Forget second screen experiences — it’s time for third screen

This post is part of a new series called “Game On” brought to you by Akamai Technologies. As game publishers deal with increasingly more complex issues, this series looks at issues as diverse as managing worldwide launches, security, second screen integration and the changing business model of freemium games. Read the whole series here.

For some time now, both the entertainment and gaming worlds have been delivering second screen experiences, aiming to capitalize on the powerful attachment consumers have to their various devices. Yet while the potential to exploit the second screens of cell phones and tablets is vast, the reality is that the exercise has largely been hit and miss. Many second screen exploits turn out to be no more than a disappointing ‘also-ran’ experience — consumers can quickly sniff out when a games publisher or broadcast property has approached the entire endeavor as a box-check.