The PL Predictions
Game Description
The PL Predictions is a weekly, online game that I have managed for the last 4 years. It is based around the English Premier League with around 20-30 players each year. This season is the 13th year the game has been running. Each week the players must predict the outcome (home win, draw or away win) for each of the games of the that particular Matchweek in the Premier League. Each correct predictions is worth 1 point and whoever has the most points at the end of the season wins.
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There are various other rules to keep things interesting such as Top 4/Bottom 3 predictions, weekly Bankers (players choose one prediction each week to be their banker, if it's correct they get an extra point but if it's incorrect they lose a point) as well as head-to-head leagues and the FA Cup Third Round with 32 games to predict. The overall winner takes the majority of the prize money, however there are prizes for some of the runners up as well as for the winner of the FA Cup Third Round.
System Upgrade
Historically, the PL Predictions was managed using simple text messages and pen and paper. When I came on board for the 16/17 Premier League season, I created an online system for the game using Google Docs and WordpPress.
A WordPress site is used as the main hub for the game, weekly predictions are submitted via a Google Form, the back end for data storage and manipulation is handled by Google Sheets and the weekly table is presented in a Google Doc. The weekly set up to calculate the table and update the matchweek form is semi-automated using Google Scripts.
App Design
A move to a bespoke mobile application for the game was discussed. I designed a prototype using Figma design software, a video of which can be seen on the left.
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The pursuit of the application was ultimately abandoned for several reasons including having to take money out of the prize pool for the game to pay for server space and having to develop an app for Andoird, iOS and Windows phone.