New App on the Rise - Run An Empire

We are always on the search for the next big app for Smartphone use. A different upcoming game app called Run an Empire is currently in the beta testing stage in the United Kingdom by Pan Studio. In this game players need to run or walk paths around territory. Territory is determined by the map shown through your phone GPS. Once you've completely walked around that territory it is now yours that is until someone else captures it.  To prevent having territory captured you can reinforce the area by walking around it multiple times to strengthen the defense.

               

What I really like about this idea is that it involves you into the real world. Instead of being glued into an imaginary world on our phones, it drags us out of the house and actually interact with people in the community. The developers also will add health statistics since they know it will attract active people as well. This app makes you exercise without actually thinking you have to walk or run a certain distance, it makes exercise fun while involving strategy.

                

Some problems I see occurring with this app is people who are in more rural areas probably won't be playing this game. It would be a lot harder to capture territory if there is not any roads or people for miles. Or in more extreme cases because it does involve the real world, confrontation in person becomes more of a reality if you know who you're playing against. This game can also become seasonal as well; no one wants to walk in the middle of winter or if it is raining out. This means the app could have inactive players for a few months. A risk during game play is that people may try to use bikes or a car to capture territory and it seems like that would be hard to monitor once more players begin playing. Pan will investigate any unusual or impossible speed compared to walking or running. They can check the speed and pedometer to determine if a player is cheating. The developers have said if Run an Empire is successful they will look into a similar app called "Ride an Empire."

                

If this app does make it internationally in the United States I would definitely try out the game. Something I have a hard time doing is exercising when I know I'm about to, but with Run an Empire I'll be more distracted by the thought of playing a game. I also believe it would be a great way to meet new people and have some friendly rivalry. As our technology with phones becomes more advanced so will the games it comes with, always finding a new way to keep smart phone users interested and interactive.

Check out their Kick starter page and Twitter to keep updated on their game development.