The Fun Factor: How AR Advergames are engaging consumers with dopamine-driven rewards

Taking a close look at why these advertising solutions work so well - with solid benchmark data to back it up

Nowadays, capturing and sustaining consumer attention is more complex than ever. Attention is a precious currency in advertising, and it's a trade-off; audiences give their attention, and in return, they seek value. If this exchange is not balanced, the attention becomes meaningless, leaving no lasting impact.

The science behind this involves understanding how memory creation works. Attention needs to be captured and sustained, and emotions, especially those tied to dopamine release, play a critical role in creating long-term memories. This process is crucial for effective branding.

Moreover, dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward-seeking and motivation, plays a vital role in how we process experiences. It affects how the brain decides whether a goal is worth the effort, influencing motivation more than direct cognitive ability. This understanding can be particularly relevant for advertising strategies, as it shifts the focus from mere attention to creating rewarding and motivating experiences for consumers.

Advertisers have long been innovating to heighten sustained attention, evoke emotions, and stimulate dopamine release. Among the most effective techniques are Advergames and in-game advertising. These methods not only capture attention but also create positive, memorable interactions with brands. But how do they differ in effectiveness and function?

Advergames, especially those augmented by AR technology, blend interactive gaming with brand promotion, effectively using the dopamine reward system to create positive brand associations. In contrast, in-game advertising relies on high attentional moments within existing games, posing the challenge of balancing game engagement with effective brand promotion.

In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the functional differences between these two strategies and explore why AR Advergames, with their unique ability to engage consumers in an emotionally resonant and dopamine-stimulating manner, might hold an edge in the advertising world.
 

Advergames vs. in-game advertising

Advergames and in-game advertising both leverage key moments of heightened attention and engagement. In-Game advertising capitalizes on moments when the user is deeply focused on gameplay, a period of high attention. However, this raises the question: If the user is engrossed in the game, how effectively is our ad being perceived? Is mere association with a leisurely activity enough to forge a strong, positive connection with the brand?

Advergames, on the other hand, take a different approach. They blend the world of advertising with interactive gaming, creating an environment where the user is actively engaged with the brand in a fun and immersive way. This not only captures attention but also leverages the dopamine reward system. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, plays a vital role in how we process and remember experiences. By integrating gaming elements into advertising, Advergames stimulate this reward system, creating a positive emotional connection with the brand.

When it comes to attention, AR Advergames usually outperform traditional formats in metrics like attention time. This is because they don't just passively display content; they involve the consumer in an active and engaging narrative. This engagement is not only more enjoyable but also more memorable, leading to higher brand recall and a deeper emotional connection.
 

AR Advergames & their impact on 'brandformance' metrics

Before diving into the influence of AR Advergames on brand performance, it's essential to understand what 'brandformance' entails. Brandformance is an advertising strategy that blends brand building with performance marketing. This approach aims to not only enhance brand awareness and reputation but also drive immediate measurable actions, such as clicks, conversions, and sales. In essence, brandformance seeks a balance between long-term brand equity and short-term performance metrics.

AR Advergames play a pivotal role in this blended approach. By their nature, these games are highly engaging and interactive, which results in deeper emotional connections between the consumer and the brand. This engagement is not passive; users become part of the story, actively participating in the narrative crafted by the brand. This immersive involvement significantly enhances ad recall and lifts brand recall, crucial components of brand building​​.

Moreover, the gamification aspect of AR Advergames taps into a sustained attention span. This prolonged engagement is a key driver in performance metrics. When users are deeply engaged in an AR Advergame, they are more likely to remember the brand and develop positive associations with it. This heightened brand recall can translate into increased brand loyalty and customer lifetime value, key metrics for brand performance.

The unique value point of AR Advergames in the context of brandformance is their ability to merge entertainment with brand interaction seamlessly. While users are entertained, they are also subtly exposed to brand messaging and products, which can influence their purchasing decisions. For example, incorporating mechanics like 'play to win and collect in-store or on e-commerce platforms' not only drives immediate action (performance) but also builds a long-term relationship with the brand (branding).

In summary, AR Advergames are a powerful tool in the brandformance arsenal. They leverage the emotional and engaging aspects of gaming to create memorable brand experiences while also driving measurable actions. This dual impact makes AR Advergames an invaluable strategy for brands seeking to balance brand building with performance marketing in today's competitive landscape.
 

AR Advergames Impact: Analyzing Aryel's comprehensive benchmark data

We’ve aggregated compelling data from Aryel’s user campaigns that highlight their effectiveness. A key metric in evaluating the impact of these experiences is the average Attention Time, which stands at an impressive 1.32 minutes, with the median at 1.02 minutes. This sustained attention is a significant indicator of user engagement and interest. Aryel measures this figure using four signals:

• Viewability: Triggered when an ad unit is first considered viewable
• Viewability time: The total time, in milliseconds, that the ad unit was viewed
• Dwell time: The total duration the user kept the AR ad/experience in focus, from start to end
• Interaction events: Generated whenever a behavior assigned to a widget is triggered

These metrics collectively provide a comprehensive view of user engagement with AR Advergames.

Another critical data point is the Ad experience completion rates, which, on average, are impressively high at 85%. This indicates that the majority of users who start an AR Advergame experience are engaged enough to see it through to completion. Additionally, the repetition rate of the game experience speaks volumes about its appeal and the positive feelings it generates towards the brand.
 

Wrapping up

As we conclude our exploration of the transformative impact of AR Advergames, it's clear that they are not just a fleeting trend in the advertising world, but a substantial shift towards a more captivating, immersive, and emotionally resonant form of brand interaction. Aryel's pioneering approach in blending AR with gaming elements has redefined the landscape of digital advertising, moving beyond the traditional focus on impressions and clicks to a more nuanced understanding of consumer engagement and emotional connection​​​​.

The effectiveness of AR Advergames, as evidenced by Aryel's benchmark data, lies in their ability to captivate audiences, maintain their attention, and create memorable experiences. This approach aligns perfectly with the concept of 'Adventeinment', where advertising is seamlessly combined with entertainment, ensuring that the brand message is not just seen but felt and remembered​​.

For more insights and strategies on harnessing the power of AR Advergames, stay tuned to Aryel's future explorations in this exciting domain.