Hello All,

Gamers, as a demographic group of consumers globally probably spend at least tens of billions of dollars US. (conservative estimate on my part) Now when was the last time you've ever heard of a "Travel Agency" catering travel itineraries towards that of gamers of any age group? To my knowledge Zilch, Zip, Nada.

This concept is to spark the profit motives of travel agencies to get into gear in regards to vacation packages for gamers.

Down below I'm going to remark about three potential outlets that travel agencies can market gamer vacation packages.

1) Taking tour groups of gamers to a convention that is being held to either the general public. Or get this, access special permission where only industry professionals can attend IE "E3". And take a tour operator group of traveling gamers into the convention under some supervision.

Gamer convention destinations can be the common: Comic-Con, DragonCon, Quake Con, SOE (Sony Online Entertainment) Fan Faire, and Blizzards "World of Warcraft" Faire,. The professional industry conventions as I mentioned earlier "Electronic Entertainment Expo aka E3, GDC (Game Developer Conference), CES (Consumer Electronics Show), or an event at the Academy of Arts & Sciences. These later conventions are for the gamer that cares to really geek out on the game industry. In terms of workshops, lectures, summits, all to learn more technically about how games are made.

2) The second variant a tour operator could take with gamers is hosting exclusive LAN (Land Area Networks) akin to a tournament. Let's say an area of California is seeking to boost tourism. While besides catering to business conventions, or run of the mill tourists, they can also host exclusive well marketed "Gamer Tournaments". Or sponsor an existing famous convention slash tournament like that of "Quake Con". Where the gamer tourist can be loaned a preference to a basic computer rig for gaming or a souped up machine for a LAN event....

Hello All,

For those of you that are PC gamers that have played multiple MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) game worlds in the course of your life so far. Will know that in each game world you play on your basically creating your avatar from scratch. What if you don't have to go that route any longer? What if you had the choice to play a "Master Avatar" that is created in your main MMO and can be transferred to other MMOG within reason. How many of you would enjoy such an option offered by a game publisher that hosts multiple MMO game titles? Let's say what if: SOE (Sony Online Entertainment), NC Soft, iJJi, Nexon, Aeria, and a lesser extent EA Games or Turbine Entertainment.

All of those game publishers if not others that offer 3 or more MMO game titles in their catalog. Could offer a value added option of the "Universal Avatar Service" or (UAS) for a shorthand acronym from now on in this description. I'll use references of SOE in my examples since I'm most familiar with their selection of MMO game titles.

Consider SOE that offers a premium subscriber plan called "Station Access" at $30 US each month. That a premium subscriber plan could offer already to its members at no additional charge minus some "up sell" Ala carte charges explained later on. For those game publishers listed above that are F2P business model mostly. Than a "Universal Avatar Service or (UAS)" can be utilized as an account upgrade option. If not for those F2P game publishers can offer a (UAS) feature at $10 to $20 US at a one time fee. Also the game publisher like SOE, NC Soft, EA Games (That owns Mythic Entertainment & Origin Systems makers of "Ultima Online" can choose to offer a (UAS) service plan as an account upgrade option. Can charge the aforementioned $10 to $20 one time fee plus an additional $3 to $5 US dollars each month. (if it wasn't offered via a premium subscriber plan like SOE's "Station Access"

Now that the general pricing scheme has...

Hello All,

This conceptual entry for the games industry is one I've had in my collection of notebooks. Many of us know about some game publishers throwing a convention each year for their customer base. One that comes directly to mind is "Sony Online Entertainment", which this has been going on for nearly a decade. In which case I'll use them as an obvious example as I explain how my concept will work out.

For those not aware what a game publisher annual convention entails for its customer base. Well there are various activities that are held. For example the most notable at least to me are the costume contents. That are contests held for the most note worthy costumes from one of the game worlds that players enjoy. Besides that there are game developer "meet and greets" regarding existing or new games in development from that particular game publisher. There may be some panel talks or workshops held about such and such a game world, particularly an MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online). There are most famously beautiful models dressed up for certain games being marketed at the time. Where game booths are concerned that showcase playable demo's for a future new game title or expansion to an existing game. And, lastly goodies or what is termed as "Swag", which is merchandising items handed out freely at the game booths.

To be honest I've never had the pleasure to attend such a gamers convention. So if i missed out an obvious show room floor activity you the reader will know why. The reason why I've never attended such a much lauded event is basically due to financial cost. It's not in my personal budget, which may be the majority reason why many gamers only read (watch videos) about such events and not attend them personally.

My concept would change all that by giving game publishers a bridge to reach their customer base in the virtual space. Hopefully as the real world gamer convention is being held by the game publisher at a bricks & mortar locale. In Sony's case...

Hello All,

This is a Reprint from my blog site "Atrayo's Oracle" from January 31, 2006.

As most gamers especially MMO ones are often qualified at least as "armchair game designers". Due to the fact they have consumed a lot of game content during the course of their hobby. With that said I would like to offer up another avenue of the TMA (Transmedia Access) term I have heard mentioned. Which is basically multiple game hardware devices all hooking up to the same game title. But each varying according to the type of game play offered. IE cell phones or portable game devices offer up a strategy layer, video game consoles an RPG layer and PC's the FPS component layer of game play to a specific game title.

My concept of "Rabbit Hole Gaming" piggybacks onto this TMA direction to gaming hardware inter-connectivity. Where say for example that cell phone of portable game device gamer encounters a puzzle in-game. After successfully solving it s/he obtains temporary access to a strategy portion of the game world. That often trickles down to the PC or video game console gamers during the course of their game session.

For the video console gamer during his/her own RPG game play can encounter a Pogo.com like java like game. Where upon unlocking such a mini java based game it would further their active quest in their quest journal. For The PC gamer whom during their FPS combat discovers a hidden area where non-combat related game skills are needed. Much like the video console gamer a java like game appears where a level has to be completed. Much like the fantasy based "Rogue" class has to unlock a trap in a treasure chest. This PC gamer has to complete a java based puzzle game level akin to a locked safe tumbler that plays like "Tetris". That would unlock additional game content in this randomly spawning hidden area in the game world.

Rabbit Hole Gaming is what binds further the enrichment of game play for all game hardware platforms. Tapping into the same...

Hello All,

For years now we as gamers with electronic games have reached achievement after achievement within a game title. Where by these milestones only served us in gaining additional ranks, in-game equipment, and status. Now with this concept the model for game achievements will evolve for the better and have a greater meaning to us.

Picture it when you reach anything from a trivial to majestic in-game achievements you'll be rewarded in kind by a retailer. Anything from using your first weapon in a FPS game title that offers you a retailer discount or cash rebate on your purchases. Up to in finishing a single player RPG game title by being rewarded a retailer or VISA cash gift card.

That in a nutshell is this idea that steps us forward as gamers in positive experiences. With a dual meaning for our game play and shopping habits being rewarded with another layer of incentives.

What I'm about to explain below are the intricacies of how such a plan could be pulled off by a company, game league outfit, or game publisher. This is not however one of those gimmicky programs that a gamer deposits his or her own cash to compete to win.

First, I consider this concept an evolution from what game developers already do to a game title. In terms of achievements, be they in the form of: trophies, badges, pins, or insignias in regarding a players milestone in the game title itself. Next, this concept also builds on top of what game publisher Microsoft has done with "Xbox Live" and by offering Xbox point reward system. That can be used for various downloads of media purchases be it: indie game titles, Tv episodes ala iTunes, or other offerings.

My evolution of this concept builds on what game developers and what Microsoft utilizes with Xbox points in a point system. And takes it to the next level by tying gamer achievements in a game title(s) to retailer incentives under 4 Tiers of awards. Where each achievement that is recorded in a game triggers a point system not unlike XBox Live utilizes....

Hi Guys,

Via a C-Net article called "Raising The Stakes in Social Gaming" (dated July 28th) depicts how entertainment companies like Disney, if not EA are buying up social gaming developers.

Quote

A recap: Walt Disney announced on Tuesday that it's acquiring Playdom, one of the biggest social-game manufacturers, for $563.2 million plus a potential $200 million more in performance-based payments. That makes Playdom Disney's third major casual-gaming buy in the past few years, after Club Penguin (about $300 million) and Tapulous, a mobile game manufacturer. This follows Electronic Arts' acquisition of Playfish last winter and GameStop's purchase of Kongregate, a smaller but still significant player in the market, this month. Keep in mind that virtual goods were already big among a more subcultural set, with virtual world Second Life and role-playing game "World of Warcraft" continuing to tick along as cult phenomena.

Now Google doesn't want to be left out from its rival in advertising aka FaceBook.

The "Wall Street Journal" placed an article today Link. That speaks on how Google is getting the ear of other social gaming company stakeholders be it: Zynga (Google owns a $100 million stake), EA with Playfish, and Playdom. In order to create a meta social gaming publisher platform that will be targeted strictly to social gamers.

Quote

It is unclear when Google may launch the new gaming offering and the plans aren't finalized, but people briefed on the matter said the games would be part of broader social-networking initiative that is under development by the Mountain View, Calif., company.


In an interview this week, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt declined to confirm the development of a social-networking service that would incorporate social games, rumored to be called "Google Me." When asked if Google's service might resemble Facebook's, Mr. Schmidt said "the world doesn't need a copy of the same thing."

Much like MMO's was the cash...

Hello All,

This question popped into my head will a game publishers exclusive DLC, be it paid or free with the purchase of a particular game title. Force an unhealthy competition between the modder community of say "Bad Company 2" a FPS title from Electronic Arts (EA)?

Right now gamers of the PC platform are waiting with baited breathe for each new DLC map pack. Never mind that EA / DICE is only releasing new game modes to the recent map packs of 2 & 3. This technically would cause friction in terms of effort and eyeballs with the modder community. To the remarks of EA / DICE that they won't release a mod editor to "Bad Company 2" (BC2). Because they are still learning and getting a handle on the game engine called "Frostbite" .

Is this subterfuge on the part of EA / DICE where all new content will only come from them in the form of DLC? (Downloadable Content) Or is this a stretch on my part where I'm just merely mistakened?

I was just using Electronic Arts as the most recent example of this potentially new trend. Where a game publishers DLC will clash with independent modders for just the love of the game. Yes, mod editor tools have extended the shelf life of many FPS multiplayer game titles. Besides RPG's like "Never Winter Nights" series to name one in that genre. But, now that DLC is coming into its own it will also extend the shelf life of a game for a game publisher. However it will generate additional income similar to micro-transactions for MMO F2P business model of games.

No doubt EA is the vanguard pushing hard on DLC for games like: Bad Company 2, Mass Effect 2, and Dragon Origins. Will EA through Bioware seek to insert the twin to DLC as in micro transactions in SW:TOR?

Time will tell especially as the game beta period gets closer.

How would modders feel to FPS or RPG games that DLC would rub them out of the picture?

Thank you for your remarks.

This is a cross post from my personal blog site called "Atrayo's Oracle" at:

http://atrayosoracle.blogspot.com

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Hello All,

For some my prediction may not be one at all due to the plethora of MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) game titles the Chinese are churning out each year. However in my opinion that's just an attempt to throw wet paper at the wall to see what sticks. From such a business strategy the Chinese will surely profit in 5 to 10 years time learning from the growing pains to follow. On how to: design, build, maintain, and hopefully prosper the MMO genre game market.

The past five to ten years the other Asian countries of Japan & South Korea will inadvertently open the door for the Chinese and Indian game developers. Allowing them to penetrate into the Western consumer pocketbooks. Notable success stories of Sony on the Japanese side if not other game companies such as Sega. Be it the video game console business or the MMO market with "Sony Online Entertainment". With South Korea's "NC Soft" in their line-up of MMO quality game titles.

Within the last five years or so Western game publishers have opened game studios be it in China or India respectively. Where the talent (labor) and costs of running a studio is cheap compared to the West. The quality of the staff is just as good if not superior in some respects. Consider the Chinese and Indian game studios are in the "training wheels period" learning what they can from their Western counter-parts. Expect all this to change within the next five years however as fledgling game developers start to launch in China & India.

One of the undercurrents I make such a prediction is the Chinese in particular will revolutionize group / population game dynamics and structures. The West has approached the player mentality of game design in a mindset of the rugged individualistic personal hero / heroine. The Chinese due to real factors of population...

Hello All,

Well I guess I'm still experimenting with my public X-Fire nickname. Instead of being "[TGW]FA|Atrayo" as associated with the TGW gamer community. I'll revert back to regular "Atrayo" for my handle.

The reason being instead of playing favorites over TGW or TOG. I'll just keep it neutral for the time being from now on.

Killer Squirrel, has been the first one to catch on after i made the change that very night. Let's see who else notices after some time. )

Right now game wise I'm finishing up "Saints Row 2". Where i picked it up as a bargain game title over at "Direct2Drive" anniversary special of $5. This game typically goes for $30 a download.

Otherwise a new campaign (as in the eighth one) over at TGW for BF 2142 is about to commence.

Hello There,

First off, thank you for visiting my humble gamers blog courtesy of "XFire".

I wanted to write something quick that after having my nick name here as "TOG|Atrayo" for a couple of years. I wanted to change it to the other FPS multiplayer community i'm active in as a staff member.

I'm still a 4 yr. plus TOGer. But my attention is more at "TGW" (Tournament Gaming World). Where i'm the "Forum Admin" and also heavily map test custom BF 2142 maps designed / converted by "Called". Just take a look at my screen shots where you'll see the bulk of my map testing sessions.

That's it for now.

As of right now i'm Map Testing "Bocage 2005" version 4.1 I believe for BF 2142 tournament over at TGW.