Advertising and gaming have met on the net. Sponsors are grabbing eye space in complex games as the emerging industry of viral games distributed via the web and e-mail proves successful in generating new customers and high response rates. Companies like YAYA, KPE and Wild Tangent are helping spread brand awareness through games and interactive content that are easily spread via e-mail. Sony, Ford, Burger King, ESPN, Nike and Electronic Arts are a few corporations now employing advergames. Because banner ad response rates continue to under-deliver, advertising is spreading into game sponsorship as a more attractive outlet for generating web site visitors.
Games take time.
Time spent in front of the brand. Companies are realizing it s well worth the money spent for your time and all your friends time. Jack Daniels sponsored an online pool hall decorated in their finest bar accoutrements where players could play free virtual pool. Ford let Netizens race one of their SUVs on the moon. When you play a racing game today on the Wild Tangent web site, the experience rivals game units like Playstation with hairpin turns, fluid graphics and acceleration.