Solution
We began by interviewing the editor of Game Informer Magazine to better understand the elements required to produce a successful game. At that time, the best game in terms of user engagement, technology, and entertainment was “Doom” – a first person game that some would call violent. So we licensed the Doom engine and created a new storyline with original characters to build a totally new, non-violent game. The strategy cut months off of production and delivered a very successful product.

Results
ChexQuest became the industry's most successful in-store promotion in merchandising history. The CD-ROM even included 50 free hours of AOL Internet access – a very good deal at the time. The games – 8 million of them - vanished from grocery store shelves (sometimes boxes were ripped open in the store to get at the CD), and the promotion won several industry accolades. Game Informer figured it was worth about $20 as a retail PC game. A companion Web site offered follow-up levels and attracted over 850,000 visitors, more than 150,000 downloads of ChexQuest II, and thousands of ChexQuest screen savers.

Sales increased 248% for over eight months. Fan mail from hundreds of kids and parents flowed in. Significant media coverage was gained on television, radio, newspaper and point of purchase. And ChexQuest became the winner of Golden Reggie and Silver Effie awards.

Need more proof? Search for ChexQuest online today and take a look at all of the cheat codes and reviews that are still available - internationally

ChexQuest

Challenge
Produce a PC game that would appeal to families and kids to be used as a Point-of-Sale marketing promotion for Chex cereal in 6 months.

Background
In 1996, we were asked by Waters.Molitor to produce a PC game to be given away for free in a box of Chex cereal. It was the industry’s first free software promotion. The trick was to create an excellent, exciting, nonviolent PC game that mothers (target customer) would enjoy as much as their kids. The project had to all that in less than 6 months, on a moderate budget.