Brilliant mobile game publisher Gameloft has just sent me details of its latest java title, New York Nights: Success in the City, due out in February. It's a sort of cut-down version of The Sims, aimed specifically at female gamers - you get 40 days to turn your character into a rich, successful and popular Manhattan socialite, a process that involves going to the gym, clubbing and attending interviews for dream jobs. Sounds like a great life, and I'm not even female! Hmm...
*I honestly did try to think of a clever play on Sex in the City for this header, but gave up after five or six minutes...
Okay, so developing a Sims wannabe is not particularly innovative, but this is on mobile phones, and as Gameloft is responsible for some of the best Java titles available, it should be a polished and enjoyable romp. Also, they sent me a great screenshot which looks like some kind of stats screen. At the top it says "Level up! Congratulations, you are now... Appreciated!" I've been waiting my whole life to read that.
New York Nights: Success in the City is just a small step in the right direction for mobile gaming. I'd like to see something more complex, perhaps with a multiplayer element, or some location-based content, so the game knows where you are and what time it is, altering the content accordingly. It would also be amusing if it could raid your contacts list for character names. At least this way mobile social simulations could differentiate themselves from their PC and console cousins. It's got to the point where mobile titles desperately need to get a few unique selling points of their own.
Hang on, haven't I been saying that for months?
