Adrian Hon

He guided many of you through The Beast. He has kept current with many aspects of the ARG community through his website (www.mssv.net). He is a highly intelligent person, to the point where some have questioned whether or not he is, in fact, AI. Now, he dumbs it down a shade to talk with us about attack dogs, felonius acts behind curtains, and of course, his secret partners.

SB > Thanks for joining us, Mr. Hon. We can understand how busy you might be behind that curtain.
AH > Yup, we're working hard. That's right, working. What else would you do behind a curtain?
SB > Many things, but that's a whole 'nuther interview.
AH > You mean we're talking about ARGs?
SB > If that's what you want to talk about, sure. Now, we are definitely not going to ask you about your 'hidden partners' because, hey, we understand. However, we'd like to ask you about your imaginary friends.
AH > I don't have any imaginary friends, they're all real. If I had any. *sobbing*
SB > Wow, touchy.
AH > *clears throat* Anyway...
SB > Syzygy has been in production for quite some time now. How do you help to keep the troops motivated behind the scenes?
AH > Seriously, we're all very excited to be working on something like this. Speaking personally, I've wanted to work on this type of game since the Beast, so motivation isn't generally a big problem.
SB > The Beast was a motivating factor for many different PM groups. What was your favorite part about the Beast?
AH > Hmm... well, I definitely liked it when it finished, so I didn't have to write the Guide any more. It's interesting that you ask, because I was reading over it again this morning. It was probably when I first started reading the game's websites -- the first site I came across was AIT, the Aragon Institute of Technology. They had something about solar system defence there. At that point I got hooked.
SB > Wow. You complain about keeping together a little guide, and yet, you think you're ready for a full scale ARG. Don't you think you might be biting off a little more than you can chew?
AH > Eh, it's different when you're behind the controls. Plus I'm getting paid to do this full time.
SB > Actually, that question was way out of line. We hate being confrontational.
AH > Bastards.
SB > What do you make of the I Love Bees experience, now nine weeks into its run?
AH > It's an extremely interesting game. Not one that I've gotten into much, due to various reasons. I thought the phone booth idea was inspired, but has gone on rather long now.
SB > I'd have to agree. For the record, any phone booth interaction in Syzygy?
AH > Can you guess what I'm going to say in response to that?
SB > Right, the 'secret partner' thing again. Gotcha. You've stated that you wish to exceed the Beast...When can we order our very own Belladerma creations? I would like Companion C-103.
AH > In the interests of safety and quality control, we have to conduct *extensive* testing before we can release them to the public. It's a thankless job, but someone's got to do it.
SB > So that's a 'pretty soon' then?
AH > Could be.
SB > I hope you folks will take PayPal... If you could change any one thing about the ARG universe, in-game or out-of-game, what would it be?
AH > Hmm... I wish more people had heard of it, so I wouldn't have to spend so much damn time explaining to people, 'So, you've heard of the AI movie, right? Well, in 2001, Microsoft and Dreamworks... etc etc'
SB > Have you ever had to explain it to a border patrol guard?
AH > No. Was that a true story?
SB > I wish it wasn't.
AH > Nice. Actually, Dan and I did have to explain it to an immigration official when we flew over to Seattle to visit Microsoft. Shortly before we were savaged by the attack dogs.
SB > Wow. Were either of you hurt?
AH > Only emotionally.
SB > All in the name of ARG! How about some quick snappers: Conglomerate-funded, or grassroots?
AH > A mixture.
SB > Laia or Dana?
AH > Laia.
SB > ARG or MMORPG?
AH > MMORPG! Nah, just kidding... ARG.
SB > Phew. Smirkbox or a knock-off facsimile created by a power-hungry jealous type?
AH > Umm... heh.
Smirkbox, of course. SB > Prodigy or Chemical Brothers?
AH > Chemical Brothers.
SB > Football or Soccer?
AH > Football, dammit!
SB > Ok, in that case... Liverpool or Arsenal?
AH > Liverpool.
SB > Nice. Finally, Adrian, inquiring minds would like to know... what keeps you coming back to ARG? What keeps you interested, devoted, lovin' every minute of it?
AH > It's one of the greatest, freshest, most involving game genres out there. There's so much you can do with them, and so much more that could be done.
SB > Wicked. One of the best answers ever. Right behind Steve Peters' "I do it for the children." Thanks for your time, and we're looking forward to your exclusive behind-the-scenes revelation of your secret partners in next month's Smirkbox.
AH > Sure thing. *evil smirk* Thanks for having me.
SB > Oh, if I had a nickel for everytime a woman... never mind.