The gaming industry is set to soar to $321 billion in 2026, according to a PwC report. and swag bag marketing plays a huge part in the success and relevance of any game. That amount is for social/casual games, PC, video/AR/VR, and console games. Game convention attendees have continued to grow, and these events set the stage for worldwide launches of major gaming companies as well as innovative independent developers.
The Swag Bag As A Statement
Attendees of these conventions flood the Internet with blow-by-blow updates about the event and the swag bag is never lost in the conversation. In fact, swag bags have become highly effective marketing tools for the industry in particular. Unboxing videos and trade show hauls are reliable sources of engagement for both brand and influencer/creator.
Swag bags say a lot about the company and their products. Gamers and fans have a level of expectation when it comes to promotional swag. That means putting one together requires careful planning, creativity, and a close ear on the ground as to what the target audience is into.
Working with AI to Create the Ultimate Swag Bag
In true techie fashion, we played around with AI to see what it would recommend. Of course, we expected that it would come up with out-of-this-world ideas, so we had to make sure it was still realistic with actual products we could find in our shop. Keep in mind that we have over 100,000 products that you can customize to promote your brand.
Here's the prompt we gave:
I want to create the ultimate swag bag for gamers in 2024. I want recipients to actually like the item in the swag bag, so much so that they'll post about it on social media. Give me unique ideas.
It churned out quite an impressive list. We whittled it down to a shortlist and asked real gamers if they'd like the items in said list. Finally, here's what AI and the Brand Spirit team came up with.
The links to the products are below.
Premium Swag Ideas
- Glow in the Dark Printed Shirts - Apparel are must-have swag items. Stand out (even in the dark) by making your custom print glow in the dark. Our printing capabilities allow you to do that and so much more. Bonus: Butterwash your t-shirts to make them super soft!
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Phantom Backpack - This modern and sleek backpack is TSA-approved with built-in locks. There's plenty of room and sections to keep everything organized. There's also a USB port slot to plug your power pack into your phone easily. The customization option is a tasteful and subtle full-color patch right in front of the bag.
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Octoforce 2.0™ Qi 8000mAh Wireless Power Bank - Customize the entire side of the Octoforce Power Bank. It has ports for USB charging but is also compatible with wireless charging. Make a statement with eye-catching graphics. Also, the sleeve can be fully customized for a truly unique piece of swag.
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XL Mouse Pad Desk Mat - Customize the entire mat and go all out on branding. You get an XL real estate for your company or game launch with this gamer set-up essential.
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Ignite Gaming Heaphones - This is a gamer and streamer's choice. Get high quality stereo quality and mic while finishing a mission with your gaming buddies. Record play-through reactions for your YouTube channel. Do it all with this gaming headphone. Your logo also lights up, literally putting a spotlight where you need it.
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25 oz. Yeti Rambler with Straw - Co-brand a YETI tumbler that's a popular camping and outdoor lifestyle product. Laser engrave your logo for a premium finish.
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Awesome Mixtape Wireless Speaker - Every game has a soundtrack and you can make more noise for your brand with a retro cassette tape designed wireless speaker. It has a case and everything! Fully personalize the entire thing for a statement swag they'll all rave about. It also comes with a sleeve that, of course, is customizable too.
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Custom Building Blocks - Make your swag item experiential and interactive with a custom building block version of your game characters. Again, unique swag make all the difference and it doesn't get more special than something custom-made. It comes with an instruction manual for the build a also a custom box for packaging. 11/10 would recommend.
Affordable Swag Options
If you're working with a smaller budget, say less. We got you! Mix your premium swag with more budget-friendly promotional items to fill the loot bag. You won't break the bank with these logo-branded giveaways.
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Crumbee Desk VacuumJust because promotional swag is low-cost, doesn't mean that it has to be boring. The Crumbee is, needless to say, a very relevant item for gamers and developers who spend hours at their desks. This handy little gadget cleans up crumbs on your desks to keep it nice and clean. The personalized dome epoxy is also a fantastic way to advertise your company or game because it's the first thing you see. It's rechargeable. Love this. |
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Bamboo Portable Phone StandLet's go green with our swag. Engrave a logo or graphics on this sustainable bamboo phone stand. Combining tech with sustainability is a plus. |
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Clif® Builder's Protein Bar - Chocolate Peanut ButterA swag bag isn't complete without a few treats. Customize a Clif Bar and fuel them while they play. This would make a nice trade show book hand out for people who visit your table. Other flavors of protein bars and candies (customizable) are also available. Chat with us or browse our Food Gifts catalog. |
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Push Pop Bounce BallStress balls make sense as a promotional swag gift for the gaming industry. Players can get heated so why not give them this toy to cope with the stress? This is fun and addictive in a good way. 15 color options available. |
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16 oz. Tall Boy Scuba CoolieAnother budget-friendly swag item that gamers and game developers will appreciate - a koozie for for tall boy cans. It keeps drinks colder for longer and it helps protect your computer desk. Choose from 22 colorways and brand with one color or in full color. |
More AI Recommendations
- Virtual Reality Experience: Include a VR headset viewer (compatible with smartphones) that gives access to a virtual reality experience set in the game's universe. This could be a virtual tour of the game's setting, a mini-game, or an interactive story.
- Custom Poker Cards: Create a full deck of playing cards using game characters for the back of the cards. This type of swag items aligns with casino-themed online games and other character-rich strategy games.
- Exclusive Game Content Access: Provide a special code for exclusive in-game content that not only enhances their gameplay but is also visually distinctive enough to be flaunted on social media. This could be a rare item, character skin, or a unique pet companion.
- Smartphone Game Controller: A high-quality, portable game controller that attaches to smartphones, branded with the game's logo. This makes it easier for gamers to play mobile games or cloud-streamed versions of PC/console games on the go.
- Behind-the-Scenes Book: An exclusive, beautifully illustrated book that gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the game's development, including concept art, developer interviews, and insights into the game's lore.
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