New game brings iPhone into Wiimote territory

The Social Gaming Network, a company best known for its Facebook Platform apps, has launched a new iPhone app that uses the handset as...a gaming controller.

Called "iFun," the app is a takeoff on the Social Gaming Network's existing sports apps: iGolf, iBowl, iBaseball, and the like. But instead of playing on your iPhone, you use your iPhone or iPod Touch much like the "Wiimote" device for Nintendo's Wii console. (Both gadgets use accelerometer technologies.) It connects via Wi-Fi or cellular network to your PC. You can then play against friends--remotely, and in real time.

Currently, iFun is restricted to a golf game but will soon expand--as well as to other devices with accelerometers in them, like the Android-powered G1. It also uses Facebook Connect for authentication.

Social Gaming Network CEO Shervin Pishevar told CNET News that the company is currently "lining up advertisers" and is interested in turning iFun into a platform for external developers to create their own games. The Social Gaming Network raised a $15 million investment round last spring, followed by more funding from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' venture firm.

And--wait for it--here's the recession angle. Playing the free iFun game on an iPod Touch is "significantly cheaper than buying a Wii for Christmas," Pishevar said.

[3rdalbum]

Yeah, but the iPhone is more expensive than the Wii! And the Wii remote is more than just an accelerometer, as anyone who has played (say) Disaster: Day of Crisis will know.

[Pishkado]

The iPhone is also more than a Wii remote. AFAIK, a Wii remote can't make phone calls, play MP3s or take pictures - let alone run all those apps from the store. It al depends on what you want to do.

[DarkHawke]

If you put together the initial TV-destroying Wiimote slips with the renowned slipperiness of the iPhone, you have a recipe for EPIC disaster. As far as the economics of this goes, which would you rather see sailing from your hand and across the room, a $30+ Wiimote or a $200+ iPhone?

[SFGamer123]

Yeah, I think that new Pocket Jockey game has got it right-- you put the phone in your pocket and jump around. Much safer for your phone (though you look kinda goofy!)

[melody1223]

this game ist great fun, i love it. but I'm a big wii-fan too. but you can't compare these two different things. with the iphone you don't have the varieties and the feeling you have with your wii. with the iphone I like to play short and funny games like Slogorado or else. when I am at home with friends I use wii.