THE GRID launches SA location-based multiplayer social game
CONTRARY to popularised belief, not all video games are mind-numbing experiences of blood, guts and gore. Some of them can be quite educational. I remember always trying to convince my folks just how much I was learning from spending so many hours in front of the computer.
Some of my all-time favourite games taught me (at a very early age) about the ancient civilisations; the wonders of the world they built; and of course, logical thinking, such as "use paperclip on locked chest".
A lot can be learnt within the gaming world; it’s just unfortunate for the youth of today that guts and gore is the predominant direction that newer releases are taking — some of which are now available for cellphones.
LEGENDS OF ECHO
Mobile social network— The Grid — has launched a multiplayer social game for cellphones called Legends of Echo. The mobile game makes use of Vodacom’s location-based services to determine the player’s physical location, from which players can explore their surroundings or move (virtually) to anywhere else in South Africa to interact with other players in real time.
The point of the game is to battle, communicate and trade with other players across South Africa using their physical location as a central point. The game sees five bloodlines battling each other constantly for domination in the Echo. These are the elements of Air, Earth, Water, Fire and Industry. Whoever thought that industry would be an element to be reckoned with? They forgot about plasma.
The Grid describes the Echo as “a parallel virtual universe based on South African street maps. However, instead of cities and skyscrapers, players will find rolling green fields, rocky outcrops and valleys to explore and establish their base” — a nice illusion in which to escape perhaps.
There might be a bit of geography to be gained from playing the game as real-world place names are used to navigate the Echo universe. Players are able to teleport around the rolling green fields of South Africa’s suburbs and cities to battle one another and become a legend of the Echo.
The game is available for cellphones as a Java download. It is marketed as free to play yet appears to be far from it. According to The Grid: “There is no cost for playing Legends of Echo apart from the standard data costs to the network provider.” Players are also required to trade airtime for elements if they wish to advance in the game.
Mobile applications that make use of street maps have a lot of potential — whether they are developed as games or not. Being able to tag content to specific addresses, recommend venues such as good restaurants, and even find directions to venues recommended by others, are all useful mobile features to have in an application. However, when such potential is turned into a hack and slash adventure, I fear that mobile software developers are missing the mark somewhat.
Legends of Echo may be a good attempt at combining location-based services, social networking features and online mobile gaming, but its appeal really seems to be focused on the adrenaline-driven youth that have airtime to squander.
The Grid has developed some innovative apps in the past, but I would argue that this is not one of them. Nonetheless, this is up to the players to decide ...
So, if you are keen to have a crack at playing Legends of Echo, SMS ‘Echo’ to 33313 (50c per SMS) or visit www.legendsofecho.mobi/ If you require the Java application, SMS ‘Grid’ to 33313 (50c per SMS).
May the Force be with you …
What is The Grid?
The Grid is a location-based social network that uses your cellphone to connect you with people, places and events around you. From your cellphone you can see which friends are in your area, chat to people across South Africa and share photos and videos — wherever you are. All South Africans, irrespective of which network operator they are connected to, can join the Grid social network and play the Echo multiplayer game.
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