Marketing in World Of Games

Antonio Petrovic
Digital Reflections
4 min readJan 29, 2023

Marketing in the gaming world involves promoting and advertising video games to potential consumers. This can be done through various channels such as television and online advertisements, social media, influencer partnerships, and events such as gaming conventions. Gaming marketing aims to increase awareness and interest in a particular game or gaming brand, ultimately leading to increased sales. Gaming companies also create and promote their own esports tournaments, which is also a form of marketing.

Esports Marketing

Esports marketing refers to promoting and advertising competitive video gaming, also known as esports. This can include promoting individual esports events, teams, players, and the broader esports industry.

Some common marketing tactics used in esports include:

  • Sponsorship: Many brands sponsor esports teams, events, and players in order to gain exposure to the esports audience.
  • Advertising: Esports events and streaming platforms offer advertising opportunities, such as banner ads and sponsored segments.
  • Content creation: Teams, organizations, and individual players often create content such as vlogs, social media posts, and behind-the-scenes footage to engage with their fanbase.
  • Influencer marketing: Esports personalities, also known as streamers, have a large following, partnering with them can be very effective.
  • Event marketing: Many esports events are held in physical locations, which allows for additional marketing opportunities such as product displays and interactive booths.

Esports marketing is a growing industry and is becoming increasingly important as the esports audience continues to grow and become more mainstream.

In-Game Advertising

In-game advertising refers to the placement of ads within a video game. These ads can take many forms, such as billboards, posters, product placements, or even fully integrated brand experiences.

Some ways in-game advertising can be implemented include:

  • Static ads: These are ads that appear as billboards, posters, or other forms of in-game signage that players can interact with. They are mostly found in open-world games, sports and racing games.
  • Dynamic ads: These are integrated into the game world more seamlessly, such as product placements in a virtual store or branded vehicles on a virtual race track.
  • In-game sponsorships: This refers to the sponsorship of in-game items, events, or even game modes by a brand.
  • In-game offers and coupons: This type of advertising allows players to redeem virtual or real-world offers or coupons through the game, incentivizing them to visit the advertiser’s website or physical location.
  • In-game messaging: This type of advertising includes messages, such as pop-up ads, that appear within the game to inform players about a product or service.

In-game advertising can be an effective way for companies to reach a large and engaged audience and provide a new revenue stream for game developers. However, it’s important that in-game advertising is done in a way that is not intrusive or disruptive to the player’s experience, as this can have a negative impact on the game’s reputation and user engagement.

Gaming Influencers

Gaming influencers are individuals who have a large following on social media and other platforms, and who primarily create content related to video games. They can be streamers, YouTubers, social media personalities, and professional gamers.

Some popular gaming influencers include:

  • PewDiePie
  • Ninja
  • Shroud
  • Tfue
  • Pokimane
  • MrBeast

These influencers are able to reach a large and engaged audience and can have a significant impact on the success of a game or gaming brand. Many game companies partner with these influencers to showcase their games, create sponsored content, and promote their products.

Gaming influencers also provide a way for players to connect with the game communities, providing tips, walkthroughs, and game reviews. They also provide a way to keep up with the latest trends and updates in the gaming world.

Some influencers also participate in esports tournaments, this allows them to reach a wider audience and also help to promote esports as a whole. Due to their popularity and reach, gaming influencers can be a valuable asset to any gaming or esports marketing strategy.

The secrets to marketing in the gaming industry in 2023

It is difficult to predict specific marketing strategies that will be effective in the gaming industry in 2023 as the industry is constantly evolving and new trends and technologies are emerging. However, some general principles that could be considered when developing a marketing strategy in the gaming industry in 2023 include:

  • Understanding the audience: The gaming industry has a diverse audience, with players of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It is important to understand the demographics and interests of the target audience in order to effectively market to them.
  • Utilizing social media and online platforms: Social media and online platforms have become increasingly important for reaching and engaging with the gaming audience. Utilizing platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok to create and share content can be an effective way to reach potential consumers.
  • Live streaming and esports: Live streaming and esports are becoming increasingly popular in the gaming industry. Live streaming allows players to watch their favorite players and teams compete in real-time, while esports tournaments can be a great way to promote a game and generate interest.
  • Influencer marketing: Influencer marketing can be a powerful tool in the gaming industry. Partnering with popular gaming influencers can help to reach a wider audience and generate buzz for a game or brand.
  • Virtual and Augmented Reality: As technology advances, virtual and augmented reality will become more accessible to the general public. This could present new opportunities for in-game advertising and immersive brand experiences.
  • Personalization and Data-Driven: In 2023, the use of personalization and data-driven approach will be key to reach the right audience, with the right message and at the right time. This allows for more efficient targeting, and personalized experiences for players.

It is important to note that these are just general principles, and the most effective marketing strategies will depend on the specific game, brand, and target audience.

--

--