Ask HN: Please review my startup idea: hosted iOS multiplayer platform
I am a single-founder looking for feedback on my first startup idea called "PlayRelay".
PlayRelay is a companion product to Apple's Game Center adding:
- a simplified client development (no servers, no knowledge of networking);
- hosted, sandboxed game logic referees (JavaScript, V8);
- a client/server infrastructure (no P2P, less firewall problems);
- player accountability (no quitting a game b/c you are about to lose); and
- global single-elimination tournaments (win your state, country, world).
There are a number of big players in the iOS multiplayer market including OpenFeint's new PlayTime (announced Sep. 1) and Exit Game's Photon/Neutron.
I feel like this is a good niche for a single-founder to tackle and is different from the other offerings. I'm done with the design, 80% done with code, and have started a private beta program.
Any thoughts on the ideas and/or pricing? Thanks!