How We Embedded a Game in an Email and Increased CTR by 27%

Ordinary newsletters no longer surprise anyone, so we decided to try a new format — an AMP email with an embedded mini-game. Right in the email, you can play "Snake" — navigate out of a maze while collecting the key to the exit along the way.

In this article, we will tell you how we came up with this idea, what challenges we faced, and how we implemented the interactive element so that it works directly in the email client.

How we came up with the idea to add a game to the email

Interactive elements in newsletters have long been a trend, but they are usually limited to surveys, buttons, or image carousels. We wanted to create something more unusual, something that would truly grab attention and surprise our subscribers. That’s how the idea of adding a mini-game to the email was born.

Why did we choose "Snake" specifically? There are several reasons for this. First, it’s a game that many people remember from childhood. It’s simple, easy to understand, and evokes a pleasant sense of nostalgia.

Second, "Snake" is a perfect fit for AMP emails, where it’s important to strike a balance between engaging content and technical feasibility. The game doesn’t require complex graphics or powerful resources, which allowed us to focus on adapting it for email clients. Additionally, we wanted to create something that would spark emotions in users — because an email that leaves an impression can already be considered a success.

Third, the snake is the symbol of 2025 according to the Chinese zodiac, which gives the game an extra layer of meaning.

And finally, the deciding factor was that, as a child, our editor-in-chief never got a Tetris for New Year's — so now he finally has the chance to play to his heart’s content.

By the way, what should businesses do in the year of the Green Snake to outpace the competition? Read here — we’ll talk about the marketing challenges of 2025 (with a slight astrological twist).

We started with a brainstorming session to come up with an interactive element that could be easily embedded in an AMP email. It was important to us that this element worked quickly, was intuitive, and didn’t require extra actions from the user, such as navigating to external websites. Everything had to work right inside the email so that the user could jump into the experience effortlessly. Soon, the first sketches of the newsletter’s main "character" began to take shape.

Next, we had to design the playing field for our "Snake." We chose a classic maze. But simply reaching the exit wasn’t the most challenging task, so we added an extra condition: a key appeared on the field, and the player had to collect it in order to escape the maze.

Then, we carefully studied the limitations and capabilities of AMP for email. This was a crucial step because what works on regular web pages doesn’t always work in AMP emails. We tested how our interactive element would display in popular email services. This helped us ensure that most users would see the email exactly as we intended — without distortions or errors.

"Snake" turned out to be the perfect solution for several reasons. First, it has a simple and familiar mechanic: arrow key controls, instant response to user actions, and minimalist graphics. Second, it was easy to adapt to the AMP format without losing quality or functionality. Additionally, "Snake" requires minimal data, which is essential for fast email loading, even on slow connections. This is especially relevant for users who check their email on mobile devices.

How we embedded the game in the newsletter

We started by adapting the mechanics of "Snake" for AMP in email. This format imposes certain restrictions on interactive features, so we had to build the game using only the available AMP components. With these components, we were able to manage the game state and process player actions, such as key presses.

To ensure that users immediately understood how to play, we added a simple text hint: "Control the snake using these buttons." This helped avoid confusion, especially for those who had never encountered interactive emails before.

How we made the game work on most devices

AMP support varies across email clients. For example, Gmail displayed the email with the game without any issues, while Outlook and some other clients didn’t support AMP at all. To ensure that these subscribers could also play "Snake," we created a fallback option with a banner that prompted them to open the web version.

How do AMP emails work? How can you send them? Read our article "AMP Emails: What They Are, Their Types, Why Required."

We made the game controls universal — using on-screen buttons. This approach works for both mobile devices and computers. However, we had to carefully adjust the size and placement of the buttons to make them intuitive and convenient for everyone. On mobile devices, the buttons had to be large enough to tap easily but not so big that they took up half the screen, ensuring that the game field remained visible.

To create the email, we used Pixcraft — an intuitive email builder that allows for quick assembly of interactive AMP newsletters. This tool is especially useful when integrating non-standard elements without deep programming knowledge. The builder automatically accounts for AMP restrictions, helping to avoid errors and compatibility issues with email clients. Pixcraft saves development time and lets you focus on the creative aspects rather than the technical details.

What we achieved in the end

The email delivered excellent results: 37% open rate, 34% of users launched the game, and 27% successfully completed it. Additionally, CTR increased by 27% compared to a regular newsletter. Nearly a third of users not only started playing but made it to the end. This indicates that the game was engaging and its mechanics were simple and intuitive.

From this project, we drew several important conclusions. First, unusual elements like games can be a great way to capture attention, but only if they are seamlessly integrated into the email. Second, there must always be a backup plan for users whose email clients do not support AMP. In our case, this was a banner with an "Open in browser" button that led to the web version of the game. And, of course, mobile devices should never be overlooked — everything must load quickly and display correctly.

Conclusion

The experiment with an interactive AMP email delivered great results. Users appreciated the game, which was reflected in the metrics: an increase in clicks and time spent in the email.

We ensured compatibility with email clients, optimized everything for mobile devices, and prepared a fallback option for those who don’t support AMP. Our plan is to further develop these formats to make newsletters even more engaging and effective.

If you missed our New Year’s game, you still have a chance to play — click here!