{"id":280,"date":"2011-11-09T16:50:06","date_gmt":"2011-11-09T16:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yachtracing.biz\/life\/?p=280"},"modified":"2011-11-09T16:50:06","modified_gmt":"2011-11-09T16:50:06","slug":"volvo-ocean-race-game-revie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/yachtracing.biz\/life\/2011\/11\/volvo-ocean-race-game-revie\/","title":{"rendered":"Volvo Ocean Race Game Review for Android, iPhone and Browser."},"content":{"rendered":"

Gamification is a strange buzzword that is oft quoted in marketing conferences at the moment. It derives from a new found, or rediscovered preoccupation with being engaging. The trick is to soak up as much of a consumer’s precious online time as possible, by introducing a ‘play’ or ‘game’ element to interaction.<\/p>\n

The gamification of sport seems to be a tautology – however technology is enabling a different relationship between sport and games.<\/p>\n

The Volvo Ocean Race<\/a> is a good case in point. While economic conditions in Europe and around the world has meant a reduced number of teams on the physical start-line, around 80,000 players have already registered for the online race.<\/p>\n

Last time around, the Volvo Ocean Race game<\/a> kept players at their computer screens, but this time around, gamers can stay connected with their campaign via apps for android<\/a> and iPhone<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other changes include a bigger incentive to upgrade from the free game. Like the real race, where a bigger budget impacts the competiveness of the team, the online Volvo Ocean Race game tempts those who want to win, rather than just play, with pro sails packs and autopilot options.<\/p>\n

No doubt the debate about the complexity of sailing will go on for a while but gamers by definition are open to understanding and making the most of rules and making strategic decisions quickly with a competitive goal. Just as a teen Facebook<\/a> user can work out how to rotate crops and derive optimal income from FarmVille, So too can a Volvo Ocean race gamr player determine the best way to sail from Alicante to Cape Town.<\/p>\n

Sometimes the analogy of driving a car is used to explain why people have more affinity with Motorsport than sailing, however as Call of Duty MW3 hits the shelves, millions of people who have never seen a gun will work out the best time to use an assault weapon, a sniper rifle or a grenades. Such adaptability to understanding the gameplay also equips a non-sailor with the ability to determine when to use a jib versus a code zero or a heavy spinnaker.<\/p>\n

The Volvo Ocean Race Game<\/h2>\n

Sign Up and Setup : Facebook, Twitter Integration<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creating a new account is pretty straightforward, though the integration with Facebook is not immediately apparent. When registering an account on the web, there is no option to login with Facebook. When registering via the Android app, there is.<\/p>\n

Just to confuse things, you can create an account using Facebook that has the same email address as an account created on the web with that email address with a different boat name.<\/p>\n

There is relatively little\u00a0customization\u00a0of the boat. Players get to choose their preferred hull color. Sails for the time being are generic white\/grey.<\/p>\n

Once you are registered, you can add profile information including Facebook and Twitter details, hometown and other other individual touches like a photo or avatar.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Sailing<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Volvo Ocean Race Game is a 2D representation from a bird’s eye view. There are no 3D engines or fancy graphics, just a simple “this is land – this is sea” view. Decisions are made through weather information and shaded ‘polars’ which show how fast and how far different sail choices advance the boat.<\/p>\n

For those who understand the ins and outs of sailing, there is a lot of information supplied including apparent wind angle, apparent wind speed, true wind speed, true wind angle, boat speed and boat position in\u00a0Latitude\u00a0and Longitude.<\/p>\n

The ‘Free’ version of the game gives you two sails. A jib for upwind and a medium\u00a0spinnaker\u00a0for downwind. Unlike other similar games, there is no concept of sail\u00a0degradation, however there is a new limiting factor – ‘crew energy’. \u00a0It doesn’t take too long to realise that to sail faster in the direction you want to go, you need to find some budget.<\/p>\n

Volvo Ocean Race Game Upgrades<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Unlock<\/p>\n

Five Euros will buy you about 1000 credits. Credits can be used to give you a\u00a0competitive\u00a0advantage over the rest of the fleet, or let you play multiple strategies. Every one of the ‘locked’ features gives you an edge.<\/p>\n

Special Packages<\/em><\/p>\n