The Grid – a local location based mobile social network – today reveals and goes live with a mobile multiplayer game called Legends of Echo (LEO). The game which is playable on modern internet ready cell phones allows players to “trade, battle and communicate with other players across South Africa with their physical location as a central point.”
Using Vodacom’s Location Based Services (LBA), Legends of Echo mirrors the player’s physical location with the in game world map which is modelled on South Africa. However “Instead of cities and skyscrapers, however, players will find rolling green fields, rocky outcrops and valleys to explore and establish their base.”
Like a traditional MMO, LOE is a virtual world inhabited by other players. They can create their own bases, explore and interact.
“Real-world place names are still used to navigate, e.g. a player can teleport from Belville in Cape Town to Randburg in Johannesburg to battle another player.”
The main point on LOE is to become a “Legend of Echo.” This involves battling other players, obtaining advanced weapons and other items, exploring and trading. Players will earn “Legend points” by performing these tasks, and if they earn enough then they will appear on a leaderboard.
“The game is unique in that it mirrors real-life locations in a multiplayer environment. Interaction is always location-bound i.e. a player is battling a player in close physical proximity to him/herself.”
“Legends of Echo combines the best in real-time Location-Based Services and mobile multiplayer gaming, in that it allows players across South Africa to interact in a virtual world that is linked to their real-life location – all via their cellphones. As such, it’s an exciting and entertaining extension of The Grid as the leading location-based social network in South Africa,” says Vincent Maher, Portfolio Manager Social Media, Vodacom South Africa.
Legends of Echo is available as a free Java download to cell phones. There is no cost to play the game, apart from the usual data charges associated with mobile browsing. Players will be able to trade airtime for Elements, which can be exchanged for in-game items.
More details on Legends of Echo coming soon.
To download LOE, SMS “ECHO” to 33313. SMSs cost 50c. Alternatively, visit LegendsofEcho.mobi.
Discuss Legends of Echo in the forums
Loading ...
