Video game consulting business

[ELITEOFWARMAN8]

Thinking about a new business idea I have.... Video game consulting business in where I consult serious (Hardcore) clans on how to do things and set up fancy forums/websites for them for a small fee.

Thoughts?

Why not I thought. There these hardcore people who take games way to seriously like me, but unlike me, they spend hundreds a year on FPS servers + more on these fancy game sites so why not.

 

[JollyRoger]

You take payment in Red Bull?

 

[ELITEOFWARMAN8]

Paypal or if not that, send Cinnamon roasted cashews to my house.

 

[useless]

How old are you btw?

 

[ELITEOFWARMAN8]

20. I will be 21 in March. Why not. I am getting a minor in business so why not try a idea.

 

[JollyRoger]

Yep - it's good to learn things young. Do you plan on seeking the government protection of incorporation?

 

[Hygro]

if this is what you want to do, this is what you should do. I suggest transferring once you finish your two years at CC to a state university. Write your application about how you want to make an awesome VG consulting firm and will be taking the courses to achieve that.

 

[Formaldehyde]

There are already a number of websites which cater to clans and guilds. They provide a forum along with a title page which is easy to customize for whatever particular games that particular one supports.

Most every clan or guild I have ever belonged has some sort of forum. But an extreme few are actually used. The better ones are invariably run by someone who has web experience who is a member of that guild or clan.

 

[JollyRoger]

The first thing you should do is retain a lawyer to make sure you don't make any rookie mistakes on the legal front.

 

[Nick Carpathia]

I like this idea and hope you invest all your savings into it because you, the Captain of Industry, shall never fail.

 

[sophie]

Get a real job hippy!

 

[Mise]

Go for it, it seems like a low-risk venture. As in, you don't have to put much in up front ($20 on website + hosting seems like the only out-of-pocket expense), and it will only take up 10-15 hours a week of your time maybe.

Having said that, it probably won't make you a millionaire, and I doubt many hardcore gamers (who tend to be very techy themselves) will need your services, especially if you have no existing experience yourself. But as you say, why not, it's worth a shot.

 

[ELITEOFWARMAN8]

Get a real job hippy!

I'm in the process of getting a part-time job.... as a greeter or a server.

The first thing you should do is retain a lawyer to make sure you don't make any rookie mistakes on the legal front.

Got two in the family....

I like this idea and hope you invest all your savings into it because you, the Captain of Industry, shall never fail.

I so in hell hope not!

Go for it, it seems like a low-risk venture. As in, you don't have to put much in up front ($20 on website + hosting seems like the only out-of-pocket expense), and it will only take up 10-15 hours a week of your time maybe.

Having said that, it probably won't make you a millionaire, and I doubt many hardcore gamers (who tend to be very techy themselves) will need your services, especially if you have no existing experience yourself. But as you say, why not, it's worth a shot.

Indeed. It might only get me a few a year but hey, if I do, say, just 6 next year and make 30-60 dollars a job, or however much I will get, why not.

 

[peter grimes]

The first thing you should do is retain a lawyer to make sure you don't make any rookie mistakes on the legal front.

This is no joke. A friend of mine is trying to help out a guy who keeps getting Cease and Desist letters from the WarHammer publishers. This guy runs a site that's basically, from what I can tell, a lot like here - it's got some civilopedia stuff and a spread sheet dealie for unit calculations and stuff. But having an attorney would really simplify things for him.

Also, a lawyer can really smooth the setting up of a Partnership, LLC, or whatever sort of entity you're going to use to shield yourself. It may not seem like something you need to do, but you're better off playing by the rules. Of course, all that takes money, and cash flow is usually the biggest challenge in getting off the ground...

 

[Borachio]

Have you thought about merchandising? Gold medallions engraved with ELITEOFWARMAN8? Stuffed toys? That sort of thing?

 

[Zelig]

The first thing you should do is retain a lawyer to make sure you don't make any rookie mistakes on the legal front.

He should also retain an IT professional to make sure he doesn't make any rookie mistakes on the technology/security front.

 

[Borachio]

I think he needs a good subeditor. Not being funny, but some of Mr E's literacy skills need a bit of a polish. As do mine, too.

 

[warpus]

Should do some research as far as your target market goes.

I have a feeling that a large chunk of your target market is going to be kids living with their parents - who don't have much disposable income - or if they do, they'd rather spend it on games, at the mall, drugs, etc.

Figure out the demographics of your target market and if they would actually pay for something like this.

 

[The_J]

That demographics might consist out of 0 people.
Because if you're really a serious gaming clan with more than 3 people, and you don't have at least one person who knows how to set up a phpBB forum or something similar, then you're probably not that serious.
Giving "IT consulting" to people who are very likely to be very computer-literate in a field which does not really need consulting doesn't sound too promising.

 

[Mise]

Yeah I'm pretty sure there's no market for it, but it's not like he has anything to lose.

If he was investing his life savings into it or quitting his job to do this then this would be a really dumb idea.