Empire Avenue: Who Is Really Winning Here?

The new social media favorite right now is a “game” called Empire Avenue. But is it really a Game or a Tool to gauge someone’s social medial value…how well they use Social Media? While some people are flocking to EA, others are calling it outright evil.

What is your take on Empire Avenue?

Here is how Empire Avenue works?

The basics are:

• People’s social media profiles are turned into entities others can own stock in.
• Entity grow in value as content is created and shared with stockholders.
• When profiles from other accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, your blog, YouTube, etc.), are added to the entity’s profile even more value is created.
• Virtual currency called Eaves is earned by buying stock in others and benefiting from their dividends when their value rises.
• Messages or statements can be sent to internal communities, and network through shout-outs.
• Achievement badges are awarded for actions taken much like with Foursquare and other ‘Games’.

So, is it a good or bad idea?

Online proponents say:

• It validates and builds on a person’s social behaviors. Value is added by participating, so it makes sense your value increases with the volume of content created.
• EA has become very sticky. There’s lots of traction already on the site, and businesses are just making their way to the platform.
• Since EA is open source third-party developers are already creating interesting add-ons so more content can be created.
• There are lots of places (chat rooms and communities) for people to interact and connect.

People labeling evil say:

• It’s just another playground for the elitist; the people who think and say the same thing.
• It feeds the ego of the “in crowd” and is basically a popularity contest. 
• EA promotes the adage quantity (how much more noise can you create) versus quality.

So, the debate has begun.

Is Empire Avenue just another platform for more self-gratuitous back patting or is this a great, interactive way for businesses to connect with their best supporters?

What do you think?  Good, evil, or not interesting enough in the long term to be either?

Let me know how I can help.