Let the Games Begin: WhySoSerious.com Delivers on Halloween

CHICAGO – WhySoSerious.com just revealed its face-lift for the new “The Dark Knight” viral marketing campaign. It’s asking enthusiasts to roam the U.S. in the pursuit of clues. The current main page is below.

11:44 p.m. update: Here is a linked list of cities:

Minneapolis1, Denver1, Cleveland1, Phoenix1, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis2, Austin1, Boston1, Columbus1, Columbus2, San Francisco1, New York1, Raleigh1, Atlanta1, Las Vegas, Minneapolis3, Phoenix2, Atlanta2, Albuquerque, Chicago1, San Francisco2, Boston2, San Francisco3, Austin2, Denver2, Raleigh2, New York2, D.C., Portland, Cleveland2, Miami1, Detroit, Seattle1, Chicago2, Miami2, Atlanta, Seattle2, Miami3

11:56 p.m. update: Since this game is designed for daylight and it’s currently night, you can use the new Google Maps street-view function in select cities (including Chicago) to see daylight imagery.

By the way, press your computer’s “Tab” button at WhySoSerious.com. Notice the white outlines. That’s your ordered list.

8:45 a.m. update on 10/31/07: This link shows a compilation of all the images of all the city clues.

11:40 a.m. update on 10/31/07: WhySoSerious.com has changed again. The main page now displays the letters people have been uncovering from locations across the U.S.

The site gives credit by displaying the names of the people who first submitted the correct photo letters. When a letter was missing, clicking on the hint allowed you to submit a name and photo.

2:58 p.m. update on 10/31/07: Adding together all the city letters, the answer has clearly emerged to reveal this statement: “The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules.”

3:38 p.m. update on 10/31/07: The WhySoSerious.com game is complete. Submitting the last letter from Albuquerque revealed a new Web site and a new challenge. Welcome to Rory’s Death Kiss.

I’ve typed out the next challenge:

Round up a crew, your friends, family and even your foes (as many clowns as you can find) and make yourselves look as pretty as me.

Put on a show in front of the most famous landmark in your city, but don’t get arrested. You’re no use to me behind bars. Send me a picture and I’ll see if you have what it takes.

The completed WhySoSerious.com main page looks like so:

When you click on a picture underneath the letters backdrop (look toward the lower right of the backdrop), the letters burn away.

A new photo is then revealed.

When you click that photo, the Web site Rory’s Death Kiss is revealed for the first time with the new challenge.

In Chicago, Millenium Park at the bean is currently the location of choice. Once organized, HollywoodChicago.com will publish your photos. To create a collection, send them here.

11:54 a.m. update on 11/1/07: Here is a helpful link to an archive of the various “The Dark Knight” viral Web sites.

By ADAM FENDELMAN Editor-in-Chief HollywoodChicago.com [email protected]