Iris ARG

Iris ARG now complete

CapnKrunk — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:48:42 -0700

According to discussion over at Unfiction forums, it appears that the Iris ARG has now run its course. With all five of the "servers" having been unlocked (Server 05 just unlocked last week on 8/16) apparently the mystery and story of this ARG has been fully revealed for all those who were following it.

Quote:

The growing anticipation of the September 25 release was deftly nurtured by a unique viral marketing campaign, dubbed "Iris," which engaged gamers in a high-tech scavenger hunt that aimed to broaden the audience for the Xbox 360 title along the way.

More than 50 people from 20 Microsoft teams contributed time, coding expertise, and industry contacts to bring the online campaign to fruition.

The project launched in June and wrapped up August 16, unfolding as a virtual treasure hunt in five episodes. A mysterious voice guided thousands of participants as they uncovered clues and puzzles at various server locations. Each location revealed previously untold details about the Halo game trilogy, which tracks Master Chief's epic battle to save Earth from conquering aliens.

Fortunately, several Podtacular members were able to get in on the action and score some exclusive Halo 3 goodies, including Klutch27, Unr3alChi3f, ClownX, Kiaffex, Face Head, QualityJeverage, iNoob, t3hreaper, crashMMVII and, thanks to these guys, yours truly.

For those who didn't manage to get so lucky, your time and efforts were definitely appreciated. And even though this looks like Iris has now all come to a close, don't be surprised if other exclusive events or promotions start to pop up from Microsoft around the Halo 3 launch.

Iris ARG

Hello, Iris? Are you still there?

CapnKrunk — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:16:52 -0700

Over the weekend, I thought maybe I was just too busy to keep up and would come back to a whole new wealth of info on Iris, but after some checking... has nothing really happened in the last five days? Did I miss something? After all the excitement of the last couple of weeks, it seems like the game really has come to a full stop.

Is there something we're waiting for? Are we expected to find new clues and get the game going again?

Iris ARG

Wow, the ARG is really heating up!

Unr3alChi3f — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:00:31 -0700

At around Midnight Eastern Time, the site 206.16.223.65 had an update. What it was is that people recieved a "key" instead of that countdown timer. They had to take that key up to www.unlock.msgamestudios.com and be one of the first 100 to help unlock "Server 5" (Of which we would see server 1 on www.halo3.com). Once unlocked, the "Server" starts to show up on 206.16.223.65 and you were able to download 4 things, and watch a video of which seems to be AR's final transmission before being completely compromised.

Screenshots and a whole lot more after the jump!

The site 206.16.223.65 before the Unlock provided by Ibeechu of ABO

At the top of the page, you see the audio picture, getting a clip that says

Quote:

This is how it all begins.
Just in time to, once again, dance on the knife-edge of oblivion.
To relive what the Halos have hoped to destroy, and more.
For two enemies now stand, where before, there was only one.
With fate we escaped, and fate we may relive.
I almost convinced myself that no one was listening; that the waves of the past would roll through once again.
But a chance remains to change the universe anew.
Learn of our past.
Take these keys and dip from the wells of history.
Perhaps through others' eyes, you may find how to save us all.

Download Clip

The Video Provided by CrashWave

Transcript (This is also "Log5_Transcript.txt" on the 206.16.223.65)

Quote:

THIS IS MY FINAL ENTRY, AND I AM LEFT WITH ONE HOPE
THAT ONE DAY, SOMEONE, ANYONE IS AROUND TO WITNESS THIS WARNING
{//}
KNOW THAT A THOUSAND OTHER PLANS WERE TRIED AND FAILED
{//}
KNOW THAT ENERGETIC AND TENACIOUS AS LIFE IS
IT HAS AN ANTITHESIS JUST AS POWERFUL
IT IS THAT THING THAT WE MUST OBLITERATE

Slide_Ref070107.jpg

Array_Recorder_Data.txt

Quote:

Halo array –System Data Recorder

[ 3 minutes 5 seconds]
{c-match-reconfirmed}. Sphere secure to .1889 of passing fleet. Offensive tactics confirmed.
Feint tactics in limited push.

Sys//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////{online}
Index: {check}
{D-com} There is no peace left. No place where the parasite cannot reach. You were right about it
all. Let us hope the final measure is not too late.

[ 1 minutes 12 seconds]
Confrm: Array burn radium {check} 3.0
Confrm: Array sync …1…2…3…4…5…6…7…{check}
Commence…_{ }

[ 60 seconds]
Commence…_{check}
Confrm: -00-00-00-59-0999-
{c-match-line-hold} acceptable losses confirmed
{D-com} It's done. By my hands. The pyrrhic solution is ignited. All I have left is the quiet of
space to lull me to sleep. I will dream of you.

[ 49 seconds]
Authorize -00-00-00-48-0999-
Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array
Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_
Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_ Array
Authorized…_ Array Authorized…_{check}

[ 23 seconds]
fire: -00-00-00-22-0999-
Confrm: wpnt {auth}
Core sequence <%> <%>

[ 11 seconds]
fire: -00-00-00-10-0999-
{c-match-burn} effectiveness of enemy core fleet negligible
{D-com} I feel no peril.

[ 5 seconds]
fire: -00-00-00-04-0999-

{D-com} No pain. No remorse. Is that normal?

[ 0 seconds]
fire: -00-00-00-00-0001-
Reversion Sequence…{negative}
Array Authorized…_{Activate}
Rings online…_{Activate}

[ 7 seconds]
+00+00+00+07+0001+
reset…………………………..
reset…………………………..
reset…………………………..
reset…………………………..
reset…………………………..
reset…………………………..
reset…………………………..

I cut alot of the reset part because it would take the whole page...
How many resets there are : 104 (For Future Refrence)

StarImage1.jpg

Alright, now that we have this new information, where do we go from here???

Iris ARG

Farewell, Adjutant Reflex

CapnKrunk — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:53:40 -0700

In today's biggest developments, Adjutant Reflex (widely presumed to be a Forerunner AI) has ceased to exist as we know it.

After some communication with a bungie.net user named x Foman123 x, Adjutant Reflex indicated another "presence" and the inability to combat its actions. Now it seems to have been taken over or consumed entirely. A look at its user profile shows the following message: "This entity has been terminated, its matrix comandeered."

While the Adjutant Reflex bungie.net profile still exists (with a new avatar) and continues to post messages, they are decidedly more sinister and forewarn of events that will be occurring very soon.

from http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11393329

Quote:

Adjutant Reflex is terminated.

Attempt no further communication.

I am utilizing its matrix.

Everything is within protocol.

Tomorrow, things may be clearer but I will not be here to witness the clarity.

I am for another place and another time. On my terms.

Be seeing you

Even the countdown timer at the Transmission Log has stopped and now shows the following:

Quote:

"Systemic failure. Root cause unknown./

/ rebooting "

It was believed that the countdown would end on June 21st, the first day of summer, and provide some new information about Adjutant Reflex and its mission, but now, things have come to a full stop. It's not clear if this new presence is friendly or hostile, but it's clear that something has gone wrong.

Looks like something big could happen at any moment now, so stay tuned. The ARG Watch continues!

Iris ARG

The 206.16.223.65 Site Keeps Updating!

Unr3alChi3f — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:12:01 -0700

Yesterday, the site http://206.16.223.65, which was found by interacting with the last frame of the Halo 3 Comic found in Best Buy and Circuit City Ads, had three updates yesterday! At around midnight, the site read...

206.16.223.65 wrote:

Iris Transmission Complete.
Awaiting Delivery

/time to awareness/

Then around noon time PST, the text read...

206.16.223.65 wrote:

System Breach.
Failure ##myqse7##rf

/report.................../

In addition to the text change, the countdown clock is now going insanely fast! The second clock is counting down, but is skipping 9,8,7 going to six. The timer is also skipping the 90s, 80s, and 70s. And when it hit 000, it starts again at 113. Example 113,112...,106,105...,101,100,66,65,64...

Then during the night, the site has been changed again to read...

206.16.223.65 wrote:

/system override/
Core Relevance 37% and Rising.

/negative - system control diverted

The clock is still going what it was around noon.

The timer runs out Tonight (6/19) @ Midnight EST! What do you think what will happen?

Link to proof that the clock ends @ midnight tonight

Iris ARG