7 January 2014

Canberra is not as it seems

| Pestiness
Join the conversation
40
ingress poster

…for many reasons.

Canberra is being over-run by the resistance. We are an enlightened city, full of enlightened people (mostly), but the ‘intel map’ is depicting that this is not the case. The enlightened seem to be losing the battle. We need more help!

If you’re over 16 and based in the Australian Capital Territory, have an android phone, a reasonable data plan, a need to get out and about to explore and maybe make new friends, get in touch with our community!

email: canberra.enlightened@gmail.com

____________________

More info:

‘Ingress’ is an augmented reality game that is (currently) played on android-based mobile phones. The enlightened faction have training members available in each area of Canberra.
While the game may sound or seem complicated, it doesn’t take much to get into – especially with the help of our friendly, patient and encouraging agents.

I struggled to put this post into a riot-act category. It fits into SO many: entertainment – sport – technology – sight-seeing – art appreciation – nature – travel – socialising. I’ve tried to explain why below.

Ingress gives players the opportunity to be:

social (or not!) – we have faction and cross-faction meetups, drinks, bbqs, training days, coordinated exercises, there’s even an ingress ‘olympics’! You can choose to play ‘lone-ranger’ and go it alone, or you may even prefer an enigmatic style, revelling in anonymity. Some players have become friends with agents on both factions. Some have not. Some players are partners – even families play! Regardless, the interaction (or the choice to not interact) is always fun!

competitive (or not!) – while some players are drawn to ingress for the social aspects, or simply to quell boredom, there are some who are hard-core gamer types intent on smashing opponent portals (or even portals belonging to specific rivals) and covering their vicinity in a field of their faction’s colour. Some players get kicks from helping other players ‘level’ or accomplish goals (whether these goals be huge fields of colour, or field ‘art’). Others are keen to ‘unlock achievements’ (like see how long they can keep a portal for, or top how many kms you’ve walked in a week).

fit (or not) – many portals are in walking distance to where you are right now. Playing ingress is a great way to go for a walk, jog, cycle your way around the nation’s capital and beyond. Many portals can be driven to, while some require a bit of a hike (or perhaps a dirtbike!) to access. You can even submit your own portals.

explorers – how well do you know your city? There are so many amazing places, cultural icons, viewpoints, natural and human-made locations that should be explored! You’ll see things you’ve never even noticed just because they are portals. Ingress provides great opportunity to travel abroad. There are portals on every continent of the globe. There are even portals in New Zealand!

less bored – many agents play during the course of their day-to-day routines (picking kids up from school, going to the shops for milk, commuting, dining out, exercising etc). Some have purchased battery packs for their phones so they can prolong their ingressing sessions. Some play sporadically, some seem to play all the time! You control when you play, how long you play for, how you play. Through ingress, you’re bound to pick up a new – and rather different – interest.

balanced – playing for the enlightened will help balance the scourge of the resistance in Canberra. There has been a large influx of blue agents and it would be a lot more fun to play in a more balanced team environment. So if you’re keen to support the current underdogs (and not just choose the ingress ‘default’ faction when you’ve completed training), join the enlightened.

Regardless of playing style, Ingress has attracted people from all types of backgrounds and interests and is played across the world. Here in Canberra, some of our top-level players include doctors, nurses, public servants, housewives, film producers, mechanics, gym instructors, public servants, data engineers, students, retirees, public servants…

____________________

Why I play:

I play when I feel like it. I’m part of a community. I’ve travelled abroad and met up with members of the Paris Ingress community (both factions) and played with groups in London. I can play in teams, or go it alone. It has taken me to weird and wonderful locations on searches for portals (even locally! Some places I wouldn’t have even known existed!). I have met some brilliant people. I enjoy the dynamic nature of the game and the strategic elements, but sometimes… I just like blowing stuff up.

Besides, green is my favourite colour and our agents are much better looking.

Join the conversation

40
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Gungahlin Al said :

It’s fun while everyone remembers that it’s a game.

Unfortunately, the green team in Canberra are pretty notorious for using various means to target blue players using means that are explicit breaches of the Terms of Service. Even your own post that mentions “apps” (post #19 in this thread: http://the-riotact.com/canberra-all-covered-in-slime/122287) indicates that you are yourself using software that is not permitted under the Terms of Service:

Gungahlin Al said :

There are apps available that summarise portal numbers and ownership across an area. This app typically shows that the smurfs occupy around two thirds of the portals.

As of right now, from the 864 portals of Level 4 and above, 532 are blue/smurf, and 332 are green/frogs. Importantly, there are 0 green Level 8s to 24 blue, and 42 green Level 7s to 153 blue.

The data scrapers used by Canberra greens, and the keeping and sharing private information on opposing players are more extreme violations of the TOS. Seems so many so-called Enlightened are prepared to do anything they think they can get away with – it is such a shame, really, to see green players become known as the “best cheaters” in Canberra rather than the “best players”.

After all, it’s fun while everyone remembers that it’s a game. And if you can’t play by the rules, you should ask yourself why you’re playing at all.

Gungahlin Al2:37 pm 14 Jan 14

Varthrax said :

Mordd said :

@Pestiness – crazy question, but having thought of it im madly curious to know – if you had 2 phones (or even 2 sim cards? how does the game identify players?) could you play both sides at the same time? Does anyone do this, is it banned? What are the rules on team switching and the like? Is there a degree of spying and espionage that goes on along with the game (im hoping you say yes to this last one especially – this would appeal to me personally *evil grin*).

Not sure if this was addressed… but the answer is ‘no’. There is a strict terms of service and breaches of these, which are monitored by Niantic, will result in a ban. Plus it’s just terrrrrrrrible sportsmanship.

What Varthrax said.

There are some poor things that happen around the world with people using GPS spoofers and other such unfair tactics. But I’ve found the overwhelming majority of players of both sides prefer to play straight, as anyone getting cheaty spoils the game for everyone and leads to players leaving.

We even had someone offer to be a double agent a little while back, and it was pleasing to see the way people in my team slammed the lid on that.

See you in the trenches. And remember to choose green.

It’s fun while everyone remembers that it’s a game.

Mordd said :

@Pestiness – crazy question, but having thought of it im madly curious to know – if you had 2 phones (or even 2 sim cards? how does the game identify players?) could you play both sides at the same time? Does anyone do this, is it banned? What are the rules on team switching and the like? Is there a degree of spying and espionage that goes on along with the game (im hoping you say yes to this last one especially – this would appeal to me personally *evil grin*).

Not sure if this was addressed… but the answer is ‘no’. There is a strict terms of service and breaches of these, which are monitored by Niantic, will result in a ban. Plus it’s just terrrrrrrrible sportsmanship.

Thanks to everyone for their interest. 🙂 This wont be the last you hear from me.

…let’s get Canberra green!

Sounds awesome! Count me in!

Mordd said :

Ok I promise this will be the last post in the row, just noticed something I missed when linking the Wired article that is very important for any prospective players to know! …

No need to promise no more posts. It’s good, healthy debate. Yes, I am biased. I like my team. I like the game. I’m only providing my opinion in the article. This is why I posted the link to the article on the entire ingress Canberra community on google+ (which I also think is a far superior social media channel to stupidbook). Many players have commented here. The fact that many are resistance leads me to believe ‘thou doth protest too much’ about my article.

There are Terms of Service and Community Guidelines to follow with the game. These are available here: http://www.ingress.com/terms

I don’t want the post to get too longwinded, so I encourage anyone with an interest in finding out more about both the game and the teams involved, to download the app from the google play store, get onto google plus (http://plus.google.com), request to join the ‘Ingress Canberra’ community. While not every player participates in the forum, you’ll soon get a pretty good picture of which team appeals to you.

I know you’ll make the right decision. Email: enlightened.canberra@gmail.com for an invite to the game. 🙂

🙂 I’ll still shout you a beer if you join us. Slimy tactic or otherwise.

Mordd said :

“But be careful: you’re only allowed to change your faction once, by requesting a manual reset for your account. So take your time deciding whether you want to oppose the Shaper infestation with the Resistance, or embrace the change with the Enlightened.”

That is indeed vital! But it is actually old information, and currently, no faction changes are permitted. The only way to change faction now is to delete your old account in Ingress, and start a new one with the other faction… so choose wisely, recruits!

Ok I promise this will be the last post in the row, just noticed something I missed when linking the Wired article that is very important for any prospective players to know!

“But be careful: you’re only allowed to change your faction once, by requesting a manual reset for your account. So take your time deciding whether you want to oppose the Shaper infestation with the Resistance, or embrace the change with the Enlightened.”

That should also be added along to the OP imho, along with the links to the tutorial and the wired article and iOS info – im guessing this topic will get a lot of views and not everyone reads the comments 🙂

Pestiness said :

The enlightened definitely are the underdogs.

A lack of success does not make you the underdogs. David won against Goliath – that did not make David the underdog. The fact is, the Enlightened in Canberra have almost twice as many players, yet are half as effective. We make no secret of our success in the field – and we are happy to share our strategies, and our success, with all who join the Resistance.

Pestiness said :

I am known and respected by members from both factions and understand that there is a small degree of ‘disagreement and infighting’ in the resistance, where it simply does not exist on our team.

The price of freedom from mind control is that individuals may have different ideas. We are also aware that there is considerably more hierarchy and some players who tell others what to do in the Enlightened faction; whereas the Resistance is founded on principles of egalitarianism, independence, and freedom.

Pestiness said :

I also have to refute that we have slimy tactics. We’re generally too busy having fun and revelling in our lack of coordination for ‘tactics’. 😉

Civilians: Which ever team you choose, you will have fun. But I will buy you a beer if you join and play for the enlightened.

Bribing civilians with alcohol is definitely a slimy tactic, Pestiness, and very much proves the case in point! 🙂 If you join the Resistance, there will be many occasions to enjoy beers together while savouring the sweet thrill of victory. I am not sure the same can be said of the Enlightened… 🙂

@Pestiness – crazy question, but having thought of it im madly curious to know – if you had 2 phones (or even 2 sim cards? how does the game identify players?) could you play both sides at the same time? Does anyone do this, is it banned? What are the rules on team switching and the like? Is there a degree of spying and espionage that goes on along with the game (im hoping you say yes to this last one especially – this would appeal to me personally *evil grin*).

I love how all the ‘resistance’ players jumped on here, flattering me personally, yet refuting my (mostly) legitimate claims.

People, do not believe their lies.

I will just say:

The enlightened definitely are the underdogs. In the area where I live, I am the sole level 8 green player. There are at least 5 resistance players who live in the group of 7 suburbs. I would dispute the fact that we have more ‘active’ players. There are some resistance players that play around the clock. Numbers don’t equal activity. We enlightened seem to have a much better ingress/life balance.

I am known and respected by members from both factions and understand that there is a small degree of ‘disagreement and infighting’ in the resistance, where it simply does not exist on our team.

It is true, however, that the ‘resistance’ are well coordinated, play seriously and hard, and are deserving of the fact that this town is currently ‘blue’. …for now. 😉

I also have to refute that we have slimy tactics. We’re generally too busy having fun and revelling in our lack of coordination for ‘tactics’. 😉

OK. I lied about the better looking stuff. We’re all physically unattractive. On both teams.

Civilians: Which ever team you choose, you will have fun. But I will buy you a beer if you join and play for the enlightened.

Dogen said :

For more of a technical explanation of game play try http://decodeingress.me Mordd.

Lol I had to ask, that seems a bit too technical for someone who knows nothing about the game yet haha, I only understand about 25% of the articles I skimmed, they seem aimed at experienced players not as a way of getting to know the game.

Pestiness said :

Howdy,

Thanks everyone for your interest. I’ve had fun playing and just thought I’d share. Happy to post another notification when it’s available on iOS.

Skidbladnir gives a simple explanation of the game-play. And an amusing one.

If you want more info on the dynamics of how to play, the backstory, etc there are some great resources and links here: https://support.google.com/ingress/#topic=3261401 (including youtube vids).

I’m not into the whole ‘backstory’ stuff (it can even seem a bit cultish!), but it gives depth to the game for those who need it.

🙂

Now that is exactly what i was looking for, a tutorial to help learn how the game works, something to initiate a non-player, and yes backstory helps a lot to give context to the actions of the game. This link should be added to the article if you want people to have a chance of making sense of this.

@Agent_Q – the resistance intrigues me, and im quite tempted, but this comments makes me wonder if id be picking the wrong side:

billius said :

It also seems to have become a game of smokers vs non smokers. I haven’t had a time running into the ‘enlightened’ where I haven’t had someone puffing smoke right in my face.

Does that mean as a smoker myself I wouldn’t we welcomed in the resistance, is the game really split along these lines or this more a in game joke/jab that I am not getting and to be ignored in the larger scheme of things?

Ok now I just need an iOS version of the app and I can try it out, sadly I cannot afford even just a cheapo android device purely to play given I already have a perfectly working (free) iPhone 4, so I’ll just have to bookmark the site I guess and check back every now and again till it’s added.

Masquara said :

I wonder what the cult agenda is here …

I’m still trying to figure that out. It exhibits all the symptoms of a cult. Players seem to get overly excited about it and try their hardest to push the virtues of the “game” onto non players without realising just how uninterested we are.

DrKoresh said :

I just want to find a group of nerds who’ll let me play D’n’D with them 🙁

hehe. I know a few of those types too. I’m def not one of them. Contact me at pestiness AT gmail.com and I’ll hook you up.

thatsnotme said :

zorro29 said :

*blink

I really must be too old; I have no idea what any of this is about even after reading it. Are Resistance and Enlightened opposing teams of Amazing Race-type people?

Hmmm…at any rate, I have an iPhone and don’t live in Canberra – so I guess that counts me out, twice.

Ha, it really is one of those games that elicit blank looks if you try to describe it to someone, but it’s pretty simple really.

There’s apparently a version coming for the iPhone, and it’s definitely not a game that’s restricted to Canberra – pretty sure you could play it in any city or town anywhere in the western world!

Well Sydney probably has something going on. I’ll have to do some research. 🙂

Howdy,

Thanks everyone for your interest. I’ve had fun playing and just thought I’d share. Happy to post another notification when it’s available on iOS.

Skidbladnir gives a simple explanation of the game-play. And an amusing one.

If you want more info on the dynamics of how to play, the backstory, etc there are some great resources and links here: https://support.google.com/ingress/#topic=3261401 (including youtube vids).

I’m not into the whole ‘backstory’ stuff (it can even seem a bit cultish!), but it gives depth to the game for those who need it.

🙂

It looks like fun! I wonder what it is.

You are all nerds and I hate you.
Especially those of you on the resistance.

Colour me blue.

zorro29 said :

*blink

I really must be too old; I have no idea what any of this is about even after reading it. Are Resistance and Enlightened opposing teams of Amazing Race-type people?

Hmmm…at any rate, I have an iPhone and don’t live in Canberra – so I guess that counts me out, twice.

Ha, it really is one of those games that elicit blank looks if you try to describe it to someone, but it’s pretty simple really.

There’s apparently a version coming for the iPhone, and it’s definitely not a game that’s restricted to Canberra – pretty sure you could play it in any city or town anywhere in the western world!

*blink

I really must be too old; I have no idea what any of this is about even after reading it. Are Resistance and Enlightened opposing teams of Amazing Race-type people?

Hmmm…at any rate, I have an iPhone and don’t live in Canberra – so I guess that counts me out, twice.

I just want to find a group of nerds who’ll let me play D’n’D with them 🙁

Pestiness I must commend you on perpetuating the evil ways of the slimes through your blatant use of Enlightened propaganda on a forum of unsuspecting civilians. You are a credit to your team, much like Darth Sidius to the Empire.

To the people of Canberra I say this – be mindful to not become beguiled by pesti’s sweet words. Whilst her points about the enjoyment of the game / war are accurate, lines such as “our friendly, patient and encouraging agents”, “playing for the enlightened will help balance the scourge of the resistance in Canberra”, and “our agents are much better looking” are all falsities (though pesti is a bit of a looker I must say – but she’s one of few).

Canberra, I won’t be so bold as to tell you to join The Resistance. It takes certain courage to fight against evil and stand up for what is right. I put the decision to do so in your hands.

More and more people are joining the battle to fight oppression and stand up for themselves, their families, and their country. Will you sit back and let the war be fought all around you? Or will you take things into your own hands?

For more information I implore you to contact resistance.canberra@gmail.com

I find you’re quite misleading… You already outnumber the resistance by far! In the interest of balance, I urge people to choose the resistance.

It also seems to have become a game of smokers vs non smokers. I haven’t had a time running into the ‘enlightened’ where I haven’t had someone puffing smoke right in my face.

We have constant impromptu meet ups, as well as lunches that usually involve 15-20 people, something that the ‘enlightened’ don’t seem to bother with. So join the resistance! We need you!

Installed it out of curiosity after reading this. Can’t get past the first screen, maybe my Gmail account isn’t google enough.
Maybe they’ll start taking you to McDonalds as advertising.

Well played, Agent Pestiness. I see you are trying to recruit unsuspecting civilians to the evil cause of the so-called “Enlightened” – but in game, known as the “slimes”. This is not just because their faction colour is green, or because of the way they often roam about Canberra in sticky masses; but because they have some pretty slimy ways of achieving their goals.

In the game’s storyline, the Resistance is fighting against mind control from outside, alien forces (“The Shapers”: mind control that has resulted in conflict between people and the detainment, disappearance and death of people around the world. We realise that if this mind control were, indeed, a force for positive change, these awful events would not have occurred; and thus, we seek to uphold and defend the best aspects of humanity: our independence, honour, egalitarianism, and ability to achieve great things in the face of terrible odds.

In real life, the Resistance in Canberra also aspire to these goals. We are the true underdogs, with almost HALF the number of active members of the so-called “Enlightened”; and yet we have held our own for almost the entirety of the last year. In addition, we have achieved much in the face of such overwhelming odds: creating the first “portal” to reach the highest level achievable, Level 8; at one point, completely eliminating all green portals in the ACT and region; and an interstate trip where some of our members made the first Level 8 portal at the top of Mount Kosciusko.

Our group also demonstrates a strong respect for women, as evidenced by one of our group members organising the first Level 8 portals created entirely by women in the region (and, my wife tells me, a delightful picnic to accompany the event!).

Our group has been recognised internationally for the creation of a real-life achievement system: our members are eligible to be awarded these medals for their achievements, and we have started to extend this system of recognition Australia-wide: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/yourphotos?pid=5954947016745173794&oid=107833440350942817623.

We have achieved a great deal within the game, despite being far fewer in number than the “slimes,” and we have even more real-life events, challenges, and achievements planned to maximise the game’s enjoyment for all of our members.

Join the Resistance and defend humanity! Canberra is proud to have one of the best Ingress Resistance communities in the country, with significant recognition nationally and internationally, and we welcome all to join our worthy struggle. Email resistance.canberra@gmail.com for more information. 🙂

poetix said :

‘You’ll see things you’ve never even noticed just because they are portals.’

I don’t want to notice the world because of screen based games. That strikes me as incredibly sad. I suppose I just don’t understand the attraction, and have no interest in trying to.

Glad you are having fun though. Each to his or her own. (Even those gaming ‘housewives’.)

I think it’s less about noticing the world, and more about discovering what you didn’t even know was there. For example, some of the art that’s hidden in the back alleys and laneways around the city centre. There’s no reason for me to go into them normally, but there’s all sorts of interesting stuff in them. And because the location of portals are user contributed, you get to see what other people think is interesting in an area – there’s an opportunity to share those unique things that not many people know about.

For more of a technical explanation of game play try http://decodeingress.me Mordd.

Hello, Pestiness.

You are my most reliable of opponents, and I hate you for this post.
*laughs evilly*

For the rest of you: Ingress is basically nerd orienteering meets capture the flag. Or competitive spatial geometry with inventory management and bragging rights.
More fun than it sounds, and an excuse to get fit/have some thinking walks during the day. You’ll meet nice people, interesting people, and everyday people, all while being led to local artworks you’d never known about, or maybe just never noticed even though you see them everyday.

But some people take it _way too seriously_.

I wonder what the cult agenda is here …

Holden Caulfield9:42 pm 07 Jan 14

“If you’re over 16 and based in the Australian Capital Territory, have an android phone…”

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/349/990/304.gif

‘You’ll see things you’ve never even noticed just because they are portals.’

I don’t want to notice the world because of screen based games. That strikes me as incredibly sad. I suppose I just don’t understand the attraction, and have no interest in trying to.

Glad you are having fun though. Each to his or her own. (Even those gaming ‘housewives’.)

neanderthalsis9:30 pm 07 Jan 14

Tim33 said :

The whole mantra and explanation reminds me of a typical psychotic delusion. Wouldn’t want to get into it then start believing it.

Once upon a time people just joined the Children of God or the Scientologists…

I’m intrigued but you don’t really make clear at all what the actual gameplay involves other than going to real places augmented with virtual information – that’s as much as I can get from reading this article. i tried the website but that’s even less useful than this article is at explaining *how* you actually play the game or *what* you actually do – for example what are portals, how are they setup/maintained/attacked/etc… lots of detail missing from this article.

I’d download it to check it out…. but I only have an iPhone (it was free gift from a friend upgrading) so alas it appears I am locked out of this for the time being, do us a favour though and update us when you add iOS support and if you could write up some actual detail of what gameplay can involve that would be even better.

Thanks for introducing us to this idea, await your response.

Actually bugger it, it looks pretty good I’m in. A good excuse for a walk, maybe the excuse to beat down and take the phone off the opposing team too. (is that allowed?)

The whole mantra and explanation reminds me of a typical psychotic delusion. Wouldn’t want to get into it then start believing it.

Gungahlin Al6:21 pm 07 Jan 14

It’s a great game, addictive even.
And it’s a great way to meet lots of interesting people from all walks.
I’ve walked and ridden so many kilometres since I started playing, and gotten to know far more about this city. There might be an underlying profit driver from Google behind the game, but I think the benefits really put the balance in favour of the players.
Helps that I chose the right team too – Enlightened.
“Resistance” might sound sexy to some, but their mantra is just wrong.

Solidarity said :

I like to keep my computers and my outside seperate.

lol… spoken as a true nerd.

Conversation when I tried to recruit my bro:

Me: ‘it’s a great nerd game! You go outside and…’
Him: ‘stop right there!’

I like to keep my computers and my outside seperate.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.