Inside Social Games

Between Tapulous’ Tap Tap Revenge 3 music-performing game and the newer Rock Band from Electronic Arts, the latter has recently felt like the stronger of the pair. However, Tapulous has long been the most popular iPhone application, and its fan base (and $0.99 price tag) has carried it well the past two months.

But the latest Tap Tap title felt lacking in social areas when compared to its current competition. Likely, this is what attributes to the fact that Rock Band is currently #15 on Apple’s new Top Grossing Apps List, while Revenge is at #29 (that and the EA game did see a price drop from $9.99 to $6.99).

Not one to be outdone, Tapulous has recently updated the title with Facebook Connect capability. With the latest 3.0.1 version, users will not only be able to make use of the Facebook platform to connect with others, but will also see other features such as optimized downloads, listed high scores, and other miscellaneous performance improvements.

Perhaps the best way to describe the latest update is “about time.” Since its release in early October, the general lack of Facebook Connect has been one of a handful of complaints (that and fairly limited number of tracks that come with the initial purchase). Rock Band, on the other hand, released with Facebook Connect and came with better known artists, as well as more methods for social and group play.

With more players on iTunes recommending the free Tap Tap Revenge 2 over the third installment (with some claiming that the latter was actually a “downgrade”), and the overall better social features of Rock Band, this was an update long overdue.