Sky Gamestar is Sky’s highly popular games portal, attracting almost 2 million users a month. Viewers can access Sky Gamestar by pressing the interactive button on the Sky digital remote control or by pressing the red button while watching one of the Sky channels.
Sky is constantly introducing new games to Sky Gamestar with new prizes to win every week. Games can range from classics, such as Battleships and Connect 4 to new and innovative games based on instantly recognisable brands. Big film franchises have also made appearances, with many more planned. Some of the brands we’ve licensed to date include:
- Hasbro: Monopoly
- Disney: The Lion King
- Cartoon Network: Scooby Doo
- Celador: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Liveplay adds a new, multiplayer element to the interactive television gaming sphere. Players get their own gamer name and profile, to play against other viewers of their age or from their part of the country. Or they can let Liveplay automatically match them against an opponent. Rankings determine whether a player is a beginner, a master or in between - every game a player wins builds up their ranking.
Liveplay protects players’ identities and privacy; it lets them express themselves in a totally safe, fun environment. Players can send smileys and phrases to taunt their opponents or let them know it was a good game, or even to offer them a rematch.
Card games, puzzle games, word games, darts, pool and old classics like Battleships and Connect 4 offer a truly mainstream peer-to-peer gaming proposition.
- Pay To Play
Customers pay to play on Sky Gamestar. Buying playtime is easy and fast: payment is taken by the set-top box, which dials premium rate numbers for a fixed, one-off charge. There are no hidden costs and customers always know what they are spending. In most cases, once they’ve paid for a game they can play it as much as they like.
- Star Day Pass
The Star Day Pass is a one-off payment and is ideal for customers who prefer to dip in and out of Sky Gamestar throughout the day, or who want to play a variety of games. If customers wish to take a break from games and watch TV, they can easily return to Sky Gamestar later in the day using the same pass. Even if their set-top box is switched off, or there is a power cut, Sky can still restore their pass.
Customers can also choose a Liveplay Pass for a day of taking on the nation and for some quality time to work on their ratings.
Sky Gamestar is one of the most successful interactive television services in the UK. Reaching the mainstream, predominantly female gaming market in a way the console and PC gaming market simply doesn’t, Sky Gamestar offers a wealth of opportunities for established brand owners, broadcasters, developers and more.
We work with leading developers, such as Craftwork, Mindseye, NDS and Denki, to give viewers entertaining and quality games that specifically appeal to Sky’s subscriber base. Our games team can provide a range of services, including:
- Creating original concepts
- Games development
- Testing
- Uplinking
- Game update management
Quizzes and competitions can be aligned to individual channels. Disney Channel and Channel 4, for example, offer a range of interactive games designed to enhance their brand and add value to individual programmes. Channel-based games are available 24 hours a day, so viewers can reconnect with their favourite shows even when they are off the air.
Whether it's a specific game, such as racing, action or puzzle games, or a specific area of the portal, sponsorship of Sky Gamestar is an opportunity to be explored. Liveplay events are a neat sponsorship fit, where prizes could be related to or provided by the sponsor.
- Monopoly
Sky Gamestar re-launched a sophisticated interactive version of this classic board game. In its first four months, a quarter of a million people played the game.
View the “Monopoly” case study
- Cartoon Network
Sky Gamestar has presented Cartoon Network favourites such as “The Powerpuff Girls” and “Jonny Bravo” alongside cartoon classics such as “Tom and Jerry” and “Scooby Doo”.
View the “Cartoon Network” case study
- Tomb Raider
Sleeker than ever, to tie in with her new look for “The Angel of Darkness” on console, Lara Croft appeared in Sky Gamestar’s interactive version of "Tomb Raider".
View the “Tomb Raider” case study
To find out more about how you can work with Sky Gamestar please
contact Sky Interactive