The freshly announced iPhone 4S Siri personal assistant is an awesome tool that helps you managing your daily chores. However, think if you could make it play with you!
One day, hopefully soon, social gamers could use this kind of portable AI to manage some of their gaming activities.
In fact, after tonight’s Apple Keynote was over, I sat down and scribbled down 10 use cases to see if the whole idea makes sense, and it actually might. Of course, it remains to be seen if – and when – this level of integration with apps will be possible with Siri.
Hopefully, some of the kernel ideas described below will inspire the designers and developers of the future social games. Enjoy!
Siri for Social Games: 10 Hypothetical Use Cases
1. HARVEST TIME
Owner: Log into Magic Land. What’s the status of my Giant Strawberries?
Siri: You have 3 Giant Strawberries ready, which convert into 120 coins
2. YOUR MOVE, LOSER
Siri: Hello, I have a Chess Alert for you! Your friend Mark has made his move: Bishop in G4. Should I call up the chessboard, or would you prefer to tell me your move directly?
Owner: Yes, make the move now, please. King in D2.
Siri: Ehm, interesting. Checkmate probability of 95%… on Mark’s next move.
3. NOT ON MY SHIFT
Owner: Log into Zombie Lane. Is my fence still intact?
Siri: The fence is damaged. Three clicks required to repair, sir. I suggest playing the game as soon as feasible.
4. SHARE THE LOVE
Owner: Log into Sims Social and send one Love to Jennifer Wilkins, my current Date. Also, send one Love to Ralph Bear.
Siri: One Love sent to Jennifer Wilkins. Ralph Bear is currently in “Ex-lover” Status, though. Please confirm request…
5. MAJOR MAYORSHIP
Siri: Foursquare Alert! We’re one click away from achieving Mayorship of Club Berghain. Should I check in?
Owner: Are you serious? Do it at once, I want to max my clubbing credibility!
6. AND 1, 2, 3… SOLD!
Owner: Log into World of Warcraft Remote Auction House. Search for Potions of Illusion on sale.
Siri: One Potion of Illusion is available at 25 gold starting bid, with “buy now” option for 35 gold. Should I purchase it directly or place a bid?
(Note: This behavior would probably fit Ebay auctioneers quite well).
7. RED ALERT!
Siri: Empires and Allies Alert! Your friend Frank Rage has attacked you. Also, your Battle Blitz enemy Reiner Knizia has attacked you!
8. SHORT ON FUEL
Owner: Log into Adventure World. What’s my Energy status? Should I play now?
Siri: You have just 3 Energy left. According to your requirements, I’d suggest waiting for another 54 minutes before logging in and playing a session.
9. TERRITORIAL DOMINATION
Owner: Log into Shadow Cities. Are there any enemies around this block?
Siri: Level 3 Architect in Senate Square, 200m from present location. Engage enemy with standard Dominator Rune spell?
Owner: Indeed. Kick his ass!
10. SKILL ME UP
Owner: Log in to Glitch app. How’s my Skill training going?
Siri: Meditation II complete in 3 hours, 22 min.
Owner: Abort and train Mining II instead.
Siri: Done. Mining II Skill complete in 22 minutes.
Do you have more ideas on how to use Siri for social gaming? Unless you believe they’ll make you a billionaire, feel free to share them in the Comments section below.
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Giuliano Cremaschi writes about the interconnected worlds of Social Media and Social Gaming, and their inextricable and ever-evolving relationship
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Fantastic little article – very inspiring, thanks
Thanks
Have fun trying out any of the ideas above!
Pardon, but I bumped into this post right now.
Since this post many apps are born in the meantime, but I think I’d still like Siri to remind me the status of the food into my fridge, where sometimes poisoning creatures get a life!
Indeed, Siri as the voice of the house’s AI. Sounds like a good idea!