Flynnlives.com
From Tron
[edit] FlynnLives.com
- Direct link: http://flynnlives.com
This page is intended as a backup / mirror of the site and the changes that may occur over time. If you see something changed, please log the details with a date.
[edit] July 21, 2009
Various film websites receive a package containing two tokens for Flynn's Arcade and a flash drive. The drives contain one of five different animated .gif files, each displaying a snippet of CSS code. When the information from the pictures is compiled and decoded, the phrase "FLYNN LIVES" appears, leading to flynnlives.com.
FLYNN LIVES
Genius, Visionary, Modern Hero.
That is Kevin Flynn.
He came into our lives and showed us the limitless possibilities of the future. And then, all of a sudden, he "disappeared."
Some people believed he died. We don't. We know that Kevin Flynn Lives.
We're not crazy, we're not obssessed, we're not lunatics. We simply have followed the facts wherever they lead. And the facts tell us that Kevin Flynn Lives.
We are here for Kevin. Nobody can make us stop believing that he is out there, that he's waiting for us, and that he will return when the time is right.
WHAT THE MEDIA HAS TO SAY
- Who Is The... Most Amazing?
- Game Over
- Dead or In Love?
- Diversification Trumps Innovation at EnCom
- Will EnCom Weather the Financial Storm?
HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR MOVEMENT
1989 -- Kevin Flynn alleged to "disappear." Initial facts raise many questions. Many of us were suspicious.
1990 -- Sightings of Kevin Flynn by ordinary citizens, including high-credibility "Level 3" sightings of Flynn in NYC's Central Park during a Shakespeare Festival, on the fringes of a San Francisco street fair, and the notorious "Elvira" sighting of Kevin Flynn at Halloween celebrations in West Hollywood, California. Unfortunately, these initial sightings display certain characteristics true to this day -- nothing has been confirmed and photographic evidence has been lacking.
1992 -- Sightings continue. Several of us make contact thru Usenet and begin correspondence.
1994 -- First Flynn Lives! meet-up in Dayton, Ohio. We resolve to continue our efforts to find out the facts behind the mysterious disappearance.
1998 -- Letter from Kevin Flynn to a founding member of the group gains media attention, then debunked. Founding member (now ex-member) checks into a mental hospital for observations.
2001 -- A $5,000 award is offered to anybody who can prove Kevin Flynn is alive. By December 31st, alas, nobody had satisfied our jury and the money was spent on a great party for all of the "Troniacs" we know and love!
2002 - 2005 An era of low visibility for our group. Sightings drop off, and interest seems to slacken. Thank heavens that is over!
2007 - Interest picks up as the "Albino Cow" Flynn sighting in southern New Jersey energizes a new generation of activists.
[edit] Media Articles
[edit] Game Over
GAME OVER
By Thadius Gnorf
February 18, 1990
I must admit, I spent a good deal of my youth (not to mention a few hundred dollars in quarters) at video arcades. I played everything - from shoot'em up games to saving that princess from a fire-breathing dragon - and I loved each and every one. This was back in the days before every kid in America owned a home system; when you actually had to walk to the arcade and jostle for time on your favorite machine.
And my favorite machine, you ask? That's a no-brainer: "TRON."
The thrill of the chase, the strategy of outmanuevering your foe, the agony of an eventual collision - my 10-year old heart could barely withstand the excitement as I weaved and edged my bike around the glowing, magical screen. I set records in my hometown that would endure for years to follow. I was a hero.
But I was nothing compared to the creator of "TRON" - Kevin Flynn.
To us gamers, he was a god. Smart, sophisticated, rich - he was the guy we all wanted to be... and now he's gone. Did our adoration drive him away? Where has our hero gone?
Without Flynn, we may never know what the future of video game technology holds in store. He put arcades on the map and kept them filled with action, excitement, and millions of fans, eager for chance to play just one more time.
But has that time run out? Will we ever see another Kevin Flynn creation? And what madman could be responsible for his untimely disappearence? The gaming world demands answers... and more importantly, we demand our hero back, safe and sound.
[edit] Dead or In Love?
EnCom's Kevin Flynn Disappears -- and the Rumors Start Flying!
By Fedra Wollinsky
12/12/89
VIP card rooms in Monte Carlo...The finest resorts along the French Riviera...Five-star restaurants in New York,London, and Tokyo...
These were the regular haunts of video game genius Kevin Flynn. But now he's off the grid,prompting the world to ask, "Where is this magnificent mogul?"
He virtually invented the video gaming industry with his creation of "Tron" and "Space Paranoids," both products of the mega-successful EnCom Corporation. But even the top executives over at EnCom are keeping tight-lipped about Flynn's mysterious disappearance. If they can't tell us where he is, then who can?
Kevin Flynn's private jet was a mainstay on runways around the planet. He was known to pilot himself to the Bahamas for a weekend getaway or to Finland for a software conference with the greatest computing minds from around the globe. According to sources close to the Flynn family, that jet has not taken flight for months, leaving journalists to speculate about his current whereabouts. The following are a few theories that have been proffered:
DEATH IN THE PACIFIC
Flynn was a yachting enthusiast, but he was never formally trained to operate a sailing vessel...that we know of. If he rented a boat(anonymously,of course) and sailed it into open waters, boat could have been hit by a storm and Flynn could have drowned without a trace.
LOVE LORN
Widowed since 1985, Flynn has kept his romantic life out of the press ever since. Could it be that he has met a special someone and is enjoying the romance in parts unknown?
POWERFUL ENEMIES
You don't get to be the leader of any given industry without stepping on a few toes. Perhaps one or more of Flynn's competitors got fed up with gis unprecedented winning streak and decided to take matters into their own hands. But how could they assassinate such a public, outgoing figure without getting caught? And where is his body?
SAVING THE WORLD
Kevin Flynn has always kept his philanthropic endeavors under wraps. Over the years, he has donated millions of dollars to worthwhile charities (we only know this because of some tenacious investigative reporters). If he were establishing an orphanage in South America or developing a water filtration system in Africa, would he tell anyone about it? Perhaps not. Flynn's character is as altruistic as it is secretive.
Whatever the truth might be, one thing's for sure: the world is better off with Kevin Flynn in it. So for now, the search continues...
[edit] Diversification Trumps Innovation at EnCom
STAFF WRITER
The doubters were legion. They said Encom was dead in the water,a sure case of Chapter 11....
...And then the stock price kept rising.
Kevin Flynn dropped off the face of the earth almost seven years ago. Search parties were formed. Rivers and lakes were dredged in hopes of reclaiming his body. Not a trace of Encom's in-house genius could be found...
...And still, the stock price kept rising.
How is it that a company built on bold new ideas could survive the loss of its visionary creative leader?
Flynn invented classic video games such as Matrix Blaster, Vice Squad and Space Paranoids, not to mention the top-selling title of the mid-80's: Tron.
Since his infamous departure, no one has filled the void, but the Encom Corporation has subsisted on a backlog of ideas, sketches, and programs rifled from Flynn's personal files.
When CEO Alan Bradley stepped down in protest of this practice - what he characterized as "grave robbing" - skeptics again theorized that it would be the end of Encom.
So why does the stock price continue to rise?
The key is diversification.
Encom has entrenched itself into every platform imaginable. They have transcended the tired old model of video arcades and found their way into millions of gamer's homes and offices.
We never would have thought that we'd be saying this so late in the game, but the future looks bright for Encom and its shareholders.
NOTE: The article directly below it, which has the title "Disaster Awaits", is almost a verbatim copy of text from the Wikipedia entry for the 1996 Everest disaster, which is real life event that occurred two weeks after the date of the article. The date was removed from the article copy because of the anachronism.
Shortly after midnighton May 10, 1996,the Adventure Consultants expedition began a summit attempt from Camp IV, atop the South Col (7,900 m/25,900 ft). They were joined by six client climbers, three guides and Sherpas from Scott Fischer's Mountain Madness company, as well as an expedition sponsored by the government of Taiwan.
[edit] Will EnCom Weather the Financial Storm?
STAFF WRITER
11/6/89
Trader remain dubious as to the future stability of Encom, one of the most vibrant and robust companies of this past decade. Now that their CEO and creative guru, Kevin Flynn, has vanished, the company's outlook seems troubled, at best.
Lesser organizations have crumbled in the absence of clear-cut leadership. It doesn't help that the de-facto heads of Encom can't get their stories straight. To quote CEO Alan Bradley, "Kevin is a visionary, a pioneer, and above all a friend. Encom needs him back, and his son needs him even more."
But an official statement from an unnamed source within the upper echelons of the company tells a different tale. "Encom will carry out its operations without faltering," reads the press release. "Our success is not now, nor will it ever be, contingent upon one individual."
Speculation will become stark reality in the days and weeks to come. The longer Kevin Flynn's status remains unknown, the more uncertain the fate of Encom becomes. The market will dictate just how essential Mr.Flynn was in the grand scheme of his industry, and how durable his creations will be as time moves forward.
[edit] July 25, 2009
After the SDCC 2009 event finished, an update appeared on the site, along with a link to register for updates.
UPDATE 7/25
FLYNN'S ARCADE WILL BE OPEN AGAIN ON FRIDAY THE 24th AND SATURDAY THE 25th @ 9PM UNTIL ???
335 6th Ave., 92101
Thursday's meet-up was an enormous success!!
Thanks to everyone who came to support our continued efforts to find out what happened to Kevin Flynn.
JOIN THE SEARCH FOR KEVIN FLYNN
We need everyone's help to find out the truth behind Kevin Flynn's disappearance. As leads roll in, we will be sharing our findings here on Flynn Lives. If you'd like to join our efforts, please sign up and we will update you with any developments.
[edit] February 24, 2010
The main page changes to a mirror of ZeroHour's content; the content originally there is now accessible from http://www.flynnlives.com/default.aspx. After the countdown's end, the latter webpage changed to an updated version of the original, featuring profiles for applicants (including sign-ups for receiving mailings and phone calls from Flynn Lives) and a video summarizing the SDCC 2009 event.
Additionally, players have the ability to earn achievements badges through the course of this search for Flynn.
[edit] March 8, 2010
[edit] The Pieces Are Coming Together
Paris, New York, Boston, Sydney, Las Vegas, Toronto, London...
Last week, Flynn enthusiasts scoured the globe for artifacts from a brilliant career. Kevin
Flynn's quintessential video game, TRON, spawned a pop-culture phenomenon - action figures,
graphic novels, even TRON trading cards. And it was these trading cards that led fans on a
global hunt for evidence of Flynn's existence.
Click here to watch operatives in action
[edit] March 10, 2010
[edit] Unite Against Encom!
What is Encom up to now?
Our intrepid Flynn Lives members are keeping an eye on things over at Encom International. Years ago, they slandered Kevin Flynn's good name and abandoned the search for him... but we never will.
Visit EncomInternational.com
[edit] A New Discovery!
A Strange Transmission Filters Through Cyberspace
Kevin Flynn's presence has manifested itself in every conceivable form of technology over
the past three decades - his soul is in our games, our software, and our very awareness of
modern computing. But just two days ago, some very perceptive Flynn Lives members stumbled
across a new and bizarre digital artifact. It appears to be a phantom glitch in the system that defies
categorization:
http://5xrp2tk0p10ixnl7ga4e82an3s.net/
http://program-glitch-esc.net
[edit] March 25,2010
[edit] 8 Bits To Victory
Video game challenge yields big rewards
The city was de-rezzing, but you saved the day - nicely done! Don't know what we're talking about? Then, you obviously haven't taken the awesome video game quiz that puts your knowledge of classic titles to the test. Our friends over at Arcade Aid threw down the gauntlet and many of you picked it up and ran with it. Again, nicely done!
From the best action games to your favorite fantasy titles, they're scattered through a virtual cityscape just waiting to be identified. So, for those of you who haven't yet played, check out ArcadeAid.com/challengingstage now!
[edit] Identify Yourself
It's time to breach Encom's firewall of secrecy
They arrived in the mail: laminated passports to a corporate realm of greed and power. Custom made with your picture and a unique ID number, these badges are your entry into Encom International. But, how will we leverage this incredible opportunity? By piercing the nerve center of their top-secret employee/employer network, that's how.. To see what they're up to, check this out.
And if you haven't already done so, create your own Encom badge by clicking here.
[edit] Bradley Bridges The Gap
Reconciling the idealistic Encom of the Kevin Flynn era with the mega-conglomerate of today
Imagine it: losing one of your best friends and most trusted confidants, and then taking the blame (unfairly) for the financial strife of his multi-billion dollar company. Most people couldn't survive such an ordeal...
...But, most people are not like Alan Bradley.
Encom's world-famous Executive Consultant (and go-to guy for good PR) recently sat down with IGN to discuss his complicated history within the company, as well as the topic on everyone's mind: Kevin Flynn.
Click here to watch the Alan Bradley interview on IGN
[edit] March 30,2010
[edit] We're On The Inside
The "Employee-Only" Region of Encom's Intranet Is Now Fair Game
Some very brave operatives have been making major strides in our effort to get a closer look at Encom's inner-sanctum... and we just blew the doors off the place last week. Secret discussions, plans, articles - they're all there, and they're all ripe for the picking
Get to the Encom Employee Intranet by clicking here.
And thanks to the help of Zack and his password cracker, we now have a better picture of their executive branch, from Alan Bradley to their soulless CEO. See for yourself by entering the names of these Encom big-wigs:
Kurt Hardington
Markus Grenwald
Patricia Jalardy
Alan Bradley
Willa Frewer
Access the Password Cracker here.
[edit] Join Us!
Encom's press conference will have some unexpected visitors (us!)
The suits over at Encom International are gearing up to make some grand pronouncement on April 2nd at the Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco. Looks like some notable figures will be in attendance, namely Alan Bradley and some of the executive wing of the company. We can't wait to hear what Mr. Bradley has to say - as for the rest of them, we're sure it's the same old song-and-dance. They haven't acknowledged Kevin Flynn for decades, so why would they start now?
We're going to pay a little visit to their press conference to keep them honest - so get the word out and bring your friends. We need as many supporters there as possible. This is going to be big!
[edit] April 1,2010
[edit] Operation Tron
We're ready to make some waves in the city by the bay!
Flynn Lives is on the ground in San Francisco to lay the foundations for our biggest demonstration ever! Encom International's press conference is scheduled for Friday, April 2nd at 8pm in the Justin Herman Plaza and they're making it open to the public... they will soon regret that decision.
We are holding a special Flynn Lives meeting earlier at 6:30pm, and you are an essential part of our mission. To learn more, check out this new site - it's got all the details.
OperationTron.com
[edit] April 2, 2010
[edit] Recognize This!
We're ready to make some waves in the city by the bay!
Encom event gets interrupted - TWICE!
Hundreds of people gathered in Justin Herman Plaza tonight as Alan Bradley unveiled that Space Paranoids would be making its way online soon.
But the big news is that our resourceful FL members got everyone's attention by rushing the stage and letting the world know that Flynn is still out there. "While Encom smeared his name to blame him for their mismanagement, while they rack up the profits off of his work – SPACE PARANOIDS IS, WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A KEVIN FLYNN WORK OF ART!" Way to go guys!
The even BIGGER news is that right after the FL interruption, an Encom helicopter appeared and someone skydived out of it – flying right over the crowd and landing next to the stage!
Check out this clip of what went down.
[edit] Mystery Jumper Revealed
Young Flynn has an announcement of his own.
Looks like Kevin Flynn's son Sam has posted a video on our discussion boards. "89. That was the year everything changed for me," says Sam as he readies his parachute for the jump. "I'm doing you a favor (Alan) because you know and I know that you really don't like these Encom dog and pony shows."
And we thought we were going to steal the stage from Encom last night! Good job Sam, you've outdone us again.
See Sam's own video of the stunt here.
[edit] April 7, 2010
[edit] Pre-Meeting With Destiny
How our stalwart band of protesters conquered Encom
Anticipation filtered through the city of San Francisco (along with the bracing wind and scattered rain). Our intrepid street teams were getting the word out, loud and strong: Kevin Flynn is alive and well! And to show our solidarity, we assembled in the Grand Ballroom at 5 Embarcadero Center just before the main event.
The mood was rousing and festive – we were ready to disrupt the Encom press conference in a huge way… and disrupt it we did.
A big thanks to everyone for their support!
Check out our pre-meeting.
[edit] April 14, 2010
[edit] Space Paranoids Is Coming!
It's about time to start brushing up on those tank driving skills.
Encom developed this trailer for "Space Paranoids Online" and even though we hate to give them props, this new incarnation of Flynn's classic looks extra sweet.
See for yourself.
[edit] April 28, 2010
[edit] Where Is Sam Flynn?
Help us track him down - he needs our support!
There's a debate brewing on our discussion boards as to the whereabouts of Kevin Flynn's enigmatic son, Sam. Check out what's already been said and get ready to scour the globe for evidence. He's got to know where we stand - Flynn Lives will never abandon the search for Sam's father, no matter where it takes us!
Where is Sam?
[edit] May 6, 2010
[edit] The Elusive Sam Flynn
Your spot-on detective work led to Sam's whereabouts... but how did you do it?
It was a complex string of clues to decipher, but you did the legwork and tracked down Kevin Flynn's son. Now he has heard our battle cry, he has acknowledged our support, but he moved on before we had a chance to contact him directly… to tell him that he's not alone in the search for his father. We fight to preserve the Flynn name!
To retrace the steps it took to locate Sam, check out this recap.
[edit] At Last - S.P. Online!
Encom finally gives up the goods on a revamped classic.
Before there was the internet... before we all carried cell phones... before the tech explosion of the mid-80's... there was Space Paranoids. Kevin Flynn dreamt of a world beyond our reality, where Recognizers loom above and tanks bob and weave their way through a glowing, neon labyrinth. Over the years, we have all benefited from that dream and today, we get to experience it anew. The latest version of S.P. preserves everything that was great about the original and offers new insight into the projects Flynn was developing before he disappeared.
We miss you, KF - but, we PLAY in your honor.
[edit] May 13, 2010
[edit] A Portal Opens...
...We now have a passageway into Kevin Flynn's world!
In 1989, Kevin Flynn was formulating bold new theories in the fields of gaming, computing and digital evolution. Tragically, he disappeared before he could transform the tech world with these radical concepts. But now, our F.L. members have uncovered one of Flynn's old work servers and revealed a new page in his turbulent history. So, Log On and explore! The following codes will help you start navigating through the techno-breach (move your cursor over the field below):
799904778091
100371028938
410293467815
Curious how we found them? Well, they're all thanks to "glitches" in Space Paranoids. See, Flynn programmed hidden rooms in every sector of the game - you have to bump into some walls to find them, but they're there, trust us! And each room has a curious piece of art hanging in it - check this out:
Take a crack at Space Paranoids and find them all for yourself.
[edit] You Are Flynn Lives!
We owe all of our success to your intuition, cooperation and diligence.
We've been through quite a lot over these past few months - from Flynn's Arcade to the infiltration of Encom... from global scavenger hunts to the discovery of a secret work server... from Space Paranoids to the search for Sam - our movement has emerged stronger and more fired-up than ever to find Kevin Flynn.
This is all thanks to you.
You have ignited our resolve and opened up a whole new world beyond our wildest imagination. This is Flynn's realm, and we are closer than ever to finding him.
There's so much more on the horizon - meet-ups to attend, clues to hunt down, mega-huge software companies to keep honest - but, for the next few weeks, we need to lay low. We'll be calling on you before you know it, so stay connected, keep your contact info up-to-date and always remember: FLYNN LIVES!
If you are not part of the movement but would like to join, click here.
[edit] October 8,2010
[edit] Zip, Zip, Zip
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Click Here
[edit] October 22,2010
[edit] THE ENDGAME BEGINS
Get ready for the ultimate resurgence of Flynn Lives.
You wouldn't be silenced... and now, your voice is carrying around the world. Thousands of you mobilized in the streets of San Diego and uncovered compelling new evidence that Kevin Flynn is out there. We are closer than ever to finding him – our message has reached critical mass.
But, publicity is a double-edged sword. It's difficult to remain stealthy when all eyes are upon you. We stayed underground as long as we could, but the passion for our cause has boiled over and the time for action has come!
Tell your friends, tell your neighbors and tell the greater TRON community: the End of Line Club was just the beginning...