FanNation, Sports Illustrated’s foray into the daily fantasy scene, is a simplistic contest-driven experience that feels more like a pastime than a competition. There are free and paid contests, with entry fees capped at $20 for multi-player contests and $500 for head-to-head match-ups. Launched in July, FanNation was developed by Sports Illustrated in partnership with TopLine Games. It is a free download with no advertising, available on iOS only. Funds can be added via PayPal for paid contests. This review was conducted on an iPhone 5 version 7.1.2, with AT&T LTE service.
OVERACHIEVERS: Presently, two basic pro baseball contests are available -- TriplePlay and Baseball ThrowDown. Creating or joining a contest takes minutes, with users selecting only three players: pitcher, infielder and outfielder. Each player is given a value for their projected performance based on recent results, and contests are based on total points above projection. Stats and other relevant data are available within the app via player profiles, and sections titled Overachievers and Underachievers aid in roster decisions. The app is socially adept, allowing users to register via Facebook or invite friends to compete via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or SMS. Everything works smoothly, and the interface is pleasing to the eye. For paid games, users can add funds to their FanNation wallet using a PayPal account. This is a two-tap process for active PayPal users.
UNDERACHIEVERS: There are two contests available, but they are essentially the same thing in a head-to-head or multi-player format. For users without a PayPal account or credentials handy, the single-option for adding funds is a barrier to entry. The app does not contain a search tool for finding other users, which would be helpful when trying to invite other FanNation users into a contest. It would be nice to see whether any of my Facebook friends are already playing. Or even simpler, the app could offer a smart search field that pulls up users as text is entered. Finally, while the contests themselves are simple, the concept of fantasy equalizer points is confusing. It (sort of) makes sense, but after a week with the app, I am still wondering why the games aren’t based on a plus-minus of player performance projections.
BOTTOM LINE: FanNation is well built and cool, at first. Its simplicity is both good and bad. Good in that it provides fans with a basic competition to pass the time, and bad in that the contests are not that compelling. It feels a bit like sitting down to play a long, boring card game. Of the daily fantasy games out there, this one does not do it for me. But I have to give SI credit for entering the space with a product that works. There are not enough reviews on iTunes to constitute a rating, but I give this app 3 stars. The experience is sleek, and I like the design, but lackluster contests leave me wanting more. Perhaps FanNation will provide just that when contests for professional football, hockey, golf and basketball are released in the coming months.
Amie Sheridan (amie.sheridan31@gmail.com) is a freelance writer in Philadelphia.
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