Tag: mobile gaming

SocialVibe teams with Placecast to launch ambitious new marketing solution

| December 27, 2012

SocialVibe teams with PlacecastSocialVibe and Placecast introduce marketing solution for retailers

SocialVibe, a digital advertising firm, has announced that it has teamed with Placecast, a location-based marketing provider, in order to launch a new marketing solution for the retail industry. The campaign will feature in-app advertisements in a mobile game that could help retail brands reach a new demographic of mobile consumers. The idea is simple: The mobile game associated with the campaign would encourage consumers to interact with advertisements from retailers. Interacting with these in-app advertisements would reward consumers with in-game points and other benefits.

Duo combines gaming with location-based marketing

The solution from SocialVibe and Placecast is being put to use by Best Buy in a new marketing campaign with mobile gaming and location-based marketing at its core. Through the use of a mobile gaming application that is associated with the SocialVibe and Placecast campaign, Best Buy customers will be receive a variety of in-app advertisements while they are playing their mobile game. Interacting with the advertisement and opting into a marketing program will net consumers with rewards in the mobile game as well as special offers from Best Buy and any other retailer participating in the game.

Location-based marketing may be enhanced through mobile gaming

The advertisements that consumers will see in the game are meant to make use of geographic information to appeal to specific demographics. The mobile game will use technology and methods developed by both SocialVibe and Placecast in order to accomplish this feat. Location-based marketing has been very effective in the past and may be able to be enhanced through mobile gaming.

Best Buy campaign to run through December

SocialVibe has been leveraging location-based marketing in the social gaming space since 2007. The company has a wealth of experience in this field, which may be attractive to a wide variety of retailers. The Best Buy campaign will run throughout December, giving shopper ample time to experience the campaign during the holiday shopping season.

Kapitall documents the rise of mobile gaming

| December 27, 2012

Mobile Gaming growthKapitall analysis highlights the growth of mobile gaming over the years

Mobile gaming may soon become the dominating force in the game industry. Kapitall, an online investment platform, has been tracking the decline of traditional console gaming and the sale of physical gaming products. As sales continue to drop, they are being replaced by sales made through digital platforms, such a Steam and Gamestop. Game developers that focus solely on mobile gaming, such as Glue Mobile and Zynga, are also seeing significant gains as traditional platforms begin to wane.

Retails sales dropping off for consoles and games

According to Kapitall, retail game sales have dropped by 25% year-to-date, while console sales have plummeted by 30% year over year. A volatile economic climate is to blame to some degree, but so too is the retail price of most video games, which can range from $30 to $60, depending on the publisher of the game. Mobile gaming is faring much better, largely due to the fact that most mobile games are very inexpensive, with many being completely free.

Mobile gaming accounts for only a fraction of the entire market

Despite the strong advent of mobile gaming, however, mobile games account for only a fraction of the overall market. Digital downloads of games developed for consoles and PCs are strong and continue to gain momentum as more consumers show favor for online shopping over traditional forms of commerce. For these people, online shopping is simply more convenient and does not actually mean they are spending less on games, only that they do not have to pick them up from a physical store.

Gamers still willing to shell out money for console and PC games

Kapitall notes that gamers are not likely to abandon consoles in favor of mobile gaming. Mobile games typically offer a very shallow, linear experience that is designed around repetition rather than in-depth gameplay. As such, titles from companies like Electronic Arts, THQ, and Ubisoft are likely to continue selling well, even if those sales are not actually physical.