As I was reading this morning’s press releases, my eyes widen as I read this release from Cie Games: “Cie Games Launches ‘Car Town’ on Facebook to Connect Consumers and Brands on the Social Web — Enlists Honda, Dodge, GM, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, VW, Mercedes.“ What an excellent way to involve consumers and the cars we dream of driving, the cars we’ve driven and currently drive and the classics we’ve owned or own. This bought back memories of cars I’ve owned and could have owned especially one rag top 1967 Mustang that my sister owned and did not give me the chance to purchase but instead she traded it in for a Monte Carlo. Yes a painful memory of what might have been.
But its those types of emotions that will make Car Town a hit for the automakers. Here’s an opportunity through social media to examine all of the details of why we love the cars we do. Its an opportunity for us to have virtual fun with autos without the slick car ads in our face a virtual win-win for everyone who loves autos and social media games.
The game works by having players use virtual currency to purchase and customize hundreds of vehicles ranging from vintage Model Ts to AMC Pacers and 1960s muscle cars to luxury and exotics – even fire trucks, ice cream trucks and taco trucks – and store their collections in customizable virtual garages. Owners can take road trips, race against their friends and perform tasks – like delivering pizzas or servicing their friends’ cars – that earn them the points they need to purchase additional cars or car-related products and services, just as they would do in real life.
Cie Games further stated that they designed Car Town to become a significant hub where brands can engage consumers on Facebook. There are 500 million Facebook users globally, and the leading games on Facebook draw 10+ million monthly active users each and drive a significant portion of the time spent on Facebook.
Up until now I have avoided all Facebook games like, Mafia Wars, Farmville and everything Zynga has made primarily because those games just didn’t interest me and I prefer console games like Xbox, Playstation and Wii. However, I will be adding more time to my digital hour(s) to play with some of my favorite cars on Car Town and the 1st car I’m looking for is a 1967 rag top Mustang. I have a second chance to own a classic.