ARGs and Internet Mysteries: SCP, Local58, The Mandela Catalogue (Explanation and Examples)

The internet loves testing how quickly we can get pulled into a story that “doesn’t want to be believed.” From interactive games that blur reality and fiction (ARGs) to “analog horror” on YouTube, phenomena like SCP, Local58, and The Mandela Catalogue combine community sleuthing, puzzles, and cross-media storytelling. Below you’ll find clear explanations, examples, and links to help you get started. (Wikipedia)

What is an ARG (Alternate Reality Game) and why do people talk about it?

An ARG is a networked story that takes place “in our world” and uses multiple channels—websites, emails, physical clues, phone calls, or videos. The story unfolds in real time based on how the community solves puzzles and communicates with characters (game masters). Typically, creators don’t label the work as a “game”—they want it to feel authentic. Well-known examples include I Love Bees (Halo 2 promotion) and Year Zero around the Nine Inch Nails album. (Wikipedia, WIRED)

How an ARG differs from “internet horror” (Local58, Mandela Catalogue)

Although Local58 and The Mandela Catalogue use puzzles and hidden clues, they’re primarily series (short films) published online. An ARG, by contrast, assumes active player participation outside the video—for example, visiting locations, decoding messages, or contacting characters. Still, many projects blur the boundary (e.g., Local58 expanded its story onto the website local58.tv). (Wikipedia, local58.tv)

So what exactly is SCP?

The SCP Foundation is not a real organization, but a community-driven fiction project—an enormous database of “reports” on anomalous objects, entities, and phenomena. It began in 2007 on 4chan’s /x/ board (the first entry, SCP-173) and later moved to the current wiki site. All content is released under the Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 license, meaning it can be reused and adapted as long as attribution is provided and the same license is maintained. That’s also why SCP can legally grow into games, videos, and fan projects. (Wikipedia, scp-wiki.wikidot.com)

How to read and “play” SCP

• Start at the SCP Series hub and pick numbered entries (SCP-173, SCP-682, and thousands more).
• Pay attention to “Tales” (short stories) that expand the universe, and to thematic hubs (departments, facilities).
• The “puzzles” in SCP tend to be textual—references, meta-jokes, cross-links between authors and formats.
  Because it’s a collaborative world, not everything is equally canonical; but that’s exactly what allowed the community to grow organically. (scp-wiki.wikidot.com)

Local58: analog horror that taught the internet to fear TV static

Local58 (created by Kris Straub) is a series of short “captured” broadcasts from the fictional Mason County station WCLV-TV. Episodes imitate late-night programming, emergency alerts, and old tapes—and someone/something smuggles unwanted messages into them. Crucially, the series helped shape the “analog horror” subgenre and later added an “archived” website, local58.tv, that expands the story (hidden links, a Wayback Machine-style imitation). (Wikipedia, YouTube, local58.tv)

Watch: LOCAL58 – Contingency (a short emergency broadcast)

This short “Emergency Broadcast” subverts expectations and explains why some instructions shouldn’t be trusted. (YouTube)

The Mandela Catalogue: explaining the “Alternates” phenomenon (Mandela Catalogue explained)

The Mandela Catalogue (Alex Kister) is a horror web series in which the U.S. of the fictional Mandela County is attacked by “Alternates”—entities that mimic humans, manipulate perception and the psyche, and trigger paranoia. The series uses religious iconography, VHS aesthetics, and a “found footage” format. It began in 2021 and found an audience through viral reactions and analysis videos. The official channel includes a recommended viewing-order playlist. (Wikipedia, YouTube)

Watch: The Mandela Catalogue – Vol. 1 (the start of the series)

The opening chapter establishes the rules of the world and the tone (watch out for sudden loud moments and visual glitch effects). (YouTube)

Is Local58 or The Mandela Catalogue an “ARG game”?

Not in the strict sense. Both works are primarily video series. They may include hidden clues and extensions (e.g., the Local58 website), which encourages community sleuthing, but players typically don’t interact with characters in real time the way ARGs usually do. “Pure” ARGs are closer to I Love Bees or Year Zero, which had hundreds of people solving them through phone calls, live events, and coordinated actions. (WIRED, Wikipedia)

How to engage safely (and not lose your mind)

• Verify the source. Official channels (the SCP wiki, Local58TV, Alex Kister) are the baseline.
• Treat community breakdowns with caution. Fan wikis and Reddit are great, but they aren’t primary canon.
• Keep a healthy distance. Analog horror aims for subliminal unease; if it doesn’t sit right with you, take a break.
• Law and licensing. With SCP, respect CC BY-SA 3.0: if you reuse or remix anything, credit the author and keep the same license. (Creative Commons, scp-wiki.wikidot.com)

Quick FAQ (SEO corner)

What is SCP?
A collaborative fiction project—an “archive” of anomalies and short stories on the official SCP wiki. It’s not a real organization. The content is under CC BY-SA. Where did it come from? The first SCP-173 was created in 2007 on 4chan, and later everything moved to the current wiki. (Wikipedia, scp-wiki.wikidot.com)

ARG game: how does it work?
The story is played in the real world; players solve puzzles and communicate with characters. Creators act “as if it’s real.” Iconic examples: I Love Bees (Halo 2) and Year Zero (Nine Inch Nails). (Wikipedia, WIRED)

Local58: why does it scare everyone?
Because it completely controls the format—emergency alerts, old bumpers, signal “breaks.” And it regularly undermines trust in authorities (“do not follow the instructions”). Check the official channel and the episode Contingency. (YouTube)

Mandela Catalogue explained in a nutshell:
“Alternates” are doppelgängers who psychologically destroy victims in order to replace them. Start with Vol. 1 and follow the official playlist. (Wikipedia, YouTube)

More viewing suggestions

LOCAL58 – Weather Service (Season 1 playlist)

The Mandela Catalogue – Recommended viewing order (playlist)

Sources

1. Alternate reality game (definition and examples) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game (Wikipedia)
2. “I Love Bees” – feature (Wired) – https://www.wired.com/2004/10/i-love-bees-game-a-surprise-hit (WIRED)
3. Year Zero (NIN ARG) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_Zero_(game) (Wikipedia)
4. SCP Wiki – homepage – https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ (scp-wiki.wikidot.com)
5. SCP – Licensing Guide (CC BY-SA 3.0) – https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/licensing-guide (scp-wiki.wikidot.com)
6. SCP – origin (SCP-173, 4chan 2007) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCP_Foundation (Wikipedia)
7. LOCAL58 – official YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/LOCAL58TV (YouTube)
8. LOCAL58 – “Contingency” (video) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c66w6fVqOI (YouTube)
9. Local 58 – overview and context – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_58 (Wikipedia)
10. local58.tv (archived website, game-like clues) – https://local58.tv/web20210624dgtl/ (local58.tv)
11. The Mandela Catalogue – overview – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mandela_Catalogue (Wikipedia)
12. Alex Kister – official channel (Mandela Catalogue) – https://www.youtube.com/c/MandelaCatalogue (YouTube)