Corporate Validation

[NathanR]

Ever been working on a project that you have been keeping pretty much close to your chest (private) and then seen a press release from a big game behemoth that outlines your entire plan?

http://kotaku.com/gaming/sony/rumor-sony-to-unveil-playstation-home-240746.php

I had that happen to me today. Of course ours is gonna be done in 3 weeks because we have been in development for 8 months already, so we'll beat them to the market, and we are in a different space than them.

But the point is, its a dual experience no? Im excited that my hard work has just been validated by the fact that big money / big business is about to do the same thing. They must think its a pretty good idea. The other side of that coin is that now Im gonna get diluted. My idea isnt that unique any more.

I dont dwell on the negative though. Im actually really excited to get that kind of validation.

Before you warm up those flame throwers, Im not claiming to be the first person to think of unlocking avatar based upgrades, or rooms for them, based on achievements. I have actually played Animal Crossing. :D

[luggage]

Have you seen Habbo Hotel (http://www.habbo.com)? Sounds something like that.

[NathanR]

Yeah habbo hotel was in my case study for "Do people like to collect virtual crap as a reward? Why? Can it be monetized?" Included in there too was Maple Story, WoW, and The Sims.

The answer was a resounding yes. Although answering the "why" question with "yes" got me some wierd looks. ;)

[electronicStar]

This happens all the time, no idea is ever "unique".
(Especially not this idea you're talking about)

[Nexic]

Do people like to collect virtual crap as a reward? Why? Can it be monetized?

I think this has been common knowledge for a very long time (even pre-diablo). No need to answer why since it applies to pretty much everything. Even plain text muds sell items with no 'power', visual or status value.

[LilGames]

My idea isnt that unique any more.

As already said, it never was all that unique anyways. (Habbo Hotel has been around since 2000, and people have been trying to copy its success the entire time).

So don't worry about it. Your success will all depend on implementation and marketing.

[Gary the Llama]

Funny because Sony did the same thing to me with Little Big World that was announced on the same day. I was hoping to create a 2D co-op teamwork-based side scroller and then they unveiled a game that looks like a Pixar movie. :(

[cliffski]

"The kicker is that this is going to be a new requirement for every PS3 game..."

Oh joy.
That's why I hate consoles. Here's microsoft saying every game for XNA MUST use or support the xbox controller, and then MUST use the same online matchmaking as halo. Then sony chime in with all games MUST do this and support that.
Why don't we tell all the game designers what colors to use too, and also how many levels each game has, and insist that they even have levels, and we can insist that they all have the same front end interface, and same system for save games, and then...

Creativity happens when people are left to do their own thing. I would hate to think that there was some group of middle aged executives somewhere dictating ANYTHING about how PC games should be designed.

[Nikster]

On the note of little big world, I've just seen it, looks really nice for those who haven't seen it (http://kotaku.com/gaming/littlebigplanet/clips-littlebigplanet-242305.php)

[Pyabo]

Why don't we tell all the game designers what colors to use too, and also how many levels each game has, and insist that they even have levels, and we can insist that they all have the same front end interface, and same system for save games, and then...


For several of these things, they *do* insist...

[NathanR]

As already said, it never was all that unique anyways. (Habbo Hotel has been around since 2000, and people have been trying to copy its success the entire time).

So don't worry about it. Your success will all depend on implementation and marketing.


This happens all the time, no idea is ever "unique".
(Especially not this idea you're talking about)

People seem to be missing the point here.

Im not worried. Im saying that its a GOOD thing. I was bringing up the point of validation...

The way I was executing the system was unique. Nobody else was doing it quite like us, but the closest one I have seen so far now is Sony, who also isnt doing it. They just announced they will be in the future.

Thats a nice feeling, to have your little idea validated.

Thats all Im sayin. People on this forum are really quick to hen peck arent they?

[LilGames]

I prefer to rooster peck.