CRAFTSMAN+ Blog

TOP 5 PLAYABLE GAME MECHANICS

Written by Craftsman+ | 07/30/24

In today's crowded marketplace, capturing and retaining user attention has become increasingly challenging. Enter a game-changing solution: mobile game mechanics in playable ads. This blog post explores top interactive game mechanics and how leveraging them in your playable ad strategy can revolutionize user engagement, boost conversion rates, and elevate your brand's presence in a crowded marketplace. 

The Power of Mobile Game Mechanics 

At CRAFTSMAN+ we’re committed to building tools that help brands leverage cutting-edge technology and creative storytelling to capture and keep top customers’ attention. This is why we’re so passionate about playable ads, which transform ad content into interactive and engaging experiences with innovative game mechanics. 

Not only can playables help brands stand out in a crowded marketplace,they also captivate their audiences like never before. According to Nothing2Install, playable ads can achieve click-through rates 2 to 4 times higher than regular mobile video ads, and conversion rates up to 5 times higher. This gamified approach drives significantly longer engagement, with users spending up to 10 times more time interacting with playable ads compared to standard video creatives.

The power of playables lies in the psychology of gamification and the fundamental human desire for recognition, reward, status, achievement, competition, and collaboration.

CRAFTSMAN+'s PLAY: Unleashing Playables for Marketers

Recognizing the power of game mechanics in advertising, CRAFTSMAN+ has developed PLAY, a cutting-edge platform that empowers marketers to create engaging playable ads in a no-code environment. PLAY offers a vast library of ready-made game mechanic templates, enabling brands to seamlessly integrate interactive elements into their ad campaigns.

The benefits of PLAY and ability to create playables with gamified mechanics:  

  • No-Code Creation: Leverage your existing team's skills to create in-ad games without extensive coding or external development, saving time and costs while streamlining the creative process. 
  • Ease of Use: With "no-code" tools, you don't need advanced programming skills to develop interactive in-ad games, making the process accessible to a broader range of individuals. 
  • Cost Efficiency: With PLAY, marketing teams can leverage their current team members to create engaging ad experiences without hiring or contracting external developers. 
  • Faster Development: Your team can quickly adapt to and adopt this technology, reducing the learning curve associated with developing in-ad games from scratch. 
  • Enhanced User Engagement: Games in ads can significantly increase user engagement. When ads are interactive and entertaining, users are more likely to spend time with them, leading to deeper brand recall and understanding. In fact, according to Mapendo, playable ads are 32% more memorable than video and static ads.
  • Improved Brand Perception: Integrating games into ads can positively influence the perception of a brand as fun, engaging, and innovative, particularly among younger demographics. 
  • Higher Conversion Rates: The engaging nature of games can encourage users to explore more about the product or service, leading to increased sales or inquiries. 
  • Competitive Advantage: Adding games to interactive ads can help companies stand out in a crowded advertising space, especially when targeting demographics that value interactive and engaging content.

Top Mobile Game Mechanics 

Here are some of our top mobile game mechanics.

Item Slicer

This game mechanic is one of our most requested templates. With Item Slicer advertisers can turn ads into slice-and-dice adventures where precision and timing are key. This mechanic challenges users to slice or cut objects in a specific order or pattern. Along with basic mechanics like item speed, direction, and spawn intervals, real-time visual cues like new swipe trails and hazard indications can be added as well as dynamic slice animations like Break Apart or custom sequences to make gameplay more visually appealing. This mechanic is perfect for showcasing products or services in a dynamic and visually appealing way.

Try Item Slicer here!

Glass Breaker 

This dynamic game mechanic challenges users to shatter glass or other fragile objects, often by launching projectiles or applying force. Glass Breaker offers a satisfying and visually appealing experience that can be customized to highlight product durability, strength, or precision. Advertisers can adjust parameters such as object fragility, impact force, and shattering animations to create a unique gameplay experience. Sound effects can also be added to create an extra layer of immersion. This mechanic is particularly effective for brands showcasing protective gear, construction tools, or any product that emphasizes strength and impact resistance. 

Try Glass Breaker here!

Carousel

The Carousel is a versatile and classic game mechanic that involves rotating or scrolling through a series of items or images. This template is an ideal choice for showcasing product collections, catalogs, or galleries in an interactive and engaging manner. Advertisers can customize the carousel's speed, direction, and transition effects to create a smooth and visually appealing experience. Interactive hotspots can also be added to each item, allowing users to tap for more information or to make a purchase. This mechanic is particularly effective for e-commerce brands, fashion retailers, or any company with a diverse product line, as it allows users to browse through multiple offerings in a fun and interactive way, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion.

Try Carousel here!

Memory 

This mechanic challenges users to match pairs of cards or objects, testing their cognitive skills while promoting brand recall and recognition. The Memory template can be customized with brand-specific imagery, product photos, or logo elements to create a unique and memorable experience. Advertisers can adjust difficulty levels by varying the number of cards, time limits, or introducing special cards with bonus effects. Animation and sound effects can be added to enhance the user experience when cards are flipped or matches are made. This mechanic is particularly effective for brands looking to increase product familiarity or reinforce brand elements in a playful way. As such, it’s an excellent choice for awareness campaigns or product launches.

Try Memory here!

Puzzle

Puzzle-based mechanics require users to solve challenges by arranging pieces or objects in a specific order or pattern. This versatile template can be adapted to showcase product features, brand logos, or even tell a story through interactive puzzles. Advertisers can choose from various puzzle types, such as jigsaw, sliding puzzles, or pattern-matching games, and customize them with brand-specific imagery or product photos. Difficulty level can be adjusted by varying the number of pieces, time limits, or adding special puzzle elements with unique behaviors. Hint systems and progressive reveal mechanics can also be incorporated to guide users and maintain engagement. This mechanic is particularly effective for brands looking to convey complex information in an engaging way or to create a sense of accomplishment in users. 

Try Puzzle here!

Takeaways

Playable ads outperform traditional formats:

  • 2-4x higher click-through rates than regular mobile video ads
  • Up to 5x higher conversion rates
  • Users spend up to 10x more time interacting with playable ads
  • Tap into human desires for recognition, reward, and achievement
  • Create more memorable experiences (32% more memorable than video and static ads)

CRAFTSMAN+'s PLAY platform benefits:

  • No-code creation for easy implementation
  • Cost-efficient and faster development
  • Enhanced user engagement and brand perception
  • Higher conversion rates and competitive advantage

Top mobile game mechanics:

  • Item Slicer: Perfect for dynamic product showcases
  • Glass Breaker: Ideal for demonstrating product strength
  • Carousel: Excellent for displaying product collections
  • Memory: Boosts brand recall and recognition
  • Puzzle: Effective for conveying complex information engagingly

Ready to Level Up Your Advertising Game? 

Don't let your brand get lost in the digital noise. Harness the power of mobile game mechanics and create ads that truly engage your audience. With CRAFTSMAN+'s PLAY platform, you're just a few clicks away from transforming your advertising strategy.