List of Tools, Software, and Techniques

By beeptest

* indicates paid tool.

Website Tools

• Obfuscator.io: Obfuscates Javascript code (makes it harder to deconstruct puzzles/cheat)
• Dither it: Makes images dithered
• Photomosh: Makes glitchy images/gifs
• CyberChef: Swiss army knife for data formatting/encryption (base64, binary, simple ciphers...)
• Google Firebase*: Web hosting and cloud/database management with free tier
• Github Pages: Free web hosting
• Protonmail: Free secure email accounts (Only 250 MB storage unless you do a bunch of stuff that gives you 1GB but secure and less hassle to set up than google)
• Swiss Transfer: Free file transfers (password optional), stays up for up to 30 days

Software Tools

• Affinity Suite*: Alternative to Photoshop/InDesign/Illustrator, one time purchase with ~70% of the features
• Wilbur: Terrain erosion simulation (mapmaking, cumbersome but powerful)
• Audacity: Free audio editing (cumbersome but powerful)
• Kdenlive: Free video editing (cumbersome but powerful)
• GIMP: Free image editing (cumbersome but powerful)
• NTSQT: VHS filter with many options (untested by me)

Command Line Tools

• CPDF*: PDF manipulation (encryption/merging/metadata removing etc.), paid but with non-commercial license.
• Ghostscript: PDF merging/manipulation, free and open source

Puzzle Design

• Enigmatics: Expert puzzle designers and tools
• Alternate Reality Game puzzle design Portal 2 developer Adam Foster walks you through designing a satisfying puzzle for the Portal 2 launch.
• Creating the Alien Writing in Infinifactory - Zachtronics developer Zach Barth walks you through designing a tiny ARG and some examples of alien writing.

Resources/fonts

• Indestructible Type - Excellent free and open license fonts.
• Google Fonts - A huge amount of free and open license fonts.
• Old Book Illustrations - Scans of old books, ready to use.
• Library of Congress - Public domain resources of various kinds (images/scans etc.).
• H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society - Vintage props, resources, and fonts (some free, some more for sale).
• Hathi Trust - Open access academic and research library.

Videos

• Making an ARG: Walker Creek - Alex Hera walks you through making an ARG.
• Trailhead: Unfiction Research Results - Nick Nocturne walks you through ARG creation statistics and experiences from other creators.