I’m getting ready to launch my new indie game services project, Cupcake, but I need a good domain name. The general idea of Cupcake is to provide tools and services that take the pain out of making high-quality indie games.
What do you think is a good domain name? Vote for one of the ones I’ve already come up with, or enter your own.
Note: I would LOVE to use cupcake.com but someone is squatting on that name.
Arg, I hate domain name squatters. It sucks when you can’t do something useful with the name, and they can just waste it. Good luck with your software release.
I hate it too. I guess I should have thought of that before I chose such a simple name.
I would suggest a domain which better describes your website. Cupcake doesn’t make me think of a game site but rather a site for desserts. We have some gaming domains or I could possibly help you find one. Note that VideogameDeveloper.tv is available for reg fee.
Note that domain registration is open to everyone. I have no more right to a domain than anyone else. If I want a car, tv, computer, lounge chair or home that someone else owns, I can attempt to buy it from them at a fair price. If they demand a ridiculous price I will look elsewhere. Any business which wants to sell its products or services has to price them competitively and it they do not, they will eventually go out of business as there are always competing alternatives. Unemployment is at more than 25-year highs so you cannot fault someone for trying to make a living.
Those are some good points. I’ve been thinking about this and it seems to me that whether or not you can get away with using a simple term depends on how strong your brand is (or how strong you make it over time).
For example:
Apple = Some kind of fruit company?
Amazon = Extreme adventure or outdoor gear company?
Blackberry = A fruit that is good for pies?
37signals = Embedded hardware design firm?
Newegg = Something to do with eggs?
That being said, there may be some more interesting names than Cupcake – I am open to suggestions, although I’m not a big fan of generic phrases as company names, such as “Indie Game Tools” – you can’t really build a strong brand around those kinds of names.