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Going on the Webcomic model.

Started by Levi Kornelsen, June 12, 2008, 08:39:09 PM

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Levi Kornelsen

I've made a fair bit of noise about how game companies need to reinvent the model by which they do things online...   So, I'm putting my money where my mouth is at.  My blog has been refurbished over at http://www.amagi-games.com/ , and I'm tossing up stuff for free, straight into the Public Domain.

I figured people here might be curious about how that goes, so.  Here's what I've learned so far (some from reading, some from the minor experiences to date):

1. This is very do-able for solo "hobby creators".  I was originally under the impression that it would be hard as hell.  But it's actually pretty simple to do; I spent a day restructuing content to have a brand, another one getting to meet the advertising world, and then it was on, baby.

2. Regular, small, linked-up content is better than occasional bigs things.  On my site right now, people are reading the articles more than the full games, and they seem to be liking what they see.  This may be because many of them have seen the actual games before, but I'm assured by a couple of webcomic people that this generally holds true.

3. Project Wonderful, uh, Is. This is the site I'm using to put ads out there and drag people to the site (and which will also be supplying ads for me).  I've had ads out there for only a couple hours, and they're clearly doing their thing - the tracking center is very sweet, the "endless auction" idea is solid.  People with ad slots can set approval (so that nobody can advertise on your site without permission), stuff like that.  Big thumbs up.

Anyhow.  I'll brain-dump some more here when, ur, I actually know more - so far, I'm just settling in.

Blackleaf

I'll check it out. :)

(I've worked on a lot of webcomic business projects over the years.)

pspahn

Quote from: Levi KornelsenI've made a fair bit of noise about how game companies need to reinvent the model by which they do things online...   So, I'm putting my money where my mouth is at.  My blog has been refurbished over at http://www.amagi-games.com/ , and I'm tossing up stuff for free, straight into the Public Domain.

I figured people here might be curious about how that goes, so.  Here's what I've learned so far (some from reading, some from the minor experiences to date):

1. This is very do-able for solo "hobby creators".  I was originally under the impression that it would be hard as hell.  But it's actually pretty simple to do; I spent a day restructuing content to have a brand, another one getting to meet the advertising world, and then it was on, baby.

2. Regular, small, linked-up content is better than occasional bigs things.  On my site right now, people are reading the articles more than the full games, and they seem to be liking what they see.  This may be because many of them have seen the actual games before, but I'm assured by a couple of webcomic people that this generally holds true.

3. Project Wonderful, uh, Is. This is the site I'm using to put ads out there and drag people to the site (and which will also be supplying ads for me).  I've had ads out there for only a couple hours, and they're clearly doing their thing - the tracking center is very sweet, the "endless auction" idea is solid.  People with ad slots can set approval (so that nobody can advertise on your site without permission), stuff like that.  Big thumbs up.

Anyhow.  I'll brain-dump some more here when, ur, I actually know more - so far, I'm just settling in.
Hi Levi,

I'm not sure from the post what you're trying to accomplish.  Are you trying to generate awareness for your games or are you trying to make money with this and if so, can you explain it a little more?

Thanks,

Pete
Small Niche Games
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HinterWelt

I am always interested in new business models. I second Pete's questions though. I look forward to hearing more.

Thanks,
Bill
The RPG Haven - Talking about RPGs
My Site
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Levi Kornelsen

Quote from: pspahnI'm not sure from the post what you're trying to accomplish.  Are you trying to generate awareness for your games or are you trying to make money with this and if so, can you explain it a little more?

I'm trying, first, to not LOSE money hosting my stuff.  So far, it looks like I'm going to manage that.  Making money would be loverly, in time, but at this point, building up the number of interested and engaged people whups the hell out of that ideal.

Levi Kornelsen

4. Make it clear there will be more: Found this reading up on advice that webcomic artist give each other constantly - that any such site should have a "new material X often" on it; and that consistently providing X often (once / week at least) is a BIG DEAL.

Thought that was valuable.

Er...  Assuming folks are interested in these notes.

flyingmice

HI Levi:

Being a general dunce and slow on the uptake, I'm not understanding how you will potentially make money from this model. If you don't plan to make money, that's cool - and I understand the "trying not to lose money" bit. Thing is, is there a potential "make money" bit here? Because if there is a potential to make money, not just not lose money, then color me interested. Bill mentioned this as an alternative model for our Custom Generated RPG thing, but I had to confess deep lack of understanding. Tell me how you think this could work for mercenary fellows like me who aren't all that interested in the plaudits of our peers. :D

-clash
clash bowley * Flying Mice Games - an Imprint of Better Mousetrap Games
Flying Mice home page: http://jalan.flyingmice.com/flyingmice.html
Currently Designing: StarCluster 4 - Wavefront Empire
Last Releases: SC4 - Dark Orbital, SC4 - Out of the Ruins,  SC4 - Sabre & World
Blog: I FLY BY NIGHT

beejazz

So, by "webcomic model" are you saying you intend to make your money from ad revenue rather than from selling the product? If it's doable, that would be hella cool.

I'd have recommended OGL materials a year or two ago, but I'm not sure where all that's headed yet. I'd still recommend a single system for all your stuff and maybe some form of creative commons license, since making new and old material compatible might help with establishing a fan base.

For custom RPGs it seems like an odd model. With custom games, it seems like people wouldn't be coming back for more as often as they'd need to to keep the ad moneys up. I could be wrong.

Actually, you may be better off overall with pre-published adventures than with games, systems, settings, or what have you. Customers get one or two uses out of the material and then go back for more. I'd advise having *lots* of product for that, though, if it's going to be your mainstay.

Silverlion

Well I hope this works out. I know the "big project" version of gaming takes me forever. However, I can whip out something playable (not glitch free, just playable) in a day or two, so I'll watch closely to see what you do. I think there is a different level of interest--shorter games tend to be somehow, looked down upon, by some, in spite of being complete and playable.
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Levi Kornelsen

Quote from: beejazz ;216215So, by "webcomic model" are you saying you intend to make your money from ad revenue rather than from selling the product? If it's doable, that would be hella cool.

Ad revenue, physical ordering of merchandise that is available only in "boken up" form online, and so on.  Yep.

Quote from: beejazz ;216215I'd have recommended OGL materials a year or two ago, but I'm not sure where all that's headed yet. I'd still recommend a single system for all your stuff and maybe some form of creative commons license, since making new and old material compatible might help with establishing a fan base.

*grin*

I release directly to the public domain these days.  No copyright at all.

Anything of mine on Amagi is yours.  Do with it what you wish.

Levi Kornelsen

Quote from: flyingmice ;216203Thing is, is there a potential "make money" bit here? Because if there is a potential to make money, not just not lose money, then color me interested.

There is such a potential, yes.

However.  At present, I'm only beginning to explore it.  And there are a fuckton of hit and miss components.

As another note:

Recieving an endorsement from an established webcomic artist, while advertising on their site?  

Is holy shit good for traffic.  Alina from "weregeek" (a webcomic about LARP nerds) mentioned me on her site earlier today.  I have a little banner on her site.  My traffic from that site was something like 200 new visitors above the numbers from the day before, just from that.

And the article up was the "more play from your game" one, which is, like, quite basic stuff almost everyone already knows.  I don't think it was the big pull.

Oh, other note:

HAVE AN RSS FEED.

flyingmice

Quote from: Levi Kornelsen;217002There is such a potential, yes.

However.  At present, I'm only beginning to explore it.  And there are a fuckton of hit and miss components.

As another note:

Recieving an endorsement from an established webcomic artist, while advertising on their site?  

Is holy shit good for traffic.  Alina from "weregeek" (a webcomic about LARP nerds) mentioned me on her site earlier today.  I have a little banner on her site.  My traffic from that site was something like 200 new visitors above the numbers from the day before, just from that.

And the article up was the "more play from your game" one, which is, like, quite basic stuff almost everyone already knows.  I don't think it was the big pull.

Oh, other note:

HAVE AN RSS FEED.

Congrats, Levi! I wish you all the best, and will be watching closely how it goes! Perhaps "fools rush in where angels fear to tread," but if the "fools" didn't rush in, no-one would ever go anywhere. :D

-clash
clash bowley * Flying Mice Games - an Imprint of Better Mousetrap Games
Flying Mice home page: http://jalan.flyingmice.com/flyingmice.html
Currently Designing: StarCluster 4 - Wavefront Empire
Last Releases: SC4 - Dark Orbital, SC4 - Out of the Ruins,  SC4 - Sabre & World
Blog: I FLY BY NIGHT

Levi Kornelsen

Quote from: flyingmice;217145Congrats, Levi! I wish you all the best, and will be watching closely how it goes! Perhaps "fools rush in where angels fear to tread," but if the "fools" didn't rush in, no-one would ever go anywhere. :D

-clash

Very much so, I suspect.

Among the top possible outcomes for me is one where, in the future, I get called "A clumsy forerunner of a now-common small-press idea".

SuperSooga

This is really interesting stuff, I'll keep on eye on your site for sure. Definitely something I've considered trying myself but I lack the time commitment to be able to ensure regular content.

VBWyrde

Quote from: Levi Kornelsen;215488Anyhow.  I'll brain-dump some more here when, ur, I actually know more - so far, I'm just settling in.

I checked out the website and read the intro and an article "Get More Play In Your Game".   Good job.  Clean and crisp.   I haven't read the Far Towers PDF but I'll try to get to it later.  8 Pages?!   I'm curious!   Ok well keep us informed.  Looks good so far - fo shizzle.
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