Gettin Down to Business
Here's the business plan I thought of last night and have been mulling over ever since. Looking at it now, I'm not sure if it would ever be that profitable, but it seems like something fun to do. Here it is.
Real Playing Game
(temporary name)
Life is the greatest RPG.
INTRODUCTION
This business idea aims to combine elements of the RPG genre with an outlet for people to work towards their own self-improvement and, overall, build a fun activity-based community in the real world as well as online. The idea itself is pretty simple: “Life is the greatest RPG,” as the mantra goes, and we want to provide the customer with an outlet to see that concept become reality.
Customers will be allowed the opportunity to measure their real world RPG-styled attributes: Strength, Endurance, Charisma, and other fairly familiar attributes, through a series of scientifically accurate tests. For example, when testing Endurance, a VO2 max test can administered (often used on athletes to measure their fitness) and an appropriate “level” assigned after the results are measured. These and other attribute levels will be recorded for the customer, who can later come in again to test their progress and see themselves “level up.” Customers can have the choice of comparing these levels with the levels of other customers.
Besides attributes, customers will be allowed the option to create their own nickname, persona, and biography (not to be limited to the fantasy genre; creatively, these things are entirely up to the customer), which is linked to the attribute tests that the customer partakes in. This persona will be available online (through the business’ website), in the form of an avatar that this person can use to interact with other customers (like Habbo Hotel).
In addition, the business will put together RPG-like events to further bolster community cohesiveness. Certain real-world items, to be determined by the business, will be hidden somewhere in the Bay Area every couple weeks with a clue given on the website on the item’s location. The item itself is worth gold and/or has certain “magical properties” that can improve an Attribute. In addition to these item hunts, other quests may be introduced throughout the month that may be worth a combination of gold, experience, or attribute points. Lastly, at the end of every month (or so), larger events will take place where customers can get together to form “parties” and collectively partake in a quest that will be worth more extravagant rewards.
The goal of this business idea is to encourage individuals to strive for self-improvement (whether this is becoming more fit, or more knowledgeable, or simply becoming more sociable) through a fun, community-based outlet (RPG style). RPGs, more specifically MMORPGs, are already extremely popular amongst a broad segment of society; people from all walks of life play World of Warcraft and other online RPGs. The goal of this business idea is to capture that drive to “be better” online and transfer it to a drive to “be better” in the real world. This business idea will be seen as a positive force that encourages people to interact and personally enrich themselves, while at the same time introducing a fun environment that blends fantasy into reality. As a society people are increasingly becoming more involved with virtual realities at the cost of actual reality. This business idea aims to bring the appeals of the virtual into the real.
TERMS
The following RPG terms will be used for “the game” and are subject to change.
Character nick: your character nickname, as well as biography, looks, etc. For a fee an artist can create the character based off what the customer looks like plus whatever the customer wants included (for example, a customer may want an eyepatch and a monkey tail). Or the customer can submit their own artwork, provided they follow certain guidelines. It must be emphasized that this isn’t necessarily fantasy-oriented. It can quite literally be anything the customer chooses.
Character level: you level up as you gain Experience. Experience is gained in a variety of ways. Character level is displayed on the business website and physically in the store. Character level ranks how “good” you are compared to others.
Experience: gained through quests, party quests, Attribute test-taking, Attribute leveling, automatically each month you are a member, and other ways.
Attributes: these are scientifically tested, online or at the store, and may or may not cost money. Strength, Power, Endurance (Stamina), Speed, Agility, Accuracy, Flexibility, Charisma, Intelligence, Wisdom, Luck, Courage. Each have levels tied to the customer’s overall profile.
Gold: not real gold obviously, it is entirely virtual. Can be gained through quests, party quests, automatically each month you are a member, selling certain items, and other ways. Gold can be used to buy certain items from the store. Note that these items ARE NOT virtual; they are quite literally things at the business establishment (obviously they won’t actually be worth a whole lot). Some of these items will be made by the business; others through craft-making contests, which levels Craftmanship attribute.
ATTRIBUTES
These attributes are a work-in-progress and need to be researched further. Testing for these attributes may take place at the business establishment itself (store), or online on the business’ website. Some of these tests may cost money, some may not. A customer can choose to take none or all the tests (a customer may want to simply create a character that has no attributes). It is advantageous to take all the attribute tests, as they help in party quests and other events and allow a customer to be ranked on the Absolute Level scoreboard.
Each attributes have two kinds of levels. There are Relative Levels, meaning a level that is only measured against yourself. The first time you take the test, the results are recorded and are automatically assigned to level one. Each time you improve in the test, you increase in level. This is a more personal measuring stick aimed for people who wish to only see their own progress and are not interested in competing with others.
Absolute Level takes into account all customers registered with the business. Results of tests are compared to other customers and levels are assigned based off of that. Note: this may be changed to a more defined level system, where certain results, irregardless of others, means a certain level. For example, a VO2 max level test result of 4.5 l/min means you’re a level 5 Endurance.
Each time a customer takes a test, they get experience. Each time they level an attribute, they gain more experience. A customer can test a certain attribute only once per day (subject to change).
The following are proposed attributes and their tests (needs a lot of work and is obviously subject to change).
Strength: physical strength, upper-body and lower. Tests: high rep weight lifting (how many reps can you do?). Push-ups?
Power: physical power, upper body and lower. Tests: low rep weight lifting (how much weight can you lift?)
Endurance: could be called Stamina, subject to change. Tests: VO2 max test via running. I imagine this would cost some money since the equipment is expensive. Other tests, how fast you can run a mile? And other Endurance-specific tests.
Speed: running speed. Tests: timed 100m, 200m, ideally on a track.
Agility: the ability to turn at different directions and at different angles quickly. Tests: the Illinois agility test (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_agility_test)
Accuracy: hand-eye coordination. Tests: hitting a target with darts, bow and arrow, and/or airsoft gun. Other hand-eye coordination tests need to be researched
Flexibility: how far can you stretch your legs and other parts of your body. Tests: measure how far you can touch your toes, etc.
Intelligence: your reasoning, problem-solving, etc. Tests: IQ test, Brain Age-like tests?
Knowledge: the amount of facts that you know. Tests: subject-based tests, as well as trivia
Charisma: your persuasiveness, charm, and leadership abilities. Tests: every week there is a debate/speech prompt and people record themselves giving an argument or speech (doesn’t have to be political). Customers vote for the best speech online. Winners level up as well as gain experience. Voting gives you experience.
Wisdom: a deep understanding of situations and the ability to produce optimum results. Tests: your level is automatically determined by your actual age plus how long you’ve been a member. You can also increase it through a series of question and answer tests (needs to be researched further).
Luck: how lucky you are. Tests: any luck game will do.
Courage: not so sure about this one, but was thinking you could test it by giving people challenges and having them video tape them doing the challenge (obviously nothing dangerous, but perhaps making people do things outside their comfort zone).
Craftmanship: how skilled you are in crafting shit. Tests: each week there is a prompt for a craft (relatively inexpensive to make). Crafts are voted on and the best craft earns the user experience and a level to their craftsmanship. The craft is sold to the store for gold and can later be bought as a an item with “magical properties.”
Some of these attributes might not be so scientific in their measurements and might have to be scrapped. Some might be too hard to fairly measure. Regardless, these attributes can be divided into two groups, physical and mental. There’s potential for more and obviously there needs to be more research into these attributes and how they actually translate into the real world.
QUESTS AND PARTY QUESTS
Quests aim to get people more involved with their community. It requires customers to go out and do something in their community and a successful completion of the quest rewards the user with gold, experience, and/or attribute leveling.
Every week an item will be hidden somewhere in the Bay Area and a clue about the item’s whereabouts will be given on the website. The first person to find the item announces it on the website and brings the item to the store. Finding the item earns the user gold, experience, and/or the item itself. The item might have “magical properties” that give the user Attribute levels, or the item may be given magical properties at a later date.
Party quests are more elaborate and are at the end of each month. People must register ahead of time so that parties can be assigned. On the day of the party quest everyone gathers at the store and are given an elaborate fantastic tale along with instructions on what to do next. Each party must solve a clue to get to the next destination, and at each destination there is a task that requires a certain Attribute level to complete. The first party to complete all the tasks and get back to the store first get experience, gold, and/or Attribute levels.
BUSINESS MODEL
Whether this is a viable business model is hard to tell. There will be need for a physical location for a store, somewhere accessible to most people in the Bay Area. There will be a need for a website. Both will cost some money. And of course time to test people, keep track of their scores, put together quests, and the like.
To offset costs, there should be a membership fee. To attract the most amount of people will require payment options. Regardless of the payment option, a customer must register with their name so that we can keep track of their status. Some proposed payment options:
- Character creator: register in store or online, providing basic information as well as a character nick (a nickname, a biography, some other purely aesthetic qualities, and an artistic rendition of the customer). The art itself is the part that will take time as well as professional ability, so if a customer wants this option: $5? (note: if a customer wants to provide the art himself, following certain guidelines, the cost is free). Upon character creation, you get an avatar on the business’ website as well as access to quests and party quests.
- Attributes tests: individually each test will vary in cost. $5 or less to perform the test, keep track of the results, and tie it to the customer’s account, which is visible on the website.
- Membership: Character creator plus unlimited testing (only one test per day per attribute) plus some other advantages. Monthly fee: $20?
There really isn’t any overhead to speak of. There will be a need for equipment for attribute testing, but in terms of inventory or whatnot, nothing really. Items particular to the game will be hand-made, perhaps somehow officially marked to authenticate them. In summary:
Revenues: customer membership, character creator, attributes test
health snacks, drinks?
Costs: store rent, electricity, internet
equipment for testing (one time costs)
website fees
Before any of this should be implemented some research needs to be done. What tests should be employed? What’s the most current scientific research on a given Attribute? And of course, people will need to be surveyed to see how much interest is really out there. I feel athletes should be targeted, because most athletes are interested in their own fitness levels. And RPG enthusiasts obviously.
Real Playing Game
(temporary name)
Life is the greatest RPG.
INTRODUCTION
This business idea aims to combine elements of the RPG genre with an outlet for people to work towards their own self-improvement and, overall, build a fun activity-based community in the real world as well as online. The idea itself is pretty simple: “Life is the greatest RPG,” as the mantra goes, and we want to provide the customer with an outlet to see that concept become reality.
Customers will be allowed the opportunity to measure their real world RPG-styled attributes: Strength, Endurance, Charisma, and other fairly familiar attributes, through a series of scientifically accurate tests. For example, when testing Endurance, a VO2 max test can administered (often used on athletes to measure their fitness) and an appropriate “level” assigned after the results are measured. These and other attribute levels will be recorded for the customer, who can later come in again to test their progress and see themselves “level up.” Customers can have the choice of comparing these levels with the levels of other customers.
Besides attributes, customers will be allowed the option to create their own nickname, persona, and biography (not to be limited to the fantasy genre; creatively, these things are entirely up to the customer), which is linked to the attribute tests that the customer partakes in. This persona will be available online (through the business’ website), in the form of an avatar that this person can use to interact with other customers (like Habbo Hotel).
In addition, the business will put together RPG-like events to further bolster community cohesiveness. Certain real-world items, to be determined by the business, will be hidden somewhere in the Bay Area every couple weeks with a clue given on the website on the item’s location. The item itself is worth gold and/or has certain “magical properties” that can improve an Attribute. In addition to these item hunts, other quests may be introduced throughout the month that may be worth a combination of gold, experience, or attribute points. Lastly, at the end of every month (or so), larger events will take place where customers can get together to form “parties” and collectively partake in a quest that will be worth more extravagant rewards.
The goal of this business idea is to encourage individuals to strive for self-improvement (whether this is becoming more fit, or more knowledgeable, or simply becoming more sociable) through a fun, community-based outlet (RPG style). RPGs, more specifically MMORPGs, are already extremely popular amongst a broad segment of society; people from all walks of life play World of Warcraft and other online RPGs. The goal of this business idea is to capture that drive to “be better” online and transfer it to a drive to “be better” in the real world. This business idea will be seen as a positive force that encourages people to interact and personally enrich themselves, while at the same time introducing a fun environment that blends fantasy into reality. As a society people are increasingly becoming more involved with virtual realities at the cost of actual reality. This business idea aims to bring the appeals of the virtual into the real.
TERMS
The following RPG terms will be used for “the game” and are subject to change.
Character nick: your character nickname, as well as biography, looks, etc. For a fee an artist can create the character based off what the customer looks like plus whatever the customer wants included (for example, a customer may want an eyepatch and a monkey tail). Or the customer can submit their own artwork, provided they follow certain guidelines. It must be emphasized that this isn’t necessarily fantasy-oriented. It can quite literally be anything the customer chooses.
Character level: you level up as you gain Experience. Experience is gained in a variety of ways. Character level is displayed on the business website and physically in the store. Character level ranks how “good” you are compared to others.
Experience: gained through quests, party quests, Attribute test-taking, Attribute leveling, automatically each month you are a member, and other ways.
Attributes: these are scientifically tested, online or at the store, and may or may not cost money. Strength, Power, Endurance (Stamina), Speed, Agility, Accuracy, Flexibility, Charisma, Intelligence, Wisdom, Luck, Courage. Each have levels tied to the customer’s overall profile.
Gold: not real gold obviously, it is entirely virtual. Can be gained through quests, party quests, automatically each month you are a member, selling certain items, and other ways. Gold can be used to buy certain items from the store. Note that these items ARE NOT virtual; they are quite literally things at the business establishment (obviously they won’t actually be worth a whole lot). Some of these items will be made by the business; others through craft-making contests, which levels Craftmanship attribute.
ATTRIBUTES
These attributes are a work-in-progress and need to be researched further. Testing for these attributes may take place at the business establishment itself (store), or online on the business’ website. Some of these tests may cost money, some may not. A customer can choose to take none or all the tests (a customer may want to simply create a character that has no attributes). It is advantageous to take all the attribute tests, as they help in party quests and other events and allow a customer to be ranked on the Absolute Level scoreboard.
Each attributes have two kinds of levels. There are Relative Levels, meaning a level that is only measured against yourself. The first time you take the test, the results are recorded and are automatically assigned to level one. Each time you improve in the test, you increase in level. This is a more personal measuring stick aimed for people who wish to only see their own progress and are not interested in competing with others.
Absolute Level takes into account all customers registered with the business. Results of tests are compared to other customers and levels are assigned based off of that. Note: this may be changed to a more defined level system, where certain results, irregardless of others, means a certain level. For example, a VO2 max level test result of 4.5 l/min means you’re a level 5 Endurance.
Each time a customer takes a test, they get experience. Each time they level an attribute, they gain more experience. A customer can test a certain attribute only once per day (subject to change).
The following are proposed attributes and their tests (needs a lot of work and is obviously subject to change).
Strength: physical strength, upper-body and lower. Tests: high rep weight lifting (how many reps can you do?). Push-ups?
Power: physical power, upper body and lower. Tests: low rep weight lifting (how much weight can you lift?)
Endurance: could be called Stamina, subject to change. Tests: VO2 max test via running. I imagine this would cost some money since the equipment is expensive. Other tests, how fast you can run a mile? And other Endurance-specific tests.
Speed: running speed. Tests: timed 100m, 200m, ideally on a track.
Agility: the ability to turn at different directions and at different angles quickly. Tests: the Illinois agility test (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_agility_test)
Accuracy: hand-eye coordination. Tests: hitting a target with darts, bow and arrow, and/or airsoft gun. Other hand-eye coordination tests need to be researched
Flexibility: how far can you stretch your legs and other parts of your body. Tests: measure how far you can touch your toes, etc.
Intelligence: your reasoning, problem-solving, etc. Tests: IQ test, Brain Age-like tests?
Knowledge: the amount of facts that you know. Tests: subject-based tests, as well as trivia
Charisma: your persuasiveness, charm, and leadership abilities. Tests: every week there is a debate/speech prompt and people record themselves giving an argument or speech (doesn’t have to be political). Customers vote for the best speech online. Winners level up as well as gain experience. Voting gives you experience.
Wisdom: a deep understanding of situations and the ability to produce optimum results. Tests: your level is automatically determined by your actual age plus how long you’ve been a member. You can also increase it through a series of question and answer tests (needs to be researched further).
Luck: how lucky you are. Tests: any luck game will do.
Courage: not so sure about this one, but was thinking you could test it by giving people challenges and having them video tape them doing the challenge (obviously nothing dangerous, but perhaps making people do things outside their comfort zone).
Craftmanship: how skilled you are in crafting shit. Tests: each week there is a prompt for a craft (relatively inexpensive to make). Crafts are voted on and the best craft earns the user experience and a level to their craftsmanship. The craft is sold to the store for gold and can later be bought as a an item with “magical properties.”
Some of these attributes might not be so scientific in their measurements and might have to be scrapped. Some might be too hard to fairly measure. Regardless, these attributes can be divided into two groups, physical and mental. There’s potential for more and obviously there needs to be more research into these attributes and how they actually translate into the real world.
QUESTS AND PARTY QUESTS
Quests aim to get people more involved with their community. It requires customers to go out and do something in their community and a successful completion of the quest rewards the user with gold, experience, and/or attribute leveling.
Every week an item will be hidden somewhere in the Bay Area and a clue about the item’s whereabouts will be given on the website. The first person to find the item announces it on the website and brings the item to the store. Finding the item earns the user gold, experience, and/or the item itself. The item might have “magical properties” that give the user Attribute levels, or the item may be given magical properties at a later date.
Party quests are more elaborate and are at the end of each month. People must register ahead of time so that parties can be assigned. On the day of the party quest everyone gathers at the store and are given an elaborate fantastic tale along with instructions on what to do next. Each party must solve a clue to get to the next destination, and at each destination there is a task that requires a certain Attribute level to complete. The first party to complete all the tasks and get back to the store first get experience, gold, and/or Attribute levels.
BUSINESS MODEL
Whether this is a viable business model is hard to tell. There will be need for a physical location for a store, somewhere accessible to most people in the Bay Area. There will be a need for a website. Both will cost some money. And of course time to test people, keep track of their scores, put together quests, and the like.
To offset costs, there should be a membership fee. To attract the most amount of people will require payment options. Regardless of the payment option, a customer must register with their name so that we can keep track of their status. Some proposed payment options:
- Character creator: register in store or online, providing basic information as well as a character nick (a nickname, a biography, some other purely aesthetic qualities, and an artistic rendition of the customer). The art itself is the part that will take time as well as professional ability, so if a customer wants this option: $5? (note: if a customer wants to provide the art himself, following certain guidelines, the cost is free). Upon character creation, you get an avatar on the business’ website as well as access to quests and party quests.
- Attributes tests: individually each test will vary in cost. $5 or less to perform the test, keep track of the results, and tie it to the customer’s account, which is visible on the website.
- Membership: Character creator plus unlimited testing (only one test per day per attribute) plus some other advantages. Monthly fee: $20?
There really isn’t any overhead to speak of. There will be a need for equipment for attribute testing, but in terms of inventory or whatnot, nothing really. Items particular to the game will be hand-made, perhaps somehow officially marked to authenticate them. In summary:
Revenues: customer membership, character creator, attributes test
health snacks, drinks?
Costs: store rent, electricity, internet
equipment for testing (one time costs)
website fees
Before any of this should be implemented some research needs to be done. What tests should be employed? What’s the most current scientific research on a given Attribute? And of course, people will need to be surveyed to see how much interest is really out there. I feel athletes should be targeted, because most athletes are interested in their own fitness levels. And RPG enthusiasts obviously.
Comments
But yeah I tend to agree, there needs to be more incentives for Attribute leveling. The only incentives I can think of is: rankings, i.e. so-and-so has the highest Power level, so-and-so is second highest, etc. and maybe at the end of the month prizes are awarded to the highest rankers. I also think it should be somehow incorporated into the quests, like the party reaches a stage and it says something like "requires a level 9 power character, otherwise go this way."
Please feel free to add anything to this, especially about the attributes.
By the way, I don't think I've played as many RPGs as much as you guys, so if you have any ideas about Attributes that you think you can add (or delete if you think something won't fit) comment on it. Also, just any aspects of the RPG genre in general that you think could be implemented.