Posted September 30, 2013
Well, in my last topic I realize that I don't offer any idea to help GOG staff to reach more people, especially how to make the public, in general, and developers, specifically, pick GOG as their preferential platform at the time to buy/offer games.
So, I start to meditate about it:
Offer discounts and free games? Nope, every Digital Distributor do it.
Offer exclusive games/content? Here wins who ever manage to thrown the max $$$ quantity possible. Although a temporary exclusivity could help, temporary, increase $$$ income, I don't know how much will worth it in long term, or if GOG its able to carry on with this heavy investment.
Make contest, competitions with very juicy prizes? Well, we need to know from GOG staff how effective those are. For what we can see, seems to be those have a reasonable impact.
But all these tactics are quite common and all competitors use them regularly. So, the real deal its how make GOG unique? Even more unique than already it is with this amazing DRM-free policy, plus all those free bonus content??? (that represent a hard investment, I'm sure)
Despite many people believe, the real force behind a successful site like GOG isn't their games, or they features, its offers or discounts, its HOW they convince the consumers that their offer its way better than other websites. Just see Steam: all those folks are totally convinced that its a gift from heavens, that they don't use DRM at any grade, that Steam software its totally harmless and not intrusive and they can keep their games they pay forever, but just a single infraction and your entire account could disappear instantly and you CAN'T sued them (no, not my case, or any person/friend that I know).
[I'm aware that this idea its not so original, but the way that could be implemented perhaps it is]
Well, the first step must be to make costumers believe that this website its more than just a virtual store, where they buy whatever they want and then leave and no care about it at all until next crazy discount offer/free games announcement.
I think one way to do it, is by creating a genuine User Interface that resemble an specific videogame/genre and create the illusion that you're entering, not merely to a common store, but a videogame lobby, an videogame hall that prepares you to play the game you want to buy, the game you came to look for. This UI must wake great enthusiasm in the consumer's mind.
This UI must be divided in two stages: one, a general UI, open to whoever enter GOG.com. Could be thematic, according to current offer/spotlight game. The second one, configurable according to customers liking when they log in its account. At first needs to be simple, and its necessary at least 3 different options (such as RPG UI, RTS UI, Adventure UI). As the customers acquires more points* these UIs increase in complexity and also they can earn other UI types.
*(Some may know for others digital distributors, that in order to increase earnings, they offer points for each sale, and those points could be exchange it for goodies, physical or virtual or to buy more games)
Also, customers can acquire "ancient treasures". In the same way archaeologist unearthed objects from the past, and often those represent a huge surprise, and also have incalculable valor, these treasures should be some of the most iconic elements from different games (Duke Nukem googles, Witcher medallion, the hand of Dugeon Keeper, etc, etc, you get the idea right?) and must have such high visual quality to be so precious to their owners that they truly felt having found a real treasure. (I don't know it this is possible due to copyright issues, so probably GOG staff should consult with their lawyers). These treasures are something similar to trophies and achievements, but since GOG can't offer any intrusive software to account these features, I prefer to obtained them in this way.
In order to encourage more to customers to acquire points, every user profile should be possible to visit and admire it current UI and it "Chamber of Treasures", where all unearthed artifacts are accumulated.
I know that create a videogame-like UI will cost money, time and effort, but take it as an investment.
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Another idea that come to my mind was a community treasure hunt. The prize: a free game to all. But since this demand a heavy investment from GOG, they could use one of those games released for free to all, such as Fly of the Amazon Queen, GTA1, C&C1, etc, etc. (I know FotAQ its already added, I just put it as example).
In order to create a more dynamic community, that really cares about this website, these treasure hunts must be solved by us, in a group effort to solve the clues, riddles and whatever GOG staff throw us (this is similar to what GOG do for its 5 anniversary, but taken to the next level). Of course all must be relate to the game to be released.
I think 2 weeks or 1 month to solve the "mystery" would be enough time to make the greatest amount of GOG members participate. At the end, if we solve it, GOG include that free game, otherwise, they start again with other title. Later we could have another chance. Or they could release it but without any bonus content. Or any other punishment they deem appropriate.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Also, we can use those points or use our ancient treasures to unlock some physical goodies or discounts. Since GOG its very close to CD Projeckt, we could start with awesome physical goodies from Witcher series: posters, mugshots, keychains, tshirts, hoodies, miniatures, clothmaps, etc, etc, etc, etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Now, talking about those points, you can earn them by buying games (obviously), in contest, helping in forums and treasure hunts and other activities that GOG staff or other users may suggest.
So, I start to meditate about it:
Offer discounts and free games? Nope, every Digital Distributor do it.
Offer exclusive games/content? Here wins who ever manage to thrown the max $$$ quantity possible. Although a temporary exclusivity could help, temporary, increase $$$ income, I don't know how much will worth it in long term, or if GOG its able to carry on with this heavy investment.
Make contest, competitions with very juicy prizes? Well, we need to know from GOG staff how effective those are. For what we can see, seems to be those have a reasonable impact.
But all these tactics are quite common and all competitors use them regularly. So, the real deal its how make GOG unique? Even more unique than already it is with this amazing DRM-free policy, plus all those free bonus content??? (that represent a hard investment, I'm sure)
Despite many people believe, the real force behind a successful site like GOG isn't their games, or they features, its offers or discounts, its HOW they convince the consumers that their offer its way better than other websites. Just see Steam: all those folks are totally convinced that its a gift from heavens, that they don't use DRM at any grade, that Steam software its totally harmless and not intrusive and they can keep their games they pay forever, but just a single infraction and your entire account could disappear instantly and you CAN'T sued them (no, not my case, or any person/friend that I know).
[I'm aware that this idea its not so original, but the way that could be implemented perhaps it is]
Well, the first step must be to make costumers believe that this website its more than just a virtual store, where they buy whatever they want and then leave and no care about it at all until next crazy discount offer/free games announcement.
I think one way to do it, is by creating a genuine User Interface that resemble an specific videogame/genre and create the illusion that you're entering, not merely to a common store, but a videogame lobby, an videogame hall that prepares you to play the game you want to buy, the game you came to look for. This UI must wake great enthusiasm in the consumer's mind.
This UI must be divided in two stages: one, a general UI, open to whoever enter GOG.com. Could be thematic, according to current offer/spotlight game. The second one, configurable according to customers liking when they log in its account. At first needs to be simple, and its necessary at least 3 different options (such as RPG UI, RTS UI, Adventure UI). As the customers acquires more points* these UIs increase in complexity and also they can earn other UI types.
*(Some may know for others digital distributors, that in order to increase earnings, they offer points for each sale, and those points could be exchange it for goodies, physical or virtual or to buy more games)
Also, customers can acquire "ancient treasures". In the same way archaeologist unearthed objects from the past, and often those represent a huge surprise, and also have incalculable valor, these treasures should be some of the most iconic elements from different games (Duke Nukem googles, Witcher medallion, the hand of Dugeon Keeper, etc, etc, you get the idea right?) and must have such high visual quality to be so precious to their owners that they truly felt having found a real treasure. (I don't know it this is possible due to copyright issues, so probably GOG staff should consult with their lawyers). These treasures are something similar to trophies and achievements, but since GOG can't offer any intrusive software to account these features, I prefer to obtained them in this way.
In order to encourage more to customers to acquire points, every user profile should be possible to visit and admire it current UI and it "Chamber of Treasures", where all unearthed artifacts are accumulated.
I know that create a videogame-like UI will cost money, time and effort, but take it as an investment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Another idea that come to my mind was a community treasure hunt. The prize: a free game to all. But since this demand a heavy investment from GOG, they could use one of those games released for free to all, such as Fly of the Amazon Queen, GTA1, C&C1, etc, etc. (I know FotAQ its already added, I just put it as example).
In order to create a more dynamic community, that really cares about this website, these treasure hunts must be solved by us, in a group effort to solve the clues, riddles and whatever GOG staff throw us (this is similar to what GOG do for its 5 anniversary, but taken to the next level). Of course all must be relate to the game to be released.
I think 2 weeks or 1 month to solve the "mystery" would be enough time to make the greatest amount of GOG members participate. At the end, if we solve it, GOG include that free game, otherwise, they start again with other title. Later we could have another chance. Or they could release it but without any bonus content. Or any other punishment they deem appropriate.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Also, we can use those points or use our ancient treasures to unlock some physical goodies or discounts. Since GOG its very close to CD Projeckt, we could start with awesome physical goodies from Witcher series: posters, mugshots, keychains, tshirts, hoodies, miniatures, clothmaps, etc, etc, etc, etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Now, talking about those points, you can earn them by buying games (obviously), in contest, helping in forums and treasure hunts and other activities that GOG staff or other users may suggest.
Post edited September 30, 2013 by ElPrimordial
