MultiChoice has launched Arcade, a new gaming hub within the MyDStv App, featuring a variety of short and casual games inspired by popular shows and sports content.
Subscribers can earn in-game rewards and power-ups while playing, which are integrated with the DStv Rewards system. This means players can accumulate entries for exciting prizes, including BoxOffice movie rentals, package upgrades, and event tickets.
The company has debuted three games for the second season of the popular series Shaka iLembe, with Match Challenge being one of them. This casual match-three puzzle game invites players to align symbols such as spears, drums, and shields to earn points and extend their gameplay time.
Last week, the game was made available, attracting thousands of players who are spending an average of 41 minutes per session. Interestingly, peak play times align with the primetime viewing slots on DStv.
“The game mechanics are straightforward yet engaging: connect three or more matching tiles, create combos, utilise special power-ups, and uncover new challenges. Players can activate gems that eliminate entire blocks and aim for the top of the leaderboard,” MultiChoice explained.
A unique feature of the game is its evolving nature; as new episodes of the show are released, new challenges within the game also become accessible, rewarding fans who stay current with the series.
Match Challenge, along with forthcoming games Warrior’s Run and Mystery Kingdom, was developed by the DStv Rewards team in collaboration with the gamification studio Red Oxygen.
Shaheed Mohamed, the executive head of Customer Value Management at MultiChoice South Africa, emphasised the company’s commitment to enhancing customer experiences. “By merging interactive entertainment with our Rewards Programme, we’re offering our members enjoyable, engaging, and rewarding ways to connect with the content they cherish,” he stated.
“Match Challenge, Warriors Run, and Mystery Kingdom strike a perfect balance between casual gaming and the rich storytelling of this royal saga.”
In addition to these new titles, the MyDStv app also features games such as Teen Titans Go, Crusher, Triple Hoops, Wagon Dash, and Dodge Ball.
This initiative comes on the heels of reports last month regarding Netflix’s gaming division facing challenges, having removed over 20 games from its platform, including well-regarded titles like Hades and Braid, after closing its AAA gaming studio in October.
Netflix had also reduced its interactive offerings, shrinking its library from 24 titles down to just four by the end of last year. Among the few remaining titles, the Emmy-winning Black Mirror interactive film Bandersnatch was ultimately removed on May 12.
Although Netflix’s gamble on mobile gaming did not yield the expected results, MultiChoice is pursuing a distinct approach by focusing on casual games that integrate seamlessly with DStv Rewards.
The DStv Arcade’s placement within the MyDStv app eliminates the need for subscribers to download games separately from app stores and sign in for each game, significantly enhancing user experience.
