EA Mobile Games Review

The Sims 2 – Castaway

This new mobile version of the successful The Sims series will please Sims fans. You are one of a few castaways on an island in the middle of nowhere. You are left to explore the island, interacting with the other castaways to help achieve your goals and making sure your basic needs are taken care of. The simple, self-explanatory interface means even Sims “newbies” will find this game typically addictive, although the sedate nature of Castaway may not get serious gamers’ pulses racing.

Tetris

The age-old classic is back, and EA could not have created a better mobile version. There are three game modes available to the user. In addition to the traditional “marathon” mode, there is an “ultra” mode, where you try to get the highest score in three minutes, as well as “40 lines”, where you attempt to reach 40 completed lines in as short a time as possible. The optional ghost feature will be quite useful to beginners and experienced Tetris players will be delighted that there are no annoying shape-shifting pieces. Sure to be a hit with Tetris fans.

FIFA 08

The 2008 mobile adaptation of the famous Fifa series will challenge even experienced gamers and football addicts. The in-depth training mode is a must before taking on the tough season or club challenge modes. Players have a choice of one of five European leagues in season mode, including the English Premiership. A highlight is the challenge mode, with unique and difficult match situations. The controls may take a while to get used to, but the excellent gameplay should make Fifa 08 a firm favourite with fans.

Fight Night 3

Fight Night 3 starts off with a two-minute tutorial that encompasses all you will ever need to know to become the best boxer in the world. Gamers have an option of a quick fight or the lengthier career central version, where you get to create your own player and try to build him up into a future champion of the world. The graphics are unbelievable, with incredible attention to detail. Featured boxers include modern-day heroes like Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton. A superb version of the famous boxing series.

Written for Digital Life – July 2008

Tags: digitallife, EA, fifa, fight night, gaming, mobile, tetris, the sims

Digital Lifestyle Measure

Last week I attended a media briefing where results from a study of digital lifestyles on South African consumers were presented. It is the first time such an indepth study within SA was conducted. I found it quite interesting because I lead a very ‘digital’ lifestyle. I rather spend money on electronic goods / gadgets than make up, jewellery or clothes.

Those surveyed earn above R 8 000 and live in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. Basically, those earning less than R 8 000 were not leading the digital lifestyle and it didnt make sense for them to be surveyed.

Candidates were questioned on their internet activities, digital products, cellular / mobile activities. Based on the results, they were classified using the ‘Digital Lifestyle Measure’ (DLM). The classification, based on the score, was then divided into 4 groups (DLM1 – DLM4). Digital products like cellphones, flat screen TVs, camera’s, laptops etc were used to score points and more points were awarded for uncommon technologies.

Fewer digital goods mean you fall under DLM1-DLM2 and average would be between DLM2-DLM3, while above average DLM3-DLM4.

These were some of the results:

• The most common form of communication in SA is Mxit
• More than half of IM users are in the 16-24 age bracket and use IM everyday
• Mobile IM has more than doubled in the last 12 months.
• The percentage of registered Facebook users decreased with age, except for the oldest age group (45 and over).

The study also concluded that the higher the consumer DLM, the earlier they registered on Facebook.

The Digital Lifestyle predictor is an ongoing study.

Mxit was just fortunate they came out at the right time. I dont think (if they have competition out there) that anyone can take over easily. I’m not a Mxit fan, I find that its more for tweens / teens or people who are still dating and of course people who are bored in their current relationships.

Originally blogged on My Digital Life.

Tags: consumers, digital, digitallife, lifestyle, measure, trends