Destructoid is an independently-run gaming discussion community updated nearly every 20 minutes. Get started now by creating an avatar to post comments, upload videos, meet people, and create your own blog. Returning Dtoider? login!


all platforms pc/windows wii xbox 360 playstation 3 ds psp retro indie  
most recent
most popular
editors' picks
twitter updates
buy Dtoid gear
RSS feed



Dtoid staff
Nick Chester
Editor-in-Chief
Anthony Burch
Features Editor
Jim Sterling
Reviews Editor
Hamza Aziz
Community Mgr
Niero
Mr. Destructoid
Associate Editors
Brad Nicholson
Conrad
Zimmerman
Jonathan Holmes
Chad Concelmo
Dale North
Colette Bennett
Joseph Leray
Justin Villasenor
Samit Sarkar
Brad Rice
Ashley Davis
Dyson
Jordan Devore
Mike Ferry
Tom Fronczak
Topher Cantler
Qais Fulton
Contributors
Adam Dork
Charlie Suh
Joe Burling
Jonathan Ross

 
Podcasts
Rev on Podtoid
Chad on Retroforce GO!
Jim on The Podcastle

Elephant Software
Thomas Lackner

Destructoid is made by
ModernMethod


The Devil times two? Microsoft and EA team up to pump more ads into games
Gameboi07.25.08 - 10:45 PM 41 comments

The Devil times two? Microsoft and EA team up to pump more ads into games screenshot

Can you remember a time when you could seek refuge in a few hours of videogaming, and not have to worry about being bombarded with in-game ads? Well thanks to a recent agreement between Microsoft and EA Sports, that special memory is going to get a lot harder to recall. Just today, Microsoft announced that it will start streaming ads into several familiar sports titles, including those yearly updates delights: Madden, NASCAR, NHL, Tiger Woods, and the other upcoming game from EA called Skate.

While great news for Microsoft -- who is eager to start making some gains from their 200 million-dollar investment in Massive last year, I have yet to be convinced as to how ads are going to make the gaming experience any better for us. Yes I understand that product placements are a big part of sports, and that in-game advertisements are soon to be a billion-dollar industry that makes even the most seasoned businessmen all giddy with anticipation. Regardless, the last time I checked, most people avoid commercials whenever humanly possible -- and for good reason.

I might be able to overlook a few well-placed (as in not painfully obvious) ads here and there, but I start to cringe at the thought of the variety that sucks the life out of our precious bandwidth. Be cautious dear gamers....be very, very cautious. Now if you'll pardon me, I need to do a little research on how to block ad-servers on the router level. 

[Thanks to Detry, and the army of tipsters who brought this to our attention] 



MORE IN OUR Microsoft SECTION

Latest comment by Promagnum |view all 41 comments
The end is neah!...



Detry's Avatar
Detry at 07/25/2007 22:44

I sent this as a tip oh about 20 hours ago. :P


Prolly me and 50 other ppl. ;)
Copyright 2008 Agent Chieftain's Avatar
Copyright 2008 Agent Chieftain at 07/25/2007 22:50

There are ads for P. Diddy's new movie in the control room of a dry-docked boat in Splinter Cell: Double Agent.

Ubisoft, fuck you.
e4te's Avatar
e4te at 07/25/2007 22:52

I wouldn't mind (as much) if it made games cheaper, but I doubt that's the case.
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 07/25/2007 22:53

Sorry if you got overlooked Detry. We get sooo many that it can be hard figuring out who sent it in first.
BuckF1tches's Avatar
BuckF1tches at 07/25/2007 22:54

I give my credit to Detry. I sprayed it with cologne so it would smell like me. Promise your cuddle with it while you fall asleep and pretend like it's me, ok?
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 07/25/2007 22:59

@e4te

Yes, we would all like some visible proof that ads are in our best interests.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 07/25/2007 23:04

Isnt this already done? I mean each Sports game already has coke ads, pepsi, clothing, ect ect?

or were those just put there for free?
e4te's Avatar
e4te at 07/25/2007 23:06

I also hope it doesn't wreck the atmosphere Skate seems to be going for by throwing Right Guard EXTREME ads in every 8 seconds.
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 07/25/2007 23:07

@Crunshii

Yes they are being done to some extent. However, it is going to get a lot worse thanks to deals like this.
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us</a><br/>
kittridge at 07/25/2007 23:09

Not too surprised about this. I remember the outbreak over ads in RB6:V and some other game... then I started noticing Dodge ads in everything. The Axe Body Spray ad in NSF:MW was pretty cool though, and I think it added to the environment.

There is going to be a thin line that these marketers and their advertisements will need to find. I think ads should and will peak soon.
This generation is obviously striving for realism. Advertisements are present in nearly everything we Americans do (Brits too I would assume?) and I believe its application in video games may balance well if done right and only in proper situations. But, if my bandwidth speeds drop as a result.. that's going too far.

MS and EA probably are aware of these types of concerns. I won't be surprised to see streaming, real time ads in Madden, or NHL, NASCAR (I definitely won't be seeing ads in this game, as I will never be touching it), or Skate. Hell, NASCAR is the epitome of advertising.. It's disgusting that I even know Jeff Gordon's name, let alone that he drives an orange car that advertises stuff! But, that's the way it is. The way it should be when attempting to mirror real life.
Soon, ads in game will reach an equilibrium. And they'll stay there for some time.

but then, I suppose its possible that they take it way too far. "Recover our losses indeed!^_^"~Microsoft. lulz im just jokeing I love MS and their monies.!$!!
savagesaladin's Avatar
savagesaladin at 07/25/2007 23:22

I think its bullshit that I have to view fucking Mountain Due and Dorritto ads on my 360 menu. I fucking paid for the system, I fucking pay for XBL monthly. This is total bullshit and I don't like it. I won't play a single video game with ads in it.
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us</a><br/>
kittridge at 07/25/2007 23:28

They should replace those ads with functions like game chatrooms or some other novelty to make up for the sorry excuse they called "IMing".
Detry's Avatar
Detry at 07/25/2007 23:34

Hahaha, I was just messin. Thanks though man for the shoutout.

I'm sewing a Gameboi/BuckF1tches pillow with a love hole as we speak.



Ritalin Twitch's Avatar
Ritalin Twitch at 07/25/2007 23:38

Im all for ads if they end up dropping the price of the game. You know, like they do with advertisement-based televison, beaming it free through the air and such?

And sure, games are costing more nowadays, but I'm willing to bet that is because of the obscene amount of marketing that things get nowadays. How much does that half hour spike tv special cost anyhow?

How about we agree to buy one piece of crappy merch for every game we buy in order to avoid this sort of thing? I could use a master chief potholder.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 07/25/2007 23:54

Shit Gameboi...

well, then I guess here is where we part Xbox games from PS3 games. I see Sony launching more free shit (Free PSN, Free Home, Free add on content) and M$ (XBL 50$, game ads, DLC $$$)

Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 07/25/2007 23:58

Ritalin,

you really think games are going to drop from the 50-60$ on the next gen titles? I honestly don't think so, they will put advertising and collect the profits. Game developers nor M$ (if you didnt notice with Gears) will lower gaming price.

Look at the fight M$ had with Epic over GoW that pretty much told them to fuck off in a sense over the DLC maps.
the GAMEGOBLIN's Avatar
the GAMEGOBLIN at 07/26/2007 00:05

F Whipple's Avatar
F Whipple at 07/26/2007 00:28

This is acceptable only if the guy in green tights from the starburst commercials is a playable character.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar
ArrestedDeveloper at 07/26/2007 00:31

Since when did Steve Jobs work at EA?
Ritalin Twitch's Avatar
Ritalin Twitch at 07/26/2007 00:32

@Crunshii

Ive no doubt that games are going to remain $60 because they've gotten people accustomed to paying that price for a game. Why use extra revenue to benefit the customer when you can please the stockholders?

Honestly, I wouldnt be suprised to see the same thing happen on Sonys side of the online equation. I dont know that sony will get the flak since the online experience is largely up to the developer of the game from what I understand of the PSN. Knowing EA, Im sure that the streaming ads will find their way into PS3 versions of the games they release.

Because seriously, its not like other platforms/devs are going to say "hey, we're gonna take the morale high ground here and not squeeze every dime out of the consumer we can". Its buisness after all. The only thing that would stop this sort of thing is if the developers thought there would be more money lost in not putting ads in. I dont know if god himself could organize a big enough boycott of Madden to make a difference.

Ritalin Twitch's Avatar
Ritalin Twitch at 07/26/2007 00:33

Arrested,

Steve jobs could put an I in front of aids and people would be lining up for their $600 injection.

I wish i could start a cult like that.
Zero Iscariot's Avatar
Zero Iscariot at 07/26/2007 00:43

I don't mind dynamic ads as long as they are subtle, relevant, and don't refresh right as I'm about to get a headshot, lagging the game out due to an ad for hotdog-scented axe bodyhair pomade.
Zero Iscariot's Avatar
Zero Iscariot at 07/26/2007 00:45

I don't mind dynamic ads as long as they are subtle, relevant, and don't refresh right as I'm about to get a headshot, lagging the game out due to an ad for hotdog-scented axe bodyhair pomade.
Copyright 2008 Agent Chieftain's Avatar
Copyright 2008 Agent Chieftain at 07/26/2007 00:55

@Zero Iscariot

P. Diddy. Splinter Cell.
SPJglitches's Avatar
SPJglitches at 07/26/2007 01:27

Until in-game advertisements start affecting games that I actually want to play I really don't care all that much. A bunch of EA sequels and Skate are perfect fodder for ads as far as I'm concerned, because they'd make perfect sense in those games anyway.
psychopathic's Avatar
psychopathic at 07/26/2007 03:20

I was pretty pissed when R6: Vegas updated and all it did was change the posters in the casino to a movie that had recently come out. I haven't really played it since. Either way, I don't play said sports games, but that is irritating.
Rainbowblack's Avatar
Rainbowblack at 07/26/2007 03:36

I try to avoid supporting them as much as I can.

But I will always fold for the newest Burnout though. Luckily with racing games you move to fast to really notice the ads lol.
Rainbowblack's Avatar
Rainbowblack at 07/26/2007 03:43

And oh hell yeah Saladin. I absolutely LOATHE those Dorito and Sprite ad's in XBL. I don't mind if they want to plug a movie or a television show in that little block on the left side of the screen every now and then. but when all you can see is a giant bottle of sprite on the right side of the screen it gets really annoying.
uptonogood's Avatar
uptonogood at 07/26/2007 03:52

advertising in games probably help reap profits up more than the razor thin profit margins everyone's getting now. used to be that games cost only a fraction of what the costs are now but the relative costs of the actual games have remained steady over the years. so really, we're all lucky that games haven't rocketed in price with the advent of 3D games.

/bring back the super nintendo, bitches.
Trevor McGee's Avatar
Trevor McGee at 07/26/2007 04:25

I don't know man, if Bill Gates was truly as evil as the title leads us to believe then why would he look as if he is afraid of the evil that is EA? I guess EA is just the greater of two evils.
Axle's Avatar
Axle at 07/26/2007 04:35

@Agent MMO: Aren't videogames also responsible for this decline? More people playing games, less watching TV?

In-Game advertising has been 'happening' for years, but it's never really taken off. Why? Because if you're a hardcore gamer, where do you spend most of your time? At home. So you WON'T be out buying the latest Dodge Viper (FN: Round 3), because that's of no interest to you when you can smash up a better looking car on FlatOut Ultimate Carnage.

The other thing is, where does this leave AAA products such as GTA IV, whose ambience comes from it's satirical pastische of consumer culture. Can we really see GTA V having ads for MetLife instead of GetaLife?

I think it's much more contentious than VG companies saying -'yeah let's advertise more' but it's not that straightforward. It'll increase, but it won't be everywhere - apart from EA/M$ of course.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 07/26/2007 06:50

Time to play offline single play, actually offline. That way you don't get bogged down just from shitty redbull posters everywhere. Time to show them it's worthless by giving them no "click through" rate.
bunnyrabbit2's Avatar
bunnyrabbit2 at 07/26/2007 07:17

I honestly do not mind the ads, if they are place intelligently and are appropriate. For instance, I do not mind the ads in R6:Vegas. I actually thought it was pretty cool because the ones I saw (Die Hard and Transformers) were relevant. They were things that I think a lot of people playing R6 would want to see.
As for cars, I think that is really pointless. And, although I also think Axe adverts are a bit pointless, they could at least do some localisation and have adverts for Lynx here in the UK.
TheBrain's Avatar
TheBrain at 07/26/2007 08:06

I don't mind ads that are placed in games that it makes sense for them to be in. However, I'm afraid this is going to hurt those making fantasy or futuristic games in which they can put no ads to increase revenue resulting in less games of this type. I doubt it would come to that, but that's the only reservation I hold, as long was nobody starts putting commercials in, that is.
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 07/26/2007 08:38

@ArrestedDeveloper

He obviously doesn't. I was going for the competition giving a little "friendly advice" shtick.
shadowlike's Avatar
shadowlike at 07/26/2007 09:23

i guess im fine with it as long as it doesn't get out of hand, but this being microsoft it probably will
Ed Cetera's Avatar
Ed Cetera at 07/26/2007 09:24

Well, as long as I don't run into a "FREE VIAGRA!!!!!" ad in Non-EA games such as Halo 3, I will be alright.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 07/26/2007 09:48

hmmm, what about porn ads? >_>


(looks like potentially for home, lol)
Promagnum's Avatar
Promagnum at 07/26/2007 16:37

The end is neah!

You must be logged in to post a comment. Click here to login or create a user account now.

RELATED ARTICLES

Windows 7 will automatically find updates for your games
29 comments

Purchase Gears of War 2, get code to download five maps from Gears 1
23 comments

Xbox Experience trial available for your browser
16 comments

Microsoft spending silly money on 'casual' marketing
12 comments

Spencer: Rare and Lionhead won't close down
4 comments
Got gaming news?   Email:   tips@destructoid.com


community blogs (28228) members strong

Post a new community blog
October call for entries: The fear! THE FEAR!
Game with us: Friday Night Fights
Meet Dtoiders near you

popular right now
EADead Space release date pushed up again, outright banned in three countries
53 comments + 73450 views
ContestsMega Man 9 giveaway contest and introducing the Mega Man Boss Maker!
309 comments + 72670 views
HAHA Weird!Sony did NOT win an award for SIXAXIS
55 comments + 44565 views
CapcomResident Evil 5 sexy gallery of sexiness
21 comments + 22030 views
Featured articlesHands-on: LittleBigPlanet beta
58 comments + 18855 views
More top stories

contests & giveaways

Little Red Riding Hood BBQ winners announced: it's a man in a dress!
Mega Man 9 giveaway contest and introducing the Mega Man Boss Maker!
Final reminder: Show us your arts and crafts skills, win Mushroom Men prizes
view all contests and previous winners

games reviewed   more games

NHL 09 review

de Blob review

B-Boy review

Kirby Super Star Ultra review

Fracture review

Lock's Quest review

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen review
view more game reviews

new podcast shows   free on iTunes

Hey, Podtoid records tonight

RetroforceGO! episode 62: Mega Man 9

The Podcastle episode 20: Podcastle LIVE II
download back episodes

game figures & toys  via Tomopop
more video game toys and collectibles

     
Destructoid review: NHL 09
Xbox 360 gets two exclusive downloadable chapters for Tomb Raider: Underworld
MLB Stickball on XBLA this Wednesday
Destructoid review: NHL 09
Second official trailer for NBA 2K9, which you can now play in demo form!
X-Blades CLOTHING SITUATION UPDATE!
Nintendo waited on Wii MotionPlus tech for three years
It only took three months, but I think I finally get Wii Music
Muramasa: The Demon Blade confirmed for Wii-exclusive release
 
     
Cave Story coming to WiiWare this holiday season
Punch-Out!! returns! First screens and video of new Wii sequel
Mega Man 9 giveaway contest and introducing the Mega Man Boss Maker!
DS: Buy Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon, cuddle free squirrel
PSP: Destructoid review: B-Boy
PHONE: Peggle to go mobile, batteries to die mid-call
Silent Hill: Homecoming misses its PC release date
Fallout 3 to respect consumers and use less evil DRM measures?
Piracy not the reason for Gears 2's Xbox 360 focus anymore?
 
         
Contribute

Post a blog
Submit a news tip
This month's theme
Video game forums
Support

Login issues
Community Blogs
Report abuse
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Keep in touch

RSS Feed
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game with us
Meet ups
Seriously

Advertising

Our software
Jobs - We're hiring!
Our Network

About Destructoid

Japanator
Tomopop
ModernMethod Publishing