1337
| 1337: A Game Novel | |
|---|---|
| |
| Author(s) | Mark Fullmer |
| Publisher(s) | Real1st Games |
| Release date(s) | 2010 |
| Authoring system | HTML/PHP |
| Platform(s) | Facebook App |
| Language(s) | English |
| License(s) | Freeware |
| Multimedia | |
| Color effects | none |
| Graphics | noir comics |
| Sound/Music | mp3 |
| Ratings | |
| Cruelty scale | Merciful |
1337: A Game Novel About Gaming is an interactive serial novel computer game released in 2010 by Real1st Games, makers of the hit haXX0r alternate reality online game. The game combines elements of both a empire simulator, first-person shooter, and role-playing game. It is notable for integrating Jungian archetypes into the RPG programming and for making use of web 2.0, user-generated NPCs. The principle author for both the coding and the story is currently unknown.
Gameplay
The player joins a clan in the year 1337 A.D. as either a footsoldier to King Edward III of England or King Philip VI of France. Early gameplay involves traditional MMORPG gathering, exploring, and leveling-up tasks, which culminates in a ganking battle with the level's main boss.
Reception
The game was reviewed by Gameology Magazine in late 2009 by David Breskin, a name which was later discovered to be fictitious. Gameology Magazine has not been available for comment on this matter. The supposed reviewer gave the game 3 1/2 out of 5 stars, concluding "1337 is scary real."
"Vaster than empires and more real. Frigteningly so." -- Dara Colbert, Spectre
"One insane behemoth of a pesonality test." --McFarley's Weekly
"Tune in, turn on, drop out." -- Timothy Leary
Controversy
Real1st Games is one of many callsigns associated with the underground hacking collective Sparse. The group originated in Okinawa, under the leadership of Johnny Otaku, and is believed to be in some way connected to the Yakuza.
The company originally attributed lead design of 1337 to "Mark Fullmer", which was later discovered to be an elaborate hoax, which included a fictitiously authored facebook page, personal weblog, and even complete short story and poetry collections. The true creator of 1337 remains unknown, though disgruntled fans are actively working to discover the identity.
On January 15, 2010, the company was suddenly disbanded, though there has been speculation that this was simply media misdirection intended to divert attention from the company's clandestine operations.