NFL Game Day Pick'em
Outpredict the Experts
We partnered with the NFL Network to develop the Game Day Pick'em application for their 2011 season campaign. This innovative platform pitted fans against NFL Game Day TV show analysts in a season-long prediction challenge, fostering engagement and friendly competition among the NFL community.
The challenge was to create a robust, scalable platform that could handle millions of concurrent users making weekly game predictions. The system needed to aggregate fan predictions, compare them against analyst picks, and maintain a season-long leaderboard.
Additionally, the platform had to integrate seamlessly with NFL.com, be promoted across various media channels including TV, and handle potential traffic spikes. Ensuring real-time updates, maintaining data integrity, and providing an engaging user experience were crucial aspects of this high-profile project.
Our Approach
We developed a comprehensive solution to address the unique needs of this large-scale prediction challenge:
Discovery & Research
- Analyzed existing sports prediction platforms and their limitations.
- Studied user behavior in fantasy sports and prediction games.
- Explored best practices in handling large-scale, concurrent user interactions.
- Investigated integration requirements with NFL's existing digital ecosystem.
Design Thinking
- Created user personas for casual fans, avid predictors, and TV show viewers.
- Developed wireframes and prototypes focusing on intuitive prediction interfaces and leaderboards.
- Designed features to enhance engagement and promote social interaction.
- Incorporated feedback from NFL Network team and potential users through multiple iterations.
Agile Development
- Implemented rapid prototyping and iteration cycles.
- Prioritized features based on NFL's campaign objectives and user engagement potential.
- Conducted continuous load testing to ensure platform stability under high traffic.
- Planned for scalability to handle millions of concurrent users during peak times.
Technology Stack
- Frontend: HTML5 for a responsive and dynamic user interface.
- Backend: PHP for robust API development.
- Database: MySql for flexible data storage.
- Cloud: Linode for scalable and secure infrastructure.
Solution
Cygnis delivered a high-performance, scalable prediction platform for NFL's Game Day Pick'em challenge, addressing the essential needs of engaging millions of fans in a season-long competition.
Weekly Prediction Interface
User-friendly system for fans to make game winner predictions.
Analyst vs. Fans Comparison
Aggregate fan predictions compared against NFL analyst picks.
Real-time Leaderboard
Live-updating scoreboard tracking fan and analyst performance throughout the season.
Scalable Architecture
Robust backend capable of handling over 1.5 million concurrent users.
Multi-server Deployment
Optimized database and caching layers with scripts for adding new servers as needed.
Integration with NFL.com
Seamless embedding within the official NFL website.
Cross-platform Compatibility
Responsive design for access across various devices.
Social Media Integration
Features to promote discussion and sharing on various platforms.
Analytics Dashboard
Real-time alerts for new quote requests, messages, and project updates.
The Game Day Pick'em campaign was a roaring success, attracting over 1.5 million players throughout the season. The platform's ability to handle this massive scale while facilitating engaging competition between fans and analysts set new standards in sports entertainment digital campaigns.
The resulting debates and friendly trash-talk across NFL's social media profiles and Twitter demonstrated the campaign's success in fostering fan engagement and community interaction.
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