There's an argument out there that while location-based social apps are making good ground when it comes to consumer penetration, many don't deliver all they could when it comes to actual gameplay.
Foursquare is certainly making an attempt to branch out and seed itself into as many sectors of its users' collective online activity as it can.
In this respect, a change to the way the app now registers member's history suggests the company is keen to move the service towards the social side of the genre, firmly encroaching on the likes of Facebook and MySpace.
Friendly Foursquare
As reported by TechCrunch, the app's associated website now lists its users' movements in terms of who they were with at the time.
For example, should they visit a location with a friend and both check-in at the same time, the site will log their check-in together - proving, in effect, that the two parties really are friends.
It moves Foursquare into solid social network territory.
While the site has always enabled strangers to link-up via Twitter and Facebook based on the venues they visit - connecting people who, after all, merely happen to check-in at the same locations as each other - by encouraging players to detail their movements with their real friends, Foursquare becomes part of the user's social calender.
Smile for the camera
Checking-in en masse has the potential to become an element of the event itself, just like the process millions of Facebook users go through every week, uploading pictures after a party or night out.
It opens up the possibility of Foursquare directly taking on social networks on that score the next logical step perhaps awarding extra trophies and points if users post pictures while checking-in. Such a prospect would, again, expand the network further into its users' day-to-day activities.
With a new iPhone app expected later this week, it'll be interesting to see if Foursquare alters its UI to stress this new social-network style focus.
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
Feature
May 17th, 2024
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from a battle royale to a console classic remake
Feature
May 16th, 2024
Behind the scenes: How adding sandwich offers to an idle merge game boosted three metrics at once
Events
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
Morocco Gaming Expo | Africa | May 24th |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |
Unreal Fest Gold Coast 2024 | Australasia | May 29th |
Popular Stories
Feature
May 14th, 2024
53 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, Battle Guys: Royale, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Feature
May 13th, 2024
Hot Five: Dubai's new Gaming Visa, April's mobile game charts, and Xbox studio closures
Feature
May 14th, 2024