Idea Competition $6,000 DNF Prize !

[GUA]

Hello everyone.

Two things happened to me today:

i) After tirelessly working to restore corrupt database on numerous sites I developed years ago, I found I had a backup of one: a perfect engine for a great site....

ii) I realised I had 6,000 DNF$

Basically I have a setup.
Gaia online, neopets etc etc are examples of online games. They always have a game aspect, and a social aspect.

The site I developed had both, however on looking at it now, I realize the game aspect is boring, and unexpandable.. thus I am looking for ideas.

You will note that Neopets.com and Gaia.com both utilize a lot of artwork. I would like an idea that is NOT dependent on a lot of artwork (simply as it adds another time/cost factor into the equation).

Basically what I want is an idea for an online game.. preferably something new and/or unique. It can be ridiculously simple... you buy a blob, and eat other peoples blobs or something complicated.

Basically prizes will be based on the best suggestions, but 1st place will get at least $3,000DNF. My only stipulation is that there must be a reasonable number of suggestions: you wont win the $DNF simply for being the only poster

Let your creative juices flow.
Cheers

[ksinclair]

have some cute characters, and they can each be followed on twitter; but on your site, that is called being Admirers. your users can upload a new character so it can start accruing admirers. show the top 10, etc

mabye they can have Parties. it can all be done in text. anyone can 'attend' the party by using twitter to Follow the party.

[GUA]

Originally Posted by ksinclair

have some cute characters, and they can each be followed on twitter; but on your site, that is called being Admirers. your users can upload a new character so it can start accruing admirers. show the top 10, etc

mabye they can have Parties. it can all be done in text. anyone can 'attend' the party by using twitter to Follow the party.

Cheers for the suggestion, but I feel that is a little too social media...

Ideally I am looking for a stand alone concept.

[GUA]

I was expecting more than 1 entry... how dead is dnf..?

[ordersomething]

I'm sure that $6,000 will get you some real ideas.

[ksinclair]

Originally Posted by GUA

I was expecting more than 1 entry... how dead is dnf..?

Then, I win! lol

[elius]

im still not sure if I understand what you're looking for.
When I read your post the first time it made me think about creating a green game (because of the gaia reference). You could make a sort of sim where you're rewarded if your environmentally friendly and punished when you drive around in your car, leave lights on.
Or you can make a sort of pacman game where cars chase you, the little innocent animal and you get points for eating your veggies.
Just some ideas..

[GUA]

Essentially I am looking for an idea for a browser based online game. We will definitely have a winner, so get your ideas in.

[mjreine]

How about a web based stock market simulator game... buy/trade

Except instead of trading stocks, do domains! You would get fake news about that domain and depending on how you react it would test your business prowess on real world data of past domains trades.. i.e. what was a good buy and what ones didnt work out.

That would be fun...Then you could run adsense on it to monetize it. Kind of a domain monopoly / stock market game. What do you think?

[amplify]

Coming from someone who used to own/operate an online RPG with mid-to-high XX,XXX active user base and at any given time mid XXX online at once,

I've come to learn that people enjoy creating something of their own through an idea. No matter your concept you choose, someone will still play and that someone will still refer their friends to play if it is promoted just right (I believe I spent $200/mo on advertising and the rest of referrals came by word of mouth).

Pick a theme, any theme, build on it-- and people will come.

I first started out with Robots and then went on to create other games focused around "technology and disaster" (end of the world type of thing).

If I'm reading your post right, I'd assume you know all that but you're just finding it difficult to find a niche everyone will enjoy-- but don't forget that it's the internet and someone will always be there to enjoy.

I suppose my suggestion to you is creating abstract characters that somehow interact with each other (fighting, building communities, etc). Text based with minimal graphics.

I've also found that turn based games; whether on this concept or not, aren't as popular because they limit game play per day (and some people love to play all day!). So, I'd shy away from that.

PM me if you would like to brainstorm ideas for games though, glad to help.

Hope that helped at all.

[GUA]

Ill bump this one more time, and if nothing further is posted Ill sort out some prizes.
Thanks