games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 



Cuter than youIn-game advertising is one of those industry trends that makes me tired.  I let out a defeated sigh everytime I see someone else complaining about it. Another story about in game ads? I guess I just don't care about it either way. That is, provided I'm not hit square in the face with Puma ads everywhere I look.

However, as this slideshow illustrates, that's exactly the case in the European Delta expansion pack of Wipeout Pure. One problem is one of too-muchery. "PUMA" is plastered on every surface imaginable, replacing not only the futuristic, game-related advertising, but also on the menus and loading pages. Not to mention the fact that red and white don't really match the rest of the color scheme.

Even worse is that the game takes place in 2197. Puma ads just don't fit, and they take away from the atmosphere created by the game. The look and tone of the game is totally changed, for the worst, by these ads. The gameplay experience has been sacrificed in the name of advertising.

And why? These ads only appear in Europe, where Puma is freaking huge. The last thing they need is more advertising. It's not like they even work. Generally, in game ads don't inconvenience me that much, but when they start to detract from the gameplay experience, then we have a problem.

 

[Editor's note: Apparently, some readers can't see the slideshow, so here's a direct link.]

Continue: More The almighty dollar stories





prev next

15 comments | showing # 1 to 15

Toneman's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 11:32
Toneman
I don't even like Puma.
Cruds's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 11:52
Cruds
the Wipeout series till Wipeout fusion always used The Designers Republic for the team logos and in-game billboards. A bit weird that they now allow a brand like Puma to advertise, sure they would know that just ruin the futuristic look of the game. Besides this is an expansion pack, who is his right mind is going to download something filled with adds. It's a shame that a game that used to pay so much attention to graphic-design ends up like this.

Can't see the slideshow but that might be better anyway.
Joseph Leray's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 12:01
Joseph Leray
Can't see the slideshow? Did you follow the link? =/
Chris Taran's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 12:11
Chris Taran
Wow, this is just sick. This is a perfect case of in game ads going way too far. If this is the type of thing we have to look forward to in the future then something tells me I'll be playing a lot less games, or at least being much more picky about what I choose to subject myself to.

Also, puma cocks.
(I assume they're huge)
Cruds's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 12:25
Cruds
Can't see the slideshow? Did you follow the link? =/

Yeah I did, it gave me a blog post without slideshow or a link to get there. Dunno maybe it's adblock working. I googled it and it game me the show directly.
Its even uglier than I imagined, compared with the US version it's just hideous.

Puma is not that huge over here compared to Nike or Adidas, they doing reasonable well I guess.
scrap's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 13:13
scrap
That is fucking horrible.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 13:31
Mxyzptlk
In the future, all shoes will be made by Puma.
Hurricanemario's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 14:47
Hurricanemario
Wow, that's pretty bad.

Another reason to not buy a PSP.
Barts_706's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 16:03
Barts_706
Wow, I just noticed my little slideshow mad it to Destructoid. I feel flattered. It's great someone found it to be interesting. Thanks, Orcist.

On a sidenote, the menus and loading pages are not obligatory to be Puma-styled (this skin is optional). The tracks, however...

Oh, and Hurricanemario - you're so wrong. PSP is a great system and Wipeout Pure is one of the best games on it, with a lots of free downloadable content. It's only the marketing strategy that was rather shitty in one of the expansion packs and I pointed it out.
Joseph Leray's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 17:12
Joseph Leray
Oh, hello Barts. Did you come here before? In any case, I tried embedding the slideshow directly, but had some trouble with it, just fyi.
Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 17:50
Lezbro
There's pumas in that cravass!

Smothers Brothers, "Boil That Cabbage Down"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgwH-XngXKo

Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/12/2007 17:51
Lezbro
Take it!
Barts_706's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/13/2007 01:51
Barts_706
Orcist - I actually did, but I have never made an account up until yesterday. I even linked to the article "Five reasons to own a PSP" on my blog a couple days before.
Destructicon's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/18/2007 11:26
Destructicon
WOW !

I hadn't had the chance to see both, just EU until now.
And while I'm guilty of actually enjoying the ingame puma branding especially on the racers,...its a bit hefty on the backgrounds. Still wicked gem of a game. Along with 2097/XL both form the pinnacle of the series


Neat little slideshow Barts_706 ! thx
The Sony Difference isn't quite the good ole Nintendo Difference after all, sigh....
Then again can't remember the last time I downloaded free quality content for my DS :P

[+ the Red Bull ads in Wipeout XL/2097 didn't hurt either]
Barts_706's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/25/2007 18:09
Barts_706
Thank you, Destructicon!

I appreciate it a lot - in fact I thought that such comparison would be interesting and was amazed that noone have done it yet.

As for Puma ads, well, they stand out a bit. Some are nicely placed and fit well, but there's just to much of them and quite a lot stick out.
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos


    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Echoes review
    Assassin's Creed 2 review
    Crossfire Remote Pistol review
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    more reviews
    Driver
    Avatar
    GT Racing Motor Academy
    Bad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 51180 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing

    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Joseph Leray: Revisited: Gears of War 2, Pinocchio, and masculinity





















    More Destructoid Originals




     Popular now more
    Assassins CreedReview: Assassin's Creed 2
    591 comments + 41542 views
    Destructoid OriginalWhy No More Heroes HD could mean a Wii total victory
    152 comments + 30508 views
    FAILGirl smashes boyfriend's Xbox 360, films it
    160 comments + 16924 views
    BattlefieldBad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    43 comments + 16114 views
    Black FridayBlack Friday: Walmart going nuts with game sales
    31 comments + 16048 views
    Amazon.comBlack Friday: Amazon dropping deals all week long
    16 comments + 15004 views
    Amazon.comAmazon teases its Black Friday sales line-up
    18 comments + 14836 views
    Destructoid OriginalThe tragic history of the videogame turkey
    51 comments + 13276 views
    CapcomHot new SSFIV trailer shows Guy, Cody and Adon in action
    54 comments + 13222 views
    Call of DutyModern Warfare 2 DLC still planned for spring 2010
    27 comments + 12568 views


    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief
    Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor
    Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor
    Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor
    Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman
    Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
    Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong

    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online
    seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap
    our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?




    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006