My Gameplan

[GodsGal]

I thought you'd all like to know what I've been planning, and this could possibly be an idea/help guide for other people trying to create pet sites.

Here's my gameplan.
Once the site is mainly working I'll put up a teaser page, and that way I'll be able to get beta testers too. (Please note that I'm NOT opening in BETA to the public, because that could cause some problems) I'm going to try to wait and not open it to the public until there are lots of features and there's almost no chance of people seeing the site as "boring" initially. I think that's the problem with a lot of the new pet sites, they open before they really have any features and then everyone check it out, sees that it's like every other new virtual pet site out there, and leaves. I know from experience, because I have a tendency to do that. I'm planning on initially stocking the site with TONS of updates every day or week. I'll probably open with about 10 pets and then start releasing new ones like mad for a couple weeks, then slowing it down so people can get settled in. I'll still keep adding tons of new items over a short amount of time. I'll be adding fun stuff all the time too(quests, games, trivia, new features, etc)

[cpvr]

Great gameplan! That's the best way to do it, make sure you don't open up early. You need to open up when you think your site is ready to be released. When you enter BETA, are you going to have beta testers?

[GodsGal]

Great gameplan! That's the best way to do it, make sure you don't open up early. You need to open up when you think your site is ready to be released. When you enter BETA, are you going to have beta testers?

I know, it's all too true about the ones that open too soon. I can list a few (but I won't, I don't want to cause any trouble) that I have joined because I thought they looked like they had potential, but then I realized there was not much to go on or the owners didn't update it much.

I will have a few beta testers. It will mainly be me, my friends, and family though, but I'll probably accept a few outside acquaintances to get a wider scope of things.

[Roguos]

Sounds good. Thats one of the main things I look for in a site, lots of features.

[Fly]

Sounds good to me too. I'm a food junkie when it comes to food items. lol

Unlike most people, I actually do feed my pets everyday.

[webbdh2003]

I know, it's all too true about the ones that open too soon. I can list a few (but I won't, I don't want to cause any trouble) that I have joined because I thought they looked like they had potential, but then I realized there was not much to go on or the owners didn't update it much.

I will have a few beta testers. It will mainly be me, my friends, and family though, but I'll probably accept a few outside acquaintances to get a wider scope of things.

well if you do, I'll be interested in applying for a beta tester job.

[GodsGal]

I am glad to see more people replying to this topic after so long. I'm always happy to see any type of enthusiasm or interest in anything I do!

Sounds good. Thats one of the main things I look for in a site, lots of features.
Yeah, exactly my point. Sorta like....well, let's use Subeta as an example. I don't even LIKE the site but I got addicted to it at one point because of all the features. So I'll take that as lots of features=lots of participation. It gives people stuff to do and keeps them on the site. Like, as much as I like Nutrinopets or liked Chibipaws when it was still up, I always ended up being non-participant after awhile because of the lack of features.

Sounds good to me too. I'm a food junkie when it comes to food items. lol

Unlike most people, I actually do feed my pets everyday.
Yeah...I don't usually feed my pets. Not because I can't, not because I don't want to, but because I don't stay on the sites very long and the sites I'm on are set up so you can go forever without feeding the pets and they won't get sick or die. I do feel bad about it sometimes, though.

I'll take your comment to mind, and make a lot of food items. Actually, I'm hoping to have a lot of every kind of item before I even open the site to beta testing.

well if you do, I'll be interested in applying for a beta tester job.
Thanks, I'll try and remember that when I open it! It's nice to have volunteers. :)

[Fly]

I play on Neo, so I know you can just let them go forever without food... but I can't stand a hungry Koi! lol

Some sites I join, then never go back because of either: Lack of updates, no timely updates, or updates that are silly.

Are you planning on having rare pets? Like you can only get one on a certain day, or something like that?

Are you going to have games that can make you rich quickly? I don't care for those kind of sites, it's too easy to "win" at them.

Are the pets going to be "cute" or "mean" looking? I ask because I have a soft spot for cute, so if they're going to be mean looking, I'll have to have a "special pet" just for Fly. ~chuckle~

[GodsGal]

Are you planning on having rare pets? Like you can only get one on a certain day, or something like that?

Are you going to have games that can make you rich quickly? I don't care for those kind of sites, it's too easy to "win" at them.

Are the pets going to be "cute" or "mean" looking? I ask because I have a soft spot for cute, so if they're going to be mean looking, I'll have to have a "special pet" just for Fly. ~chuckle~

Yes, I am planning on having a few rare pets. I'm even thinking of POSSIBLY having some types that you can only get though breeding. :)

I'm planning on having games that give money, but not games that make you super rich. It's more rewarding to get rich over time by progressing through the game, although it's nice to have some options for how to make the money.

The pets are going to be cute. I just can't draw mean/ugly/evil things. I don't like to. There will be a few ferocious/wild ones, but no really mean looking ones.

There will also be plenty of hidden features, including, of course, the usual "hidden avatars," "random events," etc., plus several other things that are unique to this game. I would love to reveal them, but I guess you'll just have to wait.

[revopets]

Another thing:

It's generally a good idea to purchase your domain name in advance. There are plenty of people that aren't past purchasing all of the domains of an upcoming site and charging the person starting up the pet site double, triple, or more to buy the domain.

[webbdh2003]

Thanks, I'll try and remember that when I open it! It's nice to have volunteers. :)

You welcome. :)

[GodsGal]

Another thing:

It's generally a good idea to purchase your domain name in advance. There are plenty of people that aren't past purchasing all of the domains of an upcoming site and charging the person starting up the pet site double, triple, or more to buy the domain.

I want to purchase it in advance, but I still have to wait a bit. Theres a long way to go and I need money.

[revopets]

I want to purchase it in advance, but I still have to wait a bit. Theres a long way to go and I need money.

You don't have $9?

[GodsGal]

You don't have $9?

Lol actually not at the moment. (I'm actually 15, well, almost XD) But I will soon. Its just that my dad keeps getting at me saying "you dont need the domain now, it's too early" but I think I should buy it soon. But he's also acting like it'll take 2 years to get the main frame working. (hes my main PHP programmer/advisor and he hasnt been helping much lately lol) So.....I sorta need PHP coders. I can't pay real money right now, but I might be able to at some time...possibly soon.

I'm trying to figure out PHP by myself, but I'm new at it. XP

[webbdh2003]

Cool, I wish my parents knew a computer coding, but then it takes away my advantages over their computer illiterate-ness xD but yeah, good luck, it is good by the the domain though before it is taken--it insures you get what you want.