The use of Branded Games or Advergames have been around for years.
These games try to achieve 2 different things:
1. Be a great game
2. Promote the company
If successful, Advergames promote the brand and their values alongside a fun, enjoyable game which users keep coming back to play.
In the past, due the cost, only the largest global brands did them. Promotional games were only made by the likes of Coca Cola and McDonalds.
Maybe this is the reason why there are a number of myths and misconceptions about what Advergames are and their function. It’s also easier than ever to create a branded game, so now lots of different companies can start using them.
Here’s our rundown of the 7 most persistent myths and misconceptions about Branded Games:
Myth # 1: Expensive
This may have been right in the past. Advergames were developed from scratch by game development companies. This meant that only large, global brands could afford them.
The Reality: Branded Mini-Games are created to be affordable. Using a templated approach, we take the best performing games and allow you to customise them with your brand and product images. Our Branded Mini-Games platform also allows you to use it for free, so you can start creating your own advergames at no cost.
Myth # 2: Not for my industry
“My industry doesn’t use games in its marketing” is something we hear. If you’re from a B2B, industrial or, what you deem, a boring industry you may think that creating a game is something that’s not appropriate for your business.
The Reality: Remember, your customer is also a consumer. They are also on social media and use a smartphone. They are also likely to play and enjoy games and want to have fun. What better way to differentiate your marketing, or add excitement to a boring industry than using games. Who will your customer remember — a supplier which copies everyone else, or someone who gives them games?
Myth # 3: Time consuming
Creating a Branded Games takes too long. By the time we get it done then our event, or promotion will be finished!
The Reality: Using Branded Mini-Games you can create an advergame in 5 simple steps and in minutes. The time from your idea to launching a game is dramatically reduced using our simple platform, or just getting us to do it for you.
Myth # 4: We need an app
“Games need an app to be distributed to our customers”. This is the biggest myth at the moment. An automatic assumption that all games for mobiles need apps. Or, that you need to create different versions for different mobile platforms.
The Reality: You don’t need an app. You don’t need to create different versions for different devices. Our games are created using HTML5 which can be accessed on all smart devices, computers and mobile browsers. Internet access and speed is now so good on mobiles that our games can be played from any location.
Myth # 5: No good for Social media
Social media is now an important component of any marketing campaign. Games are great but unless it’s integrated with social media then it’s of no use.
The Reality: Our Branded Mini-Games have social features added to them. This includes shared leaderboards, social sharing and Facebook and Twitter logins. This means that the games are no longer isolated experiences, but shared. Social sharing also draws in new players and gets people back to playing the games multiple times.
Myth # 6: Doesn’t generate leads
Games are great. They’re fun but they don’t generate leads, right? Eh, wrong.
The Reality: Our games allow you to add call to actions to them. To be part of the competition or to get your name on the leaderboard, you have to add your contact details. This generates leads for your business. With social sharing, the game can also add in new leads as the games gets recommended to other friends and colleagues.
Myth # 7: Don’t transfer to desktop computers
Games for mobile don’t always translate to computers, or vice versa. This has meant that games needed to be adapted and written for different platforms, screens and devices.
The Reality: Branded Mini-Games work on all screens and devices. HTML5 adapts automatically to the screen and browser you are using. This also means less cost — one game can be used from anywhere, at anytime.
Conclusion
The myths about Branded Games and Advergames are things of the past. With HTML5 we can create mobile web games that can be accessed from anywhere, on any device. This means you only need to create one game, and don’t need an app which makes access and distribution easier and more convenient.
With less game to develop, and with Branded Mini-Games, creating your own Advergame is easier, faster and affordable. Get started and launch your game in the same day yourself, or get us to create it for you in weeks rather than months.
Get started today, create your own Branded games. Create your free account.
