Lol, maybe one that will play it more.

Street Pass was one of my favorite features for the 3DS. It was also the best excuse to carry it around in my bag on standby mode along with the step counter/pedometer back when I was going through the motions of collecting coins.

The main problem with Street Pass is that the only thing you share is a Mii and access to whatever puzzle pieces they have unlocked. I know it's a security thing since a significant percentage of users are children, but it sort of defeats the purpose of having a social app when you have no way of knowing who you just shared your tiny bit of information with and no way of sending a message without coming into contact with them twice. But, it's not really a communication tool so no big deal.

Near, on the other hand almost borders on invasive if you opt to share everything. Whether that's good or bad depends on your level of paranoia or obsession with privacy (those rating high on either should probably disable Near). But between location, proximity, online ID and detailed gaming habits, that's a lot of information.

Of course this makes it easier than ever to find new people to play and communicate with as well as making it easier to communicate with existing PSN friends just by merit of always having a touch screen keyboard available for messaging on top of having chat available. Throw in Facebook and Twitter apps and you have a device that does everything but make phone calls until the Skype app goes online.

near is kind of stalkish. Almost exactly where you are... I can see all kind of bad with that.

ProdigyBam said: Gab said: Near seems neat, but not sure I understand all the features yet... Anyway, this is what people near me have been playing: Welcome Park 49 EA Sports FIFA Football 42 Rayman Origins 30 Lumines Electronic Symp. 28 Unit 13 Demo 22 Wipeout 2048 15 Motorstorm RC 6 Super Stardust Delta 6 Plants vs Zombies 3 Can you tell I live in Europe?! Anyway, nice to see some love for both Rayman and Lumines, quality games. And the success of Fifa I think will ensure continuing backing from EA. Nobody plays Uncharted? O.o

Well as I said, I don't really understand everything in Near. This list ("Out-and-About Chart") only shows game that I have also played. Not sure why, as the "Friends Chart" show all games like for example Uncharted and others that I don't own yet. 

But pretty much everyone will play Welcome Park, so the numbers for other games in comparison give a good indication of attach rate no? Or am I misinterpreting this chart here?

I can't agree with what you said about near, it can't be used to track someone down to their door. There no map and you can only update your location once an hour. If your really parinoind about it you can list your house or work area as off limits so no one can see you. It's pretty sweet, I just wish more people would share their info.

@Mmmfishtacos What if you use Google Maps?

why are you in this thread? you always negative. 

yes you can track someone with google maps on any devise, Near is fantastic and from people who use both alot better then that street pass thing. 

@PlaystationGamer I never said streetpass was better. I don't know if near could be a great app or not, that's only if you used it.

One, it's only been about a week since release, so those who were 1st week buyers are probably still sorting through all the functions and apps.

Two, not everyone is going to necessarily want to share their info. Technically, it's no worse than PSN. Having access to other's trophy lists gives you an effective profile of their playing habits once they're on your friend list or if they use Home (since you can look up anyone's profile in Home).

The only difference is the proximity target, which as you mentioned doesn't drop a pin on the Map app where they're playing (that would be disturbing). It's really just a who's playing what in your neighborhood. 

Plus, I think you actually have to turn the "share my data" on before it does any of that. As I recall, it was off by default. 

Yes you MUST accept terms and conditions before near starts broadcasting.