Stop Selling Broadband, Start Selling Home Entertainment

Looking for a way to turn a few bucks from that dusty old Quake server still connected to your network? Think outside of the box and try offering broadband services to online gamers.

by ISP-Planet Staff [May 24, 2002]

National broadband service provider Speakeasy, Inc. and game developer Valve Software recently released the results of a survey of online gamers. The results endorse the idea that the real market opportunity for broadband services is gaming and game distribution.

Unfortunately, Speakeasy and Valve surveyed Internet game players only, so the data is a bit self-serving. The survey was conducted as participants upgraded to the latest version of Valve's popular games, including Half-Life and Counter-Strike. But one of the more interesting bits of data indicated that 77 percent of these game players use a broadband connection for online gaming.

Edward Bender, Speakeasy director of online gaming, said the broadband finding is just one element in a broader story about the trend toward increased investment in at-home entertainment.

"These results are a tremendous testament to the importance of acknowledging the needs and potential of the online gaming community," Bender said.

Speakeasy is one national broadband service provider that is making the most of the broadband-gaming connection. The Seattle-based ISP continues to work with innovative online game developers and publishers to make the most of its gaming community. The Speakeasy Gaming Network is built around the ISPs game-hosting servers, the online gaming community, and distributing new games from software developers, like Valve.

Founded in 1996, Valve develops entertainment software titles such as Half-Life, Team Fortress, and Counter-Strike. According to its website, Half-Life, Valve's debut title, first released in November 1998 and has won over 50 "Game of the Year Awards." The game was also named "Best Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and has sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

Teaming up with the Kirkland, Washington-based software maker has proven to be a boon for Speakeasy, which has several digital subscriber line (DSL) packages and services tailored to fit the needs of online gamers. Speakeasy is also home to a large number of game server and tournament networks, giving its DSL customers a private connection to a large network of servers and Web sites.

ISPs offering DSL or other forms of broadband connectivity, like wireless Internet access, might want to consider looking beyond business services to embrace online gamers. Analysts have been saying that the only thing holding back broadband is the lack of a so-called "killer app." Maybe the killer has been lurking in the online gaming market all the time. ISPs just have to figure out a way to attract online gamers to their broadband services. It looks like Speakeasy and Valve Software have this one covered.

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