Oh look, it's this thread again.
You're not going to break into any of the above genres. What do FIFA and Call of Duty both have in common? They're two of the biggest games played in the world, therefore there will always be bigger and better forums with a stronger fan-base, and that's because the original creator is either part of a forum network e.g Curse, or they have thousands upon thousands of dollars to blow. In rare occasions, the founder possible though ahead of his time; take
http://minecraftforums.net for example. Minecraft had a fan-base of around 1,000 users when Notch began developing. The founder thought ahead and created a forum based around Minecraft, then by chance, Minecraft blew-up, literally. Minecraft Forums eventually became such a success that it then partnered with the Curse network. Need I remind you, the forum was developed by one man.
Here's a tip or two to help you on your way to success.
Domain choice:
You need to think different. What do you NOT see everyday? Gaming / technology forums aren't worth the effort you would input to create. They will not 'take-off, 'as there is just too many gaming / technology forums floating around on the Internet, so there's no point in following the crowd. Think of an upcoming gaming series, that you think will become a big hit. That's the mind-span you need to set yourself. For example; let's rewind ourself. Say this is the year 2011, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has just been announced. If you were to register the domain e.g blackops2mb.com (Black Ops 2 Message Boards), input the time and effort to create an eye-pleasing, user-friendly, forum, and then proceed to advertise heavily, you'd attract attention.
Experience:
The second most important thing is experience. If you have no experience in the management / development of forums, I suggest you set-up a test board, and play around with it for a week of two (that's what she said). Familiarize yourself with the AdminCP (Admin Control Panel) with the choice of forum software you plan on using. I recommend using MyBB when starting your first forum. There's no point in wasting $200.00 for premium forum software such as IP.Board, if you don't have a clue how to use it. Overall, members' are more concerned about the accessibility of the forum, and how the forum looks. You won't be judged on your choice of forum software, it's how you adapt it... unless you use Webs.
B!tches do not like Webs.
Funding:
If you're struggling to afford your web domain and hosting, don't even bother creating a forum just yet. Save your money, and build up a strong amount of funds first. I'd recommend $100.00, just to begin. You don't want to purchase amazingly impressive hosting that will break the bank, just use a cheap, but quality, service such as Host Gator. You shouldn't need money for much else unless you plan on purchasing a premium and / or custom-designed theme. Most plugins are available free-of-charge, so you shouldn't have any issue in that department. If you really want to give your forum a kick-start, invest in some advertising.
Whatever you do, just do NOT expect your forum to become an instant hit. You'll set yourself up for a huge fall, with no-one to catch you. Input the time and effort, and you will be rewarded. Don't install MyBB, slap on a theme, create some forums and then advertise claiming "Best MyBB forum on the web", that's not how it works.
If you have any questions or seek further help, feel free to drop me a private message.