Question
We identified 2 types of customers:
1) Hardcore gamers who have already spent hundreds of dollars on steering wheels, which look SPORT and AGGRESSIVE.
2) Casual iPad gamers, who have never touched a gaming wheel in their lives and just want a comfortable experience but in an Apple-like shell - SLEEK and MINIMAL.
Here are main questions we need to assume/validate:
1) Will we be able to make it to Apple Stores globally with this design?
2) How many casual iPad gamers wouldn’t buy it if not Apple enough?
3) How many hardcore gamers wouldn’t buy it if Apple enough, but not sport enough?
Main problem with iterating to "more Apple" will be +6 month time to Kickstarter and money doesn't grow on trees :), but at the same time we get only one chance to make a good first impression.
Thanks for your time.
Answer
You don't need to spend 6 months on building anything new to validate this. Creating design mockups of another variation that has a white sleek look will be enough to canvas opinions.
It is fairly inexpensive to run a test via google consumer surveys or similar to hit a large chunk of your target demographic with a "which would you buy" type question.
I wouldn't worry about getting it into stores for now. If you success in building a quality product that the market wants you won't struggle for a sales platform.
