Alternate Reality Games, or ARGs, are a form of internet based interactive storytelling that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. ARGs present their narrative as true through what is called an “aesthetic of authenticity,” sometimes creating confusion over what is an ARG or genuine.[1] Given that some ARGs present themselves as internet based religions, this can make it difficult for scholars to tell whether what they are observing is “real.” I will illustrate this difficulty with the case of the TSUKI Project, whose followers were split over whether they were following a real religion or playing an ARG. In bringing together the digitality of new religions and what Carole M. Cusack terms invented religions, I propose that whether the TSUKI Project originated as an ARG does not determine its authenticity as a religion.[2] Rather, if its followers believe it to be real, what we are observing is authentic religious practice.
Alternate Reality Games and Religion
Sometimes ARGs present their narrative by making media that appears to be made by a new religion. The most well known example of this is a video game called KanyeQuest 3030. It is at first glance a parody game about Kanye West, but when the player types various codewords into the game, they are taken to a hidden section of the game promoting a religion called Ascensionism. [3] The creator of the game would later reveal that it was an interactive piece of art, rather than a religious recruitment tool.[4] I will show that the very concept of the ARG can cause confusion for followers regarding the origin of their internet religion, as I will illustrate with the case of the TSUKI Project.
The TSUKI Project
The TSUKI Project emerged in February of 2017, on a website titled Systemspace Network, which acted as a hub for the group. The website was created by an anonymous internet user going by the name Tsuki, who described himself as a Dutch teen who began having religious experiences at the age of 12. Through the literature posted on the site, Tsuki explains how our reality is one of many realities. These realities are owned and maintained by a corporate conglomerate of which Tsuki is a representative. These universes run on an energy called Aurora, which our universe is running low on, causing it to become corrupt and set to be destroyed in the year 2167 with a new universe taking its place. The only way to reincarnate into the new universe upon death is to “register” through the TSUKI Project website, which displayed a timed countdown until registration would close and the deaths of registrants after that date would result in successful reincarnation.[5]
As its online community grew, members were divided as to whether or not it was a real religion or an elaborate ARG. Tsuki himself refused to confirm or deny if it was an ARG, stating that an equal presence of believers and nonbelievers was important to maintaining cosmic balance.[6] Online media soon picked up on the story. The group was labelled as a “suicide cult” due to perceived similarities with Heaven’s Gate.[7] In response, the website stated that the TSUKI Project did not endorse suicide.[8] Tragically, a death was linked to the group in July of 2017, with more being rumored.[9] By 2018 the TSUKI Project was in its death throes following backlash from within the movement against Tsuki for failed prophecies, abusive behavior towards members, financial exploitation, and attempted litigation against those critical of the group.[10] In November of 2018 the TSUKI Project’s website shut down, and all that remains are archives of the original website and literature. Yet the question remains, was the TSUKI Project “real?”
Invented Religions and the Authenticity Debate
I argue that whether the TSUKI Project was intended as a real religion or an ARG does not diminish the authenticity of the religious belief of its followers. We can find similar discussions of authenticity in regards to what new religions scholar Carole M. Cusack terms “fictional,” “invented,” and “hyperreal religions.”[11] I would go so far as to argue that invented religions such as Discordianism and the Church of the SubGenius could be considered early examples of ARGs. Cusack argues that just because a religion has a “fictional” origin, the religious practice it inspires is not any less authentic.[12] It does not serve us as scholars to focus on whether an internet based religion originated as an ARG. What does serve us is to acknowledge that ARGs can inspire genuine religious practice and new horizons for scholars to explore.
Endnotes
[1] Parker, Christian. Narratological Experiments in Alternate Reality Games. Connecticut College, 2020. https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=filmhp
[2] Cusack, Carole M. Invented Religions: Imagination, Fiction and Faith. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis, 2010.
[3] Wendy, Olivia. Kanye Quest 3030 — How Data Miners Discovered the Greatest ARG of the Decade. Medium, 2019. https://medium.com/@oliviawendy/kanye-quest-3030-how-data-miners-discovered-the-greatest-arg-of-the-decade-8af21d2c6c64
[4] Grouse House. “Solving Gaming’s Biggest Mystery - Creator Revealed - Finding Yeezus [Finale],” October 24, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBPnPCpXHqs
[5] Tsuki. Systemspace Compendium Revision 16. TSUKI Project Archive, 2024. https://classic.systemspace.network/dataverses/Compendium/compendium.php
[6] Tsuki. The Burden of Proof. TSUKI Project Archive, 2024. https://classic.systemspace.network/dataverses/Thoughts/Truth/
[7] Nugent, Addison. The Obscure 4chan Religion That Promises a Cyberpunk Afterlife. Vice, 2017.
[8] Tsuki. Welcome to the TSUKI Project. TSUKI Project Archive, 2024. https://classic.systemspace.network/
[9] Kylie Boggly. “SYSTEMSPACE: A Disturbing Rabbit Hole,” October 25, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxd9xtC6r2Y
[10] Unreal Aired. “Tsuki Project: An Internet Rabbit Hole,” September 9, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykzhxJxtAwE
[11] Cusack, Carole M., and Pavol Kosnác. Fiction, Invention, and Hyper-reality: From Popular Culture to Religion. London: Routledge, 2017.
[12] Sutcliffe, Steven, and Carole M. Cusack. The Problem of Invented Religions. London: Routledge, 2015.
Alternate Reality Games, or ARGs, are a form of internet based interactive storytelling that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. ARGs present their narrative as true through what is called an “aesthetic of authenticity,” sometimes creating confusion over what is an ARG or genuine. Given that some ARGs present themselves as internet based religions, this can make it difficult for scholars to tell whether what they are observing is “real.” I will illustrate this difficulty with the case of the TSUKI Project, whose followers were split over whether they were following a real religion or playing an ARG. In bringing together the digitality of new religions and invented religions, I argue that whether the TSUKI Project originated as an ARG does not determine its authenticity as a religion. Rather, if its followers believe it to be real, what we are observing is authentic religious practice.