Could GameFindr be the Tinder of board games?

Posted Monday, 6-Apr-2015

“The idea is simple,” says the Kickstarter page for GameFindr, “select the games you are looking to play, click a button, and BOOM, you get matched with other people in your area that want to play the same game!”

An app idea is born

When 31-year-old Jeremy Hambly decided he wanted to get back into gaming, one huge issue stood in his way; he couldn’t find anyone to play with. Without a social classroom or work environment, Hambly sought the help of an app to connect him with other gamers. He soon realized that no such app existed.

Hambly, who operates MTGHeadquarters.com, saw an opening in the market for an app that helps players find new people to play games with.

Currently on Kickstarter, Hambly’s well-crafted app, GameFindr, is almost fully funded.

How to use GameFindr

“The idea is simple,” says the Kickstarter page for GameFindr, “select the games you are looking to play, click a button, and BOOM, you get matched with other people in your area that want to play the same game!”

GameFindr helps you find players for TCG’s (Trading Card Games), LCG’s (Living Card Games), and tabletop board games.

Although GameFindr hasn’t yet hit the app store, the gaming community is actively involved in critiquing its design and functionality.

“People totally LOVE the idea,” Hambly said, “the feedback system was a huge item as well as facilitating trading, which we hope to add later. Safety is a big concern…and that is where the feedback system comes in handy.”

Shrinking the tabletop gaming world

While serious gamers may argue that electronics are only hurting the board gaming world, GameFindr attempts to connect the electronic-oriented younger demographic with the offline world of tabletop gaming.

“I think potentially this really shrinks the world for gamers, it makes it easier for us to play more games on our schedules! I really believe this can make gaming so much easier for us.”

Ready for launch

If funded, this money is to be allocated for further development, design, and marketing efforts.

The free app is set for a worldwide release after approval from Apple’s App Store. Hambly notes the importance of large-scale adoption:

“Having thousands of users on day One to help ensure people find matches will keep the app afloat while we grow to critical mass.”

When asked where he sees the app in 3 years Hambly replied, “I see it on all devices, a web version, and a thriving community with hundreds of games supported. I hope to see 100,000 worldwide users using the app, and for it to be seen as one of the best tools for the table top gaming community out there.”

The GameFindr Kickstarter page can be found here.

Published by BoardGamePrices.com



