2009-03-02, 02:16 PM
Regarding Club Penguin, since my 8-year-old plays it, I can make a few comments:
It's "pointless" in the sense that there is no goal, like to level. However, there's quite a bit to do. Mystery "quests" to solve (all repeatable - not sure what the point is in solving a puzzle that is the same every time, but little kids like repetition), games to play against the computer or other kids, stuff to collect/buy, a home to decorate (btw, I think Nexon could make a lot of $$$ if they gave Maplers "homes" that they could furnish with CS items), and pets to play with. There is new content all the time, as well as repeated events to look forward to.
The concept is very successful, and I've seen tons of copycat sites. Parents like these, as opposed to other sites that have a bunch of links to games, because there are no ads and no inappropriate content. It's a "safe place".
It's free to register and do some of the basic things, but for more goodies one has to become a "member", which means paying a monthly fee. You get a discount for paying 6 or 12 months in advance. So, many parents would be cajoled into paying for membership by their kids who want the bigger igloo or w/e. The kid may or may not lose interest after a week, but the money is already in Club Penguin's pocket (I believe that's Disney now, they bought Club Penguin out).
Also, because of the periodic events, even kids who don't visit there a lot, will pop in every once in a while to see what's new, and then it's, "But Mom! Rockhopper's coming back! And my membership expired! Please please please buy me another!" And again, the event may hold the kid's attention for all of 10 minutes, but the monthly fee has already been paid.
So, basically, very good business model. I'm not at all surprised they make good money.
It's "pointless" in the sense that there is no goal, like to level. However, there's quite a bit to do. Mystery "quests" to solve (all repeatable - not sure what the point is in solving a puzzle that is the same every time, but little kids like repetition), games to play against the computer or other kids, stuff to collect/buy, a home to decorate (btw, I think Nexon could make a lot of $$$ if they gave Maplers "homes" that they could furnish with CS items), and pets to play with. There is new content all the time, as well as repeated events to look forward to.
The concept is very successful, and I've seen tons of copycat sites. Parents like these, as opposed to other sites that have a bunch of links to games, because there are no ads and no inappropriate content. It's a "safe place".
It's free to register and do some of the basic things, but for more goodies one has to become a "member", which means paying a monthly fee. You get a discount for paying 6 or 12 months in advance. So, many parents would be cajoled into paying for membership by their kids who want the bigger igloo or w/e. The kid may or may not lose interest after a week, but the money is already in Club Penguin's pocket (I believe that's Disney now, they bought Club Penguin out).
Also, because of the periodic events, even kids who don't visit there a lot, will pop in every once in a while to see what's new, and then it's, "But Mom! Rockhopper's coming back! And my membership expired! Please please please buy me another!" And again, the event may hold the kid's attention for all of 10 minutes, but the monthly fee has already been paid.
So, basically, very good business model. I'm not at all surprised they make good money.