Marketing
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McDonald's new 'Archie' device stops you going AFK while you eat a Big Mac
McDonald's Türkiye has launched the 'Archie', a controller peripheral designed to prevent players from going AFK during gaming sessions. This device, inspired by the company's golden arches, keeps controllers active by moving the analog sticks, and is being offered as a gift with the 'Pro Gamer Menu'. This initiative is part of McDonald's broader marketing efforts, which previously included a Street Fighter promotion in Japan.
Free ‘Enticing Pie’ Emote Drops with Full Animated Music Video
A free in-game emote called 'Enticing Pie' received a full animated music video reveal, setting a new standard for cosmetic content promotion. This approach, involving custom animation and professional production values, generated significant community engagement and highlights a growing trend of treating cosmetic items as major content drops. The article suggests this level of effort could become a template for future reveals, benefiting both players and studios by increasing retention and revenue.
CyberStonka’s April Fool’s Server Hamster Has Gaming Twitter Giggling
CyberStonka gained positive attention on April Fool's Day with a simple announcement about 'server hamster maintenance.' Instead of a typical prank, the company posted a wholesome message about caring for their fictional hamster, which resonated well with players and highlighted a trend towards inclusive humor in gaming marketing.
Game developers react to 12 tonnes of stolen KitKats with wave of April Fools jokes
Game developers and companies participated in April Fools' Day jokes, many of which were inspired by a real-world theft of 12 tonnes of KitKat bars. Developers like Chucklefish, Ubisoft, Running With Scissors, and publishers like Activision and Konami created humorous content referencing the chocolate heist.
Rockstar said GTA 6 marketing wouldn't start until the summer, but the wait for Trailer 3 has been so long that…
Fans are eagerly anticipating the third trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, with speculation intensifying despite Rockstar Games stating that official marketing would begin in the summer. The game is set to release on November 19, and players are discussing potential release windows for new promotional content.
The Funniest Gaming Reactions To The KitKat Heist, If That's Even Possible
Following the theft of 12 tons of KitKat bars in Europe, numerous video game developers and content creators have joined in on the meme-fueled reactions. Companies like Strinova, Running With Scissors, Dead by Daylight, and Evil Genius Rebellion, along with creators and fan accounts for games such as Pokemon, Counter-Strike 2, and World of Warcraft, have posted humorous responses to the incident.
Xbox Games Showcase and Gears of War E-Day Direct Announced For June
Xbox announced its annual Xbox Games Showcase for June 7, featuring first-party and third-party titles, followed by a Gears of War E-Day Direct deep dive into the prequel. New Xbox EVP and CEO Asha Sharma is leading a brand reset, retiring the 'This is an Xbox' campaign. The showcase will also feature the return of Xbox FanFest for a live audience.
New Xbox CEO reveals why she axed 'This Is An Xbox' ad campaign
New Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma has reportedly shut down the 'This Is An Xbox' advertising campaign, stating it 'didn't feel like Xbox'. The campaign, which promoted playing Xbox games without a console, was seen as confusing and potentially damaging to the brand. Sharma is leading a brand reset, with speculation of a return to exclusives.
"It didn't feel like Xbox" - Microsoft confirms new Xbox boss scrapped controversial This is an Xbox ad campaign as part of brand "reset"
Microsoft has confirmed the discontinuation of its 'This is an Xbox' advertising campaign, with new gaming boss Asha Sharma leading a brand reset. The campaign, which reportedly de-emphasized hardware and was controversial internally, has been retired as Sharma focuses on celebrating Xbox's console roots. Development kits for the next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, are expected next year.
Cat at Home Purrs onto Steam with a Heartfelt Indie Launch Story
Liquid Meow Games has launched their cat-themed puzzle game, Cat at Home, on Steam with a 10% launch discount and a bundle offer. The game is rated 'Playable' on Steam Deck, and the developers are emphasizing the importance of player reviews for supporting future titles. This launch highlights authentic indie marketing strategies and community building in a crowded marketplace.
Talking Point: Should Nintendo Have Kept The Mario Galaxy Movie Fox Reveal Under Wraps?
This article discusses Nintendo's decision to reveal Fox McCloud's appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie via a poster prior to its release. The author argues that while it may seem like a spoiler, it serves as a marketing tactic to re-engage core Nintendo fans and suggests potential for other character cameos.
The Daily Grind: What MMO would’ve succeeded with better marketing?
This article discusses the significant impact of marketing on the success of MMORPGs, questioning whether better marketing could have saved games like Glitch and Crowfall. The author expresses dissatisfaction with the current system where good games often rely on luck or excessive spending to gain visibility, advocating for a more sustainable approach to game budgeting and promotion within the genre.
Marathon Review - Actions Have Consequences | Game Informer
This review of Marathon discusses the game's marketing and intellectual property. The author argues that all marketing is a form of pandering and questions the claim that the IP has been hijacked, noting the same developer still owns it. The piece expresses hope for the game's survival despite a perceived year-and-a-half-long hate campaign.
What Does It Take to Become an OnlyFans Model? Leading Qualities You Need
This guide outlines the key qualities needed to succeed as an OnlyFans model, emphasizing strategic consistency, audience awareness, and effective monetization strategies. It details how to leverage subscription pricing, pay-per-view content, tips, and direct messaging to maximize earnings, alongside the importance of content presentation and technical quality for viewer engagement and value perception.
"Weird and bats**t" Steam launch of two different indie games with the same name ended in 3x more sales than expected: "It all absolutely popped off"
Two unrelated indie games, both titled "Piece by Piece," launched on Steam around the same time, leading to unexpected sales boosts for developer Gamkat and publisher No More Robots. This naming coincidence resulted in roughly triple the expected sales and a significant increase in wishlists, as many players purchased the games as a bundle.
Killing "This Is An Xbox" Campaign Was New CEO's Decision - Report
Xbox's new CEO Asha Sharma reportedly decided to end the "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign shortly after taking the helm. Sharma is also focused on improving Xbox console sales, aiming for the platform to be a "reference console" against which others are judged. This shift follows the departure of former CEO Phil Spencer and Xbox president Sarah Bond.
Two more leadership exits take place at Xbox
Two more leadership figures have departed Xbox: VP of partnerships, business development, and marketing, Lori Wright, and general manager of gaming AI, Haiyan Zhang. These departures follow recent exits from other high-ranking executives at Microsoft Gaming. Haiyan Zhang will be joining Netflix's gaming team.
Games Inbox: Is Marathon worth playing?
Readers discuss various gaming topics, including Bungie's time-limited Marathon event, the effectiveness of game advertising for titles like World of Warcraft and Fortnite, and skepticism towards pre-ordering Crimson Desert. There's also a comparison of PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch sales, with a preference for the PS5 for AAA titles, and reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of Resident Evil Requiem.
Movies That Fell Short Despite High Expectations
This article discusses films that failed to meet high expectations despite significant marketing efforts. It highlights examples like Justice League, The Hobbit trilogy, and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, attributing their shortcomings to factors such as studio interference, rushed storytelling, and divisive creative choices. The piece concludes that while marketing can build anticipation, the final product's quality is paramount in determining a film's success.
Has CD Projekt Red just ruled out a Witcher 3 expansion shadow drop? The studio was coy when facing a barrage of questions about it
CD Projekt Red joint CEO Michał Nowakowski indicated that the studio prefers longer marketing campaigns over surprise 'shadow drops' for new game content. This statement comes amidst speculation about a potential expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which could be crucial for the company to meet its financial incentive program targets for the year.