I've seen only a handful of websites that offer a free stock market simulator game. I'm wondering if this might be a good business to get into considering that there is little competetion. Anyone know what the hurdles are? I suppose one major expense is paying for access to the stock quotes, but as for the programming that part doesn't seem to complicated. Any advice to someone who is considering this business venture?
Are you considering a game based on EOD (End of day) data or live quotes? Live quotes are usually much more expesnsive than EOD data. I guess you are from the US. There are many data vendors in the US and you have a lot of choice.Reuters is a widely used service. I am not sure in which format, vendors provide data in the US. In India , some of the vendors provide data in xls (MS Excel files) format which can converted into other forms as required. If you can find an affordable vendor that offers data in xls , csv format etc , then the programming part should be very simple. www.moneybhai.com is a popular stock market stimulator site in India. It's under maintenance right now, but do take a look at it later.
I am considering a US stock market simulator game with live or 20 minute delays quotes. Anyone know what the cost is for both live and delayed quotes for the US stock market?
If you're thinking about what I think you are (a text based stock market 'game') then it's been done to death.
I believe sierra once ran a real good one (this is years ago and probably was the only one of it's kind at the time) but I haven't seen a truly good one since. My best friend is a high school Social Studies teacher and always looking for such a site to use as a teaching tool. As it is he has a non-web based game he uses now. I'm sure there's a market for this if you can develop a good one, but I'm not sure how well it could be monitized if that's your goal. Googd luck, Scott
As far as monetizing, it looks like there's plent of money to made there with affiliate links to places like Ameritrade, Etrade, etc.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=stock+market+game&btnG=Google+Search&meta= http://www.mpogd.com/search/?key=stock+market&scope=games&results=10 I'm sure there's others, but that's what I found in 30 seconds. Obviously they all vary, from your ones targetted at professionals, to your ones used for education in classes, and then there's the fun ones aimed at all types of people. You mentioned that there was 'only a couple of sites which do this very well', unless you have something new or can do it a lot better, then I don't see why you would bother. So to answer your question, "Stock Market Simulator Website - A Good Business Idea?", I'd have to say no.
The only website that I have found that does this well is marketcracy.com. If anyone can create a website like that for under $1000, I'd be interested in talking with them.
The best stock market simulator I found is TradeFields (look it up in google) it's integrated with facebook (no other registration needed) and automatically connects your trades with you frinds. Very attractive UI and constant updates. They will also launch an iPhone/Android app to play.
This business seems very difficult to get into, as it will take much time and effort. But, as some others have said, it will be quite difficult and there has only been a few successful ones, and they are successful because of their already known fame on the internet. I do admire your idea, and I hope if you do take it upon you to make this, ill be sure to play it as it seems to be of great help.
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