GameCrush

GameCrush operated as a social gaming platform that facilitated one-on-one video game sessions, or "PlayDates," between its users. Founded in 2007 by Eric Strasser, David Good, and Anees Iqbal, the San Francisco-based company aimed to create a space where gamers could connect and play together. The service launched publicly on September 28, 2010, after presenting as a finalist at TechCrunch Disrupt and securing $700,000 in an angel funding round from investors like Scott and Cyan Banister.

The business model centered on a pay-per-minute structure, where users would purchase credits to spend on gameplay sessions with others on the platform. This approach was likened to buying someone a drink at a bar to initiate conversation. Users, predominantly male, could browse profiles of "PlayDates," who were primarily female, and pay for their time to play console or PC games together. The platform included features like text and video chat, user profiles with pictures, and a rating system. While initially met with overwhelming demand that crashed its servers during a beta launch in March 2010, GameCrush ultimately ceased operations in early 2013 after experimenting with various compensation models.

The platform allowed members to post profiles with photos and gaming information, interact via text and video chat, and engage in a variety of video games. In early 2011, the company introduced the "Crush-O-Matic," a free, random game matching service designed to connect users, drawing comparisons to the then-popular Chatroulette but with added safety features like registration and user ratings. Keywords: social gaming, pay-to-play, online gaming community, video game matchmaking, PlayDates, gamer social network, console gaming, PC gaming, TechCrunch Disrupt finalist, Eric Strasser, David Good, Anees Iqbal, online interactions, video game chat, pay-per-minute gaming, gaming marketplace, virtual dates, gamer connection, online entertainment, defunct startup