In a casual playthrough of Capcom's upcoming Bionic Commando at a CES 2009 event, a vending machine in the background scenery caught our eye while running by. We did a double take when we thought we saw something different than the imaginary brands plastered all over the post-apocalyptic setting of this title.
Our double take confirmed it: there's a Pepsi machine in Bionic Commando. With a well-placed shot to the vending machine, cans of this delightful soft drink will be dispensed.
We asked Capcom what the deal was with the Pepsi machine. It turns out that this isn't necessarily product placement -- think of it more as a tribute. It's just a real product thrown into a world with a bunch of fake ones. It seems that the Intel logo might make an appearance as well. We've also heard rumors of some other hidden and somewhat pervy buisness names, so be on the lookout for those.
This is the kind of in-game advertisement I like, its not obnoxious or feels like an ad. If it were, people would just automatically tune it out, which means it just failed its sole purpose.
I'm fine with this kind of advertising in games, but the whole "isn't necessarily product placement" bit...c'mon. That's bullshit. Pepsi paid for that, especially if it's their new logo.
No one complained about Nuka-Cola being in Fallout 3.. I find myself buying more and more Coke because of this.. (I crave it after playing Fallout) It reminds me of Coke, and I find myself craving it when I insert my regular Nuka-Cola into my vending machiene to make it Ice cold. Damn you Bethesda! Damn you Coke-Cola!
@cbebop007:
Uh.. I don't think that Pepsi has changed their logo for at least 19 years. How can you call it a "new" logo? I recall when I was a child that they changed it to the circle with three wavy bars.. but again.. "New" logo? People haven't used the old one for 20 years... Why would they put the old logo into a new game? O_o
http://www.pepsinut.com/pepsi_slogans.htm
I like Arizona Tea personally. Last year I almost quit drinking the damn stuff (soda pop), and now because of Fallout (and my sugar/caffeine addiction) I'm drinking soda again! $%#@!
And as for ads in games? I do like the fake Nuka-Cola ads, and I oftentimes find myself entertained by parody ads in games.
I'm playing through Yakuza 2 right now and got a kick out of the fact that you can go to a bar and have your choice of real world brewers & distillers like Suntory, Jack Daniels, & Stolichnaya. In a game that strives for realism it's a nice touch, but in a game where you're a dude with a giant mechanical arm? Eh, not so much.
Now if it were a giant Jones Soda machine filled with that Metroid berry soda...
I'm a Coke fan myself. Whether it's the rich, bold taste, the stylish red and white can, or the fact that Pepsi drinkers are a bunch of fags, I always choose Coke. ;)
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