Companion app; yay or nay?

Post » Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:19 am

One of the things I've enjoyed of late is a well made companion app.

I really enjoyed what Black Flag offered with it's app. the ability to play the fleet mini game, access to all the side information you gather in the game and a (somewhat) realtime map. The Division is apparently going to have a companion app that allows players to control drones.

I'd say that ESO certainly isn't designed around allowing something as complex as manning a drone, but things like a realtime map, access to the books your character has read, information on your characters stats and skills, access to things like an AH if one is implemented could make for a great companion to aid players in not having to open up their menus as often ingame.

I've seen a couple of MMO's toy around with the idea, but not with anything that would access the game proper. I'm wondering if there are security concerns for such an app.

Either way, make your vote and have your say! I look forward to reading both potential positives and negatives!

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Andy durkan
 
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Post » Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:10 am

I'd much rather see them invest their development time and budget in improving and adding systems / features of the game itself, rather than providing some gimmicks on the side for mobile phones.

As a side-note, I would certainly dread the day "second screen" features become mandatory, or heavily impact games all by themselves. And the more games support second screen gimmicks, the more that threat looms. That is probably the main reason for me to say "just no" rather than "it would be nice for others to have, even if it doesn't affect me."

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Ryan Lutz
 
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Post » Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:07 am

I don't even own a mobile phone at the moment so wouldn't particularly like to see vital aspects of the game relegated to it.

But if these apps provide some way for players to connect with the game in some small way while they're eg. on lunch or having a quiet moment during their day, then that has the potential to increase their involvement in, connection to and enjoyment of the game. That's obviously a plus for them but also for everyone else if it means they stay subscribed longer.
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Aman Bhattal
 
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Post » Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:15 pm

I'd love a companion app! I spent quite a lot of time commuting in the bus and my iPad is my best friend :)
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Robert Bindley
 
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