Jeff Katz, the founding CEO or Orbitz, has recently released Travel Game,
an excellent series of games that use the Google Earth Plug-in to power them.
The first game in here is called Touristo, which allows you to navigate through exciting areas using helicopters to find specific goals. The mapping, graphics and controls are all top-notch.
The second game is called Skydiver
. In this one, you ride up in a helicopter, jump, and then use the arrow keys to try to land on a target on the ground.
The games utilize quite a bit of social networking, allowing you to connect to Facebook friends, send them gifts, etc, and even use their photos inside of the games. The best part is that the games will have real, free travel rewards, which should help encourage more users to play.
Beyond all else, the games are simply fun to play and make excellent use of the Google Earth Plug-in. Head over to jktravelgame.com
and try them for yourself!(via Ad Age Digital)
About Mickey Mellen
Mickey has been using Google Earth since it was released in 2005, and has created a variety of geo-related sites including Google Earth Hacks. He runs a web design firm in Marietta, GA, where he lives with his wife and two kids.
Those are both the coolest. I think Google Earth is highly underrated. While most developers are developing apps for the iphone, Google Earth has the potential for a full blown “second life” type of immersion. For example, taking a virtual walk through the streets of Paris and then engaging another user in a conversation.