Grants:IEG/Play video games and learn new languages without realizing
Project idea
[edit]What is the problem you're trying to solve?
[edit]I'm glad to read it. I'm using Lean Startup too (Running Lean specifically) :) Top 3 problems:
- It is hard to find fun video games to learn languages (there are lots, but nothing that engage kids)
Kids want to play games, but parents want them to studyHomework is usually boring- Kids say educative video games are boring
- Existing solutions need parents asking kids to play those games (if not, kids move to other kind of games, videos...)
The interviews to parents are showing me I was wrong with the problems 2 and 3, so I have removed them. Doing those interviews I discovered the problems 4 and 5. Parents identify more closely with problems 4 and 5.
What is your solution?
[edit]Top 3 solutions (for the first Minimum Viable Product):
Create a serious game to learn Chinese language having real fun- Create a website that collects only fun language learning video games
- Same as point 2 but gamificated in a simple way
- The website should hide that games are educative or kids won't feel interest to play.
EXTRA: crowdfunding campaign
The interviews have showed me that parents are not interesting in Chinese for their kids (they want English), so I have ruled out starting with this solution. Also, starting with a crowdfunding campaign don't seem a good idea because parents want to see a prototype before giving their money.
I have added that the website kids see should hide everything about education. The website should have a different view for parents.
Project goals
[edit]The goal is that, attracted by money, a lot of professionals who previously create games about killing people move to create learning languages games (the killing people stuff is a kind of joke). I'm doing it alone. I hope to attract colleagues to join this project. Receiving this grant will motivate them to join the team for sure. Of course, money is helpful anyway. An extended explanation of the pot system is in the Community engagement section.
Project plan
[edit]Activities
[edit]I'm following the book Running Lean book, step by step and thoughtfully. Right now, I'm interviewing parents (face to face). The next step is to start developing one of the proposed MVP solutions (or a different one depending of the results of the interviews). Then, testing if I have build something people want (first microscale, second macroscale). Finally, keep learning and improving according with my users and clients feedback...
Budget
[edit]According with the Running Lean guide, the team should have 2 or 3 people (till the scale phase). For reaching that phase within 6 month I need two more persons actually implied. So if the gross wages are:
- 1800€/Month developer and CEO (me) * 6 months = 10800€
- 1800€/Month marketing expert (with some knowledge about developing and design) * 6 months = 10800€
- 1800€/Month design expert (with some knowledge about developing and marketing) * 6 months = 10800€
(1800€ * 6 months) * 3 people = 32400€. However the maximum is 30000USD, so salaries must be lowerer.
Anyway I insist, if that people want to join the project without salary is OK too (we won't money unless the project successes!)
Community engagement
[edit]Well, right now I'm on face to face interviews to parents. When the number of clients grow up, I'm planning to use a question and answer CMS to develop the most wanted features. Anyway, it is more interesting the following.
Pot of money to attract professionals. It consists in a kind of crowdfunding. Clients give money to a pot so the quantity of money of the pot increase. The money is not for me, it is for anybody who create a video game. Clients will decide who give their money to. The professionals know that they can get that money if they make a good learning languages games. After some time clients must distributed the accumulated money through their favourite games. If not, it will be given to an ONG. My Startup gets a percent to survive anyway.
The pot system also can be my Unfair advantage. People overvalue what they have, and undervalue what they don't have (...) people struggle to overcome is the emotional attachment to money they've already spent[1]. If the clients have given their money for the pot, it is very hard they left for another website.
Sustainability
[edit]I'm being flexible so it will depend on the result of the interviews. Right now, I'm not sure if I should build something to show parents or create a crowdfunding campaign.
If I get the grant, it will be easier that other people want to join the team. Also, I could contract other people. According with Running Lean, before I got a enough number of clients the team should have two or three people and the team should cover development, design and marketing abilities. I'm stronger in development, so the other colleagues should be stronger in marketing and design. Specifically, I love to have an expert of crowdfunding campaign if it is the path I have to follow.
Measures of success
[edit]Again, I'm following thoughtfully Running Lean.
I will measure first qualitatively (microscale, seeing how the customers interact with the site), second quantitatively (macroscale, the conversion funnel: pirate metrics or a very similar one)
I'll know I'm done (ready to grow up quick) when I can:
- Retain 40% of the users
- Pass the Sean Ellis Test: 40% of the customers (or more) say they would feel "very disappointed" without the website.
Get involved
[edit]Participants
[edit]I'm on the project alone. My mentor is helping me a lot though. Starting from the agile methodologies for software development, I discovered Lean Startup. I have been studying about this for doing this project. I wrote an introduction for my IT colleages (Spanish).
My experience and background in my portofolio: www.carloshelder.es and my linkedin profile.
Maybe, I can empathize that I'm an IT Engineer, and I have been a teacher of languages in China.
Community notification
[edit]Please paste links below to where relevant communities have been notified of your proposal, and to any other relevant community discussions. Need notification tips?
I'm still interviewing parents, who I believe are my customers after talking and receiving feedback of different people, including the suggestions of business experts (thanks to I reach the final of the atrÉBT! 2014 contest, a prize was to receive feedback from them), the Spanish company of serious games Omnium Lab Studios S.L., and of course, my mentor.).
I mean, according with Running Lean, it is not a good idea to show the project too much yet. Anyway, whoever read about this project is very welcome to suggest ideas (or constructive criticism: please don't keep for yourself)!
Endorsements
[edit]Do you think this project should be selected for an Individual Engagement Grant? Please add your name and rationale for endorsing this project below! (Other constructive feedback is welcome on the discussion page).
- iam going to be a journalist in future Denisselle001 (talk) 09:15, 9 December 2014 (UTC)
- ↑ Neil Davidson, Don't Just Roll The Dice, Efendi Books, 2012.