Gbanga blog

Recent Updates RSS Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Matthias 11:13 on March 11, 2013 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: gamification ( 25 ), healthcare, news review, playful design, press ( 7 ), review, white paper   

  Playful design for startups, the media industry and healthcare 

  In the last couple of days, Gbanga had some great exposure in the press and at events. Please read and share the following articles and links.

  Playful design for startups

  Gbanga has been attending the StartupCamp.ch, a great unconference in Basel. We held a workshop:

  • Playful Design for startups, workshop at StartupCamp.ch, February 2013 (English)

  Games as inspiration for the media industry

  Gbanga’s founder wrote a thought-provoking article about how the media industry can learn from the innovative business models of the games industry. Please read

  • What the media industry could learn from games, The Next Web, March 2013 (English)
  • Warum die Paywall ein Irrtum ist, Netzwertig.com, February 2013 (German)

  

  Gbanga's workshop about playful design at the StartupCamp.ch in Basel

  The influence of games in everyday life

  The Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger interviewed us about the ubiquitous gamification of everyday life:

  • Das Leben ist ein Punktesammeln, Tages Anzeiger, March 2013 (German)

  Mixed-reality game Ingress

  We were interviewed by the Swiss National TV about Google’s location-based game Ingress:

  • Interview mit Spiele-Entwickler Matthias Sala zu Google Ingress, SRF, SF.tv, February 2013 (German)

  Sensors in gaming

  The Swiss newspaper Aargauer Zeitung explored the possibilities of humidity sensors in games and interviewed our CEO Matthias:

  • Mit Schweizer Mini-Sensor wird das Handy zum Thermometer, Aargauer Zeitung, February 2013 (German)

  How to use game mechanics in healthcare

  In this white paper, we have investigated what has been done in the healthcare industry to improve quality of patient’s lives and safety in hospitals and how people learn about health literacy thanks to games:

  • «Playful Design» im Gesundheitswesen, white paper for the healthcare industry, March 2013 (German)

  If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at matthias@gbanga.com.

  Stay tuned- we are up to more.

   

  Reply Cancel reply

  Required fields are marked *

  Name *

  Email *

  Website

  

  Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

  Notify me of new posts by email.

• 

  Markus 12:06 on January 14, 2013 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advertising ( 4 ), B2B, credentials, gamification ( 25 ), in-app advertising, in-app purchases, in-game advertising, marketing ( 19 ), product placement   

  In-app advertising: the next big thing in gaming 

  Since all Gbanga apps published thus far are absolutely free, we receive many questions concerning how we generate revenue. Many free apps in the App Store display banner ads to make up for lost income. We personally see this as something rather annoying that reduces the game’s fun factor and we’re sure most of our players share this opinion.

  

  Location-based in-app product placement

  In Gbanga Famiglia, players can buy all kinds of upgrades and power-ups—such as bouncers, police megaphones, or candy factories—that make life as an infamous mixed-reality Mafioso more rewarding. However purchasing upgrades and power-ups is not required to enjoy the game and most of these items can be won by participating in sidequests or seasonal quests. We’re still happy to see that a lot of our players show us their appreciation by purchasing some of these items nonetheless!

  Hot Topic: Location-Based In-Game Product Placement

  In-app product placement is a very recent concept envisioned by marketing futurists and trend scouts, who highlight that advertising performs most efficiently when attached to positive emotions. As stated on the Subprint blog, people generally don’t like straightforward advertising as traditional mobile ads are not likely to generate such feelings. However, as outlined on Mashable, if product placement is nicely wrapped in content such as a movie or game story then players can begin to appreciate it. Players would rather have their in-game hero driving a car or eating a dish, which can be purchased in the real world—and the product matters to them more because they like the character and the story, hence having a real product in the game enhances the game experience. Putting the product into location-based context makes it interesting for nearby customers and leads to even more relevant advertising.

  Pioneer Gbanga Already Offering B2B Solutions for In-App Advertising

  Gbanga games offer a great platform for location-based in-game product placement and therefore 2012 was an interesting year for Gbanga in terms of business partnerships. Such partnerships granted us new revenue opportunities, which compensated for the development and maintenance efforts of our games, and also positioned us as one of the top providers of mixed-reality games and mobile gamification. We investigated two new partnership models: a collaboration with Coupies, and a series of Promo Quests.

  Coupons That Generate Walk-In Customers

  

  Coupies Gift in Gbanga Famiglia

  We were able to refresh our partnership with Coupies, a location-based couponing service that calls the user’s attention to offers and bargains in a wide variety of shops in their immediate surroundings. After a test run in Germany, Gbanga Famiglia players in other countries will soon be able to profit from Coupies vouchers. Vouchers are integrated in the game, so players can collect and redeem them without leaving the app.

  Successful In-Game Advertisement Showcases In 2012

  Promo Quests, the innovative business partnership model that we launched last year, give local businesses the chance to create awareness campaigns in the Gbanga Famiglia player community, communicating their products and points of sales. Staying true to ourselves, this is not done through banner ads.

  “In the Gbanga game, the users can playfully interact with our hotel and learn about our diverse wellness offers,” says in-app advertiser Eve Müggenburg, Hotel Stoos.

  The idea is that products sponsor fun quests directly in the Gbanga Famiglia game story that players can enjoy. Items, designed in the Gbanga Famiglia paper cut style, and reflecting our partner business’ offers, are distributed in-game. Players earn points by collecting these Promo Quest items and can also take part in competitions to win great prizes. Our partners’ points of sales are additionally highlighted on the game map.

  We are sure most of Gbanga players have fond memories of the Hotel Stoos Quest, our first Promo Quest in collaboration with the Seminar- and Wellnesshotel Stoos, where several thousands Stoos icons were collected and traded to determine who won awesome wellness stays in the hotel.

  “It’s not so easy anymore to reach a young audience through traditional marketing channels. In the Gbanga game, the users can playfully interact with our hotel and learn about our diverse wellness offers. This way we can leave a long-lasting positive impression among all the players.” says Eve Müggenburg, Head of Marketing at Seminar- and Wellnesshotel Stoos.

  Outlook 2013: Computer Retailer Gives Away Real Computers

  In 2013, we continue to run Promo Quests in our games. It is a great way for local businesses to promote their products in an entertaining and interactive way among a constantly growing community and without having to invest in developing their own game. Our Promo Quest pilot with Seminar- and Wellnesshotel Stoos was a great success and we’re happy to announce that we have already found a new partner for a new exciting quest starting very soon: a computer retailer will place virtual computer parts that can be assembled to a coupon for a real computer.

  While we keep extending our newest game, Animals: Redd, into a location-based pet game, we are also looking for business partners in animal related areas such as pet food producers, pet shops, zoos, etc. that are interested in creating sustainable awareness for their offers and shops. Stay tuned to learn more of how advertising and being advertised on can be incredible fun.

  Call Markus today to learn how your company can sponsor an exciting side quest in one of our games.

  Harlee is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
  • 

    Harlee 05:32 on May 9, 2013 Permalink

    I’d like to be able to use an interactive game or app with my wedding business. My family owns a plantation wedding venue in Louisiana. http://www.albanyplantation.com who do I need to contact to look into this.

    Thanks,
    Harlee

• 

  Rafael 11:18 on December 4, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

  The New Gbanga Famiglia is filled with awesome improvements! 

  The day we’ve been all waiting has finally arrived! The all-new ubercool Gbanga 3.1 update is out! This new update will allow players around the world to join one of ten all-new Mafia families, or team up with the Police. While rival Mafia families will be competing to take control of real-world bars and restaurants, Police players will be on the counter-attack to neutralize Mafia activity and deliver justice. Additionally, each Mafia family will now have an archrival, and will earn more points whenever territory is seized from this rival.

  

  The New Gbanga Famiglia

  Our team is really excited about the new update, here are some team quotes about the famiglia:

  “This is Gbanga at its best.” – Matthias Sala, CEO of Gbanga.

  “The new Famiglia has a darker mood—perfect for the new story and edgier gameplay.” – Chris Solarski, Gbanga’s Creative Director

  “The new update is much more stable and the optimised network communication sums up to produce a fantastic player experience” – Agustin Cautin, Gbanga’s Back-end Developer

  “The new update brings deeper location based gameplay and more ferocious competition among families.” – Robin di Capua, Gbanga’s Game Designer

  What’s New in Version 3.1?

  • significantly quicker communication with the server
  • removed bug that created crash after restarting from background
  • displays a warning when Pocket is full
  • shows a semi-transparent message when connectivity is slow
  • picking up items no longer switches the screen to Pocket Mode (if the player has more than 2000 points)

  Love Gbanga Famiglia? Then please take a moment to rate us 5-stars in the App Store!

   
• 

  Rafael 15:30 on November 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Animals, casual gaming ( 68 ), download, game design ( 21 ), Gbanga ( 20 ), new game   

  Gbanga launches new iOS game «Animals: Redd» 

  Meet Gbanga’s newest and cutest fox friend, Redd!

  Gbanga «Animals: Redd» is an iPhone and iPad app about a young fox, which we’ve crafted with beautiful and unique visuals. The game is the first in a series of  apps built around the Gbanga Animals universe.

  

  Screenshot of the first game in the series of Gbanga Animals: Reed

  The Animals series will bring together Gbanga’s many years of experience developing location-based games such as the Mafia-themed Gbanga Famiglia to deliver an exciting virtual world that players can explore by walking around the real-world with their mobile phone. Gbanga Animals will feature a huge variety of mini-games, including a geo-based treasure hunt, that will create a sense of discovery and adventure akin to console-style gameplay. Download Gbanga Animals: Redd game now!

  

  Download Gbanga Animals: Redd's Ball Game Now

  As mentioned a year ago, you can download the greeting card with a paper cut-out. You’re also welcome to post your handicraft on Twitter with hashtag #GbangaRedd to get listed on this page.

  Love the new Gbanga Animals: Redd’s Ball Game? Then please take a moment to rate us 5-stars in the App Store!

   
• 

  Rafael 13:06 on October 31, 2012 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Gbanga Famiglia ( 83 ), halloween ( 4 ), new audiences ( 39 ), promo ( 39 )   

  (UPDATED) The Gbanga Halloween Challenge 

  Today you can win the most exclusive Famiglia item ever – The Black Diamond!

  To participate in the spooky Halloween-themed challenge, all you have to do is trade as many items as possible with your Mafia Boss. The player with most traded cash until midnight of Wednesday 31st October will receive the mysterious Black diamond!

  

  Join the Gbanga Halloween Challenge!

  What’s the Black Diamond?

  The rarest of all Famiglia items. The Black Diamond is worth a whopping 100’000’000 Cash, and it will be awarded annually to the winner of the Halloween Challenge! So far, only one Black Diamond has been created in Gbanga, making it the rarest of rare items.

  Now it’s your chance to win this unique item!

  Happy Halloween!

  The winner of the Halloween challenge is ERICON! Congratulations!