[yolesaber]

I had a dream the other night wherein there was a start-up that took custom code requests for 0x10c players on commission. Requests ranged from optimizing the ship's defense to autopilot and hyperspace jump controls.

Viable?

[DanBC]

For some definitions of viable. Perhaps taking the requests, and converting those into mechanical turk tasks would work. That'd allow the price to be low enough to be doable.

There's a market for minecraft servers, so anything's possible.

[xsmasher]

Due diligence is called for. Has this business model been successful in other games? Do you have some advantage over the throngs who will gladly do it for free / recognition?

[yolesaber]

While I can't think of a specific example, there are related precedents: consider the advent of the Mann Co. Store in TF2 where players purchase game items with real cash. There is definitely a model to be made off players with disposable income who want to be the top dog.

Your second question is a reservation that I have as well. We have already witnessed a huge influx of people coding up DCPU-16 software for free, but such programs are only related to the software engineering side of the spec rather than the actual gameplay. Obviously we know less about the latter since few details have been released, but in the competitive game I imagine it could be different. For example, to build a really awesome weapons system and then share it with other people seems a bit counter-intuitive. So there may be room yet for a business built on custom, clandestine code for a player's ship.

Gamers are already a demographic with money to spend. This could be seen as a worthwhile investment to some. If you are interested, email me and we can talk there.

[xsmasher]

I phrased it as a question because I don't know the answer either. I've heard that second life had a thriving economy of user-generated content and that some players "make a living" from the game; I've never seen hard numbers though.

I doubt the returns reach the proportions necessary to support a startup, especially with the low barriers for entry, competition from free alternatives, and piracy. Maybe it could support a single developer, though; more of a "lifestyle business."

[SoftwarePatent]

Absolutely. Maybe you can get acquired before the game is actually released! ;)

[dholowiski]

Time to fill out a YC application!

[aaronblohowiak]

small business, not startup

[falcolas]

Considering that the gold farming business runs revenue in the billions, the moniker of startup could definitely apply to a service catering to MMO gamers.