Digital entertainment services company RealNetworks(R), Inc. today announced new survey results from consumers playing downloadable casual games from its RealGames(TM) family of sites and syndication network. In a survey of 1500 RealGames players, nearly 90 percent said they will watch video ads before and during natural breaks in casual games in exchange for free game play. Additionally, 34 percent of the respondents said they take further action and click on in-game advertisements to learn more about the advertised product or service. 

Over the past two years, RealGames - the pioneer in in-game streaming video ads for downloadable casual games - has watched its customers embrace this innovative form of advertising with much more interest than many in the gaming industry originally expected. The Yankee Group recently reported that the global in-game advertising market which generated $77.7 million globally in 2006 will grow to $971.3 million by 2011. 

"We have been evolving our customer sales model based on user's feedback since we created in-game streaming video advertising in the PC casual games space in 2006," said Chris Houtzer, senior director of new media, RealGames. "The right mix of advertising in our games gives us greater flexibility in providing advanced game-play options for our customers, sharing in incremental revenue with game developers, and delivering a competitive ROI for advertisers." 

Houtzer added that the survey is a testament to the success of advertising and sponsorship programs in casual games and to new business models in the industry. The vast majority of survey respondents fall in the coveted 30 plus female purchaser range. Eighty-one percent were female and 65 percent were in the 35-64 age range which is in line with the core casual games demographic. 

RealGames currently has a catalog of more than 500 downloadable games in seven different languages with more than 40 titles ad-enabled. The RealGames family of gaming portals includes RealArcade.com, GameHouse.com, Zylom.com, MrGoodLiving.com, Atrativa.com.br and GameTrust.com. 

This year, RealNetworks plans to greatly expand the number of ad-enabled downloadable games. RealGames will also be participating in Google's AdSense for Games beta program to introduce in-game ads to its Web-based games.

Last edited by Fuad (2008-02-06 20:45:15)