In-Flight Games That Appeal to Everyone
Share
APEX Insight: GEE has developed high-profile games with familiar characters to spark interest among passengers. Meanwhile, Ensemble Media has added a trivia game to its catalog, and China-based Envee Inflight Entertainment has gone the local route with games like “Mahjongg” and “Landlord”. Whatever the tactic, airlines are keen on adopting games that appeal to all demographics.
Mickey Mouse has a date – and he’s running late. It’s up to you, the passenger, to get him through all 15 levels, while collecting daisies along the way, so he’ll have a bouquet to present Minnie Mouse when he finally shows up.
“Mickey Mouse Date Dash” is the latest seatback game developed by Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE) in partnership with Disney Studios. It’s an in-house developed runner game that leverages a Disney-licensed character, Mickey, to target a specific demographic.
Last year, GEE adopted “Angry Birds” for the seatback screen, too. Its launch coincidentally coincided with the Angry Birds movie, timing the company strives for where possible. “We try to tie the game release to movie titles. It helps to promote the notoriety of the game,” says Alexis Steinman, SVP, Digital Media Solutions, GEE.
Adding the handset controller to “Angry Birds” was a point of departure for the mobile-first app game: “This was a bit of a challenge, as it was something totally new for Rovio. Angry Birds has always been a touch-only game,” says Julie Lepage, the company’s senior product manager.
“All demographics on board will play some games at some point in time.” €” Mario Poirier, Ensemble Media
High-profile games with familiar characters and casual games are highly popular in flight. “The in-flight entertainment environment is still considered to be one where we have to meet the tastes of all demographics in an environment that is not necessarily considered the best for playing games,” says Mario Poirier, director, Ensemble Media. “Commercially available casual games remain the most popular products we have.”
Ensemble recently added “Kwyzzislands,” a mobile-first trivia game, to its in-flight game catalog. “All demographics on board will play some games at some point in time,” he adds.
Meanwhile in China, it’s local games like “Mahjongg” and “Landlord” that are most popular on board, says Envee’s Phoowan Bosveld. Using in-house development teams, the China-based company supplies content to airlines in the region, including Hainan Airlines.