Business | Technology
Ad-based games a revenue generator
A Dubai-based company has launched a site that will let people design and customize ad-supported games directly over the internet.
- By Scott Shuey, Staff Reporter
- Published: 22:47 June 24, 2009
Dubai: A Dubai-based company has launched a site that will let people design and customize ad-supported games directly over the internet.
The games designed by Hyzonia.com can be played for free over the internet and do not include banner ads. Instead it allow advertisers to target their material towards people in an "adver-gaming network," said Reza Ayati, the company's business development director.
Browser-based gaming has been extremely popular over the past decade, with some games registering millions of users.
Revenues from online game advertising is expected to rise from $120 million (Dh440 million) in 2004 to $500 million (Dh1.8 billion) in 2009, according to research from DFC Intelligence.
A study by Madar Research indicates the amount spent on online advertising is expected to grow by 30 per cent in 2009 and around 50 per cent in 2010.
"The potential of online adver-gaming has dramatically increased over the past few years largely because of the surge in internet adoption rates and the growing popularity of the internet as a communicating and advertising medium," said Maryam Alimardani, Managing Director, Rena, a Dubai-based company that created Hyzonia.com.
Browser-based games also appeal to a wide audience, the company claims, with 26 per cent of players over 50 years old and 25 per cent under 18.
Ayati said the average was 33. The company says the ad-based games are also a good way to reach women, who account for 44 per cent of players.
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