Playable ads have proven their worth in mobile gaming, consistently delivering higher engagement rates and better conversion metrics than traditional ad formats. But here’s the thing: gaming shouldn’t have a monopoly on interactive advertising.
While we’ve seen some forward-thinking brands in fintech, airlines, and e-commerce dip their toes into playable ad campaigns, entire industries are leaving engagement and conversions on the table by sticking to static banners and standard video ads.
Let’s explore five industries that should be leveraging playable ads but largely aren’t, and why they’re missing out on a massive opportunity.
1. Real Estate
Why it makes sense: Buying or renting a property is one of the biggest decisions people make, yet most real estate ads show static images or quick video tours. Playable ads could let potential buyers interact with floor plans, customize room layouts, or take virtual walkthroughs, all before clicking through to the website.
What a playable ad could look like:
- Drag-and-drop furniture placement to visualize room layouts
- Interactive neighborhood exploration showing amenities nearby
- “Find your perfect home” quiz that leads to property matches
- Virtual open house mini-games where users explore different rooms
The missed opportunity: Real estate is inherently visual and interactive. People want to imagine themselves in a space. A playable ad that lets them explore a property or customize a room creates emotional connection and qualified intent before they ever visit your site.
2. Automotive
Why it makes sense: Car shopping is research-intensive, and buyers want to explore features, compare models, and visualize customization options. Yet most automotive ads are still relying on glossy video spots or static imagery. The industry spends billions on advertising but rarely lets potential customers interact with the product before the dealership visit.
What a playable ad could look like:
- Car configurator where users select colors, wheels, and interior options
- “Test drive” simulation showcasing handling and features
- MPG calculator based on driving habits
- Safety feature demonstrations (parking assist, collision detection)
The missed opportunity: Cars are expensive, considered purchases. Interactive ads let potential buyers engage with customization and features during the research phase, building familiarity and preference before they ever step foot in a showroom. Higher engagement means more qualified leads.
3. Home Improvement & Furniture
Why it makes sense: Whether it’s IKEA furniture, paint colors, or kitchen renovations, home improvement purchases require visualization. Customers need to see how products look in their space. While AR apps exist, playable ads can deliver that “try before you buy” experience directly in the ad unit.
What a playable ad could look like:
- Room designer where users place furniture pieces
- Paint color visualizer for different room styles
- Before/after renovation sliders
- “Design your dream kitchen” interactive experience
The missed opportunity: Home improvement decisions are often impulse-driven once the customer can visualize the end result. A playable ad that helps someone see a new couch in their living room or visualize a kitchen backsplash dramatically shortens the path to purchase.
4. Food Delivery & Restaurant Chains
Why it makes sense: Food is emotional, visual, and immediate. While food delivery apps compete heavily for user acquisition, most rely on straightforward video or image ads. Gamifying the food ordering experience—even in an ad—can drive both engagement and appetite appeal.
What a playable ad could look like:
- “Build your perfect burger/pizza” interactive creator
- Time-based cooking mini-game (serve customers quickly)
- Memory matching game featuring menu items with discount codes
- Recipe challenges that unlock promo codes
The missed opportunity: Food marketing works best when it triggers cravings and makes ordering feel fun and easy. A playable ad that lets someone build their ideal meal or play a quick food-themed game creates positive brand association and immediate call-to-action momentum.
5. Fashion & Apparel
Why it makes sense: Fashion e-commerce is booming, but most ads show models wearing clothes or quick product carousels. The industry has massive opportunity to let customers style outfits, mix and match pieces, or play dress-up games that drive both engagement and product discovery.
What a playable ad could look like:
- Virtual styling game where users create outfits
- “Dress for the occasion” challenge (date night, office, weekend)
- Seasonal wardrobe builder
- Fashion quiz leading to personalized style recommendations
The missed opportunity: Fashion purchases are often aspirational and creative. Playable ads tap into the fun of styling and self-expression, letting potential customers interact with products in a way that static images simply can’t match. It’s also perfect for showcasing outfit combinations and cross-selling.
Why These Industries Are Sleeping on Playable Ads
Most of these industries assume playable ads are “just for games,” or they haven’t seen enough case studies outside the gaming vertical. Others worry about production complexity or cost.
But the reality is that playable ad technology has matured significantly. Platforms like Playable Factory make it possible to create high-quality, engaging interactive ads without game development expertise. The ROI speaks for itself: playable ads consistently outperform static and video formats on engagement, click-through rates, and conversion quality.
The Bottom Line
If you’re in real estate, automotive, home improvement, food delivery, or fashion—and you’re still running traditional ad campaigns—you’re competing with one hand tied behind your back. Your competitors who embrace interactive advertising will capture attention, build emotional connections, and drive more qualified traffic.
Playable ads aren’t the future. They’re the present. And the industries that recognize this first will have a significant competitive advantage.
Ready to explore how playable ads can transform your industry? Let’s talk.
