The Sims Social Facebook game has officially gone live and out of beta! The free world-building game, which already boasts 9.3 million active users, is beginning to take over the social gaming world, and the makers (Playfish and Maxis) want Zynga, creator of Farmville, to know that. The people behind The Sims have released a promo video that makes a clever swipe at Farmville with a catchy tune that centers on the chorus, "More City, Less Ville."
The cheeky trailer for the The Sims Social Facebook game shows how players can create cities that evolve through "player-driven choices that can include friendly relationships with other cities or intense rivalries," describes Brand Channel. The game also includes real-world scenarios related to crime, pollution, natural disasters and more, and players must interact with their friends' cities in order to address them -- hence the social element of the game.
As Jami Laes, the Vice President of Global Studios for Playfish, stated, "SimCity Social is about playing with your friends. Whether you do that with kindness by helping put out a fire or through mischievous acts like helping a criminal escape, the decisions you make with your friends will determine how the story of your cities plays out."
Social Gaming Wars (UPDATE)
Sims Social Facebook Game Goes Live With Farmville-Knocking Promo
Trend Themes
1. Social Gaming - Opportunity for innovative social gaming experiences that involve player-driven choices, real-world scenarios, and interactive gameplay with friends.
2. World-building Games - Opportunity to create immersive virtual worlds that allow players to shape and evolve their own cities.
3. Competition in Social Gaming - Opportunity for companies to challenge established players in the social gaming market and disrupt the industry with unique features and gameplay mechanics.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - Opportunity for game developers to capitalize on the popularity of social gaming and create innovative experiences that engage users.
2. Social Media - Opportunity for social media platforms to further integrate social gaming features and leverage the large user base for increased engagement.
3. Entertainment - Opportunity for entertainment companies to explore partnerships and collaborations with social gaming developers to create interactive and engaging content for users.