Upscale "country club" game community

[undersan]

Is there a niche gamer demographic that wants an online game community, but doesn't want it to feel like Chuck E. Cheese's?

Enter my online country club idea! The website has a handful of theme-appropriate multiplayer flash games--tennis, golf, hunting, etc. All are turn-based or slow-paced, because frantic clicking starts to feel silly, like whack-a-mole at Chuck E. Cheese. The website and the games all share a distinct ink-and-watercolor art style. Guests can play for free, but club membership (and its perks) requires a donation, which keeps the site ad-free. Maybe half of the donation is given to a charity-of-the-month.

Here is the art style and atmosphere I want. (http://www.architectural-arts.com/yes%20cruise%20shio%20piwc.jpg) (source (http://www.architectural-arts.com/rend3.htm))

I'm mainly interested in hearing how badly this would flop, and why! :)

[lennard]

Did you create that artwork?

[KNau]

I can't see a problem with the concept, especially as the casual online gamer's age continues to skew older - into retiree territory. The idea of a private gamers "country club" would probably be appealing - although you may be more successful to combine it with news and information if you're going for more of an upper-class feel. Think of the things you do at a country club besides playing golf and you'll get the idea of what needs to be included with the site's services.

Definitely stay away from ad-click revenue. You may be able to consider a monthly sponsor for the site once you have the traffic to attract one. I can see getting "lifestyle" sponsors on board for something like this.

The art style goes a long way towards establishing your site as "quality" over the Big Fish / Real Arcade "cutesy" so you're definitely on the right track to differentiate yourself from the competition. The games and site design would have to meet those quality expectations, though.

Lastly, make sure to charge a premium price for the site if you want to maintain the air of quality and exclusiveness. With the right services I can see billing at least $100 bucks a year, enough to keep the casual browsers and kiddies out.

[sound app]

I think it's a great idea and as the others up pointed it, it has to be totally cred' with the target it's aiming at. You cannot decide to have a Country Club AND sub standard games, poor looking website & cheap music in the lobby... :)

Sorry, i cant think right now of any specific points why it should flop, cos I think it wouldn't if carefully done and develop. There's always a demand for more exclusive access for some ppl, and while most complain salaries are scarce, go figure: the LVMH (luxury products multinationale) share is booming on the stock market...
So, think of a few things that would separate your VIP client from the normal punter...things they would get at your Country Club and not elsewhere...tongue in cheek, probably, but not too much, with a decent mix of new things and old favorites. More pied de poule than denim, sure, but it still has to be more sporty than snobby.


go ahead, mind the Jag', parking spaces are few and far between in casuals...;)

ciao,
www.jmlederman.com
music to enhance your productions
composer of such lullabies as Atlantis, Atlantis Sky Patrol, Fairies, Mystic Inn, Titanic Hidden Expedition

[Sillysoft]

Is there a niche gamer demographic that wants an online game community, but doesn't want it to feel like Chuck E. Cheese's?

And if there is, how are you going to find them?

[undersan]

Thanks for the feedback, guys!
Did you create that artwork?Nope.
...things they would get at your Country Club and not elsewhere...tongue in cheek, probably...Ha! I love the idea of going "too far" with the country club theme. Either half-serious (tongue in cheek) or too-serious--an eccentric J. Peterman to Yahoo's soulless Sears catalog of games!
And if there is, how are you going to find them?That's probably just your polite way of saying, "You are not going to find them," but I'll answer the question anyway! :) I stole the J. Peterman reference from Seth Godin's book Purple Cow. I like his idea of a product that is "remarkable" in the literal sense. The website has to be remarkable enough to spread via word-of-mouth and (unpaid) press coverage. If it's not, then the concept isn't worth pursuing.