![]() This is because as the games’ target audiences have grown, new games must offer even higher sums of prize money as an incentive.īut to savvy investors, there is little risk involved in a mature product like live trivia games, as almost all the variables are controllable. Whereas earlier trivia programs would require five- or six-figure investments, today’s startup cash can run into the hundreds of millions of yuan. Similarly, quiz shows like “Jeopardy!” or “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” are so much a part of the national psyche in other countries that it is difficult to see them ever falling out of favor.įrom an investor’s perspective, the barriers to launching new quiz apps have grown significantly in China. Franchises like the Star Wars series, the Harry Potter books and movies, and the NBA have long lifespans because rapid commercial success is not the standard by which their sustainability and influence are judged. They have a point, but iconic cultural practices are often exceptions to this rule. They also argue that trivia apps rely heavily on a gaming model that is fast becoming obsolete. ![]() Some skeptics believe online trivia games are unsustainable, and that the frenzied influx of capital will create an economic bubble that will inevitably burst and bring about a wave of bankruptcies. Today, however, anyone can take part, because the internet and the widespread use of smartphones have greatly lowered the barriers to participation. In the past, the majority of quiz players could only listen helplessly as a lucky few phoned in or made it onto TV. ![]() The shift from traditional quiz shows to trivia apps hosted on social networks has brought about a number of changes, not least the expansion of the potential player base. People enjoy meaningful pursuits, and quiz players derive meaning from knowing interesting nuggets of trivia that the majority of the populace do not. But they must still be challenging - otherwise, players will think anyone can win. Crucially, the questions must not be too hard, or else they frustrate participants and sap their motivation. In traditional shows, a small prize is usually enough to convince quiz aficionados to participate, while organizers profit from sponsorships and product endorsements. The wide variety of TV quiz shows and call-in radio programs is ample evidence of the enduring popularity of trivia games. Developers quickly drew up algorithms to determine the optimum relationship between question difficulty, total prize money, and participant interest, and they use this knowledge to control the risks involved. Live trivia games have won over investors not with particularly revolutionary business models, but rather because their model is already mature. Using interactive models to pit friends against each other, these apps have built up a significant user base. Other companies, including the Quora-like Q&A platform Zhihu, have started hosting similar games on WeChat, China’s ubiquitous messaging app. The more questions you answer correctly, the more money you stand to win.Ĭhinese venture capitalists, including Prometheus Capital chairman Wang Sicong, Qihoo 360 founder Zhou Hongyi, and Jinri Toutiao founder Zhang Yiming, have launched their own online trivia games. If they answer correctly, they advance to the next round if they get a question wrong, they are eliminated from the game. Players have around 10 seconds to answer each question. The concept is simple: The app gives users a daily test comprising a series of multiple-choice trivia questions. Since the popular game “HQ Trivia” hit app stores last July, copycat developers have sought to roll out similar products in China.
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