There are a lot of Social networks out there such as Facebook and Mybloglogs. There are even little games you can play on those social networks. Then you have game networks such as Xbox live and Steam that are game focused with some social and community aspects. Doof.com does something a little different than many of these networks. Doof is a gaming social network. I know, it sounds the same as something like Steam or Xbox live, but theres a little difference. Doof is set up so that gaming and social goes hand in hand. sortof like Facebook with a strong gaming emphasis, instead of turning people into zombies and Hugging them.

Doof.com-Gaming-Social

First the games.

When you first log into Doof, youd notice that there are plenty of "casual games" for you to play. There are leader boards, and multiplay games. Then there are tournaments that you can enter. You don’t have to always play games with others, you could just play all alone and compare your scores. But when you want too, you can chat while playing, or play multiplayer games with others.

Now the social

As far as the social portion of the site, theres plenty of that there. Each user gets a customizable home page that people can visit, check out your scores and games you like, and leave messages. Just like your page on any other social website. The website itself is beautiful, I know this may sound like 2006, but there are lots of Ajax, and movable windows. A lot of websites has gone away from this style of in your face Ajax in lue of a more subtle Ajax setup but Doof.com does it pretty well. You have friends list and everything else, nothing is left out on the social front.

There is a catch

One thing about social websites is the struggle to monetize the site. Many do it with ads, Doof.com has a "credit" system, similar to Xbox live’s MS points. You buy those credits and then use them to buy your way into tournaments, and pay for virtual gifts you can give to your friends. One thing I read at the site that didn’t quite sit well with me was int he explanation of Doof’s credits. It read sortof like your status and worth at Doof.com if determined by how many credits you have. the more credits you have, the higher your regarded at Doof.com. SO pretty much you have to buy your status?  Maybe its something they overlooked, (or I misread). Even though it is a well made pretty website with a lot of good ideas, it just wasn’t anything I found interesting for myself. Many might so go check it out.