Business Strategy
Comprehensive business plan and strategy for ZorkLogic
Brand Overview
ZorkLogic = Zork + Logic
Interactive fiction and retro gaming destination. Preserving gaming history, celebrating text adventures, and keeping classic games alive for new generations.
Brand Positioning
- Differentiation: Nostalgia meets playability - not just history, but actively playing retro games
- Voice: Nostalgic but welcoming, celebrating gaming heritage while making it accessible
- Target: Retro gaming enthusiasts, interactive fiction fans, nostalgia seekers, and curious newcomers
Core Content Pillars
Play Games
Browser-based text adventures, classic games, interactive fiction experiences
Game History
Text adventure evolution, developer stories, gaming milestones
IF Writing
Creating interactive fiction, game design, parser mechanics
Retro Reviews
Classic game analysis, walkthroughs, recommendations
Revenue Streams
1. Advertising (Primary - Passive)
| Channel | Type | Est. RPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google AdSense | Display ads | $3-12 | Gaming content attracts quality advertisers |
| Gaming ad networks | Premium placements | $6-18 | Retro gaming niche commands premium |
| Direct sponsors | Sponsored content | $300-1,500/post | Retro game bundles, merchandise |
2. Affiliate Products (Secondary)
- Game Bundles: GOG retro collections, Humble Bundle classic packs, Steam retro titles
- Gaming Gear: Retro controllers, mechanical keyboards, gaming accessories
- Books/Guides: Gaming history books, strategy guides, IF writing books
3. Merchandise (Tertiary)
| Product | Type | Margin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-shirts | Print-on-demand | 20-30% | Classic game quotes, pixel art |
| Posters/Prints | Print-on-demand | 25-35% | Retro game artwork |
| Stickers | Print-on-demand | 30-40% | Text adventure commands, classic logos |
4. Future Revenue (Long-term)
Game Hosting Platform
- • Host user-created IF games
- • Premium hosting tier
- • Community contests/awards
Premium Content
- • Exclusive game access
- • Advanced IF writing courses
- • Developer interviews
Content Strategy
Content Types & Cadence
| Content Type | Frequency | Purpose | SEO Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playable games | 2/month | User engagement & retention | High - evergreen |
| Game history articles | 2/month | Educational & nostalgic | High - long-tail |
| Retro reviews | 1/week | Classic game analysis | Medium - steady |
| IF writing tutorials | 1/month | Community building | Medium |
SEO Strategy
Target Keywords
- • "Play [classic game] online" (high conversion intent)
- • "Text adventure games" (genre-based)
- • "[Game] walkthrough" (help-seeking)
- • "Interactive fiction tutorial" (creator intent)
Growth Strategy
Phase 1: Game Library Foundation (Current)
- • Add 20+ playable classic games
- • Write game history articles
- • Optimize for game-related SEO
- • Set up analytics and tracking
Phase 2: Community Building
- • Launch gaming newsletter
- • Share on r/retrogaming, r/interactivefiction
- • Partner with IFDB and retro gaming sites
- • Build gaming community backlinks
Phase 3: Monetization
- • Optimize ad placements on game pages
- • Launch affiliate partnerships (GOG, Steam)
- • Introduce merchandise store
- • Add premium game hosting
Phase 4: Platform Expansion
- • Launch user-submitted game hosting
- • Create IF writing courses
- • Build game jam community
- • Consider retro gaming podcast
Website Structure
Current Pages
Home— Featured games & latest content
Play Games— Browser-based text adventures
Game History— Evolution of interactive fiction
Retro Reviews— Classic game analysis
IF Writing— Create interactive fiction
Walkthroughs— Game guides & solutions
News— Retro gaming news & releases
Products— Retro game bundles & gear
Community— Forums & discussions
Contact— Get in touch
Future Additions
Newsletter signup & archives
User game hosting platform
IF writing courses
Game jam competitions
Developer interviews archive
Next Steps (Priority Order)
Build website with game sections
Set up AdSense and analytics
Add 20+ playable classic games
Write 10+ game history articles
Launch gaming newsletter
Create game recommendation pages
Build backlinks through gaming communities
Set up affiliate partnerships (GOG, Steam)
Launch merchandise store
Create user game hosting platform
Success Metrics
Monthly organic traffic
Games played (total sessions)
Average time on site
Newsletter subscribers
Ad revenue (RPM & total)
Affiliate conversion rate
Domain authority score
Top 10 keyword rankings
Social shares per article
Return visitor rate