AudioMob has spoken time and time again about the benefits mobile game developers and advertisers can receive from our pioneering in-game advertising. 

In a recent seven-page study, data revealed how much more mobile gamers appreciate our non-interrupting audio ads. Advertisers can reach a wide audience of 2.8 billion mobile gamers in an inventive way that doesn’t hurt brand safety. Meanwhile, mobile game developers can successfully utilise AudioMob’s non-interrupting ads in creative ways without lowering retention. 

Sitting in the middle is the most important component in the equation - mobile gamers themselves. 

Why ads became imperative to mobile games

Between major mobile operating systems iOS and Android, there are nearly 794,679 games available for gamers to choose from. Data alongside a quick look at both OS’s ranking app store charts show that mobile gamers prefer free-to-play (F2P) games over one-off payment models. Mobile game developers make money for their F2P games through in-app transactions and advertisements.

According to reports, in-game advertising for mobile games accounts for over half of mobile game monetisation efforts. That’s more than microtransactions and games that require direct payment. Some mobile game developers utilise intrusive video or banner ads as a way to lead gamers to purchase microtransactions. This is mainly through an instant reward system that may allow gamers to get items like in-game currency or extend game sessions. 

Normally, sometime before, during or after a gameplay loop, mobile gamers may be given the option to watch a video advertisement to receive something. These moments can frustrated players who may not have the money to buy their way out of advertisements. Video ads that run for over ten seconds can break immersion, frustrate gamers and hurt retention rates. From a gameplay design standpoint, this slows down pacing to annoying levels. It’s become a necessary evil in the freemium mobile market. 

That was until AudioMob. 

How AudioMob ads enhance gameplay loops 

Our non-intrusive audio ads can lead to better gameplay experiences for mobile gamers. On a surface level, AudioMob’s ads don’t interrupt gameplay at all. Through AudioMob’s Unity Plugin, mobile developers have more control over how ads are displayed than ever. Instead of long wait times for rewards, our non-interruptive ads can provide the same results but quicker. 

AudioMob’s ads can be implemented in various ways to give free rewards to players while they listen. Our Unity Plugin also supports volume detection where audio ads will pause if a user’s mobile device volume is below 30%. This is important because data has shown that a vast majority of gaming audiences listen to music while gaming. In fact, gamers stream music 2.1x more than the average consumer.

9th Impact’s Big Brother: The Game utilises its own BB Bucks in-game currency for players to spend on customising their look with a variety of clothing options, bribing rival housemates and surmounting challenges. By listening to AudioMob’s in-game audio ads through an actual in-game radio, players can earn BB Bucks that way as well. Not only do players remain immersed within the game world inspired by the real-life reality competition series, but they also get a reward that doesn’t have an irritating barrier for entry. It’s a win/win situation for gamers, developers and advertisers. 

Mobile game developers are only limited by their imagination as there are plenty of ways to utilise AudioMob’s in-game advertising format in games. As more developers adapt to our platform, we can’t wait to see what they come up with next. Eventually, potential advertisers will also be making marketing campaign decisions based on how rewards are received alongside traditional targeted advertising variables. 

In the recent AudioMob study collaboration with market research and data analytics firm YouGov and digital assurance service Go Live Test, our in-game audio ads also had long-lasting effects. 100% of gamers who listened to audio ads from us could recall exactly what was being advertised. The same study revealed that players clicked on an AudioMob ad once every 1.4 listens. This means that our ads are more effective than traditional video and static banner ads. 

To further read the study, click here.