<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Gigaom]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[http://gigaom.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[Kevin C. Tofel]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[http://search.gigaom.com/author/kevintofel/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[How <em>House of Cards</em> helped one phone app jump up the charts]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>Spoiler alert: In episode 5 of the Netflix original series <em>House of Cards</em>, the U.S. President plays the mobile game <a href="http://www.monumentvalleygame.com/">Monument Valley</a>. I&#8217;m sorry to have ruined the series for you with that big news, but truth be told, it <em>is</em> big news &#8212; and big business &#8212; for the developers behind the game.</p>
<p><a href="https://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/monument_valley_2.jpeg?quality=80&strip=all"><img  src="https://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/monument_valley_2.jpeg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;w=804&#038;h=536" alt="monument_valley_2" width="804" height="536" data-attribution="app" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-918401" /></a></p>
<p>Why is that? Because <a href="http://blog.appfigures.com/house-of-cards-stacks-the-deck-for-monument-valleys-success-across-major-app-stores/">viewers of episode 5 hit both the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store like a gale force wind late to a storm and downloaded Monument Valley</a>. And we know that thanks to <a href="http://www.appfigures.com">appFigures</a>; a mobile app reporting company that took a smart look at how the product placement would impact game sales.</p>
<p>On its blog, appFigures explains that it watched both app store charts and saw Monument Valley enjoy a steep rise on both mobile platforms five hours after the new <em>House of Cards</em> season debuted. What&#8217;s the significance of five hours? The game appeared in episode 5, so the <em>House of Cards</em> faithful who tuned in as soon Season 3 debuted saw it five hours after they started their binge watching.</p>
<p><a href="https://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/monument_valley_3.jpeg?quality=80&strip=all"><img  src="https://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/monument_valley_3.jpeg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;w=804&#038;h=536" alt="monument_valley_3" width="804" height="536" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-918402" /></a></p>
<p>To be honest, Monument Valley was already successful, having quickly become a top game on phones and tablets not long after it debuted last year. I broke out my wallet and spent $3.99 for the unique 3-D maze-like puzzler with a compelling storyline, for example.</p>
<p><a href="https://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/screen568x568.jpeg?quality=80&strip=all"><img  src="https://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/screen568x568.jpeg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;w=804" alt="Monument Valley"   class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-918403" /></a></p>
<p>But clearly, not everyone has heard about Monument Valley and you can&#8217;t dispute the impact <em>House of Cards</em> has had, moving the game back up the charts for top paid and top grossing games.</p>
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