An alternate reality game (ARG) is an interactive, cross-media narrative. Fictional elements of the narrative, often presented as real, include clues that lead players to discoveries that further the game. The first season television series Evil includes an ARG element, with different types of clues that, combined, can lead to a pattern according to showrunner Robert King:
- "There is a puzzle approach with the whole season. It’s a combination of the numbers and other things you can find within the episode. It’s a fairly complicated puzzle. There is a pattern, and it won’t come together until the last episode. It’s not something you can figure out along the way, even though you should be keeping track."
- ―Robert King[1]
Known clues[]
- Episode numbers - Each first season episode includes a different number in their names. Added together, these numbers form a clue.
- Puzzle pieces - Each first season episode (except the pilot) contains hidden puzzle pieces that appear on screen very briefly in some frames of the episodes.