Video Games and Social Networking
Video games are making big money and big news – some good – some bad - we’ve all probably seen the media blitz for Grand Theft Auto 4 – Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers wants the game to be reclassified as Adults Only. I’m not much for violent video games – but from a business perspective – the game adds another layer to the social networking aspect – the game itself becomes a selling platform.
The game is like a virtual shopping mall – if you like a song you hear on the radio in the game – you can tag it – if you thought stand-up comedian Ricky Gervais ((of Office and Extras fame) who is in the game) is funny, you can tag him – everything you do in the game is recorded - later when you log into the GTA4 Social Club – you’re presented with more information about the things you tagged and you’re even given info on how to buy it from online vendors like Amazon.com. Violence and In-game marketing – what will they think of next?
Video games are making big money and big news – some good – some bad - we’ve all probably seen the media blitz for Grand Theft Auto 4 – Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers wants the game to be reclassified as Adults Only. I’m not much for violent video games – but from a business perspective – the game adds another layer to the social networking aspect – the game itself becomes a selling platform.
The game is like a virtual shopping mall – if you like a song you hear on the radio in the game – you can tag it – if you thought stand-up comedian Ricky Gervais ((of Office and Extras fame) who is in the game) is funny, you can tag him – everything you do in the game is recorded - later when you log into the GTA4 Social Club – you’re presented with more information about the things you tagged and you’re even given info on how to buy it from online vendors like Amazon.com. Violence and In-game marketing – what will they think of next?
On a more positive side – games like Mario Kart 
for the Nintendo Wii – or Guitar Hero or Rock band 
– are also taking social networking to a new level. On the Nintendo Wii - there’s the option of installing the Mario Kart Channel to the Wii menu – it posts local and international player rankings and lets you know about racing competitions that anyone with the game can compete in for prizes.
Guitar Hero and Rock Band are taking things even further – people are having so much fun with these games – they’re actually interacting with friends. Games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are not only bringing people together in homes – but in social arenas as well - friends are getting together and challenging other gamers in pubs and nightclubs all over Canada. Even locally, here in Vancouver - clubs like Celebrities and the Cellar have nights where people play against one another – it’s like Karaoke with a backing band! And – like the GTA4 – you can also buy the songs you play in the game as mp3s or ringtones.
Gaming – which was once thought of as a semi - anti-social behaviour – geeks in their basement – is now a viable social activity - meet-ups of guild or team members for certain games, and gaming tournaments. Another interesting phenomenon is that sales of actual guitars and lessons have started to spike – of course doctor visits for people with repetitive strain injuries may be going up too. Whatever your taste - gaming is really going to the next level.
for the Nintendo Wii – or Guitar Hero or Rock band 
– are also taking social networking to a new level. On the Nintendo Wii - there’s the option of installing the Mario Kart Channel to the Wii menu – it posts local and international player rankings and lets you know about racing competitions that anyone with the game can compete in for prizes.Guitar Hero and Rock Band are taking things even further – people are having so much fun with these games – they’re actually interacting with friends. Games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are not only bringing people together in homes – but in social arenas as well - friends are getting together and challenging other gamers in pubs and nightclubs all over Canada. Even locally, here in Vancouver - clubs like Celebrities and the Cellar have nights where people play against one another – it’s like Karaoke with a backing band! And – like the GTA4 – you can also buy the songs you play in the game as mp3s or ringtones.
Gaming – which was once thought of as a semi - anti-social behaviour – geeks in their basement – is now a viable social activity - meet-ups of guild or team members for certain games, and gaming tournaments. Another interesting phenomenon is that sales of actual guitars and lessons have started to spike – of course doctor visits for people with repetitive strain injuries may be going up too. Whatever your taste - gaming is really going to the next level.
You can learn more about trends in gaming, technology, and science on our free iTunes video podcast – just search for Connected Life. And if you haven’t grown tired of Facebook yet, we’ve got a Connected Life group there as well. I’m Bradley Shende for Connected Life – until next week – keep clicking and stay connected.
