And Here’s How The Video Game Industry Fits Into It All
It’s no secret. Prices of almost everything are on the rise. Food, rent, gas… you name it, it’s up.
Unfortunately, according to the minutes of the Fed’s recent July meeting, these inflationary pressures will be here for a while. Perhaps a long while. As a result, the Fed will very likely continue to raise interest rates into the foreseeable future to help stem it.
But by doing so, the Fed will further slow an already anemic economy, putting the American consumer in an even more difficult position than they’re in today.
To help survive in this environment, a seemingly record number of consumers have already begun turning to a tried-and-true money-saving tactic. Coupon clipping.
Well over half of all US adults, 58%, are now seeking coupons, on at least a weekly basis, to help with the bills. But consumers aren’t turning to just any coupons, no. Consumers are going digital.
A report from Inmar Intelligence shows the use of digital coupons have recently grown by 10%. And now, digital coupons own 34% of the entire coupon market, and this share is growing.
While 34% may not seem like a dominant market position, the next closest coupon competitor is “free-standing inserts” (FSI); coupons found in flyers and newspapers. These coupons now own just a 24% market share… and shrinking.
In a moment, we’ll share with you what the next great coupon market dominator may be, and how its dominance may last decades or longer.
First, it’s no wonder why digital coupon use is growing. Outside of the inflation-busting savings they can offer, consumers can find and use digital coupons 24/7, right in, and from, the palm of their hands.
The stock market is taking notice
While much of the equities market has been struggling to fight through recession and a bear market, a curious IPO has begun trading this week. As of this writing, on its first day of trading, shares of its stock are up over 400%.
Starbox Group Holdings (STBX) began trading today (Tuesday August 23) on the NASDAQ. The IPO was priced at $4 a share and by 1:30pm, was trading at $21…
After having hit a whopping $46.21.
Remember, it was priced at $4.
So, how is an IPO, in this market, performing so well when practically every other stock is down?
Could it be… digital coupons?
According to filings, Starbox Group is a service provider of cash rebates (digital coupons), digital advertising and payment solutions. And, as we’ve shown, its stock is having an incredible first day.
It seems Wall Street may be taking a keen interest in this stock as a dual “inflation” and “trend” play. And they may be right.
With more consumers trending towards coupons to alleviate inflation pressures, companies that can operate in both “cost savings” and “trendy” markets at the same time may be among the biggest winners going into 2023.
So, what does this have to do with the video game industry? Well…
The video game industry is undoubtedly one of the strongest, trendiest industries going. It’s expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% through 2030. By then, it’ll be worth over a half-trillion US dollars.
But although incredibly trendy, the video game industry is no flash in the pan. It could be red hot well past 2030. Just ask Microsoft about its $69 billion acquisition offer for Activision Blizzard, and its likely to agree.
But how can video games help the consumer fight inflation?
How could the industry become the dual threat that Wall Street seems to be looking for?
One word… Coupons.
In fact, the video game industry has the promise of becoming the next great coupon market dominator. Yes, dominator.
How? Real-world, in-game commerce.
Right now, most all in-game commerce involves the purchase of digital goods that pertain to the game itself. Like skins, uplevels and the opening of new worlds. But technology is currently being developed which could allow for the transaction, in-game, of real-world items… including coupons for real-world items.
One company, TCI Entertainment, is the owner and developer of one such technology solution. It’s creating an already patented, in-game, real-world eCommerce platform that uses ancillary “incentivized engagement” and monetization technologies to bring brand engagement directly into the hands of consumers… as they’re playing video games.
Now, “incentivized engagement” may mean everything from traditional eCommerce transactions to direct coupon offerings to gamers, while they’re gaming. Again, this technology is for real-world items that can be purchased inside of video games.
Imagine you’re playing a mobile video game. It’s dinner time. You’re walking your avatar through a digital world when you come upon a digital pizzeria. That digital pizzeria is offering a buy-one-get-one free.
TCI’s technology could potentially allow that BOGO offer from the pizzeria to be a REAL offer.
Here’s what we mean. You walk your avatar into that pizzeria, redeem your 2-for-1 coupon, and in 30 minutes, two pizzas show up at your door.
It’s technology like this that may not only create a new shopping trend but may also someday be the dominant form of coupon redemption.
And this is not pie in the sky. Tech like this is being developed as we speak and could create a dominant new commerce trend for decades to come. But not just for mobile, PC or console games.
Soon, many, if not most gamers will be involved in virtual reality games. But VR is not strictly for gamers. Everyone and anyone could soon be using VR headsets to do everything from grocery shopping to attending virtual business meetings…
And with the right technology, transactions within games and VR worlds could explode!
Of course, along with the in-game commercialization of the industry (and a massive amount of real-world transaction value) will come irresistible coupon offers. Offers that could help consumers stay well atop their bills.
Could this be the double threat that Wall Street is looking for?
Read more about TCI Entertainment’s patented in-game eCommerce platform, and how it may revolutionize the video game and coupon industry, HERE