The Shroud: location-based services can be fun, too
Remember "Colors," that GPS-enabled vaporware game for the Gizmondo that was supposed to revolutionize the concept of location-based gaming, but never happened on account of Gizmondo's spectacular implosion? Well, the concept lives on -- and this time, it's in a form that a good percentage of the world's cellphone users should be able to enjoy. "The Shroud" looks looks to be a pretty ambitious and far-reaching project that attempts to bring the involvement and immersion of a traditional massively multiplayer RPG and shrink it down, allegedly offering gameplay that is "fun for hours as well as just for a few minutes." The typical RPG-ish activities play a major role in the game -- item collection and trading, quests, and the like -- but the big draws here will be the developers' ability to continually update maps and items (when the phone has a data connection, of course) and the game's LBS features, which will allow gamers to perform special tasks and challenges when in designated real-world zones -- if they have a GPS-enabled phone, of course. According to the publisher, users should never be more than four or five miles from a "hotspot" at any given time, meaning we won't need to book a flight just to get to that hot quest we're dying to complete. Look for The Shroud to hit a phone near you in the next few weeks, with availability through both carrier portals and direct download. Continue on for a few screenshots!



















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jonathan Sundy @ Nov 29th 2006 4:59PM
I couldn't find the Supported Device list on their horrible web page.
Anyone else see it??
maybe i'm just special.
Evan @ Nov 29th 2006 10:28PM
@John
We realize that but on their FAQ page it refers to a non-existent supported device list.
Dave C @ Nov 29th 2006 11:20PM
Love the concept of integrating the physical world with the game - GPS is a natural fit. It will be interesting to see how well the real world movement fits into the story line and how natural it is.
http://www.enpresence.com
Brandon W @ Nov 30th 2006 12:39AM
I wish my Cingular branded Nokia looked that good, it's a little beat up. Still, with all the new Nokias going QWERTY people have lusted over my last of the great US Nokias, 6682.
Didn't Cingular pull these Nokias after a SIM reader problem?
They are never getting mine :-)
Deputy @ Nov 30th 2006 3:58AM
I don't think they can keep balance. This sort of game is still green and crude. Maybe wait for several years - when world transport will be more available
john @ Nov 30th 2006 4:07PM
The game is not out yet. Hence coming soon!
bpm2k @ Dec 1st 2006 7:54PM
Ihave the us 6682 as well - i didnt know there was a GPS solution for it?
KSanchez @ Dec 4th 2006 8:37PM
Anyone know if it will work for a Razr on the Verizon Wireless network?