How smart are you?
Think you're pretty smart? Prove it.
Tomorrow night, Playcafe.com (a First Round Capital portfolio company) will be hosting Ken Jennings. Ken is the guy who won 74 games in a row (and over $3 million) on Jeopardy. But on Jeopardy Ken only had to beat two other players a night. On Monday night, Ken will be playing against the world.
Playcafe is a recent First Round Capital investment that is creating the first online game show network. Traditional game shows such as "Deal or No Deal" and "One vs. 100" are among the most popular programs on TV (nine of the top 20 shows, 200 million viewers) but they weakly implement a game's two most important traits - interactivity and socialness. PlayCafe is creating a platform to stream in-house and user-generated game shows that let every viewer be a contestant.
While I've previously written about the importance of admitting what you don't know, tomorrow night is all about proving what you do know. Give PlayCafe.com a try tomorrow night, this Monday, April 28th from 6:00-8:00 pm (PDT). Who knows, you might beat Ken.
it makes a lot of sense to import the tv game show model to the web and make it participatory/social/interactive...you can even see a scenario where online game show stars are cultivated and people actively watch their performances (a la a digital ken jennings)
Posted by: kevin gao | April 28, 2008 at 12:29 AM
I can attest, having played PlayCafe quite a bit, that it is totally fun, totally addicting, and totally the wave of the future.
Ever find yourself sitting in front of the TV, shouting Jeopardy / Who Wants to be a Millionaire answers at the TV, and shouting even louder as the people on screen get them wrong, Wrong, WRONG!
Yeah, me too.
This let's you actually answer, keep score, and chat it up in the chat rooms.
PlayCafe is awesome, and the onscreen talent, Daniella and Colin, are absolutely hilarious.
Highly recommend.
Posted by: Peter Kazanjy | April 28, 2008 at 03:00 AM
Playcafe.com is not the first online gameshow website. There are a couple of them based in Europe.
Posted by: Brad | April 28, 2008 at 07:28 PM
RE: my last comment
It does depend on the definition you use for online gameshow network, which could also include an offline component.
Posted by: Brad | April 28, 2008 at 07:30 PM
I've been following PlayCafe for a few months. These guys are definitely on to something. The format is really fun. You should definitely try it out.
Posted by: Hugo | April 29, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Josh,
I know this is highly un-orthodox, But in this business I have learned you must take chances. I am president of a company called FreeWay. We are a start up company in desperate need of first round investments. We are a mobile video distribution company with a world wide multi billion dollar revenue footprint. Our technology that we created works about wireless providers. Meaning we don't pay a dime to any cell phone provider, and can be accessed through any media phone world wide, as long as you have cell service. We also have created a new way to send video's which out dates streaming. The quality and speed are incomparable to anything out in the current market. You may reach me on my email or reach the CEO of FreeWay, Grant Blaisdell at 310-922-0826.
Posted by: Max Chaiet | May 05, 2008 at 05:18 PM
If you like PlayCafe, give WISEOZ.com a look-see. It is a unique contest driven social community. We are just two months new and happen to share many members in common with PlayCafe. To date, we have been entirely self-funded but are seeking funding from the right investors.
Posted by: WISEOZ | June 10, 2008 at 10:12 PM
If you like PlayCafe, give WISEOZ.com a look-see. It is a unique contest driven social community. We are just two months new and happen to share many members in common with PlayCafe. To date, we have been entirely self-funded but are seeking funding from the right investors.
Posted by: WISEOZ | June 10, 2008 at 10:12 PM