Origen Continues

[NoName]

For those of you who haven't seen this before, Microsoft has been running an interesting campaign for the Xbox 360. IGN has the story (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/645/645646p1.html) up to now.
Last weekend Microsoft launched a cryptic new web site at origenxbox360.com. The site is composed of a single page of flash showing a tree, a green bunny, and a numerical countdown in the background.
This picture of the tree and bunny seems to be evolving. The IGN article shows two pictures of what the site has previously looked like.

What makes this news is that the picture has undergone another transformation as of today, which would be the third change to the website. The tree has sunk even further into a hole, is bearing more fruit, and the rabbit has once again moved closer to the trunk.

What's also interesting is that the dot org (http://www.origenxbox360.org/) version of the site is slightly different than the dot com (http://www.origenxbox360.com/) version. The .com version has a page title and scrolls where the .org version does not.

Any ideas as to what this all means? What's the countdown to September 27th for?

[Atorak]

The release date for XBox 360. Plus the dates / locations for the launch parties. NYC, LA, etc.

[bapenguin]

I have jury duty September 27th, so it's probably for that ;)

[Atorak]

Oh bap, you're so crazy. Now get back in your hole.

[King Drewsky]

The MTV launch of the Xbox 360 featuring 20 min of celebrities 7 min of commercials and 3 min of actual gameplay involving Joanna Dark and a stupid looking rocket pack with wings on her back.

[NoName]

The release date for XBox 360. Plus the dates / locations for the launch parties. NYC, LA, etc.

The release date seems to be an obvious assumption, but I try to be skeptical unless Microsoft actually says anything. Where do you get the locations for the launch parties though, the fruit? :confused:

[Paltry]

Its when microsoft finally reveals that the xbox is going to be free.

[Evil Avatar]

The release date for the Xbox 360 is November 2nd. The day after the games are released.

I'm not sure what September 27th is. Probably some Press Event since most of the links that were found on this page were for Press people.

[NoName]

Its when microsoft finally reveals that the xbox is going to be free.

No no, they've already done that with their "Every ten minutes" (http://pepsi.yahoo.com/everyten/home2.php) campaign. To get that free xbox you just have to drink Pepsi products! Yay for marketing team-ups.... :(

[Montgomery_Python]

Marketing is banal.

[Grimgrock]

An examination of the source code above the Flash item reveals that, in my opinion, it is unlikely this is a microsoft stunt. There are no telltale sign that MS has anything to do with it (the code is way too clean). Perhaps this is something unrelated to the launch or MTV special. The announcement of a game perhaps?

[thFOOL]

An examination of the source code above the Flash item reveals that, in my opinion, it is unlikely this is a microsoft stunt. There are no telltale sign that MS has anything to do with it (the code is way too clean). Perhaps this is something unrelated to the launch or MTV special. The announcement of a game perhaps?


Of course there are no telltale signs that MS has anything to do with this- just like the bees thing, they outscourced this viral marketing campaign. The Xbox marketing team isn't constrained by the standard techniques and practices of the main microsoft initiative.

[PIPBoy3000]

The difference between .org and .com is almost certainly due to sloppy QA. Not that I blame 'em. Everyone's going to go to the .com address and that's the one that people focus on the most.

My wife and I had a long discussion about marketing. It seems to me that marketing has been around since I was a kid, only the type and style of marketing has changed. I used to watch a ton of t.v., along with the endless commercials. Now my video watching is mostly commercial-free, yet my web surfing has ads on nearly every page. Advertising seems to follow new technology where-ever it goes.

[Chagrinful]

Damn they've got a crazy hype machine there its even self-driven! They just set it and it GOES, amazing what raving mad fanboism can do for a company!

[NoName]

amazing what raving mad fanboism can do for a company!
They decided to revolve a marketing campaign around a puzzle. How is trying to figure out the meaning of it fanboy anything? Personally I'm not much of an xbox fan, but I do like trying to figure out puzzles.

[Bishop]

If the hole is getting bigger and the rabbit is getting closer, then on the 27th of September they will both disappear into the hole and spring forth as something NEW and completely different. As for what the symbolism of the tree and the rabbit, I don't have one sweet clue. Maybe the tree going back in a hole from where it came makes a hint at the backwards capability of the XBOX360 and the rabbit maybe refers to speed...........Ahhhh, I don't know. Microsoft and their cryptic messages.

[MosBen]

I'll just say that this sorts of participatory marketing is by far preferable to standard commercials.

[MrMeatshake]

i like it. i'll take my rabbits green with a side of tree.

[OUX]

hmmm the only thing I saw interesting is that Chrono Trigger was released onSept. 27 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_27) If anyone can find anything else you should post it.

[mister_slim]

Possibly the launch of the Times Square store?

[A-Team]

TeamXbox.com (http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/9168/Origen-Xbox-360-Hidden-Latin-Phrase-Discovered/) happened to come across a Latin sentence engraved on the branch on the tree today. I decided to see if it was really there, and I actually did find it:

http://www.filerushnews.com/images/FileRushNewsPics/aog.sized.jpg (http://www.filerushnews.com/images/FileRushNewsPics/aog.jpg)

"In hoc spatio arbor noster floruit, fecundus pomies Elysii ignoti, qui in loco ludent electi, ab Originis angelis circumdati."

In English: "In this space our tree has flourished abundant with the unknown fruits of Elysium, who will play in the chosen place, surrounded by the angels of Origen."

The sentence is