More In-Game Advertising?

Remove all ads!

There's an E3-inspired article about game industry executives pushing for more in-game advertising at Yahoo:

Publishers will turn toward in-game advertising to support rising costs. Research firm Yankee Group estimates the market in 2010 will reach $732.5 million, up from $56.5 million in 2005.

Microsoft Corp., which recently acquired Massive Inc., a startup whose technology makes it possible to put advertisements in video games, believes the future for Xbox includes in-game advertising, said Kevin Browne, general manager of new media and franchise development for Xbox Live. "The cost to produce games is going up," he said during a panel discussion at E3. "You have to make it successful for publishers."

Read the rest at Yahoo.

 

I have no problem with in-game advertising, so long as it doesn't detract from the game itself. Car-racing games are a good example. I don't care if the car drives past some Coca Cola billboards. But I guess that might mean that CRPGs get less funding as it is much more difficult to advertise modern products in a non-modern setting.

"Butt-kicking for Pepsi!"

 

That reminds me of the Burger King ads and restaurants in NFS:MW.

I really don't give a damn about advertising in games, as long as they're not invasive.

But Harby, I actually agree with ya (yes, yes, as unlikely as it may seem! And before you rant, I just like poking fun out of you.) on the part about CRPG.

"I need a whopper. Magic does not nest well in an hungry mind"

 

It makes great sense in some games - but if it gets into any of the games I actually plan on playing - Grrr!
I'm thinking that I should just dump all of my hope/cash into the indie scene where they don't have to worry about making bajillions at the expense of the game...

 

I don't mind it if it doesn't stick out too much. Remember the almost dead (on PC) genre of platform games? They typically advertised some kinds of snacks or sweets or crisps or whatever. And it wasn't bad.

What's more, in games set in modern times, ads add to realism because you always see billboards in towns, t-shirts with ads, posters on walls, whatever. What point making up companies if you can advertise real ones for more realism with also material provided by them, so you don't have to design it? I think this is a good example.

But sadly, games in historical settings won't normally blend well with ads. Or anything with magic inside, a different world or whatever.

 

There's an "indie scene" in gaming? Where?

 

There are some games like that but it looks like they aren't really the big stuff but more like I don't know... perhaps more like coding practice than something you would release for shops. Imagine a website made by designers for designers... just how much graphics and other crap would you see there? It would be easily accessible info loading fast and none of the stuff customers are given. Same with indie games, I think.

 

I think in racing games, sports games, and some online shooters (if the map is a city, for example), should be allowed to have them, but when I see a billboard for Pepsi in Athkatla, I'll rip ****.

 

auril: just google around for it.

The only 'indie' game I have is Mount&Blade (if you don't include the freeware games I've downloaded, which still are 'indie'), but it's awesome - www.taleworlds.com
I might have a look at Spiderweb Software's games at some point though, having heard good things...

and chev, I fear you're badly misinformed

 

I like that one! It's still obvious it doesn't have a big budget but it doesn't have to, anyway. I sort of like those game that don't reek of cash spent on cosmetics.

 

interesting- I suppose I understand now what qualifies as "indie" (snicker).

may I suggest: Star Control II: The Ur Quan Masters- a favorite of mine.

http://starcontrol.classicgaming.gamespy.com/