nov 27, 2008 @ 15:08 EST5EDT
So ABC will pay for a useless focus group to find out what people think about Izzie banging a ghost but they won’t fund a little harmless game for Lost? Go figure.
I played the game and agree – it was pointless. I had to take a series of tests which were silly questions and puzzles. After a month wait, the tests were graded (half of them didn’t post my score correctly). Your test grades plus your “dharma points” (I believe this is the number of people you referred to the site) determined your job level. I was sent a fancy PDF with the Dharma logo congratulating me with a certificate and awarding me the position of “gardener”. I felt like Ben Linus and started drinking generic beer immediately!!
Now I hate my life and I can’t remember my kids’ birthdays!