While there are iPhone apps that allow for the same scanning (like Snappr), the reviews have been spotty, citing imaging problems or a reliance on QR codes rather than the ever-present barcode. The whole process is super quick on the G1.
Something to Think About: While the G1 (or other Android devices) is not likely to oust the iPhone as the “it” mobile device, it is creating some healthy competition in the mobile app market.
Take a look at the two game videos below. The one on top is from Rock Band 2 - specifically the song A Jagged Gorgeous Winter played on expert drums with a 100% hit rate. The bottom is from Ikaruga, a shmup where you change the polarity of your ship between black and white while you absorb enemy shots of similar color. Both games are chaotic, display different kinds of hells (one of bullets and the other of notes and chords). These games do not recognize grazes; you have to be precise with your hits and misses.
Yet only Rock Band has had any impact on our culture, and it’s not difficult to see why. The majority of the game’s concept can be understood through the title alone. But what is an Ikaruga? Is it a verb? A type of sushi roll? Look at the game description in the previous paragraph. That’s the first barrier to entry. Setting is the other. Music has a much broader appeal than controlling a spaceship that has to weave through curtains and curtains of fire. Put people in a game setting that makes sense and they will most likely become repeat customers.
But is it fair of me to compare these two games even though they are not of the same genre? Is this just an exercise in being reductive? I guess my point is not about what makes a game a cultural impact but how the chaos and acceleration components of a so-called hardcore game can be instilled in one that has mainstream appeal.
The social power behind Goodreads is obvious the minute you start seeing what your friends are reading. Well, it’s obvious if you’re a reader. Real time updates about something you really care about, books and your friends.
So the newest book related online endeavor seems to be a great idea: a partnership between Penguin Books (in the UK) and Match.com. At Penguin Dating, lovelorn bookworms can find the perfect someone based on reading habits and favorite authors. Story has it that a few Penguin authors found their perfect matches on dating sites and the idea has just been honed since.
They have gotten 500 subscribers in the first 3 days and with promotions in nearly 2 million paperbacks, they’re sure to get more. The service is free for making a profile and subscription-based for contacting other members.
Something to Think About: The success of niche online services are often dependent on promotion to spark initial interest. It remains to be seen if Penguin has enough of a promotion push to get the word out but their success on other digital projects like We Tell Stories, I have high hopes.
Politics…A fine example of the power shift from marketer to you, the consumer. Digital communication platforms have made it exponentially easier to express your voice. Being famous helps. Celebrities and artists are certainly taking cues from the digital world to share their views.
You’ve no doubt heard the “Yes We Can” song by will.i.am. I love it…so full of hope. It also makes me glad to see Kareem Abdul Jabar back in front of the camera. His performance in Airplane(!) was dynamite.
Sarah Silverman has an interesting angle with her Great Schlep campaign. She’s recruiting Jewish youth to reach out to their grandparents in that dicey sunshine state we call Florida.
But let’s say you’re not famous. You can post a piece of sh*t YouTube ranting vid that will get seen by a handful of people, mostly friends. But if you instead say something smart (or unique), and you say it in a creative way, your voice will be heard (witness the crush-heavy tune by Obama Girl).
Something to Think About: Who are your grandparents voting for? Seriously. We hear so much talk of the youth vote. What about the geriatric vote? Unless marketers are pushing Depends or meds, they aren’t interested in the silver-haired generation. They don’t fall into many core demographics. So why not call your grandma up right now. She’ll be happy to hear from you, and you may just help decide the fate of our country. Fancy that.
A couple months ago, Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan released a PSN game called The Last Guy. From Gamespot: “In the wake of a global catastrophe, you run through stages built from satellite images of notable real-world locations, from Trafalgar Square in London to the National Mall in Washington, DC.” Every other preview of the game mentioned its “Google-esque Maps” style.
Even though this Sony game doesn’t utilize Googlie Maps, the idea of using other apps to generate data for your game is an interesting approach; for one, real-life values don’t feel as cold and sterile as randomly calculated numbers. Let’s take a look at a couple of other turn-an-everyday-app-into-a-game possibilities:
”MIA on AIM” The -esque: instant messengers What’s It About: A text adventure game that plays in an IM window. you take the role of a private investigator who has been asked to look for a missing girl. And the person who sent you the message - the missing girl! Ooh, the suspense, it’s killing me…no really, it’s trying to break down my door. Help. Why Should I Bother: you’re already on IM at work, so why not use IM while using IM to play a game while at work. That’s like killing one bird with two stones - heavy, boulder-sized stones.
make sure your replies are in the correct window.
”This Country Is Going Down The YouTubes” The -esque: Youtube, embedded Youtubery What’s It About: An epic high-fantasy game, its world map the Internet. You play a troll who must start fires in Youtube or any comment section that has an embedded Youtube vid in its post. Why Should I Bother: Trolls are always depicted as the baddies. But not this time, because you are the troll, and since you are the player, that means you are the Hero. So go out into the Internet and become the most heroic troll there ever was.
can you bear being a flaming troll? *troll not shown
