Robert Kirkman’sThe Walking Deadbegan as a post-apocalyptic horror franchise with expected levels of graphic content and entertainment, relating to characters surviving against zombies and one another. Today,The Walking Deadhas become a transmedia franchise, with video games thathave been loosely or closely based upon events from the property’s graphic novels and AMC television series.
Perhaps the most significant ofThe Walking Deadgames among fans has been thetitular video games from Telltale Gamesand Skybound Games. This episodic, character-driven mini-series explores the life of Clementine throughout harrowing storylines where the player’s choices are paramount. Meanwhile,The Walking Dead’s catalog of licensed gameshas also included many online titles associated with social media. As reported by Variety, Facebook’s latest social game featuresThe Walking Deadin a nostalgic look at AMC’s television series, which is entering its final season.
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The Walking Dead Lifeis a social game, designed with a vertical interface for mobile device users. Featured on Facebook’s Instant Games platform, the game has players spinning a roulette wheel to gain a set number of digital coins, attack other players, or raid territories belonging to other players. Players are also able to land the roulette wheel on a star badge shield, which defends them against other players' attacks.The Walking Dead Lifeinvites fans to connect with others throughFacebook Gaming and its social features, including Facebook’s Messenger app.
Similar to otherThe Walking Deadmobile games, players are rewarded for inviting friends and peers to join the game. Spins and coins are not infinitely free. Players may upgrade their own individual territories withThe Walking DeadLife’s in-game coin currency, purchasing items and defenses.
Bundles that come packaged with a number of coins and spins are offered to players through microtransactions. Further, 25 spins are offered to players for each friend that joins the game as a result of an invite. Therefore, networking through Facebook’s socials is requisite to progressing and earning more playtime inThe Walking Dead Life.
Ultimately,The Walking Dead Lifeis a marketing tool intended to advertise the eleventh andfinal season of AMC’sThe Walking Dead, which is set to air on AMC later this summer. Variety reports that players are able to “level up to unlock Easter eggs,” including locations from different seasons throughout the AMC television series that fans will be familiar with.
The Walking Dead Lifewill certainly not be the first game from the franchise to appear on the Facebook Gaming platform. But it is interesting to note that Playco,The Walking Dead Life’s developer, has selected Facebook as its preferred platform because of its “huge base of daily active users.”
The Walking DeadLifeis available now on mobile devices through Facebook Gaming.
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