Tapfiliate & Atlas Endgames: A New way to Succeed in the Gaming Industry through Affiliate Marketing

Did you know that Tapfiliate’s affiliate marketing software can be successfully used to track in-game purchases? Read the Atlas XR Limited case study to get inspired!

I would absolutely recommend Tapfiliate, 200%. I would even motivate others to use it, especially if they have a small marketing budget. I actively propose this solution and using affiliate marketing.

Jonathan AntoineFounder & CEO, Atlas XR Limited

Background

Atlas Endgames, founded by Jonathan Antoine, is a virtual reality (VR) game development company. Jonathan, a software engineer with a background in AI, transitioned to game development after receiving a VR headset as a gift and becoming enamored with the technology. His passion for shooter games led him to create Atlas Endgames, a VR shooter game designed to offer an immersive experience similar to popular computer-based shooters. The game, which took three years to develop, is primarily focused on the Meta platform due to its market dominance.

The Challenge

Upon releasing Atlas Endgames in May 2024, the team faced several challenges:

• Growing the player base: With the relatively small VR market and Meta holding a near-monopoly, gaining visibility and attracting players was crucial.
• Achieving sustainable user engagement: Ensuring players remain active and engaged over time.
• Cost-effective marketing: Jonathan needed to market the game without incurring substantial upfront costs, given the significant expenses already involved in game development.

The Solution

Jonathan decided to leverage affiliate marketing to promote Atlas Endgames. This approach provided:

• Cost-effective marketing efforts: Affiliates earned commissions based on their generated sales, reducing the need for substantial upfront marketing expenses.
• Incentivized promotion: Affiliates had a financial stake in the game’s success, motivating them to actively promote it.

Implementation with Tapfiliate

Jonathan explored various affiliate marketing platforms and chose Tapfiliate due to its robust API, which outperformed competitors. He also appreciated its comprehensive feature set. Tapfiliate’s capabilities allowed for seamless integration with the game’s backend, enabling the tracking of affiliate codes and commissions directly within the game environment.

I had specific criteria for choosing a platform, and having a robust API was crucial. Our implementation is integrated within the game itself, not through Shopify or other websites. We needed something we could build custom inside our game. Few competitors offered an API as solid as Tapfiliate’s, which was a significant advantage.

Jonathan AntoineFounder & CEO, Atlas XR Limited

Affiliate Code System

• The Atlas Engames team implemented a system where affiliates could create their own referral codes. These codes could be used by players during in-game purchases to receive discounts and rewards.
• The system allowed the entry of referral codes on the purchase page, which were then validated and associated with the player’s profile for a set duration (7 days for regular affiliates, 10 days for partners, and 14 days for ambassadors).

This approach aims to simplify VR gaming marketing by eliminating the need for intermediary agencies and working directly with creators. If successful, this could set a new standard for marketing strategies in the industry.

Jonathan AntoineFounder & CEO, Atlas XR Limited

API Utilization

• Tapfiliate’s API was utilized to handle custom integration needs, such as tracking in-game purchases and attributing them to the correct affiliate.
• The API also facilitated the creation of custom referral codes and managed different affiliate tiers based on their influence and following.

Affiliate Programs and Bonuses

• Jonathan set up three distinct affiliate programs (Regular, Partner, and Ambassador) to clearly define commission structures and benefits.
• Tapfiliate’s bonus system was employed to further incentivize affiliates, though Jonathan noted that this feature could benefit from being more prominently displayed in the dashboard.

Promotion and Recruitment

• The affiliate program was promoted through Atlas Endgames’ Discord community, TikTok channel, and by directly reaching out to potential influencers.
• Focus was placed on micro-influencers (200 to 15,000 followers) who could effectively engage with their audiences and drive game adoption.

Results

Since its release, Atlas Endgames has shown promising growth:

• Gradual increase in the player base: The game now has a couple hundred daily active players.
• Organic growth and user engagement: The affiliate marketing strategy has driven significant organic growth.
• Community and brand loyalty: Offering custom-branded cosmetics to top influencers helped foster a sense of community and brand loyalty among players.

Feedback and Future Plans

Jonathan expressed high satisfaction with Tapfiliate’s performance:

• Ease of implementation: Tapfiliate offered a seamless setup process.
• Feature-rich platform: The comprehensive feature set met the diverse needs of Atlas Endgames.

Tapfiliate has proven to be a versatile and effective platform for managing Atlas Endgames’ affiliate marketing efforts.

Easy implementation, with tons of features and a great API. Amazing product. Our experience with Tapfiliate has been excellent so far – both the customer service and the product features fully meet our needs.

Jonathan AntoineFounder & CEO, Atlas XR Limited

Conclusion

Using Tapfiliate, Atlas Endgames successfully implemented an affiliate marketing strategy aligned with its budget and growth objectives. Integrating Tapfiliate’s features allowed for efficient tracking and incentivizing affiliates, contributing to the game’s ongoing success in the competitive VR market. As Atlas Endgames continues to grow, the affiliate program is expected to play a crucial role in expanding its player base and enhancing user engagement.