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I’ve been test-driving both Foursquare and Gowalla from a game perspective for a few weeks now. Both are location based services that allow you to virtually ‘check in’ at locations. To cut to the chase: I prefer Gowalla. It’s more akin to a game (for lack of a better word) than Foursquare currently is, but it’s not exactly saying much. Both services seem to lack clout at the moment.

First there’s Foursquare. The idea behind the service is chiefly to track check-ins at various locations. Checking in the most at a spot earns you the title of mayor. Secondly, there’s Gowalla. The idea behind this service is still to check in at various locations and, sure enough, it also tracks whoever checks in the most at a spot. But instead of earning titles, you earn virtual items.

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Social networks have quickly become a web staple. To such an extent that with each new one you start asking yourself whether it has any use at all. While Google, Facebook et al are vying to gain control of the data (or in some cases define who actually owns social data), games seem blissfully ignorant of the new hype.

Well, that was until Microsoft dipped its toe into the water. Xbox Live at one point gained the friend of friends ability, making it possible for you to view a friend’s friendlist, potentially allowing you to play with other safe persons even if your friend is away. A rather novel exploit of this feature still surprised me a bit.

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