To connect with Gen Z consumers on a platform they're most familiar with to better understand their habits and behaviors towards Fortnite. Here, the ultimate goal was to understand how to best engage with Gen Zs for future market research opportunities.
The study used a two-phase approach to connect with its audience. In stage 1, Reach3 engaged 50 kids (aged 9 to 18) in a series of six chats leading up to the launch of Fortnite's season six. Here, players answered questions about gameplay, their online friendships, hobbies, brand perceptions, and their experiences.
In stage 2, Reach3 partnered with popular Fortnite player and Twitch broadcaster, TheSquatingDog, who shared a link to our chat via their Instagram story. As a direct result of this partnership, the study expanded to engage 860 fans. This phase involved four chats and focused on players' attitudes, opinions and expectations towards Fortnite.
"Utilizing Rival, especially through a social channel like Instagram, let us talk to Fortnite players in a way that felt more like something that fit in the gamer world. They felt more connected to the chat, seeing it as a fun activity rather than a long boring survey which ultimately meant we received more authentic and useful results from them."
-Sean Campbell, VP Research, Technology & Gaming, Reach3
High response rates
900 completes and a 62% response rate shows Chat-based research recruited over Instagram create meaningful engagements with Gen Zs.
Ongoing research opportunities
95% of participants agreed to do a multi-day diary to share their gameplay experience– perfect for ongoing research.
Compelling qualitative data
Over 100 participants used video selfies to share their experiences and provide greater context in a way that is impossible to capture with traditional research methods.