Microsoft Casual Game Pushes Search Maps

NEW YORK Microsoft is continuing its use of nontraditional Internet promotions to drive trials of new features of its Live Search product by releasing a Pac-Man-like casual game.

Live Derby 2007 players compete on a course made from the Live Search satellite-mapping feature. They race cars around one of five cities, gaining points for hitting landmarks along the way, like banks, hotels and restaurants, while avoiding other cars on the roads.

“If we can keep people for 15-20 minutes and actually show them what the search engine can do, it’s that much more engaging and informative,” said Daniel Stein, CEO of EVB, the Omnicom Group agency that created the game.