# Interactive Selfie Games Snapchat's 'Santa's Helper' Introduces a Lens That Doubles as a Game By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-12-27 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/santas-helper References: [thedrum](http://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/12/24/santas-little-helper-snapchat-unveils-interactive-christmas-themed-selfie-filter) & [wersm](http://wersm.com/snapchat-introduces-native-games-santas-helper/) Those who busied themselves with social media over Christmas likely discovered a few new [festive filters and lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nfl-x-snapchat-creator-program) from [Snapchat](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchats-holiday-market), as well as an interactive new game called 'Santa's Helper.' The game puts one's own face on the body of one of Santa's helpful elves, who is challenged with collecting presents while sliding down a snowy slope. To control the movements of the elf, Snapchat users simply turn their heads either left or right, meaning that there are no complex controller systems needed for play. What's particularly noteworthy about the introduction of Santa's Helper on Snapchat is that it marks the official introduction of native games to the social media platform. In the past, brands have invested in [Sponsored Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sponsored-ai-lens-on-snapchat), but these new interactive native games offer even more promise for engaging with the platform's young users. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Native Games:** The introduction of native games to social media platforms provides new opportunities for user engagement and brand promotion. - **Interactive Marketing:** Interactive selfie games allow brands to reach young audiences in a fun and engaging way. - **Gesture-based Controls:** The use of gesture-based controls in interactive selfie games creates a new type of interactive experience for users. ### Who This Affects Most - **Social Media:** The introduction of native games in social media platforms offers a new avenue for growth and user engagement. - **Brand Promotion:** Interactive selfie games provide a unique opportunity for brands to promote products in a fun and engaging way. - **Gaming:** The trend of integrating interactive selfie games in social media platforms offers new opportunities for gaming companies to expand their reach. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mixed-Reality Holiday Markets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchats-holiday-market.md) - [Shoppable AR Villages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchat-winter-village.md) - [Moon Scanner AR Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xbox-and-snapchat.md) - [Educational ASL Social Filters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asl-alphabet-lens.md) - [AR-Powered Shopping Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dress-up.md) - [Social Media-Integrated AI Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chatgpt-3.md) - [AI-Powered Social AR Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snap-lens-studio.md) - [GenAI Social Media Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imagine-lens.md) - [AR-Enabled Snapchat NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchat-3.md)