Comments on: FourSquare vs. Gowalla at SXSWi 2010: We Have a Winner!

By: Wei Yang

Wei Yang — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:42:00 +0000

LOL – are they still relevant? I don’t think Gowalla is even trying to compete in this space any more. I actually saw Josh Williams (Gowalla CEO) speak at a conference where he said his goal was to make pretty, cartoony icons and Gowalla is simply a vehicle to distribute these icons and make them relevant.

Frankly, I think they should pivot to be an virtual/real world geocaching game instead. It’d probably get more traction.

By: Mary Harper

Mary Harper — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:35:00 +0000

Soooooooo… How do you feel about Gowalla NOW?

By: Strandh.DigitalPR » Blog Archive » DigitalPR omvärldsanalyserar [2010/04/03]

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:06:24 +0000

[...] FourSquare vs. Gowalla at SXSWi 2010: We Have a Winner! [...]

By: Wei Yang

Wei Yang — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:09:15 +0000

The other thing about Gowalla is they don't broadcast personal wins (badges, pins, etc.) as well as FourSquare – which IMO diminishes that aspect of the social game.

On FourSquare it's almost a competition – which makes one want to go out more and lead more of an interesting social life. No one really wants to be mayors of the local fast food joints and their own apt. Well, no one I know anyway. =)

By: Wei Yang

Wei Yang — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:05:12 +0000

I don't disagree that commenting and photos are cool – but both those features you mentioned focus more on the venue than the social aspect. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if FourSquare adds both those features down the road if they feel it will help enhance the game.

My point wasn't that Gowalla sucks – I do think it's great as a personal passport. My point was that FourSquare is better at the social aspect (e.g. finding friends, meeting up, etc.)

When I'm on Gowalla I always feel like I'm playing the game by myself, but on FourSquare, it just feels more social to me – which was enhanced by the fact that 95% of my FourSquare friends were at SXSWi all within 5-10 blocks from each other. I dunno… something just feels missing from Gowalla for me. Maybe that something is (social) fun.

By: Wei Yang

Wei Yang — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:09:00 +0000

The other thing about Gowalla is they don’t broadcast personal wins (badges, pins, etc.) as well as FourSquare – which IMO diminishes that aspect of the social game.nnOn FourSquare it’s almost a competition – which makes one want to go out more and lead more of an interesting social life. No one really wants to be mayors of the local fast food joints and their own apt. Well, no one I know anyway. =)

By: Wei Yang

Wei Yang — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:05:00 +0000

I don’t disagree that commenting and photos are cool – but both those features you mentioned focus more on the venue than the social aspect. Honestly it wouldn’t surprise me if FourSquare adds both those features down the road if they feel it will help enhance the game.nnMy point wasn’t that Gowalla sucks – I do think it’s great as a personal passport. My point was that FourSquare is better at the social aspect (e.g. finding friends, meeting up, etc.)nnWhen I’m on Gowalla I always feel like I’m playing the game by myself, but on FourSquare, it just feels more social to me – which was enhanced by the fact that 95% of my FourSquare friends were at SXSWi all within 5-10 blocks from each other. I dunno… something just feels missing from Gowalla for me. Maybe that something is (social) fun.

By: Robert Quigley

Robert Quigley — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:30:35 +0000

You make good points, but I still think the commenting and photos wins out (for now). Also, I like that you actually have to be somewhere to check in to Gowalla.

By: Robert Quigley

Robert Quigley — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:23:56 +0000

I'm in Austin – I'm always going somewhere cool

By: Wei Yang

Wei Yang — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:56:23 +0000

Long term benefits are TBD for me. I do like Gowalla for the personal adventure/marking off places I've been but even if I had the same number of friends on Gowalla as I do on FourSquare, I don't think it can compete on the social discovery side.

FourSquare has the depth that keeps it interesting in mob situations (swarms, trending) and personal situations (mayor ships). While Gowalla is cool, their focus seems to be on the venues – which is fine if you're going somewhere cool but not so much for the local cleaners or fast food joint.

By: Robert Quigley

Robert Quigley — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:39:36 +0000

Nice post. I personally like Gowalla, mainly for the in-line commenting on spots and photos (both part of the latest upgrade). Being able to instantly find nearby friends/parties etc. is great when you're at SXSW, but not as important for every-day use. I use Gowalla to socialize/discover new places. It's great for that, and I think that has a bigger long-term benefit.

By: Motersho

Motersho — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:29:07 +0000

Nice write up. I have only recently signed up and started using Foursquare and after reading this I think I will ignore Gowalla just stick to Foursquare.

By: JD Angel News » SXSW Film tickets – Will I get in at the door if i don’t get the pass?

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:32:42 +0000

[...] FourSquare vs. Gowalla at SXSWi 2010: We Have a Winner! [...]