Poll: Companion apps, good or bad?

[J Tyran]

Exactly what it says on the tin, what do you think of the all the companion apps we are starting to see in games now? So two of the biggest triple A games recently had a companion app, I didn't get to use the one for GTA V because by the time they got around to making an Android version I was done with the game. I have been using the one for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag though, I have to admit I quite enjoy it because it doesn't chop any content out the game but it does add some extra functionality and convenience.

To begin with it can connect to your game directly or through the internet and become a second screen of sorts, you can access the in game map in real time and set waypoints or search for missions and/or targets and places of interest without opening the in game map and UI. You can see the treasure maps and challenge status as well, the community features menu is accessible from the app. Finally it also allows you to access your fleet options, these missions take place in real time so you can complete or start new missions for your fleet whenever you want (with internet access ofc) or take part in the simple turn based sea battles your fleet can take part in.

All of this is in game though so nothing is taken away, I personally really like the map part of the app as it allows you to set waypoints without ever breaking the in game flow of game play. Being able to adjust the fleet is amusing as well although its not exactly the greatest thing ever.

Any after that TL;DR explanation of that particular app which I only made to describe an app that doesn't chop content out what do you think of apps like these?

 

[CloudAtlas]

I cannot imagine myself using such stuff. If a game was so engaging that I could hardly let go of it no matter where I am, not even at work or on journeys or wherever, the last thing I would want is an app that makes it easier for said game to distract me even more. And for home use... well, even when playing the most addictive games I was still able to make it to the bathroom and back without taking the game with me, so, no thanks.

 

[J Tyran]

I cannot imagine myself using such stuff. If a game was so engaging that I could hardly let go of it no matter where I am, not even at work or on journeys or wherever, the last thing I would want is an app that makes it easier for said game to distract me even more. And for home use... well, even when playing the most addictive games I was still able to make it to the bathroom and back without taking the game with me, so, no thanks.

Fair enough but for me I can see another problem on the horizon with these apps, at the moment they are free even if they do have in game progress tied to them. After the behaviour of publishers over the last few years I wonder how long that can last, it could only be a matter of time before they start charging for these things. We could well see content chopped out of a game and needing an app to access those features of a game, they had the balls to do it with on disk DLC and in some cases even having to buy the "real" ending of a game as DLC (I am looking at you Capcom).

 

[CloudAtlas]

Fair enough but for me I can see another problem on the horizon with these apps, at the moment they are free even if they do have in game progress tied to them. After the behaviour of publishers over the last few years I wonder how long that can last, it could only be a matter of time before they start charging for these things. We could well see content chopped out of a game and needing an app to access those features of a game, they had the balls to do it with on disk DLC and in some cases even having to buy the "real" ending of a game as DLC (I am looking at you Capcom).

Let's not hope your prediction comes true.