…you know the rest.
pinakidion again filling in for Scott in his absence. Actually, he is where I want to be right now, in NC at the beach.
A Business Experiment
Anyway, I hope to begin an experiment soon for one of my websites. I wanted to mention it here to see what you guys might think. Read through the Grand Unified Theory of Free first, because this is what my idea is based on.
For those that do not like to read big articles, here’ the bullet point version:
1. Redefine the market based on the benefits
2. Break the benefits down into scarce and infinite components.
3. Set the infinite components free, syndicate them, make them easy to get — all to increase the value of the scarce components
4. Charge for the scarce components that are tied to infinite components
(moveable type doesn’t have list buttons to easily create a list. AAARRGH!!)
The idea is to take a hobby and monetize it. It may not make me a fortune, but I figure that it will be a fun experiment. The particular hobby I have in mind is my love of games. This means board games, abstract games (like Go), role-playing games, card games, etc. So here’s how I break down the bullet point list:
1. The Market: The benefit is entertainment through playing games.
2. The Benefits:
Infinite component: The rules of the game.
Scarce Components: The preprinted books with the rules, the creators of the game, dice, game-playing aids (like miniatures, game boards, ), game conventions, game nights, attention of the public, access to the creators, merchandise, visual artists.
3. Infinite Components Set Free: Rules of the games.
4. Charge for scarce components: Sell books, dice, tokens, game aids, merchandise. Charge for game nights, game conventions, access to the game creators (and playtesting with them), commissioned products and artwork, access to artists.
One working model of this I’ve seen is, pardon the name, cheapass games.
There have been failure with similar business models. One of my favorite game systems, the Action! System is still around, though the company that created it is pretty much gone. Then again, they were primarily a role-playing game company. Outside of Steve Jackson and Hero Systems, it doesn’t look like anyone can compete with the juggernaut that is D&D. (In fact, they are coming out with 4th edition rules as we speak.)
Success for me would not be quitting my day job.
I mention it here because I see Scott coming up with various project all the time, and I thought that this one was similar in spirit. Let ‘er rip!!