Gaming and bitcoin will bring mass adoption

[AgentofCoin]

How does bitcoin become more well known, in a cool/credible way, and still find its target user base?
I propose that bitcoin will gain its most user growth, that will bring the mass adoption, through the video game industry.
Mass adoption will not come through which venders begin accepting BTC as a payment.

Video games reach our target users way more than overstock or zappos does.
I believe our target users are between the ages of 20 to 40, which is the prime gaming ages.

I believe we are now at a cross roads where we need more users, to get new/bigger/more venders on board.

Whether its through advertising, placing BTC symbols in games, character dialog mentioning bitcoin, games bought with bitcoin, in game transaction being paid in bitcoin (like itunes/ipad/iphone games), currency in video games being called bitcoin (such as a scifi game), or whatever.
We should push in trying to get these types of companies on board, for example:

- Machinima
- RoosterTeeth

- Activision
- Bioware
- Bungie
- Valve

- Gamestop
- Steam

Updates - Ideas for Progress:
(1) 2/25/15 - Bitcoin ATM's (or BTMs) should be located in Videogame Stores and Electronic Stores.
                     Safe, easy, helps spread the currency, and in a prime target user location.
                     (AgentofCoin - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=966858.msg10581652#msg10581652)
(2) 2/25/15 - Famous YouTubers who play games (ex. PEWDIEPIE) should make videos or video statements regarding Bitcoin/bitcoin.
                     Determine if any are currently users and get their support, if not, send them information so that they are now aware of it.
                     (Hamuki - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=966858.msg10576268#msg10576268)
(3) 2/26/15 - Free to Play Browser Flash Games/Animations about Bitcoin/bitcoin could be helpful creating buzz in Free to Play/Post Websites.
                     These games/animations would be posted on Flash Websites, such as Newgrounds.com, whose users base is our target user.
                     (AgentofCoin - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=966858.msg10594296#msg10594296)


I believe mass adoption will come, when we find a way to enter the mainstream of video gaming.

Discuss.
If you disagree, what do you think will bring the (the big one) "mass adoption"?

[TrianglePythagoras]

Valve and machinima. That's our main priority. Once they join it's going to be easy from there.

[ChuckBuck]

Agreed that sometimes the gamer contingent have to be the ones that push things forward.  Whether it's a gamer on mobile playing Candy Crush or Plants vs Zombies, a gamer on PC playing Far Cry or the Witcher, or XBox or PS4 gamers, sometimes this key demographic can make things happen.  Definitely occurred with the whole Xbox One DRM debacle, so it's within the realm of possibility.

Hey, at least Greenmangaming accepts BTC!  

http://blog.playfire.com/2014/12/bitcoin-at-gmg-faq.html

[EndTheFed321]

I agree never thought of posting such a great idea. A few months ago I created and account in Star Trek Online and named my star ship USS Bitcon  

[darkangel11]

I'm already buying games with bitcoin using humblebundle

[pawel7777]

Agree, gaming industry is the right direction.

I'd love to see some MMORPG not only accepting BTC but making it in-game currency. When implemented correctly, it would make payments much more smooth. Although there could be some legal implication (KYC/AML requirements) as such game could be used as an fiat/BTC exchange.


And I'd be very surprised if there will be no Bitcoin reference in GTA VI. Since most of people, who ever heard of Bitcoin, think it's a currency only for drug dealers and other criminals, therefore RockStar have to include it somehow/somewhere. Otherwise they'll look like they're out-of-date with the newest trends in criminal underworld 

[cakir]

Did Pewdiepie talk about bitcoin?
We should send him some tips via cointip on youtube. I'm pretty sure he'll talk about bitcoin. He has 35 mil subscribers on youtube!

[croato]

Sure gaming would give great push for bitcoin addoption. In my opinion, gamers would actualy buy and use coins not to mention they are able to master bitcoin use with ease. I am gamer so i know what i am talking about.

[mercistheman]

Excellent concept... would certainly draw more gamers to the party... however why would the gaming companies not do a quick dump?

[God27]

I think it would make sense for a game to create its own crypto or IOU.  Instead of these worthless XP points, they actually make a coin of value to buy anything related to that game.

It would be something to see if Microsoft implemented a real limited coin like BTC instead of xbox points.

[koelen3]

If i can buy my games using bitcoin directly
Nothing could compare to that
Seriously

[Q7]

Remember when the diablo trading platform was still active and imagine at the same time if bitcoin was also accepted as one of the payment option.... that would be great. There are so many possibilities not just trading. In fact game developers can also allow sale of in-game items paid in bitcoins.

[AgentofCoin]

Excellent concept... would certainly draw more gamers to the party... however why would the gaming companies not do a quick dump?

A quick dump is not a problem. For mass adoption, we have to play the long game.
In order for them to dump, the gamers have to go buy/use the btc first.
We just need gamers seeing, using, learning about Bitcoin/bitcoin once, and after that they will be supporters.

The real problem is advertising to the right audience.
Currently, bitcoin is advertising or trying to get the financial interests (at least that is my take), while fighting off the governmental interests.
Maybe we need to focus on the Gamer interests (target users), and then the financial interests will follow.

I'm guessing that 95% of all gamers, between the ages of 20 to 45, have never heard of bitcoin.
I personally, only found out about bitcoin from financial articles online late in 2013.
Before that, I had never seen or heard of Bitcoin/bitcoin (even though its been around since 2008).
I would very likely not be here or know anything about bitcoin today, without that original exposure.

Gamers, I believe, would understand it and appreciate it, and should be the next group to join us.

This is just my opinion. I have no knowledge if this has already been discussed (or planned/think tanked) and determined that financials interests are priority.

[Ingatqhvq]

The main apply of bitcoin is game at this moment.

[Kprawn]

We are discussing it here ----> https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=958379.0 {More specific Dota2 & Starcraft}

There are also members who already incorporated it into games like Minecraft {Ask member -- Vortex20000}

In my opinion the best platform to use this would be in the MMORPG scene.... Almost ALL of them have a "inhouse" currency built into the game.. they just have to simply switch to Bitcoin, and people would then be using real money.. { The question will then be, would children go to school and/or parents go to work? }

If you have seen the documentary about the people addicted to games like World of Warcraft, you would agree with me that it would lead to further problems. {Unregulated money laundering / selling of drugs / Loan sharks / underage children being exploited in games etc. etc... All the "bad" things.. that comes with money.} 

[pooya87]

if steam starts accepting bitcoin anytime soon it is going to be huge. i myself will buy the whole Dota2 store on steam market

[AgentofCoin]

We are discussing it here ----> https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=958379.0 {More specific Dota2 & Starcraft}

There are also members who already incorporated it into games like Minecraft {Ask member -- Vortex20000}

In my opinion the best platform to use this would be in the MMORPG scene.... Almost ALL of them have a "inhouse" currency built into the game.. they just have to simply switch to Bitcoin, and people would then be using real money.. { The question will then be, would children go to school and/or parents go to work? }

If you have seen the documentary about the people addicted to games like World of Warcraft, you would agree with me that it would lead to further problems. {Unregulated money laundering / selling of drugs / Loan sharks / underage children being exploited in games etc. etc... All the "bad" things.. that comes with money.} 

I basically agree with everything you are saying, including the potential downsides of btc with gaming.
My original post really corresponded with the Gamer Community, in general.
I just wish that all Gamers (no matter what game system, etc) would know what Bitcoin/bitcoin is.
They are the ones that are gonna get us millions of user world wide, IMO.

[CoolRunnings21]

I dont really see this being a big addition.

Why would game companies go out of their way to implement a BTC system when they have a CC and Paypal system in place.

Seems like alot of work for a currency that you have to jump through hoops to buy.

I think the next big step for BTC is making it more ease of use to get BTC and manage your BTC.

IT would be cool to see BTC integrated into more outlets but I dont see Activision spending the money to implement it when they have a fiat system in place.

If they accept BTC now they have to cash it out ect, when they could just accept cash in the first place.

[arvindr]

A lot of people who are in bitcoin, actually came through gambling, so I am sure, its one thin that attracts most of the new people into it.

[Daniel91]

I agree that gaming can help bitcoin.
We have everything this ''gaming'' people wants: fast and easy money transfer, security and anonymity.
This can be very good niche for BTC.