Gleemax = Enworld

[Jakar]

I really do not have a problem with the name. We have a PDF printing company called Lulu, so I do not think Gleemax is all that bad really.

 

[Klaus]

Great. And ditto on the copywriter thing, although I'm just a lowly Creative Director nowadays, victim to the whims of Art Directors and Project Managers.

I just think that at least judging from my experience in advertising and communication, it's a hell of a lot easier to slam a name, than to come up with one.

And I don't see anything that automatically makes Gleemax a bad name for the service. For some people, sure. But that's the case with any name you come up with. And if the Magic crowd loves it, that's a strong plus for the name.

It could be bad, it's just that I'm not prepared to carpet bomb the marketing at WotC, because I simply don't know what process they've been through and what data they have.

/M

I can think of *one* reason why the name is a bad name (and one is all it takes):

You hear the name and don't immediately understand what it's about.

As I'm sure you know (being a fellow advertising professional... we must stand united!), when you get a job to come up with a name, the client lists a series of "images" and "feelings" that the name must convey. It must be "hip", or imply "hi-tech", or something. All that with a logo, too.

 

[GlassJaw]

I can think of *one* reason why the name is a bad name (and one is all it takes):

You hear the name and don't immediately understand what it's about.

If this is what you are basing your opinion of Gleemax on, then just come out and say you want to WotC-bash, because this statement is utterly ridiculous.

I can name TONS of product/company/website names that have nothing to do with the actual product or content.

By that argument, what the frak does EN World mean? Or Pepsi? Or Hyundai? Or Amazon and eBay?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

By that argument, what the frak does EN World mean? Or Pepsi? Or Hyundai? Or Amazon and eBay?

All of which are companies, not products.

When you hear "Extreme Beef & Cheese Quesadilla," you may not know what makes it "extreme," but you have a good guess at what the actual product is. Ditto "Diet Coke," although it requires you to know what a "Coke" is -- the word "diet" suggests it's a low-calorie food product, though.

"Gleemax" contains no clues as to its meaning. Now, that sort of "the uninitiated don't know what it is" can work sometimes, but it really depends on the product. The question is whether the Gleemax platform is all about creating a large audience for WotC products (which would suggest a name that's self-explanatory would be good) or whether it's all about getting all the gamers to feel like they're part of an exclusive club (in which case the in-joke serves to keep out the filthy, filthy mundanes).

 

[MerricB]

Sorry about that. I try to play it low key and just slip in and answer questions. Unfortunately, that didn't work on boardgamegeek.com where they threw me off for answering questions about Gleemax, because they considered it "advertising" the "competition."

Rather poor form of them, I think.

I think BGG is a great, great site... but I'm not happy with that decision of theirs.

Cheers,
Merric

 

[Mercule]

In our 8:30 meeting this morning, this was raised by several people, most of whom I suspect saw your post on our forums about. It's definitely something that needs to happen, and we're working on adding more forums. Not sure how quickly we can get them up, but we'll see.

It great to know there are discussions going on about some of the details. I know some of the comments (including mine) are coming off really harsh. Such is the nature of the Internet and instant communication. It doesn't mean we aren't pulling for WotC to make this DI thing work -- speaking for myself, I certainly want to see something great come out of this.

That's actually where some of my forcefulness comes from. If this was a GURPS/SJG thing, I'd chuckle at the name and dismiss it because I'm not invested there. So, my comments on the name stand (I think it's really, really bad), but hopefully you can take them in the spirit given.

Now, what is an "ARG"?

 

[Zaruthustran]

ARG is alternate reality game. See "i love bees", "the LOST experience", "lonelygirl", and the like.

Essentially they're puzzles (communicated via phone, email, SMS, IM, and the web) that immerse the player in the mythology of a product and reveal backstory.

-z

 

[Klaus]

If this is what you are basing your opinion of Gleemax on, then just come out and say you want to WotC-bash, because this statement is utterly ridiculous.

I can name TONS of product/company/website names that have nothing to do with the actual product or content.

By that argument, what the frak does EN World mean? Or Pepsi? Or Hyundai? Or Amazon and eBay?

No.

I actually never said anything about Gleemax's content. The only opinion I expressed was about the name. The product as described sounds a bit interesting, even if it isn't well explained so far. The product may be great or it may suck. But it is still a bad name. That is my opinion, which is based on my extensive background in marketing and advertising. So chill.

I have defended WotC far more often than I have criticized it, and I dare you to find any thread in this site or any other where I "bash" anything. Criticizing, sure, and always giving my reasons for it. But "teh suxxorz" bashing? Not my thing.

Unless it's Cherry Coke. Cherry Coke is teh suxxorz!

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Cherry Coke is teh suxxorz!

We are of one mind.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Unless it's Cherry Coke. Cherry Coke is teh suxxorz!

Gleemax says you must die.