SFZero

SFZero or SF0 is a web-based community game invented in San Francisco. It is a type of alternate reality game.[1] SFZero players earn points by completing a wide variety of different tasks, often with a focus on creativity, exploration, community, or performance.[2] Although the game was originally intended for San Francisco residents, its player base has expanded to include many other locales both in and outside of America.[3][4]

SFZero is the creation of Ian Kizu-Blair, Sam Lavigne and Sean Mahan of Playtime Antiboredom, a "nonprofit organization dedicated to producing free immersive art games that use new technologies in significant ways."[1][2][3][4]

Gameplay

Groups

In the early game, players were required to align with a group upon starting the game. However, beginning in the era of Insatiability, the 'restrictive' rule of choosing a group before play has been eliminated. Currently, players can complete tasks from any group, and can choose to be listed as a member of any group from which they have completed tasks.[2]

Each group has its own goals, interests, and an archive of group tasks. Although SFZero encourages collaboration amongst all players, and many tasks require it as such, it also allows for competition amongst individuals, locales, teams, and groups. It is possible to declare other players both as 'friend' and as 'foe'.

Tasks

Tasks are created by the players, then performed by other players or groups of players.[1][2][3][4] In the current era, Everyday Life, SF0 features over 130 active tasks, with more than 1200 having been retired, and some 2500 suggested or 'pre-tired.' Here are some 'classic' task examples:

1000 Small (Heavy) Things
Buy or acquire 1000 small, and if possible heavy things. Bolts or nuts (including the edible kind) would be good. Transport them to a public space (preferably carpeted) and drop them on the ground. You may drop them all in one place, or you may drop them slowly, perhaps forming a trail of some kind. If anyone harasses you, apologize profusely and then leave.
Foreign Plant Crisis 2: Deportation
Determine the original habitats of your interned non-native plants and deport them.
Kidnap Me Gently
Kidnap another player for three days. After hours on the phone consulting with our legal team, which includes celebrity lawyers Johnny Cochran and F. Lee Bailey, we have determined that the other player must go willingly.
Go Fly A Kite
Take one or more kites to the beach or park and start to fly them. As other beach goers approach get them to fly a kite too.
Take a picture of the person flying the kite for proof.
Tipping
Tip, in a non-tipping industry.
Make A Task- The Task
Make a task for the game San Francisco Zero.
Photographic Sentence
Make a sentence out of photos you find online (or on your computer). Each photo makes up a word or concept.
The High Score Task
Put up a flag on top of the Sutro Tower.
Hello NASA
Create a message here on earth that is visible from space. The message can be text, pictures, or both. It must be large enough to be legible on Google maps or Google earth.
Flood Of Legendary Obfuscations
Fabricate an urban legend, using your locale as its setting.
Drive-In
Create a public drive in movie. Use a projector and display a film of your choice in a public place. Invite strangers, family, and friends. Don't charge anyone to film the movie. The serving of popcorn is encouraged.
The Sound of One Koan
If a tree falls in the woods, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
Your proof should not be theoretical in nature.
Build a cat.
Build a cat, must perform catlike functions (besides sitting on your bed).
Keep marching on.
Destroy a piece of your past.

Events

The game also features Events in which players from all SF0 groups are invited to participate in a mass task.[1] The description for the event "The Sweet Cheat Gone" reads:

"An investigation of guilt and innocence played out across the streets (zones of desire and exchange) of San Francisco. You are a prosecutor, a private eye, a witness, collecting evidence, not knowing who you can trust, betraying your friends (enemies) to build your case. Pursue a thread of desire that takes you to imaginary crime scenes beneath the skyline."

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Berton, Justin. “Flash mob 2.0: Urban playground movement invites participation” SFGATE, 4:00 2007.11.10 article online
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Blitstein, Ryan. “More Than Zero” SFWeekly, 2006.5.31 article online
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Simon, Nina. "Designing Platforms for Co-Creation" in Chapter 8 of The Participatory Museum. CreateSpace, 2010. ISBN 0615346502 view online edition
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Terdiman, Daniel. “Collaborative gaming takes to the streets” c net 2006.4.14 4:00 archived article online

External links

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