GameCrush Review: Working 'PlayDates' Offer Opinions

To get a closer look at GameCrush.com, I conducted four interviews with "PlayDates" who currently work on the website. GameCrush is a combination of gamer haven, video chat service and social networking, where "Players" purchase credits which are used to pay for web cam time with "PlayDates." Interaction occurs while playing video games over various networks, such as Xbox Live, or during the free online games offered on the website. Alternatively, the "Crush-O-Matic" feature is free, which randomly pairs a Player with a PlayDate for a classic game like Tic Tac Toe.

When I first heard about GameCrush, it sounded like a cleverly disguised sex cam operation, or video dating for gamers. My original article, GameCrush: Gaming Social Network or Disguised Video Dating?, was written when GameCrush was still in the production phase. Now that the site has been live for over a year, I wanted to take a second look at what was really on sale over at GameCrush, and hear the opinions of the men and women who actually work for the website.

Due to the adult nature of GameCrush-users must be 18 or older to join-the real names of the PlayDates quoted below have been withheld to protect their real-world identities. The nicknames used are the handles these men and women have adopted for use on the GameCrush network.

GameCrush: No Nude Cam Shows Allowed

When I visited the new GameCrush website, I was surprised to learn that anyone can search PlayDate profiles, view the Terms of Service, and generally explore the website without registering as a member. Although the initial reaction to the news of a pay-to-watch webcam site for gamers seemed to imply potential XXX material, the Terms of Service actually prohibit any nudity or pornographic content-and several PlayDates confirmed that these rules are strictly enforced.

"They have their Terms of Service laid out clearly and it says no nudity. I just tell the guys that want more than gaming that the ToS says no nudies and I don't wanna be banned," explained TheIshy, a female PlayDate who has been active on GameCrush since October of 2010.

"It makes me really happy that [nudity] is against the ToS. There are other sites where people can get that. I've felt no pressure to do anything I'm uncomfortable with. We have the option to leave the room, disable our cam if need be and to block players. It's a shame when it needs to happen, but sometimes it's unavoidable,"added EarthwormJane, who joined GameCrush just a few weeks prior to this interview.

GameCrush: PlayDates Control The Content, Not Players

Of course, that isn't to say that the PlayDates I interviewed haven't occasionally encountered Players who are obviously looking for more than a casual, video game companion. GameCrush offers four "zones" of interaction, ranging from casual gaming to highly competitive, to lessons in playing from experienced PlayDates, to the more risqué "The Edge."

I asked TheIshy which type of Player she encounters most often, whether casual gamers or those looking for sexual content. "I get more guys looking for a girl to talk to and play with, but I do get the guys that want boobs or [adult content] or whatnot," she explained. "I don't think there's a specific way to get more of one type of guy than the other. Just gotta sick to your guns about not showing boobs."

Apheleon, a male PlayDate who has been working for GameCrush off and on since beta, shared his impressions: "You'll find all kinds of people on GameCrush, just as you do on the greater Internet and in real life. Some can browse the front page of the site, read for a couple of minutes and realize that the site is not about pornography, and act accordingly. Others will try to get whatever they want."

"Indeed, some people are there to play, but the majority just wants [breasts]," proposed ThatGuyWithSkillz, a male PlayDate who has been active on GameCrush for four months, but who has yet to reach the $50 minimum pay-out for his work.

"I've seen quite a few of Players looking for a little bit more than your 'average gaming experience.' No matter what, you're going to have people looking for more sexual aspects," added EarthwormJane. "That's why there are the different zones for the site. You can find the kind of Players and PlayDates that fit your needs. I've definitely had quite a few people that had different expectations of what was going to happen on cam, so I try to stay pretty clear with what I will and will not do."

GameCrush: Room For Boys And Girls

Some readers may be surprised to learn that GameCrush has a variety of both male and female PlayDates. I was able to speak with both men and women who work for the site, and hear the perspective from both genders. The interviews gave very interesting-and sometimes opposite-views of working for GameCrush. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of Players the four PlayDates encounter on the site regularly are male; as any gamer gal can tell you, there are plenty of male gamers out there willing to socialize with a female player.

"Most Players who are willing to pay money to play with guys will be male," commented Apheleon. "While it may be true that female gamers are not always treated equally on the Internet, they certainly know they can get guys playing with them with little effort!"

ThatGuyWithSkillz theorized that he has had less success than his female PlayDate counterparts: "It's really one sided when it comes to the money. Since I am a male, attractive as I may be, I don't get any business due to the internet being populated by mostly men whom like hot, [well endowed] women." He elaborated by saying: "The Players pay attention to the women only, unless there so-happens to be a female player, but that's rare considering all girls think they can make money on it-so they become PlayDates."

GameCrush: A Surprisingly Supportive Community

It appears that one perk of working for GameCrush as a PlayDate is the highly interactive, supportive community of fellow PlayDates-which is encouraged by the site, including a PlayDate exclusive forum. Given that these men and women are competing with each other for attention from Players, it was a nice surprise to learn that the supportive community is a favorite aspect of the site for many PlayDates.

"It's really active!" exclaimed TheIshy. "There's a part of the forum just for the [PlayDates], and the girls set up a chat room to talk to each other. It's not just a MySpace type site with gaming, it's a real community."

"GameCrush encourages and supports PlayDates communicating," added Apheleon. "PlayDates pull together. We talk and support each other. There is a very friendly group of [PlayDates] who talk amongst themselves. All that's needed is a good, friendly attitude, and the more experienced PlayDates will take new ones under their wing."

I asked EarthwormJane if she had experienced the same supportive, friendly fellow PlayDates which both TheIshy and Apheleon had described: "It's really nice. Even though I've only been there for a little while, it's easy to tell that all the girls definitely have each others' backs."

GameCrush: Legitimate Pay For Gaming

The PlayDates confirmed that the pay promised for working on the site is legitimate, down to a 1099 contractor form for PlayDates in the United States; GameCrush advertises the potential for $20 per hour. When I asked each of the four what initially attracted them to working for GameCrush, especially when the potential for encountering requests for "adult" interaction seems so high, the potential for getting paid to play video games ranked very high in the responses.

"Playing games for money, of course; I do have to be honest," replied TheIshy. " Then, when I got approved and started chatting with the Players and meeting other PlayDates, the sense of fun and community kept me around, even when it was really slow for me."

EarthwormJane had a similar reply: "A friend of mine at work had mentioned it to me and it sounded interesting; playing games in my spare time, but potentially getting paid to do so? Sweet deal, if I do say so myself. I spend so much time online anyway, may as well do something productive!"

Apheleon was also referred to the website by a friend. "A friend of mine who was a [PlayDate] in Beta told me it was a fun and respectful environment to earn some money while playing games," he shared. "She mentioned that she's seen exactly zero male [PlayDates] back then, and told me I might find a market."

ThatGuyWithSkillz's draw to working for GameCrush was simple: "Video games of course; I'm a gamer in the soul!"

GameCrush: What It Means To Be A 'PlayDate,' And Other Advice

The PlayDates I interviewed were kind enough to volunteer their advice to potential newcomers, along with their definitions of the role of "PlayDate."

"As a PlayDate, your job is to entertain," explained EarthwormJane. "That is a big part of the site. It's to show our guests a good time, whether it's just having a conversation or having a buddy to blow-up zombies with. It really is what role you choose to fill. Some [PlayDates], like myself for example, choose to fill the competitive gamer role; we come to shed digital blood, kick [butt] and have fun. Other PlayDates come to fill the conversationalist role; they joined to meet tons of awesome people. Some PlayDates are comfortable enough to go a little bit further with things. Luckily the site is diverse enough to have room for any kind of gamer."

"Anyone signing up to be a PlayDate should, first of all, realize what being a PlayDate is about. GameCrush is not Facebook for video gamers. While PlayDates do socialize and make friends on GameCrush, they should act the part of a PlayDate," shared Apheleon. "Be professional, tactful, and know [your] games."

"Not all guys are looking for girls that will kick their butts on every game," cautioned TheIshy. "Some guys actually like helping girls learn some tips and pointers so they can get better at whatever game."

It seems that GameCrush is certainly more than meets the eye, and that PlayDates really do control what type of interactions they offer to Players. As a long-time Gamer Gal, I am pleased to see that my first impressions-which involved concerns about the potential exploitation of the elusive female video game player-were incorrect, and that GameCrush seems to be striving to be a combination of webcam interactions and old fashioned video game fun-with optional flirting, of course.

Sources:
GameCrush, "Terms of Service" & Online Press Kit