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What we can learn from SrabulousAugust 12, 2008
The advantage that the Agarwalla brothers had in adapting Scrabble was not so much that they understood the Internet intellectually but that they understood it intuitively. They and many others of their generation are creatures of the Internet and understand instinctively what their cohort wants, which appears to be a strong desire to connect with others through play (and possibly avoid working). In short, their design for Scrabulous came primarily from their gut and not their heads. So, it seems to me that among the lessons learned from this experience is that smart toy manufacturers are going to have to employ people who don’t just intellecutally understand the Internet but who live in it and breathe its virtual air. In short, toy manufacturers need to find the “pirates” before the “pirates” find them. Once found, co-opt them by employing them. If manufacturers do that then they have the makings of an organization that protects its own by giving this new game playing generation what they want, how they want it and when they want it . . . before someone else does. Posted by Richard Gottlieb on August 12, 2008 | Comments (6)
August 13, 2008
In response to: What we can learn from Srabulous John commented: Yeah, 'we will get over it'. I no longer play any version of Scrabble online and I also eliminated a planned purchase of the traditional board game as I was going to introduce the game to my kids. My friends have done the same. They took a million fans of the game and thew them in the trash, hopefully it's just the beginning of more failure for this poorly managed company.
August 13, 2008
In response to: What we can learn from Srabulous greg commented: Assuming they didn't bother to try to work out a deal with the brothers prior to taking legal action, I think Hasbro made a big mistake. They had a million or more fans of Scrabulous and took the game away. Playing the game online is different that 'in person' with your friends/family. Both versions could have co-existed and supported each other....
August 13, 2008
In response to: What we can learn from Srabulous Mary Couzin commented: I agree that both online and board game versions can co-exist and support one another and they do now with Hasbro's/EA's Scrabble online.
August 16, 2008
In response to: What we can learn from Srabulous Richard commented: Thank you Greg and John for for sharing your passion about Scrabulous and your concerns about the way it was handled by Hasbro. Thank you Mary for your insights as well.
August 16, 2008
In response to: What we can learn from Srabulous Richard commented: Greg, believe me that the Hasbro people spent a great deal of time weighing their options and were confronted with a classc "lose - lose" situation.
August 22, 2008
In response to: What we can learn from Srabulous Scouge commented: Bah Humbug, er I mean Bah Hasbro
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