Location-based social network The Grid, a company owned by Vodacom, has rolled out a free multiplayer role-playing game for mobile phones called Legends of Echo.
Vincent Maher, social media portfolio manager at Vodacom SA, says the game was created out of an initiative driven by Vodacom, as the mobile operator looks for alternative opportunities in the social networking arena.
According to The Grid, Legends of Echo uses Vodacom's location-based satellite services to determine the player's physical location.
Maher says The Grid aims to drive mobile multiplayer gaming. He explains that the game uses Vodacom's geo-location technology whereby players can manually submit the address of their current location and can see which friends are in their area. “It allows players across SA to interact in a virtual world that is linked to their real-life location, all via their cellphones.”
A player can only battle with another player in real-time within a 5km map radius. If a player in Johannesburg wishes to battle another player in Cape Town, the player would then need to purchase 'teleport juice' with in-game currency to instantly teleport to Cape Town.
He adds that the game is targeted at mass mobile users using a Symbian operating system, rather than just die-hard gamers. Maher stresses that the application differs from offerings by companies such as MXit and Mig33 because MXit is primarily an instant messaging application while Legends of Echo claims to be a game which can also provide instant messaging.
Nic Haralambous, The Grid's game director, says the game has been in local development for 11 months. “It combines genres such as World of Warcraft and Age of Empires, all rolled into one.”
Although there have been concerns around privacy due to the game's geo-location features, Haralambous explains that it's secure and maintains there are privacy controls. He adds that the money from airtime can only be deposited into the game and real money cannot be withdrawn and transferred to another account.
There are five character classes known as bloodlines that players must choose to play from, namely earth, air, fire, water and industry. Players have the option to battle one another for elements; the game's currency. Elements can also be purchased using airtime; which can be exchanged for weapons to enhance the game.
The game is available for free as a Java download to cellphones. There is no cost for playing Legends of Echo apart from the standard data costs to the network provider. The game is expected to cost around R1.60 in data charges for 40 minutes of gameplay. Legends of Echo can be downloaded by SMSing 33313* for a download link.
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