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Research Demonstrates Industry Too Focused on Carrier Decks to Reach Gamers;
Consumers Crave More Information on Games
LOS ANGELES--Sept. 12, 2006--Today at CTIA Wireless I.T. and Entertainment(R)
2006, Glu Mobile, a leading creator and global publisher of mobile entertainment,
announced results of qualitative and quantitative research conducted in conjunction
with U30 Group, Inc. (www.u30.com). Glu's general manager of the Americas and senior vice president of worldwide
marketing, Jill Braff, will highlight the results at CTIA's Mobile Games Plenary
entitled "What are the Initial Results & What's Next?" held today at 4:50pm
PT in room 403 A&B at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Glu's research indicates that a lack of collective knowledge about mobile games
has caused consumers to fixate on the limitations of the mobile phone as a gaming
device instead of on the convenience and affordability that mobile games offer.
The research also found that consumers are unaware of the variety and quality
of mobile games available today, do not know where to go to find information about
the games, and therefore have low expectations for the mobile gaming experience.
"Too many publishers are solely focused on putting pressure on the carriers for
better deck placement and are failing to present alternative marketing solutions
to build better awareness among the general population," said Jill Braff, general
manager of the Americas and senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Glu
Mobile. "The industry will benefit in the long-term if we collectively focus on
building awareness and meeting the desires and expectations of the consumer."
Glu's research, which included qualitative information from a series of focus
groups and quantitative data from surveys, demonstrated consumer interest in the
ability to preview or play a demo of games so that they have an experience on
which to base their purchase decision. Though high and low volume gamers differed
slightly on how they would prefer to learn about new games, the research showed
overall consumer interest in learning about games from other people through communal
ratings and reviews.
Methodology
For the qualitative portion of the study, Glu commissioned focus groups in San
Francisco and Alexandria, Virginia, which were segmented by consumption behavior.
For the quantitative portion of the study, U30 executed web-based surveys aimed
at determining purchasing preferences and modes of learning about mobile games
in the United States. Respondents were evenly split between men and women and
ranged in age from 10 to 35 years old. Respondents were sampled from U30's double
opted-in panel of consumers, geographically representative of the US. Excerpts
of the research are available to Glu partners and members of the media. For more
information, please email
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About Glu Mobile
Glu Mobile is a leading developer and global publisher of mobile entertainment.
Glu's portfolio of games, ringtones, wallpapers and information applications include
both original titles and entertainment based on major brands from Atari, Cartoon
Network, Celador International, FOX Sports Interactive, Harrah's, Hasbro, PlayFirst,
PopCap Games, Sega and Twentieth Century Fox. Based in San Mateo, California with
offices in Hong Kong, London and Manchester, Glu is funded by top venture firms
NEA, BA Venture Partners, Granite Global Ventures, Sienna Ventures and Globespan
Capital Partners, and by Time Warner Investments. Recently Glu acquired the UK-based
mobile entertainment company iFone, adding SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, MONOPOLY, and ATARI
Classics to its portfolio. Consumers can find fresh entertainment created exclusively
for their mobile phones wherever they see the 'g' character logo or at www.glu.com.
About U30 Group
U30 Group, Inc., a member of the Omnicom network of companies, is a full-service
qualitative and quantitative research firm specializing in marketing-driven, creative
approaches to consumer insight, including proprietary consumer panels and various
online methodologies. U30's clients are the leading marketers in the United States.
For more information, contact Chad Young at 865.525.5721 or
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