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