SAAM's Alternate Reality Game "Ghosts of a Chance"

Presented by Georgina Bath

The Luce Foundation Center (part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum) is hosting an Alternate Reality Game in the fall (detailed info). The "main event" will begin online on September 8th and end in the museum on October 25th. Part of the contract with the game designers includes delivery of a packaged educational module-version of the game that museum staff will be able to implement on a recurring basis for museum visitors and school groups. I'd like to introduce you to the game in case you want to follow along as it progresses (let me know if you want to be on my update list - bathg@si.edu) but also to generate some discussion on the use of game-playing in an art museum and in particular, the idea of blending fictional and historical narrative around collection artifacts without being disrespectful or confusing. I'm also happy to answer any questions about the game or some of the unusual things that we will be doing to support the narrative.