QR codes in video games: How to use QR codes for an immersive gaming experience

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QR TIGER QR Code Generator

12 min readJun 29, 2021

QR codes in video games are becoming a new tool to engage players because of their ease of use and reliability. QR codes help game publishers and video game marketers alike to reach the new generation of players.

Gaming is a multi-billion dollar-a year market with a growing number of video game consumers. These video game consumers have preferences what video game to play and the kind of game narrative.

To keep up with the consumers’ preferences and to make a name in a highly competitive market, QR codes in video games can be a vital tool for game publishers and marketers.

Furthermore, QR codes in video games make an interesting storyline because you can easily integrate them into a video game interface.

You can use QR codes to engage new players and improve the user experience. Thus, QR codes in video games are an excellent digital tool that helps with gameplay and immersion.

What is a QR code?

A QR code stands for ‘Quick Response’ and is the two-dimensional barcode invented by Denso Wave in 1994.

QR code is made up of scan-able matrix of black and white squares. This pattern and alignment contain the information of the QR code.

The more and complex the information is, the larger and complex these patterns and alignments are.

Using smartphones or a QR code reader app, a person can scan the QR code and access the information embedded in it instantly.

The reach and convenience QR codes provide to businesses are unparalleled. It is now used by various industries such as hospitality and leisure, pharmaceutical, government, and retail companies.

Static QR code vs. Dynamic QR code

Before you generate your QR codes in video games, get to know the difference between static and dynamic QR codes.

Static QR code

Static QR code will not allow you to change or modify your data embedded in a QR code. This means the information encoded directly in the QR code is a fixed data.

Static QR code is for one-time used code that you don’t have to change. For example, if you are using a URL QR code that will redirect top players to a redemption website to redeem end-of-season game rewards, you can use a static QR code.

Dynamic QR code

Unlike a static QR code, you can change the information in a dynamic QR code even if you already generated and distributed the QR code.

Moreover, you can capture the number of scans, the location of the people who scan, and device used to scan. These data are available in a QR code generator’s data-tracking system.

As dynamic QR codes can be updated and track usage data, they are ideal for video game design and marketing.

Why QR codes for video games important?

As the gaming market is highly competitive, you need to step up on your gaming design, storyline, and marketing.

Video game developers and game marketers have to work hand in hand to take advantage of varied QR code solutions to reach the untapped market, boost user experience, and drive revenue.

With the convenience and reliability that QR code offers, you can easily integrate it into your game story and marketing.

Customizable QR codes do not destroy your design elements, making it easier for you to include them on your game interface.

Moreover, players will no longer type a website (URL) to get their rewards or look for your newly released game in a gaming library. By a simple scan of their smartphone, they can access any information instantly.

Thus, QR codes are a promising technology for the video gaming industry.

Ways on how to use QR codes in video games

Discover new ways to use QR codes in video games for a more immersive gaming experience.

1. Give in-game rewards using URL QR code

Keep your players glued in the game by adding a QR code on your game story. Players can collect items or treasures by scanning QR codes placed in different locations in the game.

You can convert your website redemption center or URL into a QR code, so the players will have to scan it to redeem the items or treasures. For verification purposes, get the player ID and password.

2. Add interactive video clues in your detective game story

Another idea is to add a clue in your detective game story by adding a QR code in your game design once a player reaches a specific location in the game.

You can make a video of the clue and convert it into a video QR code (under file QR code category).

If you want to change the content format, you can also do that as file QR code allows you to change the file type without generating a new QR code. You can change the file type into JPEG, PNG, doc, MP3, excel, or video.

3. Bulk URL QR code for downloadable content of your released video game

As a standard practice by many game publishers, you can include downloadable content (DLC) of your released video game. You can offer loot crates, extra characters, weapon skins, etc., as part of pre-order bonuses, special edition bundles, and re-releases.

You can put a QR code of the DLC on that game interface to redirect the player to a website like Steam to download the DLC.

Make sure to copy the specific DLC link from your base game page to the URL menu of a QR code generator. This way, players will no longer search for additional content.

Don’t forget to add a call to action like “Scan to download free weapon skins” to increase scans and prompt the players to use the DLC.

For large numbers of DLCs, you can use a bulk URL QR code, so you will not create a QR code one by one.

Just download the template here for generating URL QR codes in bulk.

4. URL QR code to easily access video games

Suppose you are launching a video game or promoting an existing one. In that case, you can include on your marketing campaign a URL QR code of your video game that will redirect subscribers to a website like Steam (gaming library).

If your video game is available only in Steam, you can convert the video game URL into a QR code.

This way, subscribers will no longer have to type the link or search the game in their Steam accounts.

5. MP3 QR code for video game sound track

Convert your video game sound track into a QR code by using the MP3 QR code solution. An MP3 QR code solution converts a sound file into a QR code, and once scanned, will play a soundtrack.

This is convenient as players can play the sound file without the need for additional apps.

Using the dynamic QR code, you can also edit or modify your soundtrack’s link that redirects to another soundtrack. You don’t have to generate a new QR code or reprint a new one.

Just head over to the QR code generator software and do a quick update of your file.

If you would like to know how many people scan your MP3 QR code and their location (city or country), you can track this data using the QR code generator’s data tracking system.

6. Spotify QR code for video game soundtracks

If you’re concern with copyright issues, you can also create an account in audio streaming platforms like Spotify. Then create a playlist of your sound tracks.

For example, Riot Games, Inc. released their soundtrack of their League of Legends game on Spotify, where their users can listen to their video game soundtracks.

To easily share your sound tracks and increase your listeners, you can opt to make a Spotify QR code. Your users will be redirected to a link of your soundtrack without the need of searching the sound track title.

To create a Spotify QR code, you have to convert the URL of the music in Spotify into a QR code. Search the song you want to share and click the share icon. Then select the copy link field.

Then go to a QR code generator and select the URL category. Lastly, paste the Spotify audio link to generate the QR code.

If you want to promote different soundtracks using the same QR code, choose the dynamic QR code that allows you to make changes to your link and track the scans.

This way, there’s no need to reprint the QR code as you only have to update the URL of your Spotify QR code.

Another alternative QR code solution in promoting your video game soundtrack includes File QR code (choose the MP3).

7. App store QR code to boost download

If you want to promote your mobile game version of your video games, you can also make an App store QR code that connects the user directly to the device’s default app store.

Since app store QR code will redirect your users to different URLs based on the user’s device OS, it is very convenient to promote your mobile games with only one QR code.

It can be for Android OS or iPhone iOS so you don’t have to create two QR codes for each device.

Also, the users will not manually search the name of their mobile game in the app store since they will be redirected to the URL of the game with a single scan of their smartphones.

Since the App store QR code is dynamic, you can edit your URL without generating a new QR code. Hence, it saves you time and effort!

8. Do a contest for players using multi-URL QR code

Whether you’re giving out free skins to your players as incentive or promotion, QR code is a good tool to make your video game contest activity fun!

QR code changes its URL after a certain amount of scan. For example if you want to reward the third player who scanned your QR code by giving free prestige skins, you can do this using the multi-URL QR code.

Just choose the ‘amount of scans’ and then input a start URL that will redirect the first and second scanners to your webpage containing a consolation reward.

Under the amount of scans tab, input “2” since this is the amount of scan before a user will switch to another URL or webpage that contains the prestige skins.

Then the third person who scans your multi-URL QR code will be redirected to a webpage where he can redeem the prestige skins.

After generating the multi-URL QR code, you can deploy it by using banner ads or doing in-game advertising.

9. Promote your partner streamers and gaming personalities using Twitch QR code

Help your partner streamers build up their gaming audience by generating a QR code of streaming platforms like Twitch.

This way, you are not only helping your streamers gain followers but you are also promoting your video game. Moreover, gamers can also learn tips from the streamer and interact with the gaming community.

To create a Twitch QR code, your partner streamers should create an account in Twitch. After that, copy the URL of the streamer’s Twitch profile. Then proceed to your QR code generator online. Choose the URL category and paste the URL. Customize your QR code and generate it.

Gamers will scan the Twitch QR code to follow the streamer. No need to search the username of the streamer.

Another alternative is to use the Facebook QR code or YouTube QR code if the streamers have an account with these social media channels.

How to make QR codes in video games

Creating QR codes in video games is fast and easy when you have a reliable QR code generator. When you use QR Tiger to generate your QR code, follow these easy steps:

Open qrcode-tiger.com
Select from the menu what type of QR code solution you need for your video game
Enter your data in the field below the solution
Choose whether static or dynamic
Click “Generate QR Code” and customize your QR code
Choose multiple patterns, eyes, add a logo, and set colors to customize your QR code to make it more visually appealing
Download your QR code
Test if it works
Distribute your QR code

Use case: Video game company using QR code for video games

Ubisoft Entertainment, a French video game company uses QR code to allow Assassin’s Creed players earn an Eivor DNA fragments.

When the code is scanned, the players can recruit Eivor, a hero in the game as part of the Rebellion brotherhood.

This is a creative use of QR code to reward players a limited unlock of a hero.

Benefits of QR codes in video games

Although QR code is not the only solution to engage your players or upgrade your video games, it offers you various benefits for your video game. Read on to learn more about its advantages.

1. Enhance playability

One of the most significant user experience measures in gaming is playability, where a player should enjoy your game.

Video game’s user interface design has a substantial impact on a game’s playability and user experience.

With the use of QR codes in video games, you can easily add them to your game graphics with minimal changes to your visual elements.

You can customize the color of your QR codes to complement the color scheme of the game interface.

2. Seamless information transfer

When you use QR codes in video games, you make things easier for players to access more information. They only need to use their smartphones to scan the QR code to uncover what information is behind the QR code.

3. Generate customer satisfaction and brand loyalty

When players are engaged in your video game because of the creative integration of QR codes in the game, you also make them become returning customers.

When you eliminate the tedious task of typing and searching for accessing information from your players, they become more satisfied with your video game.

Players will promote your video game to the gaming community and their peers because they trust your brand.

4. Data tracking for video game marketing

How many players scanned your MP3 QR code? Are players scanning your printed QR code?

You can get answers to these questions using the real-time data tracking system of the QR code generator.

You can measure your video marketing campaign and monitor how well your QR codes work using the metrics such as location by city or country, number of scans, and the device used.

Tips on how to maximize your QR codes in video games

To maximize your QR codes in video games, here are five best tips:

1. QR code’s visual

To maintain your QR code’s scannability, don’t forget to customize it by following standard editing techniques. Of course, you are free to experiment and apply your design skills to your QR code.

But don’t forget the universal rule in customizing QR codes: the foreground color should be darker than the background color.

2. Add a call to action

If you are using a QR code for your video game marketing, don’t forget to include a call to action.

A call to action prompts users what to do and gets them straight to the goal.

As an additional tip, keep the location of the CTA clear and conceivable. Plus make sure to have a good color contrast so that the CTA button is readable.

3. Add logo, image, or icon if applicable

Adding a logo, image or icon makes your QR codes look more professional.

For instance, in your app store QR code, you can add an application logo for a higher chance of product recall. Your users will easily remember your mobile game if they can see a logo.

You can also add a logo or icon on your contest QR code to maintain a sense of branding and identity in the gaming community.

4. Right sizing matters

Make your QR code easy to scan by following the minimum size: 2 x 2 cm or 0.8 x 0.8 in. This standard sizing makes your QR code visible and easily seen by users.

But if you will use printed QR codes in billboards or posters, its sizes may vary. So make sure to consider the kind of advertising environment so that the QR code is still scannable.

5. Proper placement

Do not make your QR code go unnoticed by placing it in the wrong places. Your users or players will not scan it if they couldn’t see the QR code easily.

So make your QR code attention-grabbing when using it as part of your graphic elements in your game or your video game marketing.

As a simple rule: just remember to display your QR code at a high visual level so players can notice it.

Engaging gaming experience with QR codes in video games

Transport your gamers to a new and engaging experience with the use of QR codes.

With the seamless transfer of information powered by QR codes, your players get more rewards, land on a website instantly, or follow their favorite streamers immediately.

You also create excitement for your players by incorporating QR codes into your game story. It makes them wonder what they can get when they scan the QR code.

Players can use it to unlock content like better weapons or protection, different equipment types, increased resilience, and many more!

Promote your video game or make it a lot more fun with QR codes! Contact us here to learn more about the QR code solutions we offer.

QR codes in video games: How to use QR codes for an immersive gaming experience

Written by Lily Page