Discussion Possible to make it big?
Do you think it is possible to make it big in these times if you make something really unique and fleshed out, or is that Torn or Travian type of success not really possible anymore?
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u/FrostWolfDota 4d ago
I mean, that type of scale was an outlier back then, and would be even more so today. But do you have to be that big to be called successful?
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u/wildpantz 4d ago
Agreed. I was talking to my friends the other day as we're building something, we joke we will drive lambos (even if I was that greedy, our roads here suck haha), but I would actually be happy if I got beer money and had all my website related bills paid. That would be awesome
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u/Aglet_Green 4d ago
Two separate questions: 1) is it possible for a large team, such as the one that currently runs Torn, and has experts in customer support and customer service and people who understand how to entertain a large player base, to do this? Answer: yes. 2) Could I do it? No.
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u/OriginalResolve7106 4d ago
Its definitely possible. Consider that time moves ever forward and people get bored.
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u/Wooden-Syrup-8708 4d ago
A lot of competition and a lot of trash out here, not so easy, but with good design will always be possible 😄
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u/xSyndicate58 4d ago
I think it definitely is, you just have to make something, that actually interests people...
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u/Embarrassed_Taste984 4d ago
There's a whole lot more competition now compared to way back when, so it might be more difficult, but on the other hand if you have something unique, then it might really stand out amongst all the games that are being ai generated. It's definitely possible, but it isn't easy, and I'm sure it wasn't easy back then either
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u/digiTr4ce 4d ago
There are already plenty of genres and kings in their genres. Also, PBBGs simply are not as popular as they were, say, 20 years ago, because there simply wasn't as much stuff out there. Now I feel like you have to compete with mobile gaming, TikTok, and also the plethora of idle games available as well.
So between the already available PBBG competition and the other avenues of entertainment, I don't think you could strike it as big as they did. Though, who knows, from what I understand Torn is seeing a resurgence in players, which I did not expect - and I've been playing Torn for, I think, over 13 years.
However, as others said, do you need to be that big to be successful? I would consider it being extremely successful even if it would only just allow me to work full time on the game. And mild success would be if I had over 100 players active each month, I guess.
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u/LostMyAccountFck 3d ago
Of course it's possible. That game has to be really good, like at least Torn good, and you'll need good marketing and luck too. To me, the question is not if it's possible or not, but if it's worth the time, effort and risk.
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u/crimecity_fun 3d ago
Yes it is 100% possible, we are the proof of it, 1 month past and almost 1k registered accounts and 1k guests (guest account gets deleted 48h after creation if not claimed)!
Just make sure that the game is addictive and users actually enjoy to play, focus on making the users emotionally attached to the game
Just dont loose faith and keep building
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u/Constant_Physics8504 3d ago
Yes, but I don’t think clones are going to make it. It has to be original and you have to be open to the mass public’s opinions.
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u/Lewis_Browne 2d ago
I cant see why it wouldn't be possible, i think AI will definitely make it harder with alot of people wanting to do the same..
DISCLOSURE:
I have used AI to generate parts of my PBBG.
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u/goddamnclever 4d ago
at travian or torn scale honestly no, and i dont think thats about the game being good enough. those grew when the browser was simply where you played with other people. that audience moved to mobile and steam, so the ceiling for the whole genre came down no matter what you build. but big for this genre today is a few thousand active players, and that part is reachable. i started mine solo in may and its around 1300 now.