Just throwing out an idea to see what Dopers think. Would you participate in a social networking site devoted to gamers and gaming? Imagine that it has a searchable database of video game players to help you find people with similar gaming interests, geographical locations, prefered play times, and similar information. And, maybe there could be a feature that matches you up with other gamers via a questionaire. Would you pay for something like that? Would you mind if there were ads on the website?
I might join, but pay? No. Most of the games I play either have decent online matching on their own or are hooked with Steam, so I can see who in my friends are playing (and I accept friend invites from people in games where we had a good time).
Now offline gaming, e.g. tabletop RPGs and board games and the like, I would most definitely consider paying if there was actually useful info for my area (read: giant market share, not a wee startup who will have maybe one person in my state).
I already use the Internets for that.
I may be wrong, but I think Steam might be adding a few of these features to their new UI overhaul that goes into effect soon. (it’s currently in open beta I think).
Also, wasn’t there already an Instant Messenger program that was similar to this, albeit not quite as in depth? I seem to remember seeing quite a few people using it at LAN parties a few years ago. I’m sure I’ll think of the name as soon as I post this…
X-Fire! That was it.
I can’t imagine how you’d do it without one or the other. Every other social networking website has ads. And I doubt you could get gamers gamers to pay for such a feature, so ads would have to be it.
Remember too that even Facebook didn’t actually turn a profit until less than a year ago.
This is mostly what the OP was talking about. No need for something new. I also wouldn’t pay for it.
How about existing forums like beyond3d.com and neogaf.com ?
Checking out X-fire, it looks like a setup for PC based gaming, but not consoles. Do you think console gamers would be interested? Also, X-fire appears to be pretty cluttered. Maybe a clean, simple interface would appeal to a broader base?
I figured as much about charging a fee. I probably wouldn’t pay for it either.
Existing forums are great, but tend to serve a niche. Maybe a site like I’m envisioning could provide a sort of directory to those kinds of boards, or suggest sites to visit based on the individuals preferences. (Maybe that could be a little revenue stream, too.)
Agreed, fluiddruid, a site like this would be useless if it didn’t have a ton of participation. Whe cares about searching 50-100 people. It would have to be tens of thousands to work.
Here’s another question: How **do **you find people to game with online for PC, or consoles?
Live is a PC and Xbox site. I don’t know any details as I don’t use it. It may include other platforms.
If you’re 25 or older, 2old2play.com.
Pay for something ? On the internet ? In the immortal words of Keanu Reeves : woah.
What do you think this is, 1997 ?
Wizards of the Coast tried to do this with Gleemax. It failed so hard that it cost Randy Buehler his job.