Web 2.0 Games Site

[dchesterton]

Hello all,
I have recently acquired a domain name which i am thinking of developing into an online games site and i have a template ready. I know there are literally 1000's of them out there and that is why i wanted to know your opinions on how to set myself apart from the crowd.

What would make you go back to a gaming site?
What features would you expect from a gaming site?
Would you use a forum on a gaming site?
Would you pay to access extra features? What would these features have to be?
Any other thoughts?

I was thinking about a Web 2.0 type of site, RSS feeds, AJAX, maybe integration with flickr so users can display screenshots/photos etc. What do you think?

Please tell me your thoughts, :D

 

[LeetPCUser]

I would not play a forum game site, but that is me personally. I would love to see a game site that doesn't popup with an add everytime you click a new link. Make sure the front page is not too flashy or in your face with ads. Ads are allowed just don't overuse and abuse them. If I found a good games site without a lot of ads, I would go there quite frequently. Also, try to set yourself apart by getting unique games and unique things for members. Do not charge the members as well, but have a premium membership or something for $4.99 a year where you can get more games. Then hold raffles and stuff, when they take a survey and give you feedback, and offer them in to win memberships and what have you. This way you get user feedback and reward them .

Hope this wasn't too long and helped,

 

[dongan]

tricks of cheating
games reviews

 

[dchesterton]

Thanks a lot for the replies.

I wasn't planning on having popups cos i know exactly how that feels and if i feel like that chances are every1 else does. I will have adverts though, probably google/yahoo ads and maybe one other. I will post the design in the website review section when i have completed it :D

I wasn't going to charge users to view the games, i had in mind something similar to what you said, e.g. a premium membership, which would have more games BUT i wanted to know if there were any other features which would persuade users to part with their cash, i was thinking maybe an e-mail account, e.g. [email protected]. Sorry, should have explained that a bit better in my original post.

I like the idea of raffles and such. I want it to be a very community type site where users can interact with the site, in short a web 2.0 site, so raffles and surveys would work well.

dongan, what do you mean when you say tricks of cheating? sorry.

Any other ideas about what could set us apart from everyone else? I am serious about developing this and already have a possible partner. Thanks :D

 

[def1]

I would suggest adding a games site with a forum in a seperate page but thats just me.

 

[mstocker]

How about custom branded games, where you can put your information into a game which you pay for?

 

[StardustWD]

The forum would be a seperate page, but kind of integrated into the main site. I dunno mstocker, that's a lot of work!!

 

[mstocker]

Yea but you know me, i like a challenge and will learn it all quickly lol.

EDIT : Anyway, Dan, how are you going to get a E-Mail service then? Won't that be a bit costly?

 

[dchesterton]

For anyone who hadn't worked it out, matt is helping me out with the site.

I will have to make sure i get a host with unlimited e-mails, although hosting is going to be a problem, does anyone have a hosting company that needs a website in return for a year/2 years hosting? Contact me @ dchesterton [at] gmail [dot] com if you do.

We have been brainstorming ideas and have come up with a few extra bits. What we really need is something to set us apart from all the other online gaming sites! That is where i am going with the web 2.0 idea, it's different and hasn't been done before. Anyone else got any ideas? Will give NP$ for great ideas!!!!

Anyone interested in helping, any ideas or queries please e-mail us at [email protected]. Thanks! :D

 

[mstocker]

Yeah, i must say that i am lucky to work with such a skilled web-designer.
(Phew, no more flatterey for a while )

I am the one who does the flash and other stuff.

You can email us at:

[email protected]

[email protected]

And our site email is:
[email protected]

If you have any help you can give us please feel free to email us at the above addresses.

Thanks

 

[dchesterton]

Thanks for everyone's feedback, we greatly appreciate it. We have looked at the various comments, ideas and general feedback and have created a questionnaire/survey. Could you please take the time to fill it in, will only take a couple of minutes and your feedback will be greatly appreciated!

Survey: http://www.my3q.com/home2/84/pointclickplay/46470.phtml

Thanks,

 

[dchesterton]

If anyone is interested, i have just posted a first deisgn in the 'web design reviews' section: http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?p=954502#post954502 :D

Thanks,

 

[readyman]

It has already been said, but unique games are what get people to come back, I think. I would also make sure to submit your unique games to all of the other gaming sites, so they can display your games with your branding (and an easy way for them to get to your website at the startup page of your game displayed on your competitions website).