In-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.
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Editor's note: Apparently, some readers can't see the slideshow, so here's a direct link.]
Contest:
11:30 AM on 01.12.2007
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Can't see the slideshow but that might be better anyway.
Also, puma cocks.
(I assume they're huge)
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.
Another reason to not buy a PSP.
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.
Smothers Brothers, "Boil That Cabbage Down"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgwH-XngXKo
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]
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.