Interactive Fantasy Sports Web Application
Making an Investment in Our Client and His Flashy Site
Challenge
A web startup had a proof-of-concept but lacked a production-ready product. They needed both technical & financial resources to achieve success.
Project Overview
Mock Draft Central came to AO for technical know-how and investment to get its Fantasy Sports business off the ground.
Industry
Online Fantasy Sports
Project Type
Web Application
(Flash Client + Java Server)
Project Size
- 16 Total Developer Months
- 10 Atoms (multiple phases)
Services
- Speculative Development
- Software Development
- Legacy Code Maintenance
Technical Nitty Gritty
- Fully Tested ActionScript
- Java-based Server
- XML Transactions over TCP
- Automated System & Load Testing
Background
Mock Draft Central (MDC) allows diehard Fantasy Sports enthusiasts to practice drafting of teams each season for a variety of sports. MDC found us through personal connections and ultimately became our first speculative development project.
Fantasy Sports Meets Reality
Though Fantasy Sports might be considered niche entertainment, it has a huge following and is big business. Just as athletes require a place to practice, MDC’s founder, Jason Pliml, figured Fantasy Sports needed an online practice field for drafting teams. Jason succeeded in demonstrating his ideas with a proof-of-concept system. However, the interface was unattractive and was not as responsive as necessary. Further, MDC needed additional funding to create a system that could achieve profitability.
Atomic-Powered Know-how & Financing
We recommended entirely replacing the existing HTML and Java web interface with a Flash-based version. We created the new interface from scratch (with full test-driven development) and worked together with MDC’s designer to integrate graphic design elements with our programming. The existing Java-based server remained; we refactored portions and added to it to support production needs and testing. We added automated tests to existing server code while also creating all new code in a test-first manner.
In later phases, to support MDC’s growth toward profitability, we struck a deal with the company trading development for an equity stake. Shortly thereafter, the local Angel investing group Grand Angels made subsequent investments.
Results
- Revamped interface leapfrogged competitors with industry-leading Flash-based web client
- Positive Cash Flow
- 2007 FSTA Best Online Drafting Tool Award
- 2008 FSTA Best Online Draft Software Award & Best Draft Assistance Tool
(besting CBS Sports online) - 100,000+ Accounts
- 1,500-2,000 Drafts per week
- 10 Million Page views per year
- 18 Million Ad impressions per year
- Successful integration with and extension of complex legacy Java server
Customer Experience
“Atomic goes the extra mile for us. Their process and testing approach put them way ahead of the competition.”
- Jason Pliml, President
Gallery
- Wall Street Journal: ‘Practice Makes a Perfect Fantasy Team’
How mock drafts and average draft positions can let fantasy players figure out who will be underrated or overvalued in time for baseball season.
Production Mock Draft Central Flash-based Interface