I don’t know about you but I love shopping. For home décor, groceries, and more importantly clothes, I was taken aback to see the online gaming industry has an online category all on its own. Where was I when this came about, how did it evolve so exponentially without me realizing, and, where can I get some of these incredible accessories, clothing, and gaming memorabilia? All brands have a production department that stocks the companies’ items, products, and produce, depending on what the category is and who their target audience is, and the online video gaming genre is no different. Purchasing a brand’s merchandise is your way of showing your love and support for that firm, or in this case, the game you are loving playing. There are a vast number of ways to show your support from decorating with their logos, to wearing their bespoke clothing items, to advocating their products to others, and for self-use. So, if you are loving your latest Crazy Games online game, then be sure to check out the product merchandising section of the games to get your newest items. The world we live inVideo game communities and players are some of the most engaged, enthusiastic, and passionate fans in the online world. And game developers have figured this out early on with much of their income gained from in-game purchases but also gaming and character merchandise. Customers enjoy, and some would say prefer, a tactile experience where they can intricately look at the figurine they have purchased, or immediately wear their new clothing or accessory to showcase to the world, and so the merchandise industry is growing rapidly.
Physical merchandise is not just something coming back in fashion, it is becoming a frontrunner for all things online gaming. Video gamers are playing and competing for longer than ever, passions for games are elevating beyond what we imagined, and manufacturing firms are now more readily available than ever so merchandise is easily accessible. ‘Merch’ is not new either, it dates back to as early as the Atari 2600 era when badges and collectable tokens were all the rage and would motivate players to give their everything for bragging rights of achieving such a high level of success. Nowadays it is a little different with online platforms and social media a big marketing and bragging rights platform. But there is one snag, considering purchasing options is an integral part of a successful ‘merch’ launch, and more than likely gamers are not in the habit of venturing out to find a store that sells game merchandise. If, however, a cleverly placed advert in-game during playtime was to present itself you are more than likely to get their attention this way and link them to the site to quickly purchase any number of items. The benefits of branding merchandiseThere are a whole host of positives that come with logo and brand awareness and could be just what your game needs if you are a developer, or it is the easiest way to show brands and competitors where your loyalty lies. Let’s dive in and see what some of the advantages of branded merchandising can do;
· Promotion
If you are looking to get your name out in the world without breaking the bank, this is a significantly cost-effective method to do so. You can print and distribute apparel and products in bulk, and soon you will see your logo making a global appearance in the gaming world and social media posts. · Longevity: Seeing it constantly means players and other brands are unlikely to forget your brand anytime soon when compared to TV ads or billboards which are easily forgotten. A constant reminder will keep your brand in the conversation. · Customer value: We all love a freebie, right, throwing in something a little extra with a merchandise purchase makes customers feel valued, that they aren’t just another sale in the books, and feeling appreciated will secure their trust in your game and brand. · Employee loyalty: Nothing is more motivating and welcoming than feeling like part of a team. When your employees are decked out in branded merchandise they understand you believe they have the quality to appropriately advertise your company and will feel good doing it. A final thoughtAt the end of the day, this is not an industry that shy’s away from competition, or lacks enthusiasm. If you can get your foot in the door, your game is played by people around the world, half the battle is won. Add to that a collection of top-quality branded merchandise and you have yourself a winning formula.