The Trending Games Taking Over Social Media

March 20th, 2023 by

The gaming industry is currently sitting on a gold mine with an estimated worth of $365.60bn. 

We can’t quite comprehend that number either. 

Considering how well integrated gaming has become on social media platforms, this year is a great year to be a games developer, player or influencer. Finding communities to join or market to has become a seamless process thanks to the accessibility core platforms now offer. This shift has been particularly beneficial to gaming marketing agencies looking to expand the efforts of brands and influencers alike. 

In today’s blog, we will be exploring the top trending games that are taking over social media, from Destiny 2 to Elden Ring, and how social media is facilitating their growth. Keep reading to find out more!

Top social media platforms for gamers

Games developed by major companies are no longer stealing the spotlight allowing indie game developers the recognition they deserve thanks to social media. 

Video games of all shapes and sizes rely on platforms in some capacity for communications and marketing. This reliance can be split into two categories; internal and external.

Internal reliance involves platforms that you have total control over – ie, blogs, websites and a mailing list. External reliance is upon social media platforms that you may use for hosting events for your community, however, they are vulnerable to change, which could then negatively impact the reach of posts. 

Let’s take a look at how each platform serves the top trending games.

Twitter

This is where the majority of individual gamers and gaming companies live. Engagement rates are high over here and linking to outside sources from this platform seems to be the best option. On paper, Twitter offers the best chance to directly drive game sales thanks to its Retweets feature aiding inherent discoverability. 

Facebook and Instagram

Compared to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram don’t carry the same engagement rates and therefore are not a favourite among the gaming community. What they can achieve, however, are great business results. Instagram is predominantly a visual platform and gaming is a very visual industry and Facebook carries weight in a lot of international markets that those trending games might be looking to expand their marketing efforts to. 

TikTok

While TikTok is a promising newcomer to the gaming industry, its constant need to update and change the app’s fundamentals impacts the success of gaming marketing efforts. Alongside this, the TikTok accounts and videos that tend to do best, have a more human element to them and for outside contractors this can be a problem. 

Discord

Simply put, without gaming there would be no Discord; making this platform an obvious go-to for all gamers who are looking for or part of a community. 

Discord communities are a great place to build engaged audiences. While some would say the good ol’ internet is the best way to do this, the platform’s built in features and ease of use are undeniably great. 

YouTube and Twitch

These platforms exist within an echelon of their own, due to just how much time, effort and consistency is invested into them. Twitch streams are a great way to engage with gaming communities, however, they do take a while to get off the ground. Similarly, running any form of gaming content on YouTube only sees positive results once that channel has built up a big enough following; which in many cases can take years. The trending games that consider these platforms are those that are more likely to have the budget to expand onto here. 

The top trending games on Twitch 

1. Destiny 2

Hours watched: 11,501,325 

Top channel: Sweatcicle 

Destiny 2 - trending game on twitch

2. Hunt: Showdown

Hours watched: 6,444,45

Top channel: Psychoghost

Hunt Showdown - treding game on twitch

3. DayZ

Hours watched: 6,321,948

Top channel: summit1g

DayZ

4. Diablo III

Hours watched: 5,296,976

Top channel: Quin69

Diablo III - Trending game on Twitch

5. Wild Hearts

Hours watched: 3,783,295

Top channel: fps_chaka

Wild Hearts

6. Diablo II: Resurrected 

Hours watched: 2,029,181

Top channel: MrLlamaSC

Diablo II Resurrected  - Trending game on Twitch

7. Resident Evil 4

Hours watched: 1,749,035

Top channel: Bawkbasoup

Resident Evil 4 - Trending game on twitch

8. No Man’s Sky 

Hours watched: 1,415,001

Top channel: Tangent

No Man’s Sky - Trending game

9. Halo Infinite

Hours watched: 1,135,331

Top Channel: Halo

Halo Infinite - Trending game

10. GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE

Hours watched: 854,204

Top channel: 한동숙

GODDESS OF VICTORY NIKKE - Trending Game

Top 10 trending games on PC

  1. Minecraft 
  2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II/Warzone 2.0
  3. The Sims 4
  4. Roblox
  5. Fortnite 
  6. Hogwarts Legacy
  7. League of Legends
  8. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive 
  9. Valorant
  10. Grand Theft Auto V

FAQ’s

What are the 10 most popular online games?

The top 10 most popular online games worldwide are:

  1. PUBG
  2. Minecraft
  3. Apex Legends
  4. Fortnite Battle Royale
  5. Counter-Strike
  6. Hearthstone
  7. League of Legends
  8. Call of Duty Mobile
  9. Among Us
  10. Call of Duty Warzone

What games are trending right now?

Some of the top trending games right now are:

  1. Call of Duty: Warzone
  2. Minecraft
  3. Fortnite
  4. Grand Theft Auto V
  5. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Which games are trending on Twitch?

  1. Destiny 2 
  2. Hunt: Showdown
  3. DayZ
  4. Diablo III
  5. Wild Hearts
  6. Diablo II: Resurrected 
  7. Resident Evil 4
  8. No Man’s Sky
  9. Halo Infinite 
  10. GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE

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Posted in Social Media Platforms

Metaverse Fashion Week 2023 is Coming

March 9th, 2023 by

Metaverse Fashion Week is back for its second annual showcase! Taking place March 28th to 31st, Decentraland will welcome back brands from its initial show, as well as a bunch of new participants. 

This year’s Metaverse Fashion Week focuses on the potential of interoperability between open metaverses, and how brands can push the boundaries of digital fashion. Led by Decentraland and UNXD (a curated NFT marketplace), and in collaboration with the Spatial and OVER metaverses, MVFW23 will be a hub for fashion lovers across the globe to get together and witness the newest advancements in digital fashion. 

 

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A post shared by Decentraland Foundation (@decentraland_foundation)

According to Decentraland, “the MVFW23 theme ‘Future Heritage’ connects the next gen of creators and traditional fashion designers, showing the potential of fashion to bridge realities and worlds.” The event hopes to showcase the connection between innovation and tradition, and expose how fashion’s future lies within the digital realm. 

MVFW23 will take place across multiple metaverses, but the majority of installations and storefronts will be hosted within Decentraland’s Luxury District.  

So, what are some of the exciting experiences we can expect from MVFW23?

Dear Vivienne: A Tribute to the Punk Queen of Fashion

The Digital Design Community will be paying tribute to the late fashion icon Vivienne Westwood. The art collective Vuelta is creating an experience that’s part memorial, part gaming. The installation has been created with the intention of encouraging people to learn about the designer’s life, work, and activism.

Dear Vivienne

The Clarks Arcade 

British shoe brand Clarks—yes, Clarks—will be showcasing the Clarks Arcade. The experience will be part funfair, part rooftop nightclub, and will offer nostalgic activities, including vintage fairground rides, dance battles, and even Clarks-themed video games. The arcade will be held within the Threedium virtual shopping mall in Decentraland. 

Adidas’ community-focused experience

Adidas is joining the MVFW event for the first time with a community-focused runway show, bringing Decentraland and ITM holders (owners of its Into the Metaverse NFTs) together. The brand will be showcasing its “adidas virtual gear,” its first ever collection in digital fashion. Virtual Gear NFT holders will receive an exclusive 3D twin of their piece for their Decentraland avatar to wear inside the virtual world. 

Adidas’ community-focused experience

Miami Fashion Week runway 

Resortwear-focused Miami Fashion Week will be hosting an activation (including events and panels) and runway on the rooftop of its new L’Atelier in Decentraland. MFW is recognised by the CFDA, which means MVFW is another step closer to being recognised by the mainstream fashion world. 

Miami Fashion Week runway 

Tommy Hilfiger experience

Tommy Hilfiger’s MVFW 2023 experience will include daily product drops, AI-generated fashion, unique collaborations, and a community competition, where he winner will be hand-picked by Tommy Hilfiger himself. 

Tommy Hilfiger experience

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What a TikTok Ban in the US Would Mean for Brands

March 9th, 2023 by

ICYMI, a bill has been pushed forward by the Republican party that would allow President Biden to ban TikTok for sharing user data with the Chinese government. 

Amid security discussions around TikTok’s connection to the CCP, the White House has already announced a full ban of TikTok on government-owned devices; the move has been copied by EU and Canadian officials as tensions between China and the West continue, linked to the Ukraine conflict. 

The Deterring America’s Technological Adversaries Act (or DATA Act) directs Biden to potentially ban TikTok nationwide, should the administration find the company has shared private user data with people associated with the Chinese government. If the data has been used to surveil or censor users, Biden would be able to impose additional sanctions against TikTok and parent-company Bytedance. 

However, despite concerns, the Democrats are against moving the bill forward, citing the impact it would have on businesses in ally countries. In addition to this, many are saying the bill threatens the First Amendment. By banning TikTok in its entirety, the government would be censoring platforms and stripping Americans of their right to freedom of speech. 

TikTok has responded to the bill, saying it would put “a ban on the export of American culture and values.” 

While Republicans still hope the bill will pass, it has to make it through a Democrat-controlled Senate. Given the Democrats’ reluctance to restrict TikTok in the US, the bill could still result in TikTok looking very different for US users. 

So, what does a potential TikTok ban in the US mean for brands? 

The Impact of a US TikTok ban on brands

First of all, if a TikTok ban did come into place, it would only be banned from Apple and Google stores. It wouldn’t be illegal for users to use the platform, but it would be harder to do so, and that effort would likely deter a lot of users from trying. 

TikTok has over 110 million users in the US, so brands would lose an engaging platform that targets a large chunk of a population. TikTok in the US is a particularly persuasive platform, with 49% of users having purchased an item from a brand they’ve seen on their For You Page. Content on TikTok includes everything from brand hashtags, organic reviews, and paid sponsorships—and obviously ad spots. The addictive algorithm shows users content it will be interested in to keep them on the platform—a lot of the time this includes branded content. This means brands have been able to spend less compared to other platforms. 

Without TikTok, there will be more competition on other social media platforms. This means brands will likely have to spend significantly more on sponsorships and paid media in order to achieve the same reach and engagement as they did on TikTok. It could also lead to brands spending more money on traditional advertising channels, like TV, magazines, and website advertisements—all of which are significantly more expensive than UGC. 

Brands would also need to rethink their influencer strategies. TikTok creators have incredibly high engagement rates, significantly higher than other platforms. Micro-creators on TikTok have an average engagement rate of 18%. With the banning of TikTok, these creators would be displaced from the platform and lose the audiences they spent time building and the trust they formed with their followers. 

TikTok has also just started testing TikTok Shop in the US. TikTok Shop has proved to be a big hit in the UK and some Asian markets. Banning TikTok would mean that countless brands miss out on the opportunity to profit from the social commerce format—not only that, but creators can earn from promoting the products through TikTok Shop, so they would be restricting potential revenue. 

What can brands learn from this?

Whether a TikTok ban does eventually come to the US, there’s a clear lesson to learn. Don’t rely too heavily on one platform. 

Of course, it makes sense that many brands have put significant spending and effort behind the platform—it’s where an incredible portion of consumers are spending their free time, not just in the US but across the globe. 

However, many brands will be quaking in their boots at the threat of a TikTok ban. TikTok has been exceptional for small businesses when growing a following and building brand awareness. The type of content that performs well on TikTok has created a platform that genuinely entertains as it markets.

A complete TikTok ban is unlikely. But, the platform is likely to change. So, brands should begin considering how they can support their TikTok efforts in alternative ways.

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The Top Automotive Influencers In The US That You’ll Want To Ride Shotgun With

March 8th, 2023 by

For many of us, cars are just a way of getting from point A to point B.

But for others, they are giant toys. More importantly, customisable toys that can be used for racing, modifying or simply showing off. 

Car manufacturing in the US has undergone many transformational shifts in order to get us to this point today. Starting out with America’s first defining vehicle – the Ford Model T – and the assembly line that was birthed from it in 1913, other notable shifts include the introduction of the big three in 1920 – Ford, Chrysler and General Motors – and the technological renaissance of the 1980s, which saw smaller, more fuel efficient cars on the roads. 

It’s safe to say that the manufacturing of cars in the US has come a long way. Today, the automotive influencers of the USA, are a go-to for many people either looking to purchase a vehicle or simply wanting to know more about car brands and types. 

These car influencers are highly beneficial to car parts and accessories brands looking to step up their marketing campaigns and make more sales. Automotive marketing agencies exist exactly for this and are great at connecting these brands to their perfect influencer. In this blog, we will give these brands a head start by listing some of the top automotive influencers of the USA.

US car influencers to add to your roster

1. Goblinvette

Tamir AKA GTA BOYYY has amassed 175k followers on Instagram through displaying his love for wrapping his cars in colourful rainbow designs. He typically makes real life GTA videos on his TikTok account, where he has 4.4M followers. 

@tamirrusso I had to do a dance with my car! 😂👌🚘🔥 #corvette #dance #funny #supercar #car #rainbow ♬ Go Go Go Who’s Next? – Hip Hop Harry

2. Luckylopez

Lucky Lopez is another successful Instagram car influencer with 473k followers. He is an automotive expert who shares and discusses all things cars, car dealerships, car rentals, auto repair, the market, used cars etc. He also has 218k subscribers on YouTube.

 

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A post shared by Lucky Lopez (@luckylopez)

3. Supercarblondie

This next car influencer needs no introduction. She is the world’s most popular car influencer, with 11.7M followers on Instagram. Alex Hirschi began testing and driving supercars after making the move to Dubai and has quickly become the envy of many. She has also been featured in the likes of Forbes, Maxim, GQ and Esquire. 

 

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A post shared by Alex – that girl with the Cars (@supercarblondie)

4. Raitisrides

Joe caught the car bug at a very young age and has since gone on to race Formula 1 cars professionally. He has a wide breadth of knowledge on all car makes and spec and is now considered an expert when it comes to Corvettes, Porsches and imports. He has 957k YouTube subscribers and 130k Instagram followers.

5. Itslifeofannie

Annie is from Houston, Texas and has amassed 329k followers on Instagram since beginning her car influencing journey. She takes her followers along with her on her car modifying journey – where she showcases her Audi a3, Nissan350z and Nissangtrr35 – and regularly holds car meets. Her Instagram content is very aesthetically pleasing, as she gets a lot of professional photos taken of her and her cars. 

 

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A post shared by ✨ Annie ✨ (@itslifeofannie)

6. Xoconniepeters

Connie Peters uses her Instagram (75k followers), TikTok (128k followers) and YouTube (1k subscribers) to post car reviews. She reviews a range of different cars – from the Land Rover Defender 130 to the Lambhorgini Huracan EVO RED Spyder. 

@xoconniepeters Starting the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Spyder #lamborghini #lambo #laborghinihuracan #huracanevorwdspyder #spyder #softtop #roadster #huracan #supercar #startthecar ♬ original sound – Connie Peters

7. Carlifestyle

Gabe Florido is one of the leading automotive influencers of the USA, with 4.2M followers. He founded CarLifestyle in 2012 to show the world the best of what the automotive industry has to offer. His Instagram shows high-quality pictures of top-notch cars.

 

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A post shared by CarLifestyle (@carlifestyle)

8. Heavydsparks

Dave Sparks is a Utah-based automotive entrepreneur, custom vehicle designer, and social media personality. He has appeared on TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has his own Discovery Channel series, Diesel Brothers. 

 

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A post shared by @heavydsparks

9. Adam_lz

With over 3M subscribers on YouTube and 1.5M followers on Instagram, Adam is one of the leading car influencers in the US. His content centres on race car driving and designing, building and modifying multiple models. 

10. Tjhunt_

Tj is a car enthusiast who has amassed 1M followers on Instagram and 2M YouTube subscribers. His expertise in the automotive industry has made him one of the most respected car influencers in the US, who covers a wide variety of topics including vehicle construction, drifting progression vlogs, vlogs and automotive events. 

 

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A post shared by TJ Hunt (@tjhunt_)

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Our Favourite Women-First Campaigns for International Women’s Day

March 8th, 2023 by

This year, International Women’s Day falls on March 8th. With the aim of encouraging everyone across the globe to #EmbraceEquity, the theme this year is to get people talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough

For International Women’s Day 2023, we want to share our favourite campaigns we’ve seen across social media that celebrate women. 

International Women’s Day: #EmbraceEquity 

In the lead up to March 8th, IWD has been using the hashtag #EmbraceEquity across its socials, and encouraged users to share their stories of embracing equity, and the steps needed to achieve eventual equality. 

 

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A post shared by International Women’s Day (@internationalwomensday_global)

On Instagram, users have been sharing photos of them embracing themselves, and it has also been used by brands supporting the cause. As of 6th March, the hashtag on Instagram has been used over 22.3K times. 

On TikTok, the hashtags has over 646K views, and countless UGC of women sharing their favourite women-owned brands, female authors, and what IWD and equity means to them. 

This Girl Can x Sport England: This Girl Can With You 

This Girl Can has launched a new campaign with Sport England called This Girl Can With You, focusing on squishing The Enjoyment Gap, and inspiring more women and girls to take part in sports and physical activities. 

The campaign calls to break down the barriers that result in women being less likely to be physically active than men. Research has shown that The Enjoyment Gap has resulted in 2.4M fewer women enjoying sport and exercise than men. 

This Girl Can will be supporting organisations within the sport and activity sector to help develop solutions in response to four areas, and get women active and happy. 

These four areas include: social (women want to feel part of a community), suitable (to meet women’s needs), self-affirming (to help women feel confident), and safe (to ensure women feel physically and emotionally safe). 

Jordan Brand: Beyond

Nike’s Jordan Brand has released a new campaign film, Beyond, created and starring an almost entirely female cast and team. 

The short film shows an inspiring journey of a young girl discovering basketball and her rise to stardom, told through a collection of childhood memories and sporting achievements. 

The campaign ushers in #JordanYear, under which the Nike-co-owned footwear and apparel line will embark on a purpose-driven brand strategy.

L’Oreal Paris: Lessons of Worth

For IWD, L’Oreal Paris has released three new lessons. In incredibly powerful videos featuring Luma Grothe, Jiha Dukureh, and Elle Fanning, the ambassadors share personal stories on universal topics including empowerment of women and self-worth. 

The videos incorporated the brand’s iconic phrase “Because I’m worth it”, with each talent using it in a way that reinforces women’s worth. The campaign was launched on IWD, with the hashtag #LessonOfWorth. 

Dove: #TurnYourBack

In response to the viral TikTok filter Bold Glamour, Dove has called on its community to encourage people to turn their backs to harmful digital distortion. Led by influencers, the #TurnYourBack campaign encourages creators to share how they feel about the Bold Glamour filter, and the damage it can do to social users. 

@dove No filter should tell you how to look. 80% of girls are already using filters by the age of 13. It’s no wonder their perception of beauty and their self-esteem are distorted. Help reverse the damage. #TurnYourBack on the Bold Glamour filter and digital distortion. Real beauty is bold. #RealBeautyIsBold #Dove #LetsChangeBeauty #NoDigitalDistortion #BeautyCommunity #SelfEsteem ♬ original sound – dove

@rikkisandhuu together with @dove I’m turning my back on #BoldGlamour you gals already know that I NEVER use filters anymore… 🫶🏼 & these filters are getting out of hand!! you’re all beautiful without the filters 😫💖 #TurnYourBack to #BoldGlamour #NoDigitalDistortion ♬ original sound – RIKKI

The campaign is supported with the hashtag #NoDigitalDistortion, which has been viewed over 119M times, and is part of Dove’s larger movement to discourage all digital filters. The #TurnYourBack hashtag has over 6M views in just a couple of days. 

The White Company: Women in the Neighbourhood

The White Company is launching an internal campaign called Women in the Neighborhood. The campaign will celebrate the achievements of the women who work at the company, and kicks off with an employee-led panel discussion, covering the incredible work the women have done, and the movements they are making to ensure women at the company feel empowered. 

The internal campaign is a wonderful idea and should encourage other companies to be transparent with how they are empowering women in their workforces. 

In addition to this, The White Company is supporting The Prince’s Trust’s #ChangeAGirlsLife campaign by donating £5 from every candle sale. 

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Restaurant Influencers: The Foodies Shaping Where We Eat

March 2nd, 2023 by

You don’t have to be a world famous food chain to hire the help of a food influencer. Restaurants, big and small, local and nationwide can rally their expertise to help with the promotion of a new dish or the establishment as a whole. 

The modern day customer tends to engage with digital content across social media, podcasts and online review sites for recommendations on new restaurants to try. From here, it just makes sense for restaurants to leverage the power of an influencer who are persuasive experts. 

Influencers serve as the bridge between restaurant and customer through their ability to capture alluring photos and videos of food, spaces and vibes. In return, the influencer will receive a payment from either the restaurant themselves or through the social agency they are working with, in accordance to their reach. For more about influencer rates, check out our Instagram Influencer Marketing blog

Looking to raise the reputation of your restaurant?

In this blog we will share our top tips for successfully marketing your restaurant, as well a list of the influencers who can help along the way. 

Influencer marketing: food industry standards

Just as Michelin stars are to restaurants, influencer campaigns are to marketing. They must be the best of the best to reap the top rewards. 

Let’s take a look at how you can incorporate food influencers into your marketing campaigns.

Provide a fresh experience

By nature, people love to experiment and try new things. Lean into this by having your restaurant offer a unique experience that customers can’t get anywhere else. The influencers you then partner with can use their online presence to promote this experience and gather new customers. 

On the other hand, if your style is unique and stands out from the crowd, influencers may be the ones to approach you so that they have eye-catching content to add to their profiles. Reinventing your theme can be an incredibly effective marketing strategy. 

The Ivy Asia introduces customers to new themes according to the time of year. This is a great way of keeping customers excited to keep coming, as they are less likely to get bored of the same thing. 

 

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A post shared by @theivyasia

Gather feedback and reviews utilising influencers

That which deters a lot of customers from trying something new is knowing whether or not it will actually be worth it. This is where your influencer partners can help. 

Food influencers are a trusted source to many. One in-depth review from them can lead to crowds flocking to your restaurant. Alongside these reviews, influencers can mention certain dishes for their followers to try too!

Events and appearances

With the help of influencers, you can host large scale events to promote either the launch of your restaurant or a new dish. At these events you can have influencers post pictures and videos onto their grid and Stories to increase brand awareness and bring like-minded people together. When you have an established influencer on your side, the higher the chances of driving more traffic to your establishment on special days. 

Influencer marketing agency, Aquarius Creative, helped Nico’s restaurant in Glasgow launch a new cocktail menu for their restaurant by utilising the reach of their influencers to post their attendance all over their socials.

 

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A post shared by AQUARIUS CREATIVE (@aquariuscreative_)

Top Restaurant Influencers

1. GNOCHGNOCH

With a bio that states ‘lemme tell you where to spend your money’, you know that you’re about to find a list of unbelievably tempting restaurant experiences  – and that’s exactly what you’ll get. 

From upmarket fine-dining reviews to the best eats from the markets, there’s a recommendation for every budget. 

@itsgnochgnoch Here’s what I ordered at Sushi Samba 🍣 #foodreview #restaurantreview #londonhotspots #londonfood #londonrestaurant #japanese #sushi #whatiate ♬ original sound – GNOCHGNOCH

2. thefoodbaddie

Thefoodbaddie’s account embraces the power of editing to give her followers satisfying clips of tasty food. Slow-mo sauce drips and cheese pulls give her account a menu-meets-music video feel. She is a great partner for those looking to attract a young, London customer base.

@thefoodbaddie Authentic Argentinian affordable food spot in Nottinghill 🫕🇦🇷 #chepeats #argentinianfood #empanadas #londoncheapeats #londonhiddengems #londonstreetfood #nottinghill #nottinghillfood #londonfoodspots ♬ original sound – sᴘᴇᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ ♬

 3. emily_jane_johnston

Emily has a taste for the finer things in life and usually shares high-end foodie recs to her 91k followers. This influencer is a great choice for restaurant owners looking to create a marketing strategy around a luxury lifestyle. Her content includes dinner at the Lanesborough, Jimmy Choo pop-ups and Moet at Harrods. 

@emily_jane_johnston This is London’s latest hotspot and if it is anything like it’s mothership, it’s not just a flash in the pan but a permanent fixture on the scene. The legendary Claridge’s have this week opened the ArtSpace Cafe, and I went along to the early morning launch. Bubbles before 9am…and just what is this exciting new adventure? The cafe will offer delicious and exclusive sweet treats and savoury bites, alongside your standard cafe drinks with a Claridge’s guarantee of quality with every order. Whether you order them as pancakes or crepes, definitely don’t miss out on the freshest serving, created counter side in the cafe. And you bet your bottom dollar that I are every last bite of mine. I also got a look at the full savoury menu and it’s gonna take me the year to make my way through this offering that is almost too gorgeous to destroy with a knife and fork. But, the real pull for my tastebuds was the pain Suisse and it’s good. It’s really good and a friend stepped in here to prove the point. Only true deliciousness delivers these sort of smiles. The Claridge’s Artspace cafe is of course a great spot for fabulous food but will also be a creative hub for art lovers as the space will regularly rotate exhibitions open for one and all to come and peruse. Anyone up for coffee and crepes with a side of culture? See you there! #claridges #london #londoncafe #londoncoffee ♬ Coffee Shop – Late Night Luke

4. leahinslc

Travel tips, travel guides and – most importantly – travel eats, Leah’s page has it all.

Her frequent trips aboard make her more than qualified to announce the best [insert food item here] in the world. She gives lists of recommendations on everything from ice cream to fried chicken.

@leahinslc Jinya in Salt Lake City never disappoints 🍜 #Utah #UtahCheck #SaltLakeCity #UtahFood #UtahLife #UtahLiving #UtahSoda #Ramen ♬ Fake ID (Coke & Rum Remix) – Riton & Kah-Lo & GEE LEE

5. poppycooks

The self-described ‘potato queen’ rose to TikTok fame for her 15-hour potato recipe that has been tried and tested by some of the app’s biggest creators. However, you’ll find more than just potatoes on her profile. She is Michelin-trained after all.

@poppycooks Introducing the world’s most viral potato… 🥔👑 #potatotiktok #15hourpotato #potatoes ♬ Welcome to Potato TikTok – Poppy O’Toole

6. fwscout

Former editor-in-chief for Food&Wine Magazine, Dana Cowin’s feed is packed with delicious looking meals with irresistible accompanying descriptions. She’s also the mastermind behind the ‘Speaking Broadly’ podcast and zine, which aims to uplift women in food. 

 

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A post shared by Dana Cowin (@fwscout)

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Posted in Influencer News, Social Media Platforms

The UK’s Top Car Influencers Who Put The Pedal To The Metal

March 2nd, 2023 by

Choosing which car to buy will be one of the biggest financial decisions many of us will make in our lifetimes. 

Way back when, owning a vehicle was reserved for the elite members of society only, but fast forward several decades and just about every Tom, Dick and Harry is on the roads in flashy imported cars. 

The UK has a rich automobile heritage, with the likes of Range Rover, Jaguar and Aston Martin being born on these very grounds. While these are still brands that people aspire to own, imported cars have certainly taken precedence and you are much more likely to see a German Volkswagen driving past than a Bentley. 

But how do people make the decision to purchase one car brand over another? 

This is where the automotive influencers of the UK step in. These are creators who specialise in making car-related content for social media. Whether they work independently or with an automotive marketing agency, car influencers are trendsetters who can persuade their audience to make the right choices when it concerns purchasing vehicles, accessories and car parts. 

Think with Google tells us that 92% of vehicle shoppers use online resources to find answers to car-buying questions. This has also led to a 65% spike in ‘test drive’ videos on YouTube. As well as this, car buyers are most likely influenced by friends and family when it comes to making their purchase decisions and with influencers acting as this trusted source for many people today, the demand for them is only increasing. 

Looking to purchase your next vehicle, but aren’t quite sure where to begin?

We have compiled a list of the top automotive influencers of the UK, and if you’re a Formula 1 fan, we have added some F1 influencers to our roster also. 

Top UK car influencers

1. Simon Kidston

British classic car dealer, collector, commentator and journalist, Simon, has built a reputation as one of the leading international dealers in blue-chip collector cars. His clients include the likes of Ralph Lauren and Marc Newson. 

 

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A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Simon Kidston (@simonkidston)

2.  Aleem Iqbal

Aleem is a 26-year-old from Solihull and the CEO of Platinum Executive, a premium car hire service. He counts the likes of Ashley Cain and Naila Nazer in his influencer network, actively engaging with them on social media.

 

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A post shared by Lord Aleem (@lordaleem_official)

3. Yianni Charalambous

Founder of the car customising company, Yiannimize, Yianni is a car authoritative with a social media reach of 3M. He has his own show on Dave and has been endorsed by LEGO.

 

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A post shared by Yianni Charalambous 🇨🇾 (@y14nny)

4.  Thomas Exton

Thomas, better known as TGE, is a London-based car influencer and co-founder of LDN muscle. He runs a popular vlog where he discusses a variety of cars, which gives him an above average engagement rate of 20.81%.

 

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A post shared by TGE (@tge)

5. Amy Shore

Amy typically photographs cars and motorbikes and is a Nikon UK and Farer watches ambassador. She also co-hosts the podcast Driven Chat.

 

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A post shared by Amy Shore (@amyshorephotography)

Formula 1 car influencers

1. Sophia Upton

UK-based creator, Sophia, creates racing content across all her channels. The 22-year-old has 29.5K followers and 2.3M likes on TikTok alone and partners with motorsport merchandise brand, Fueler, to offer discounted products. 

@f1.soph True happiness of a Formula One fan #formula1 #silverstone #britishgp #lewishamilton44 #georgerussell63 #mercedesamgf1 #mclarenf1 #redbullracingf1 #ferrarif1 #alpinef1 ♬ Sure Thing (sped up) – Miguel

2. Benjamin Daly 

Ben is a UK-based Formula 1 YouTuber with 712k subscribers. He is a McLaren ambassador for esports on Twitch and a partner of Veloce. He covers all racing games such as F1 22, iRacing and Gran Turismo. 

3. Kym Illman

Formula 1 accredited photographer, Kym, covers the sport on all his social channels. He is a YouTuber and TikToker and his images have been featured in international industry media. 

@kymillmanf1 Want to know what it costs to go to every F1 race in a season? Watch my full video on my YouTube channel to find out! ##F1##f1facts ##f1moments##kymillman##racing##F1racing##behindthescenes##f12022##f1bts ##f1schedule ##f1photography##f1photographer##motorsport##f1photographer#photography##photographer##f1travel##f1schedule ♬ Blade Runner 2049 – Synthwave Goose

4. Federica Masolin

As a TV presenter for Sky Sports, Federica covers Formula 1. She is an ambassador for Laureus and has 670k followers on Instagram. 

 

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A post shared by Federica Masolin (@federicamasolin)

5. Aarava

Aarava is a Formula 1 gaming enthusiast based in London. He creates F1 22 gaming content and other general racing coverage. He is affiliated with the official F1 store and GT Omega Racing and is an ambassador for Thrustmaster. 

@_aarava Formula 1 Geoguessr 😝 How do you think you’d do? 👀 #formulaone #geoguessr #f1 ♬ original sound – Aarav

FAQ’s

Who is the biggest car influencer in the UK?

Yiannimize is the biggest car influencer in the UK with 1.2M followers.

How much do car influencers make?

Supercarblondie is one of the world’s most famous car influencers and is estimated to bring around £1.54M per year. 

Our Influencer marketing agency and Social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

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Diversity in the Gaming Industry: The Influencers to Know

March 1st, 2023 by

Over the past decade, the gaming industry has proved that it’s more than just games. Instead, it is a social space for players across all demographics to come together and simply hang out and have fun. 

In recent years, emphasis has been placed on communities. With the Black Lives Matter movement highlighting the need for change when addressing and including Black people, the disabled community are also finding ways to make their needs heard. 

The gaming industry is host to some of the largest and most diverse communities and audiences across the world. But often, the bigger names in gaming take centre stage, leaving little room for Black gaming influencers and disabled/neurodivergent gamers to be accentuated. 

In an attempt to tackle this, we will shed light on the disabled and Black gaming influencers on Twitch that we believe need to be added to your roster. 

Top 10 gaming influencers to diversify your talent

In today’s climate, every Twitch marketing agency should prove they have a diverse range of talent for companies to choose from when looking for collaborations. We have comprised a list of disabled, neurodivergent and Black gaming influencers to help diversify your talent pools.

Top Black gaming influencers

1. DennyVonDoom

Denny Underwood is the community manager for The Cookout – a community of gamers, streamers and creatives which offers a safe space for people of colour. 

He is based out of Chicago and mostly enjoys fighting games like Elden Ring, but is also known to dabble in other genres including adventure and mystery. His channel is pro-conversation, an aspect that Denny feels is crucial for building and maintaining and progressing an inclusive community. 

DennyVonDoom

2. BlackGirlGamers

Though not an individual influencer, BlackGirlGamers makes our list as one of the most prominent Twitch channels representing female Black gaming influencers. Not only created as a safe space for Black women in gaming, but this channel also serves as a catalyst for driving diversity and inclusion by strengthening their community through real life events. These include sessions held by official team members. 

BlackGirlGamers

3. Cypheroftyr

Tanya DePass is another Chicagoan. She has 21K followers on her Twitch channel and is the founder and director of a non-profit called I Need Diverse Games, which discusses, analyses and critiques identity and culture in video games. 

She loves streaming a variety of titles and you can often catch her playing anything from Animal Crossing 2 to Destiny 2 to One Piece Odyssey. 

Cypheroftyr

4. TheBlackHokage

TheBlackHokage or TBH is a variety streamer, podcast host and YouTube OG who enjoys engaging with his chat. He is a member of The Gaming Illuminaughty stream team and uses the podcast associated with this group to discuss the latest in gaming and “geek culture”. With 176K Twitch followers, TBH likes to stream Sons of the Forest, Apex Legends and Atomic Heart. He has also received sponsorship from a handful of brands including Quip, Mint Mobile and EchoGear.

TheBlackHokage

5. Deejay Knight

Deejay Knight is one of the Black gaming influencers who cannot be left off of our list. As a US Air Force veteran of the Special Forces, Deejay has now turned his attention to gaming and uses his Twitch channel to broadcast about the sci-fi genre. You’ll often catch him streaming Minecraft: Dungeons and Magic: The Gathering. He has a very lively channel and has put a lot of effort into building his 90k audience, so much so that his dedication led him to pursue 1000 consecutive days of streaming; something very few are able to achieve.

Deejay Knight

6. PikaChulita

PikaChulita joined Twitch in 2014, however it took her three years to find her feet and begin streaming consistently before she built a following of 15k gamers. She enjoys non-military first-person shooters and horror/simulation games and can often be found streaming Fortnite. As one of the female Black gaming influencers on our list, PikaChulita uses her channel as a voice for charity and highlighting diversity and inclusion in the gaming community. 

In 2020 she was featured on a Now This insert about female Twitch streamers and her experience as one over the last decade. PikaChulita is also a member of the BlackGirlGamers Twitch team we mentioned earlier!

PikaChulita

7. iamBrandon

iamBrandon joined Twitch in 2015 and has amassed a following of 41k. While predominantly a fan of horror games, he is also known for streaming games such as Animal Crossing and Goldeneye 007. iamBrandon is famous for his inviting and positive nature and highly interactive community. He is also the influencer relations manager for Reverb Games and the founder of the Chicago Twitch support network. 

iamBrandon

Top disabled gaming influencers

8. NoHandsKen

Ken Worrall is a quadriplegic, 48-year-old gamer. He has 35k followers on Twitch for whom he streams games like Diablo 3 and World of Warcraft. To play these games he uses the Jouse3 (similar to a mouse) which he operates with his mouth. Ken is also an advocate for the Neil Squire Society, whose mission is to foster better social and economic inclusion for people with disabilities.

NoHandsKen

9. Brolylegs

Brolylegs describes himself as “the best Chun-li with no hands”. As expected, he streams Street Fighter V, for which he is also a game trainer. He streams other titles such as Like a Dragon: Ishin! and Fire Emblem Engage to his 11k followers. 

Brolylegs

10. Mackenseize 

Mackenzie is a 30-year-old streamer whose aim is to promote invisible disability awareness among the gaming community through sharing her own story as a gamer with epilepsy. She has 35K followers on Twitch and mostly streams Hearthstone, which she has been playing since 2014 and competed in tournaments for. 

Mackenseize 

FAQs

Who is the biggest Black gaming influencer on Twitch?

Nmplol has 1M followers and sometimes streams The Last Of Us. 

Our Influencer marketing agency and Social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

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Influencer Sessions: Get to know Maddie Mead

February 28th, 2023 by

We caught up with Maddie, known on Twitch as littlebunny_x and TikTok as @l_bunny_x

1. What is your favourite thing about being a Twitch streamer and do you see it as a long-term career option?

My favourite thing about being a Twitch streamer is being able to meet and reach such a wide diverse audience, learning so much about people and getting to learn new things about other cultures while at work. Also, finding a group of people who appreciate the same things I do and just having fun with them while gaming and building relationships. I definitely see it as a long-term career, I know it will be difficult and I will have to learn how to adapt with changing times but I wouldn’t have quit my job to do so, if I didn’t have the passion for it.

2. Tell us about your background and how you started to build your following. 

I was a marketing intern before COVID living in London. However, when COVID happened I was forced to move back home as I lost the internship and couldn’t pay rent. I was so lost at this point not knowing what to do, I started playing old games I used to play before university like Puzzle Pirates and World of Warcraft. Some other players then suggested I take up Twitch streaming, I had no idea what the platform was but as soon as I had my first stream I was hooked.

 

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A post shared by Bunny (@x_littlebunny_x)

3. Which platforms do you predominantly use? Which is your favourite?

Twitch is definitely my most used and favourite platform, however TikTok and Instagram are a great way to build an audience quickly.

4. What type of content do you create, and which type works best for your audience?

I try to create a positive happy space online, uplifting others, as I think there can be too much hate and negativity online. I also focus on gaming and anime which works very well with my audience.

5. How would you define “influencer marketing”?

I would say it’s a way of personal marketing, for the brand being able to target the correct audience, and the followers being able to have direct contact to the brand through the influencer.

 

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A post shared by Bunny (@x_littlebunny_x)

6. Have you worked with brands before? How do you decide which brands to work with?

I have worked with Hello Fresh, Sneak and Raid Shadow Legends, all of which approached me through Discord or email. I decided to work with these brands as they allowed me to test the products beforehand and seemed to have great communication.

7. How do you think influencer marketing will change over the next 12 months?

I think followers are becoming more and more aware of ads online and want to know the influencer really, truly endorses the product and is not only promoting to make a quick buck.

8. How has influencer marketing changed since you began working within social media?

I appreciate the rules on Instagram and TikTok which state you have to clearly say when something is paid media, as when influencer marketing first came about that did not exist, so followers were being fed fake news.

@l_bunny_x Kinda impressed with how badly I managed to fail #twitchfalls #twitchstreamer #twitchtok #twitchfails #livestreamfails #livestreamclips #twitchmoments ♬ original sound – Richard Stott

9. Do you use any software to help create and edit your content?

I have a lot of video editing software like DaVinci to help create my YouTube and TikTok videos, and I also use a software called OBS to create overlays for my Twitch Streams.

10. How do you balance your online and offline lives?

This is something I am still figuring out. I work 6 days a week every week, but it is hard to turn my phone and comments off, also as my work is so much fun and I am passionate about it, I rarely want to sit around doing nothing. So I will always have a video to edit or pictures to take if I am not streaming.

11. Which influencers inspire you?

I love @pokimaine, she has stayed true to herself throughout her career and seems down to earth and happy.

@pokiEpisode 1 | day in the life of a streamer, gamer, content creator ☺️ this is a more chill day where I don’t film/record, let me know if y’all want more of these 🫶🏻

♬ original sound – pokimane

12. Where would you like to take your career as an influencer?

I would love to grow to a place where I have created a name for myself, where people come to my channel and they know what they are getting. Also I would love to be able to create a charity to help internet safety against harassment.

Our Influencer marketing agency and Social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

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Posted in Influencer News

Gaming Trends to Know in 2023

February 27th, 2023 by

From the rise of indie gaming studios to the slowing down of game releases by larger corporations, it’s been quite a year for the gaming industry. 

With an estimated value of $365.50bn by the end of 2023, the gaming industry has been smashing Hollywood’s earnings out of the park. It now takes the spot as one of the highest grossing industries and, with its size, comes large-scale trends; with the rise in popularity of VR/AR being a perfect example. For more jaw-dropping statistics, check out our other gaming industry insights blog.

The sheer scale of the gaming industry creates an inviting environment for non-endemic brands looking to promote their products through the large and diverse audiences of gaming influencers. If this is something you feel your brand could get on board with, check out our blog on the biggest UK gaming influencers open to collaboration.

Trends come and go and they certainly shape industries into what they are today. In this blog we will run through the gaming trends that are set to change the face of the gaming industry post-2023. 

Gaming’s biggest trends of the past decade

The past 10 years have been the most tumultuous in the history of gaming. 

Pre 2010, gaming trends were generally marked by changes in technology, however, the span from 2010-2019 has been marked by massive shifts in how games are made, played, discussed, challenged and championed. 

The decline of publisher power

Indie gaming has fundamentally changed the face of the gaming industry for good. Game releases from big studios now find themselves competing with more innovative games from smaller teams and, oftentimes, find themselves borrowing ideas from them. 

Jack Tretton, head of Sony Computer Entertainment America for 8 years, says, “developers can market directly to gamers without limitations from large publishers on creativity and direction”. 

Indie game developers are no longer reliant upon brick and mortar stores for shelf space or subjected to payment delays or deductions. Because of this, gamers have more choices than ever on what they choose to play and how much they are willing to pay for it. 

While this is undoubtedly one of the gaming trends that has shaped game development going forward, there is a downside. Where larger publishers are focusing on projects in limited genres, it leaves a void in creative-medium-budget projects that would otherwise offer variety and genre expansion. 

Technological advancements in AR and VR

What was once only eligible for a Black Mirror episode or a thought about the distant future, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have fast become many people’s new norm. 

Hugely popular games such as Pokemon Go have raised awareness for AR possibilities and Playstation VR and Oculus Quest (currently the best stand alone unit) have kept VR possibilities in the forefront of people’s minds. 

Inventor and entrepreneur Jeri Ellsworth specialises in augmented reality. She believes that “there are still too many friction points for VR that are a barrier to mass adoption”. For many, the headset itself is isolating and scary, making it hard for them to be willing to remove themselves from the real world. 

She also sees AR as a way to acclimatise customers to having their world blended between reality and games. Fast forward a decade or two and these players will be more willing to plunge themselves into virtual worlds. 

The Esports Explosion

The previous decade of esports went from selling out Vegas ballrooms, to selling out stadiums like Madison Square Gardens and the Staples Centre. 

A big factor for esports being one of the most impactful gaming trends of the previous decade is the simple fact that League of Legends was a free-to-play game. It has democratised competitive gaming and fueled interest in the best teams and players. 

Travis Gafford is one of the most famous faces in Esports as a podcaster, streamer and journalist who is heavily involved in the League of Legends scene. His take on the rise on esports is that while there is a lot of money swirling around, the economics of the business are still unresolved. 

Upcoming gaming trends

The lines will blur between entertainment and gaming

Waning ad revenue and dips in subscriptions have sent top streamers back to the drawing board. Reviving tried-and-true IP is now a go-to tactic for many in hopes of alleviating some of this pressure and roping in devoted fanbases.

Back in October, Netflix announced 55 new additions to their game offerings, with many based on existing Netflix IP. Riot Games saw huge success from their Netflix animated series Arcane, as it won an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program; proving that game adaptations are an investment worth exploring. 

This gaming trend will continue with more franchise adaptations and films. 

The metaverse will begin to reach mainstream audiences

The metaverse will continue to expand and begin operating on a more mainstream level. New VR models, such as Meta Quest, will continue to hit the market and Apple will join with their upcoming entry looking to be released in the springtime. 

VR adoption by big-name consumer brands reinforce this assumed growth. For example, Nike have released SWOOSH, a collaborative metaverse space where shoe enthusiasts can flex, trade and collect virtual night products. After this, experts predict that we will start to see VR integration within workplaces, with VR headsets for meetings and social gatherings between remote workers. 

@nft4noobs NIKE SO SNEAKY 😈 #nike #metaverse #nft ♬ Rocking A Cardigan in Atlanta – lil Shordie Scott

Esports will expand beyond the borders of competition

Though competitive gaming will forever remain at its core, esports has grown to include products, merchandise, and an entire content ecosystem driven by top gaming influencers. This means that the esports fandom will extend to those who are fans of certain influencers/streamers and industry-driven products. 

Where can we see this already happening?

Complexity gaming launched Complexity Stars, a division made up of athletes and celebrities aiming to expand esports and gaming audiences into the music and pop culture by adding the likes of Mexican soccer legend Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez to the roster. This is fast becoming one of the most innovative gaming trends and other non-endemic esports organisations are beginning to take a similar approach.

IP development won’t wait around for studios and streamers

How many times have you opened Netflix or Amazon Prime to find reboots of your favourite films and series from past decades?

Nostalgia sells, but sadly this is making it harder to secure the green light for fresh, original IP. To tackle this, production companies, startup studios and independent creatives are launching new IP on social media. 

Animation studios like Invisible Universe and Moonbug Entertainment distribute an impressive lineup of original IP on TikTok and YouTube, creating cost-effective, short-form content via series like Qai Qai and Cocomelon. The great thing about this gaming trend is that it allows for direct audience feedback and a more seamless route to building community and fandom. 

@moonbugentertainment Absolutely NOT!! 🏃‍♂️💨 #arpo #moonbugentertainment #fyp #halloween ♬ original sound – Moonbug Entertainment

Content creators won’t be confined to social platforms

2022 saw widespread expansion beyond TikTok, YouTube and Instagram for creators aiming for a greater growth trajectory. Historically, these creators would create their own line of merchandise, but today they’re looking to take the leap into TV, big-box retail and more. 

Notable examples include Tinx signing a H&M campaign deal as part of their Coachella collaboration.

 

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A post shared by H&M (@hm)

Benny Drama signing a scripted series deal with Amazon.

 

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A post shared by Benito Skinner (@bennydrama7)

And world-famous Mr. Beast turning his YouTube channel into a retail giant, complete with a brick and mortar burger shop, delivery ghost kitchen and a popular line of cookies sold at Walmart. 

To conclude

As seen through notable gaming trends over the past decade, big changes are coming, but 2022 was the year that heralded the initial waves that will eventually shift across the gaming and digital media landscape. An increase in gaming marketing agencies will be noticed so as to accommodate this integration into the social media realm. 

Changes in technology will rapidly change how games are made and played, but new consumer behaviours will impact game developer’s route into the industry. 

FAQ

What are the future trends of the gaming industry?

  1. AR and VR gaming
  2. Cross-platform gaming
  3. Free-to-play games
  4. Cosy gamers 
  5. Competitive multiplayer mobile gaming
  6. Fitness gaming
  7. New platforms for PC gaming
  8. Esports explosion
  9. Metaverse gaming
  10. Streaming video

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