FOX Broadcasting: Terminator Ambush - Viral Marketing consisting of GPS based game play

It appears that there has already been an attempt to create a LBMMOG for the iPhone. Although, from what I have read so far, it has not been too successful in the UK. Created in the US by Fox as a viral marketing campaign for 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' the 'Terminator Ambush' app attempts to use GPS technology to create a combined real-world virtual-world game space for its players that is accessed via a combination of iPhone and PC use. The developers are keen to stress that

"[...] Ambush is not a standalone game, but part of the overall Terminator Ambush gameplay experience"

(iTunes Store Ambush Application Description, accessed 16/11/08 15:05)

and, judging by the reviews, it does not live up to what is promised in terms of GPS based game play - at least not in the UK. A quick review of US reviews (through swapping iTunes Store location) reveals that the app has not been overly successful stateside either. It appears that the concept is excellent but the implementation is appalling - probably not overly surprising as this game is an advertisement rather than a fully developed and functional game. This scathing comment from the 'review' section of the appleiphoneapps.com website appears to echo the opinion of most players of this 'game':

"Let’s face it: Ambush is a horribly shameless marketing attempt for a FOX TV show. It’s masked as an iPhone “game” based on the Terminator TV series, but the app does next to nothing and is almost offensive in its ad-centric purpose. This is a laughable product and a waste of time, even for Terminator fans."

(http://www.appleiphoneapps.com/2008/09/review-ambush/ accessed 16/11/08 15:30)

The important aspect of this game is the concept - a fully GPS based game on the iPhone is not an impossibility, but iPhone users are still waiting for the concept to be fully developed in app form. DrugLords may prove to be the first successful implementation of the iPhone based LBMMOG due to the simplicity of the game itself (a game format that, in its original form, achieved and maintains cult status).

Some links to rivews and discussion of Terminator Ambush on the iPhone:

A brief review and introduction to the game:

http://toucharcade.com/2008/09/24/fox-launches-terminator-themed-gps-based-mmorpg/

Game description written by Fox:

http://terminatorwiki.fox.com/page/Terminator+Ambush+Online+game?t=anon

Official Terminator Ambush webpage:

http://www.terminatorambush.com/

Detailed review of game play using step-by-step screen shots and descriptions.

http://www.appleiphoneapps.com/2008/09/review-ambush/

Appvee.com video review of Terminator Ambush: