Play The Volvo Ocean Race Game!

In the spirit of the Volvo Ocean Race On-line Game, recently sat down for a virtual meeting with United Games CEO Marijn Harinck via Skype. In a week’s time, race fans will be able to race their virtual V70s to Cape Town from the warmth and comfort of home. The game is part of a comprehensive multi-media plan to engage more people with the Volvo Ocean Race.

Marijn explains how the game’s creators: United Games are really into sailing, having developed “Virtual Regatta” as a means to get people involved with sailing events world wide. With a few tweaks to an original platform, added functionality and the addition of online community components: this year’s virtual event should be a real treat for those following from home.

Race fans may now register for the game, though unable to engage play till October 11th. The game’s intention is to parallel the real deal. In theory, while crews of the participating teams make final preparations, you can set up your profile and become familiar with the rules, how-to’s, chat with your friends, encouraging fellow sailors and yachting enthusiast to get on board for some onshore play. When the race begins, you may as well.

The additional use of online community groups allows participants to play against fellow sailors, colleagues and followers around the globe. For example, Sailing World readers could potentially play against one another in addition to the big picture game. Gamers can have as many internal races as they’d like, while following the main event. One may need to quit their day job to keep pace.

Key points of interests for the Volvo Virtual Game, compared to that of the Barcelona World Race version, the creators have set it up for user success. Success meaning, if you have to step away from the game, your boat will follow the fleet, in the back end of course. They’ll keep you heading in the right direction. If you sign up late, your boat will start out in middle of the fleet.

From past experience and a lot of testing with people who know nothing about sailing, United Games have found the online user guide capable of getting a non-sailor up and running in about a half an hour. The hard core sailing enthusiast will likely catch on quickly and may find it a touch simplified. You’ll be able to play with sails and see two hour projections of boat speed as a result of the choices in sails and heading.

It’s important to note, the intention and goal of the game is to bring the actual event closer to home. When combined with all the media tools Volvo has set up, including the onboard media crew, Volvo Ocean Race will surely provide followers with plenty of daily entertainment for the duration.

Register For Game:http://www.volvooceanrace.org/multimedia/game/

How to Play:http://www.volvooceanracegame.org/support/howtoplay.php