Video game publishers and developers do everything they can to keep their game spinning in your disk drive. They’ll throw in a high quantity of modes and content and post-launch DLC to keep their games fresh in the gamer’s mind . But sometimes that isn’t enough. Some of the most successful games and franchises to come out have integrated a networking tool to allow you to measure your progress throughout the game. Games like Halo, World of Warcraft and Call of Duty are a few. Is that the key to a successful franchise? And do you go the free route like Halo? Or do you charge for a premium service like with Call of Duty?
This topic was brought to my attention by the announcement of the Ghost Recon Network that will launch concurrently with Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. With the network, you can examine the maps in multiplayer and build your guns in real-time with the iPhone and iPad app. You can even post these customized weapons on Facebook for your friends to download. The full trailer for the Ghost Recon Network can be seen here. Personally, I think the Ghost Recon Network is a mixed bag. I can’t help but feel like the inclusion of the network is intrusive onto my mobile device because there are notifications and challenges you can send to anyone with the network. The counter argument could be just to not download it but there are exclusive items and rewards meant to incentivize being a part of the network. However, the network is completely free, which is the one thing in common for games with networks except Call of Duty: Elite which was implemented last year and costs $49.99 with a premium account. Otherwise it’s free as well.
For this blog, I have gone on Blizzard.com to create a Battlenet account and see exactly how that network is and, lo and behold, the network divides itself into three separate communities: World of Warcraft, Starcraft 2 and Diablo III; expansions and games being released this year. It is interesting to note that within the massive gaming community, there are sub-communities for each game with these networks. The more elaborate the features for these networks, the more loyal the fanbase has proven with both Halo’s Bungie.net and Call of Duty: Elite. With regards to Halo, it started out very basic and then grew as the Halo games continued. People gained the ability to post photos and videos of their singleplayer and multiplayer sessions and share game modes with each other through the network. Call of Duty: Elite offers clan support for the truly initiated and hardcore players. It seems that to develop a hardcore community within your game, developing a network alongside your game is the more efficient way to maintain a loyal fanbase.
