Without the iPhone application “iGirl,” we might never have known Resistor Productions’ fighting browser MMO “Disciple.”

A few months ago, Toby Battan, CEO of Resistor, needed more money to create the MMO. The $250,000 in the company’s bank wasn’t enough. So with an investment of $3,000, he created “iGirl,” an iPhone application where the user customizes a pasty-skinned scantily clad virtual lady. It’s a simple idea, and definitely bizarre in a creepy kind of way, but it sold well -- very well, in fact. Three months after its release, “iGirl” generated more than $300,000 for Battan and Resistor.

The company eventually released their MMO, “Disciple,” and now plans on expanding its reach by adding a version to Facebook and another to the iPhone app store. But don’t worry useless app lovers, the company will still churn out “other” content to generate a few extra bucks.

Of course, Resistor didn’t invent a new business model here. This is just an interesting case study of a company finding success and fueling their dreams in this rapidly-evolving videogame (and MMO) industry.

Posted by Kyle Stallock
June 27, 2009

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