I PWN YOU ON Facebook

Lim Tze Kian | naijiz@gmail.com
the ridge news
A NUSSU Publication

Since its launch in 2004, Facebook has acquired around 60 million users around the world and is one of the most popular online destinations today.

Featuring ‘applications’ that run like mini-programmes on the networking platform, Facebook allows for interaction through photo sharing, wall-to-wall chatting and gaming among a host of other functions, heralding the viral expansion of social gaming.

The appeal of social gaming lies in the sense of competition among users within individual Facebook networks, as well as a larger feeling of banding together with strangers beyond for a common cause.

One game that has managed to capture the essence of this is Battle Stations. A pirate-themed role-playing game, players pilot an airship through the skies of Sios to battle enemies and other players around the world.

With close to 200,000 players, the leading local Facebook game produced by TYLER Projects has since escalated onto the international platform.

Almost half a year ago, Battle Stations was featured in The Straits Times as Singapore’s first Facebook multiplayer game, reaping in massive accolades; the ridge also gave it a glowing report card.

Half a year on, after major tweaks plus a great new facelift, how much has this little gem grown? Apparently, well enough to reward players with free Nintendo Wii and iTouch as prizes!

With the coming of the newest Battle Stations, boasting a proud display of well animated graphics, the overall look and feel of the game has been kicked up a few notches since its beta version, giving it a polished, sleek feel.

Players participate by exploring the world of Sios, travelling between ports, performing the different quests available to adventuring airship captains, engaging in battle with other players, trading, resource and item auctions, as well as clan warfare.

The most intriguing and addictive element of the game is undoubtedly the sense of community and camaraderie.

Clan warfare in Battle Stations consists of dedicated players who spend their own time and effort to make things exciting and interactive for its clan members, putting up their own quests or by plotting strategic raids on other rival clans. Players congregate in organized wars to fight against each other in a massive battle of ships.

Another amusing addition would be the new function of ‘bombing’ your friends. Bombing allows you to virtually ‘poke’ your friends, rewarding you with small surprises. These functions mesh together with Tyler’s efforts to make the whole game a more interactive process for the players.

More than just another Facebook application, Battle Stations has transformed into more of an independent game on its own. Don’t be surprised if you see Battle Stations spiralling into one of Singapore’s very own top browser-based web games, rivalling international multiplayer game giants such as The Reincarnation.

Play Battle Stations for free on Facebook at http://apps.new.facebook.com/battlestations/