Gaming

Make way for the in-game advertising revolution

Published

5 years ago

July 14, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Nicola Halpin, Senior Director of Sales at Adverty, on why brands must wake up to the creative possibilities inherent within in-game advertising

In-game advertising remains unchartered territory for the vast majority of brands, yet a large-scale shift towards seamless and non-interruptive in-game advertising which sits alongside the immersive experience of increasingly popular virtual worlds has already begun.

Indeed, with around three billion gamers worldwide, this industry offers unlimited, lucrative opportunities for marketers looking to upgrade from traditional advertising methods.

In the mobile space, 5G is one of the most exciting developments – heralding greater creative freedom and unlimited possibilities. According to a report from games analytics company, Newzoo, there will be some 2.1 billion 5G-ready smartphones globally by 2023, accounting for 42.7% of active smartphones. The mobile market’s transition towards this fifth generation of mobile network technology has already begun, with countries around the world rolling out 5G networks, and many of the leading smartphone manufacturers having launched flagship 5G smartphones.

Meanwhile, Newzoo’s report also notes that the era of hypercasual on mobile is branching out into exciting areas with new ways to play leading to new ways to pay, including bundles, direct purchases and ad-based revenues.

With innovations such Adverty’s unobtrusive In-Play and In-Menu ad formats – designed to make in-game advertising a powerful performance as well as a branding channel – brands are starting to wake up to the possibilities. They will be pleased that they did: Our recent research into the reception of in-game advertising indicated that respondents preferred ads which blended seamlessly into the gameplay experience – compared to 30% favourability for a standard banner ad, for instance.

It is now possible to reach mobile gamers non-intrusively – to add to, rather than to detract from – the immersive experience. And with lockdowns having led to consumers engaging with mobile gaming more than ever, with Adverty’s traffic, for instance, going up 35%, this is a trend that looks set to stay. Post lockdown, rather than diminishing, this traffic plateaued.

Besides, gaming is an increasingly popular pastime for a much broader demographic than many assume, too, with Nick Sperrin, Chief Client Officer, Dentsu UK, pointing out that DGame, its specialist division set up to help brands reach and engage with gaming audiences was developed “in response to a rapidly changing marketplace which has mass, not niche, potential.”

Despite this, there remains a huge disconnect between brand investment that is pouring into social media, by way of example, versus gaming – despite both areas having broadly similar reach. Gamers are both male and female, and many are mature – with significant spending power.

So, with the technology advancing all the time and 5G offering increased sophistication and creative freedom, it’s time that brands made the most of native in-game placements. By way of example, Adverty’s formats can’t be turned off by ad blockers; they offer brand awareness and brand safety – and they can run programmatically. In-Menu represents a clickable ad unit which can lead gamers directly to offers or purchase, with even automotive brands are becoming active in this space – proving that there is increasing awareness that games are not just played by kids, but by decision makers and money makers, too.

Many play games daily, too, while the eSports category is exploding. So it should come as no surprise to learn that brand safe advertising which is well-received in this context, without disturbing game play, delivers results. For instance, for Unilever brand, Knorr, a clickable banner in the mobile casual game, Subway Surfers, delivered over 5.76 million viewable impressions and almost seven seconds in average view time per impression. Besides this, Adverty’s patented BrainImpression technology, which is based on research around the anatomy of the human eye and brain perception, enables us only charge the advertiser when we know the ads have been fully perceived by the consumer. There is no catch: You only get charged for ads that are seen.

What’s more, our recent brand lift study with Dentsu Data Labs highlighted the potential impact of in-game executions – with ad awareness up 84% and brand recall up 78%. Clearly there is minimal risk when it comes to putting your money in this space, with advertising that blends in well. It’s becoming increasingly evident that brands ignore the in-game revolution at their peril.

Gaming

KOKA Noodles Partners with Grow uP Esports in a Collaboration Focused on the Gaming Community and Product Sampling

Published

14 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

koka-noodles-partners-with-grow-up-esports-in-a-collaboration-focused-on-the-gaming-community-and-product-sampling

KOKA Noodles, the internationally recognised brand celebrated for its quality, convenience and wide range of flavours, has announced a new strategic partnership with Grow uP Esports, one of the most active and influential esports organisations in the national landscape.

The collaboration is driven by a shared goal: to bring the KOKA brand closer to the gaming community through authentic experiences, hands-on product sampling and creative activations that resonate with the lifestyle and values of gamers and esports fans.

As part of the partnership, KOKA Noodles will feature across a variety of Grow uP Esports initiatives, spanning both live and digital events, community-driven activations, content collaborations with athletes and creators, and experiential moments focused on tasting and direct interaction with KOKA products.

Commenting on the announcement, Telmo “Armag3ddon” Silva, representative of Grow uP Esports, said:
“At Grow uP Esports, we prioritise partnerships that genuinely benefit the community and add value to the ecosystem. KOKA Noodles is a natural fit for the gaming world thanks to its speed, practicality and variety. This collaboration marks another step in our mission to deliver meaningful and relevant experiences for gamers.”

For KOKA Noodles, the partnership reinforces its commitment to engaging young, digitally native and discerning audiences, where gaming and esports serve as powerful platforms for emotional and cultural connection.

“Gaming is a space where KOKA naturally belongs — dynamic, creative and social. Partnering with Grow uP Esports enables us to stay close to our consumers, create impactful product sampling opportunities and integrate the brand authentically into everyday gaming culture,” added a KOKA Noodles spokesperson.

The KOKA Noodles x Grow uP Esports partnership will roll out over the coming months, with a series of activations to be unveiled gradually, further strengthening the link between gaming, entertainment and immersive brand experiences.

The post KOKA Noodles Partners with Grow uP Esports in a Collaboration Focused on the Gaming Community and Product Sampling appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Amusnet

Amusnet Adds Wet and Wild Fun to Crash Gaming with Hippo Splash

Published

7 days ago

January 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-adds-wet-and-wild-fun-to-crash-gaming-with-hippo-splash

Amusnet is poised to elevate the thrill in the crash game segment with the imminent launch of Hippo Splash – a lively, quick-paced game that merges fun narratives with exhilarating gameplay and a verifiably fair algorithm.

At the core of Hippo Splash is a memorable image: a playful hippo gingerly balancing on a log in the center of a lake. Every action heightens the suspense, every moment raises the stakes… until a single mistake causes the hippo to plunge into the water. That’s the moment players anticipate – and the secret to transforming clever timing into substantial victories.

Created with player enthusiasm as a priority, Hippo Splash allows gamers complete control over their tactics. They have the option to cash out early at 50% for a more secure strategy or remain in the game longer to pursue higher multipliers before the eventual drop. Each round is fast, easy to grasp, and filled with tension, allowing for immediate participation while maintaining high adrenaline.

With its colorful theme, engaging mechanics, and modern crash gameplay, Hippo Splash is poised to appeal to both seasoned crash game fans and newcomers looking for something fun, fast, and rewarding.

Get ready to watch the log, track the multiplier, and decide the perfect moment to cash out – because in Hippo Splash, every step counts, and every splash could send winnings soaring.

Gamble
Play the game and multiply your winnings through the Gambling feature!

Multipliers
The game starts with a multiplier set at 1x and rises gradually and can go up to a max coefficient of 1,000,000.
Multiplier can potentially crash at 1x, ending the game round.

50% Cash Out
Players can cash out 50% of their bet during the game round and continue playing with the remaining 50%.

Jackpot Cards
The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.

The post Amusnet Adds Wet and Wild Fun to Crash Gaming with Hippo Splash appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

155.io

155.io Breaks the Mold Again, Introducing the CCTV Game Genre via Rush Hour

Published

1 week ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

155.io-breaks-the-mold-again,-introducing-the-cctv-game-genre-via-rush-hour

155.io, the live content studio transforming real-world games, has launched CCTV.Game, an innovative genre created entirely from live CCTV footage collected worldwide. The category debuts with its inaugural title, Rush Hour. The live game operates around the clock to convert real-life traffic into immediate viewing and wagering entertainment.

The CCTV Game signifies a new path for 155.io, broadening its chaos-oriented philosophy into completely live, real-world settings. Created using numerous live CCTV feeds from around the globe, the game transforms everyday activities into quick, engaging, and immediately bettable entertainment.

Running nonstop, Rush Hour enables players to wager on straightforward, distinct results during rounds lasting under a minute – such as the number of cars that cross a junction or the quantity that turns left or right within a specified timeframe. Each round is dynamic, spontaneous, and influenced by the organic rhythms of the world, instead of standard RNG methods.

Rush Hour’s live recordings feature diverse locations such as Sydney, Swindon, Arizona, and Taipei, as well as landmarks like Patong Beach in Thailand and Abbey Road in London. From everyday crossroads to landmark locations, the entire world transforms into the game board. Crafted for mobile devices, Rush Hour is immediately comprehensible and genuinely engaging, providing a much-needed option to conventional casino formats. CCTV Game embodies 155.io’s fundamental philosophy: chaotic reality, straightforward games, and entertainment designed primarily for mobile.

The launch enhances 155.io’s attraction to the upcoming player generation, merging live-stream culture with instant betting features.

CCTV Game and Rush Hour can now be accessed via Hub88 or through direct integration.

Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, commented: “Rush Hour is the first expression of our CCTV Game genre – think Big Brother blended with Polymarket. It’s completely live, and the world is now our studio. CCTV.game takes real-world chaos and turns it into something instantly playable and genuinely entertaining – this is content the next generation will queue up to try.”

He added: “Once you realise the entire world can be a live game feed, there are no boundaries. Live traffic content is just the start – from live wildlife to iconic sporting locations – we’re only just setting off on our journey of what real-world chaos entertainment can be.”

The post 155.io Breaks the Mold Again, Introducing the CCTV Game Genre via Rush Hour appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.