Games as a Key Marketing Tool
The use of games as a marketing tool has become increasingly common in recent years, and for good reason. Games are a highly engaging form of entertainment that can capture people's attention and keep them interested for long periods of time. This makes them an effective way to reach people and get them interested in a product or brand.
But why are games such an effective marketing tool? And how can companies use them to promote their products or brands? Here are some insights from a Malaysia game developer. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons why games are so effective as a marketing tool, and we'll provide some tips on how companies can use them to their advantage.
A Rising Medium of Entertainment
In the past, gaming was often associated with young, male players. However, this stereotype has been changing in recent years. The rise of mobile gaming and the increasing popularity of online gaming has made the gaming community more diverse, and today, gamers come from all genders, ages, and backgrounds. In fact, according to a report by the Entertainment Software Association, the average gamer is now 35 years old and the gender split among gamers is almost even, with 52% of gamers being male and 48% being female.
Engaging By Nature
One of the key reasons why games are so effective as a marketing tool is that they are highly engaging. Unlike traditional forms of advertising, games are something that people actively seek out and enjoy. This means that they are more likely to pay attention to the messages that a game is trying to convey, and they are more likely to remember those messages.
In 2010, Oreo created a game called "Oreo Twist, Lick, Dunk" to promote its cookies. The game featured a virtual Oreo cookie that players had to twist and dunk in order to earn points. The game did not require paid media for promotion and had been downloaded over 4 million times organically and has reached a peak of 250,000 daily active users. Since its launch, users have played the game for a total of 70 million sessions and have virtually dunked over 4 billion Oreo cookies.
Unlike TV ads that may not even be remembered, high-quality mobile games can provide hours of direct engagement. Considering the millions of dollars that major brands spend on TV ads, creating a mobile game for $100-200 thousand is a better return on investment.
Importance of a Good Game
In order for a game to be effective, it needs to be well-designed and engaging. If a game is boring or frustrating, people are not going to want to play it, and the marketing message is not going to be effective.
So, how can companies use games as a marketing tool? Here are a few tips:
Design the game to be easily accessible to anyone. If the controls are difficult, unintuitive or the game is difficult to play, you’ll lose your audiences’ attention.
Make the game easy to share. If people enjoy playing the game, they are likely to want to share it with their friends. This can help to spread the marketing message to a wider audience.
Make the game competitive. People are social creatures who crave validation. Let them compete with others on a leaderboard. Better yet, include prizes for your most devoted fans.
Build an Effective Marketing Game with Weyrdworks
Games are an effective marketing tool because they are highly engaging and can be tailored to specific audiences. By designing well-made, enjoyable games, companies can promote their products or brands in a subtle and effective way.
Looking to make a game for your brand? Weyrdworks is a Malaysian game development company experienced in building top-notch App Store feature titles. Reach out to us to start engaging your audience in a more effective way.