sf0

January 2, 2011 5:23 PM

SF0 is a game played in the real world, where you play your character. However, it's not a LARP, and it's not quite an ARG (alternate reality game), either. Think of it more as an interface for the cities of the real world.

SF0 activities are organized into tasks: abstract descriptions of activities that the player is encouraged to perform. Each task is worth a set number of points, and additional points may be obtained by having your tasks voted on. Every task must be documented with a praxis: a write-up detailing what you did, how you did it, and showing evidence.

As much of the appeal of SF0 is in its mystique, I'll refrain from making this the huge post it could be. Instead, here are some of the most lauded and famous task completions:

Su Casa

Public Sign Makeover

Reverse Shoplifting

Bus Stop Seating Conversion

posted by LSK (26 comments total)

I went to school with one of the founders, apparently. Huh.
posted by kenko at 5:42 PM on January 2, 2011

So, I read through a little and it seems like an ongoing collaborative scavenger hunt, so I signed up as KlangKlangston.
posted by klangklangston at 5:47 PM on January 2, 2011

There ought to be a spinoff game called TS4, where people can help others get thru long queues with all of their belongings and 4th amendment rights intact.
posted by iamkimiam at 6:05 PM on January 2, 2011 [3 favorites]

I was hoping this was something like Freebase: Roleplaying in the World of Reality, but it's probably best that it's not.
posted by The otter lady at 6:11 PM on January 2, 2011 [5 favorites]

Oh wow, this looks superfantastic
posted by crayz at 7:51 PM on January 2, 2011

Scores for tasks are assigned based on a complicated algorithm developed by the military. Scores for tasks are calculated by a bureaucracy of bipartisian retired judges working under a system of "checks and balances." Scores for tasks are implemented by a process bank of personal computers running SFZero's proprietary spyware.

...

In SFZero we refer to completed tasks as Praxis:-) genuinely free, self-conscious, authentic activity as opposed to the alienated labour demanded under capitalism.

mmm
posted by crayz at 7:58 PM on January 2, 2011

See also psychogeography, the 50s French situationist movement which studies the layout of public spaces through the following of arcane rules and games.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 8:04 PM on January 2, 2011 [2 favorites]

I love the bus stop one.
posted by rtha at 8:12 PM on January 2, 2011

Signed up as defenestration. This seems like a whole lot of fun.
posted by defenestration at 8:18 PM on January 2, 2011

This does look interesting so I also signed up as klangklangston.
posted by Justinian at 8:28 PM on January 2, 2011 [9 favorites]

See also: Morton's List.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:52 PM on January 2, 2011

Interesting! I admit I felt an initial wave of "how is people telling stories about condiments and neighbors supposed to be new and exciting?", but then I realized that while perhaps not groundbreaking, it's a pretty solid way of eliciting interesting little snapshots of the urban fabric.
posted by threeants at 10:18 PM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

I admit I felt an initial wave of "how is people telling stories about condiments and neighbors supposed to be new and exciting?"

I don't think the point of the exercise is to be passively reading the website for thrills or lulz. I think the point is to be out there in your community contributing to the texture and fabric of the city or town you live in, and the story you tell about condiments or neighbors is simply the by-product of your experiences.
posted by hippybear at 10:21 PM on January 2, 2011

Signed up as l33tpolicywonk.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 6:55 AM on January 3, 2011

this is fucking cool.

I like the ones where you just tell stories. Singed up as 'potomac'
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:57 AM on January 3, 2011

From the about page:
It is strictly prohibited to:

- Kill other players, except in designated player killing areas.
- Steal valuable possessions from the corpses of already dead players.

Wait...what? Just pointing that out for those mefites that have recently signed up. I'm sure its just a silly joke for those that actually read the rules...not sure, and don't want to know if anyone finds that disappointing.
posted by samsara at 9:51 AM on January 3, 2011

I'm in. Signed up as 'spitefulcrow', natch.
posted by spitefulcrow at 10:09 AM on January 3, 2011

I just completed the Player Photograph task. Now I'm actually eligible for "real" tasks. Anyone else getting started?
posted by defenestration at 10:38 AM on January 3, 2011

One of the more in/famous SF0 events I can recommend is Journey to the End of the Night, a cross-city zombie run. In San Francisco at least, it happens every Halloween, and is lots of fun.
posted by duende at 12:46 PM on January 3, 2011

I'm in as quietgal (they stole my capital letter). Anybody else in San Francisco? I definitely need egging on for this kind of silly fun stuff, so can we start a MeFi team?
posted by Quietgal at 9:33 PM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]

Quietgal: "so can we start a MeFi team?"

Done. Anybody who wants admin privileges (especially to help with our graphics) just MeMail me or message me on the site.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 6:28 AM on January 4, 2011

I canceled my account when I saw the rule that I can only kill other players in designated areas. I apologize for unwittingly breaking the rules. I've put back the stuff I looted.
posted by Justinian at 1:32 PM on January 4, 2011

I joined the MeFi team and uploaded my photo (same as my profile pic here). Now what do we do? I'm a middle-aged lady - I've forgotten the procedure for having fun.
posted by Quietgal at 3:27 PM on January 4, 2011 [1 favorite]

I joined the MeFi team as well. I think I'm going to do the "Arcane Ensconced" task if anyone wants to match tasks as a means to get started.
posted by defenestration at 1:00 PM on January 5, 2011

Arcane Ensconced sounds like a good place to start. Defenestration, did you have some ideas for matching tasks? You're in NY and I'm in SF, so a real-world collaboration would be hard. Maybe something via postal mail?

Actually, any ideas for this task would be welcome - everything I've come up with is pretty lame.

Spitefulcrow, I tried to add you as a friend and send you a message on SF0. I hope it worked, but in case I borked it: we're both in SF, so wanna collaborate for the glory of Team Metafilter?
posted by Quietgal at 9:40 PM on January 5, 2011

I've been poking around there for a few days and just joined the MeFi team (also as Room-641-A). I completed the Player Photograph and Saucy Tales tasks; now all but two of my available tasks are event- or location-specific so bear with me, please!
posted by Room 641-A at 6:23 AM on January 7, 2011