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]
Contest:
10:45 PM on 07.25.2007
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Prolly me and 50 other ppl. ;)
Ubisoft, fuck you.
Yes, we would all like some visible proof that ads are in our best interests.
or were those just put there for free?
Yes they are being done to some extent. However, it is going to get a lot worse thanks to deals like this.
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.!$!!
I'm sewing a Gameboi/BuckF1tches pillow with a love hole as we speak.
And sure, games are costing more nowadays, but I'm willing to bet that is because of the obscene amount of marketing that things get nowadays. How much does that half hour spike tv special cost anyhow?
How about we agree to buy one piece of crappy merch for every game we buy in order to avoid this sort of thing? I could use a master chief potholder.
well, then I guess here is where we part Xbox games from PS3 games. I see Sony launching more free shit (Free PSN, Free Home, Free add on content) and M$ (XBL 50$, game ads, DLC $$$)
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.
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.
Steve jobs could put an I in front of aids and people would be lining up for their $600 injection.
I wish i could start a cult like that.
P. Diddy. Splinter Cell.
But I will always fold for the newest Burnout though. Luckily with racing games you move to fast to really notice the ads lol.
/bring back the super nintendo, bitches.
In-Game advertising has been 'happening' for years, but it's never really taken off. Why? Because if you're a hardcore gamer, where do you spend most of your time? At home. So you WON'T be out buying the latest Dodge Viper (FN: Round 3), because that's of no interest to you when you can smash up a better looking car on FlatOut Ultimate Carnage.
The other thing is, where does this leave AAA products such as GTA IV, whose ambience comes from it's satirical pastische of consumer culture. Can we really see GTA V having ads for MetLife instead of GetaLife?
I think it's much more contentious than VG companies saying -'yeah let's advertise more' but it's not that straightforward. It'll increase, but it won't be everywhere - apart from EA/M$ of course.
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.
He obviously doesn't. I was going for the competition giving a little "friendly advice" shtick.
(looks like potentially for home, lol)