According Chinese news site TechWeb citing well-informed sources in the games industry, Giant Interactive’s (NYSE:GA) hit MMORPG Long Journey 2 just got a new business partner. And, as strange as this might sound at first, that new partner is Pepsi.
It’s actually not as strange as it sounds, though, as Pepsi’s eternal rival Coca Cola has enjoyed a successful business relationship with World of Warcraft for years. Long Journey 2 is huge in China, so if Pepsi is looking to go after Chinese gamers, choosing LJ2 makes a lot of sense.
As for what the partnership will look like, apparently Pepsi is printing millions of bottles of Pepsi with Long Journey 2 graphics and the game’s logo. It will also be giving away special prizes in an attempt to lure new players into the game. In an update to the game, players found evidence that there will also be a “Pepsi exchange” within the game where players can redeem codes for in-game items and other prizes. But soon after evidence of this was deleted, and Giant Interactive is thus far staying tight-lipped about how Pepsi is going to be integrated into its fantasy MMO.
We’ll have to wait and see exactly what happens in the game, then, but it sounds like cross-promotional heaven for both Pepsi and Long Journey 2. When soda manufacturers and MMO operators come together, the only losers are your teeth.
[via TechWeb]