'Early-adopters' has become a prize almost, a label sought after by those in the tech community, as a mark of someone forward thinking. It seems like one of the biggest problems with the tech community is that it is so incestuous...with so many applications being made, is anyone stopping to wonder if these have any resonance with non-techies? Anyways the problem with chasing that early-adopter label is that it really becomes much more about who is using the latest app, like a tech version of keeping up with the Jones' ... and less about someone seeing a great product and using it because it simplifies or somehow betters their lives.
BugFrog
· 1 year ago
Many game designers run into a similar issue. GD's are hardcore game users and start to make a game that appeals to their own demographic. When the game is done, only hardcore gamers are into it, and each hardcore gamer has a different idea of what the perfect game is. New Game A might hit that target for a minor percentage of of the market, but it will miss for a bunch more.
Experienced designers will try to make the game accessible and fun for many tastes, game goals, and usage patterns. Leveraging the early adopters as advocates is key. If they get involved and talk up the game, it gets a good reputation in groups that are considered knowledgeable. Then the second and third wave adopters find it and get involved. The churn of hardcore gamers can be volatile, so plan to keep or exit those players. Don't just abandon them.
Rambling conclusion: Pay attention and plan for when your audience shifts from early adopters to second (and eventually mass) market.
andrewhyde
· 1 year ago
I have always been amazed by game designers... so much passion, so much time.
Great example.
Matt Emmi
· 1 year ago
Andrew, Have you read "Crossing the Chasam"? It directly addresses the differences in early adopters and early majority customers. The single best read of my MBA, and very pertinent to your post here:
I can so relate. Most early adopters have bright shiny object syndrome; they pick a technology or a website because "it's new!" or "it's the wave of the future" and then they're off onto the next thing before they've even found the problems with the existing technology.
I'd be fine with early adopters if they were just 'there at the time', but they're not -- they're a particular demographic, and a fickle one at that.
andrewhyde
· 1 year ago
always rough, but sometimes they really are right... startup to startup..
jeremyvaught
· 1 year ago
Plurk?! Is that a joke? Because even I have used it and moved on when it was obvious it was a huge time suck.
andrewhyde
· 1 year ago
I really wish it was :)
firewallender
· 1 year ago
Plurk. Ughhhhhh. So unsightly.
Another thing to keep in mind - first adopters are first quitters as well, one only has so much time to spend on these things.
All Comments
Anyways the problem with chasing that early-adopter label is that it really becomes much more about who is using the latest app, like a tech version of keeping up with the Jones' ... and less about someone seeing a great product and using it because it simplifies or somehow betters their lives.
Experienced designers will try to make the game accessible and fun for many tastes, game goals, and usage patterns. Leveraging the early adopters as advocates is key. If they get involved and talk up the game, it gets a good reputation in groups that are considered knowledgeable. Then the second and third wave adopters find it and get involved. The churn of hardcore gamers can be volatile, so plan to keep or exit those players. Don't just abandon them.
Rambling conclusion: Pay attention and plan for when your audience shifts from early adopters to second (and eventually mass) market.
Great example.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Chasm
I'd be fine with early adopters if they were just 'there at the time', but they're not -- they're a particular demographic, and a fickle one at that.
Another thing to keep in mind - first adopters are first quitters as well, one only has so much time to spend on these things.