Card Games Website

[Dus10]

I was sitting down with my extended family this weekend playing card games... I do not know if this is all that popular anymore (games like: UNO, Canasta, Phase 10, etc). But, I figure online versions of these games would be popular.

Here is what I am considering. A website with a forum section for discussing games. In addition, there would be a reviews and recommendations section for games, and you could purchase the games right there. In addition, the website would offer online versions of games for free. You would get points for purchasing games, submitting reviews and reccomendations, etc... Then, you could take these points and enter in various online card gaming tournaments and the winner would get a small prize, like a free card game of their choice, a gift certificate, etc...

Does this sound profitable? I am not sure how much revenue I could generate from selling the games online... but getting points for purchasing them would increase the likelyhood of that. Also, plenty of ad revenue as long as I got traffic high.

[pentupentropy]

I'm actually putting together snoppler.com right now for someone for chat-based games. I'd have to say I didn't think it was their wisest decision, but it's completely free to them except for my setting up the software and their web designers. The problem you will run into with a gaming site. is how are you going to compete with Yahoo! and hoyle and all the game companies (parker bros, etc). It's not that you can't do it, but as far as business is concerned, how are you going to get revenue? Just from selling the games? One thing I have to tell you is that not a lot of game makers make very hack proof games, because there's no real money in it. Ever meet someone who plays zuma? I found lots of people online who I asked and maybe 1 in 10 actually paid for it, the rest were all hacked.

However, in the end, I don't want to put your idea down, just give you some forethought as to what you're looking at. ANything can work with the right marketing tools.

[pentupentropy]

heh.. networking is neat. I have an interview to do some consulting work with www.tribecatables.com. Is there anything you would like me to ask them? I'm sure they'll pitch the product and say it's perfect for you =)

[Dus10]

Well, I wasn't specifically looking for poker and gambling-type card games. My focus would be family oriented card games. Perhaps if they have any interest in that sort of thing. Also, I am interested to see if there are different ways you can setup games... normal play, tournament-style play, etc.

[Bleys]

Just remember you'll be competing with Yahoo, who already offers most of those games

(Except Uno, which is trademarked...)

[pentupentropy]

I just meant industry specific stuff. Not necessarily gambling, just in making card games, ways people cheat, things to look out for, etc.

[Dus10]

Yea, I would make it to where it did not really effect me, if they decide to cheat. Also, with games like Uno, you can make the same game... just give it a different name... using some language besides Spanish... perhaps Italian... Una!

[Bleys]

I'd be careful with that. You'll need to make some rule changes as well to avoid getting sued. You can't very well copy Monopoly and get away with by calling it Capitalism and renaming the properties.

For example, see how Yahoo copies Scrabble (Literati) with a different board design, and different letter values and ammounts. If the board and letter values were the same, Hasbro would sue.