| For those of you who don't know, the | | | | a private setting) and picture, and |
| Sims Online is undergoing a revolution. | | | | whether or not you are logged on to the |
| Having been left standing for the last | | | | game. This is a useful way for players |
| few years with little to no input, EA | | | | to find out who is online without having |
| are at last re-shaping the game, and the | | | | to log in themselves. You can also |
| world of multiplayer gaming as we know | | | | invite other users of Facebook who are |
| it. Sound like hyperbole? Perhaps, | | | | not already Sims Online players to |
| perhaps not; check out their latest | | | | download the application and see your |
| addition to the online gaming | | | | Avatar profile -- a move that EA hopes |
| experience: AvatarBook. | | | | will attract more people to the game. |
| Facebook made flesh | | | | For the time being, then, the bulk of |
| So what is Avatarbook? Well, the clue is | | | | information that can be shared is |
| in the name. What is one of the largest | | | | Avatar-related. Their skills, properties |
| social networking websites on the planet | | | | and friends can all be viewed, and their |
| at the moment? That's right -- Facebook. | | | | Wall. The identity of the real-life |
| With over 58 million users, Facebook is | | | | person behind the Avatar is kept |
| the primary reason that many of us log | | | | private, at least for now. |
| on in the morning. But, as we all know, | | | | Privacy |
| it has its limitations. As do online | | | | Privacy is a major issue as far as EA |
| games. | | | | are concerned, so at the moment |
| One problem with online games is that | | | | Avatarbook is fairly limited in how much |
| they can be too divorced from reality -- | | | | information can be shared. In the Sims |
| you have your online friends, and your | | | | game you can add people to your friends |
| real-world friends, and the two remain | | | | list, which will provide them with a |
| firmly divided. Ditto Facebook -- your | | | | link to your Facebook profile rather |
| user-circle is limited by who you | | | | than making a direct link, though that |
| already know, and it's hard to get to | | | | is set to change as the application |
| know people outside of that circle on a | | | | grows. Also, nobody in EA Land (the Sims |
| one-to-one basis without sharing all | | | | Online world where the application will |
| your private data or being introduced by | | | | be available) will have access to your |
| a friend of a friend. | | | | real name - you will be searchable only |
| All that is set to change, with a new | | | | by your Avatar's name. EA have stated |
| application that could change our | | | | that they intend to allow players to |
| networking community forever. When | | | | lower their privacy settings so that |
| Linden Labs made Linden Dollars (the | | | | more information can be shared, but at |
| currency of the hugely popular game | | | | the moment they're playing it safe. |
| Second Life) exchangeable for real-world | | | | The Future |
| currency, they opened up the world of | | | | This application obviously shows great |
| online gaming by bringing it into the | | | | potential, and it is something that EA |
| real world. Now EA want to do the same | | | | are going to continue to develop as they |
| thing, by allowing users of the Sims | | | | gain feedback from users. The Sims |
| Online to link their Avatars' accounts | | | | Online game is going through a |
| to their Facebook profiles. | | | | revolution at the moment, with their |
| Sharing Information | | | | free trial set to become permanent free |
| Avatarbook has two faces -- the in-game | | | | play in the very near future (with |
| version and the Facebook version. | | | | limited gameplay for non-payers, much |
| In-game you can use it much like | | | | like in Second Life). For years now |
| Facebook, in that you can find other | | | | Second Life has been leading the pack in |
| Avatars and view their limited profiles. | | | | terms of innovation and social |
| For friends the full profiles are | | | | interactivity, but if EA keeps this up |
| visible, with walls for people to write | | | | then we could be looking at a new |
| on and updatable status. Your profile | | | | contender for the crown. After all, they |
| will also show if your lot is open or | | | | did come up with the two most popular |
| not, and the application an be used to | | | | games of all time (Sims and Sims 2), so |
| quickly make your way around EA Land as | | | | some would say that this is less of a |
| you jump from friend to friend. | | | | surprise than a belated homecoming. |
| In Facebook, the application shows your | | | | Certainly one to watch, at any rate. |
| Avatar's details (unless you have chosen | | | | |