9.3.09
Posted by Joshua Manns
Creative inspiration is often delivered in unusual packages and one of our latest sources is a game called Super Puzzle Fighter II HD Remix (SPF for short) for XBOX 360. Today, we are discussing how adopting one of the game’s key strategies, “1st Attack”, can propel your business to the next level. If first impressions are often the truest and timing is everything, then a timely first impression may be more valuable than Lysol in a public restroom. First impressions aren’t everything and there are many other factors that will determine the success of a brand or business, but a good one sure can help.
In SPF, the objective of the game is to build blocks of colors and use ‘bombs’ to blow those colors up and send the damage over to your opponent. Imagine if Tetris were to drink a dozen 5-Hour Energy Shots – that’s SPF. Each player is supplied with the exact same pieces given in the exact same sequence during the course of each round, making it a completely even battlefield. Every player soon learns that speed is the name of the game and will be a deciding factor in the success, or failure, of their efforts.
The set up is analogous to the business world. Each player represents a competing business and the multi-colored pieces queued up for use are the situations that those businesses will face and must use to make their business successful. A player’s ability to survey the landscape, be strategic and decisive in their moves, and use their skill to execute as quickly as possible will determine their success rate.
Watch this video to see SPF and “1st Attack” in action.
The concept of “1st Attack” is that the competitor who can blow up a block first will send over an increased number of blocks to the competition, often spoiling their plans from the beginning. In other words, whoever attacks first creates an advantage for themselves, forcing the competition to handle multiplied chaos on their screen; the more solid the block, the bigger the impact. Plus, the psychological intimidation and impact for the competition (and immediate ego-boost for the first-attacker) has undeniable effects throughout the course of a round. It is hard to get past that first-impression. Again, it isn’t the be-all end-all of strategies, but it does give you a 1-up from the onset.
That’s why a brand is so important to any business or product. It is the first thing consumers and other businesses see from you. It is your first impression to the world. A failed brand can spell doom for a business even if it has a better product or services. The components of a brand, whether it is the logo, collateral, type-faces, colors, web-integration, or anything else, must be well-planned out and continuously executed with efficiency. Getting to market first with a powerful brand can also mean the difference between an innovator and a copy-cat.
Make your first impression (your brand) as strong as possible, and do it sooner rather than later. We can’t tell you how many companies we’ve seen fail because of the lack of care for their brand. A weak brand makes it nearly impossible to attract new business, let alone the type of business you want. At the same time, we’ve all seen companies that start with strong brands and get it out there in the public’s eye before everyone else, and run away with the prize even though they may not necessarily have the best product.
Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!
In SPF, the objective of the game is to build blocks of colors and use ‘bombs’ to blow those colors up and send the damage over to your opponent. Imagine if Tetris were to drink a dozen 5-Hour Energy Shots – that’s SPF. Each player is supplied with the exact same pieces given in the exact same sequence during the course of each round, making it a completely even battlefield. Every player soon learns that speed is the name of the game and will be a deciding factor in the success, or failure, of their efforts.
The set up is analogous to the business world. Each player represents a competing business and the multi-colored pieces queued up for use are the situations that those businesses will face and must use to make their business successful. A player’s ability to survey the landscape, be strategic and decisive in their moves, and use their skill to execute as quickly as possible will determine their success rate.
Watch this video to see SPF and “1st Attack” in action.
The concept of “1st Attack” is that the competitor who can blow up a block first will send over an increased number of blocks to the competition, often spoiling their plans from the beginning. In other words, whoever attacks first creates an advantage for themselves, forcing the competition to handle multiplied chaos on their screen; the more solid the block, the bigger the impact. Plus, the psychological intimidation and impact for the competition (and immediate ego-boost for the first-attacker) has undeniable effects throughout the course of a round. It is hard to get past that first-impression. Again, it isn’t the be-all end-all of strategies, but it does give you a 1-up from the onset.
That’s why a brand is so important to any business or product. It is the first thing consumers and other businesses see from you. It is your first impression to the world. A failed brand can spell doom for a business even if it has a better product or services. The components of a brand, whether it is the logo, collateral, type-faces, colors, web-integration, or anything else, must be well-planned out and continuously executed with efficiency. Getting to market first with a powerful brand can also mean the difference between an innovator and a copy-cat.
Make your first impression (your brand) as strong as possible, and do it sooner rather than later. We can’t tell you how many companies we’ve seen fail because of the lack of care for their brand. A weak brand makes it nearly impossible to attract new business, let alone the type of business you want. At the same time, we’ve all seen companies that start with strong brands and get it out there in the public’s eye before everyone else, and run away with the prize even though they may not necessarily have the best product.
Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!
