Running a gaming review site

[JuggaDaku]

Hello, im wondering what kind of expenses i should expect when running a gaming review site. For now while getting it started I expect the console and game expenses. Does anyone have an idea of if this is something worth getting into. I know there are already the game review giants out there, but didn't they all start out small + look like crap. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ablaye]

Not much except for the cost of buying a domain name, paying for hosting, hiring a web designer and possibly one or more writers to write the reviews.

 

[JuggaDaku]

Not much except for the cost of buying a domain name, paying for hosting, hiring a web designer and possibly one or more writers to write the reviews.

Well see I do the designing and coding for that matter. I've got 3 more brothers who all love to play games to I figure its a good way to start something in the family. Umm.. i already have the domain registered, actually its been sitting around for a little over a year but i just havent been getting time to pursue it. Is there any way to estimate bandwith usage per certain amount of visitors, or does that all matter on how much content i have?

 

[Mike]

Content, format of the content - whether it's all text based or if there's video involved, are you streaming from elsewhere or uploading your own videos, which will most likely require your host to have ffmpeg on their servers. Then of course it matters how many users, how many pageviews, etc.
I wouldn't break a sweat just yet, get started with the host of your choice, and start with the lowest hosting package that satisfies your needs. Once you're coming close to your bandwith limit, you can seamlessly upgrade to the next higher package. In the meantime, don't forget about them monetization aspect of your project, after all, it's an investment you'd want to see Return on (ROI).

Best of luck!

IB

 

[JuggaDaku]

I see. I haven't read anything about ffmpeg but i guess i gotta look it up. Currently I don't want to use screens or vids from other sources, unless its something special or official. I would rather make my own screen and videos to show a different angle and hopefully thats what people will like. Thanks for the info.

One more thing. Say one day when it becomes popular don't gaming companies send you games and stuff to review for them. Thats pretty much how it works right?

 

[Mike]

I see. I haven't read anything about ffmpeg but i guess i gotta look it up. Currently I don't want to use screens or vids from other sources, unless its something special or official. I would rather make my own screen and videos to show a different angle and hopefully thats what people will like. Thanks for the info.

One more thing. Say one day when it becomes popular don't gaming companies send you games and stuff to review for them. Thats pretty much how it works right?

The only way for this to take place is when the gaming company sees potential profit by sending you a game to review. Not that it would cost them a fortune to send you a copy, but the labor involved in reviewing all their reviews and keep track of their PR work is the deciding factor there. There are tons of review sites out there, whether they're specialized on gaming or just general review sites, the one thing they all have in common - they depend on material to review. Since they're a dime a dozen, the companies chose the reviewers with the most traction & audience.
Up to this point, you'll have to do with downloading previews, polling friends and family who play certain games and once you can show decent audience numbers, knock on the door of gaming companies and talk to their PR folks.

hope this helps

IB

 

[ApeXX]

Well see I do the designing and coding for that matter. I've got 3 more brothers who all love to play games to I figure its a good way to start something in the family. Umm.. i already have the domain registered, actually its been sitting around for a little over a year but i just havent been getting time to pursue it. Is there any way to estimate bandwith usage per certain amount of visitors, or does that all matter on how much content i have?

Most "economy" hosting plans would work fine for your website until it became really popular. I would only estimate you would have to spend $3-$5 a month on hosting until the website really takes off.

If the site becomes very popular, with videos and pictures you would be best moving to dedicated (probably a cluster) servers. But that's a long way off, so I wouldn't worry about that now.

Good luck with everything! :tu:

 

[CrazyOldGoat]

Running a game review website at the moment. Start off reviewing your own games and putting screenshots and videos up - I wouldn't recommend taking your own videos and screenshots because it's too time consuming and unwatermarked videos and images are available which are perfectly fine. I'd recommend the website http://www.gamespress.com/ - this has lists of contacts for all deelopers and publishers so you can request review material and press releases when your site grows.

Another recommendation is to have a good content management system which allows you to introduce more features in the future as it is inevitable that you will need to add new features in the near future every so often.

Hope this helps,
Good luck,
-Ben

 

[BMFX]

First of to be honest most gaint gaming sites were started by game companys and most had large budgets.

You well likely need other reviewers inless you plan on renting every game you can get your hands on as well as all your consoles.

Starting budget i would suggest just as in systems is $3500, that gives you cover for game reviews ect as well as option to pay off other people to review the games.

 

[andygen]

Add the tactic on how easy play the game, more screen shot is better.