In Game Advertising...

**ArcadeNut** · 04-22-2005, 02:25 PM

Read the last paragraph....

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=7027

Now I don't mind in game advertising for games that are FREE as long as they are not in the registered one and the ad's don't take away from the game play. I just thought the last paragraph was funny.

**Paingiver** · 04-22-2005, 03:22 PM

I think ads used in that way, really would step up the realism. I mean, if you walk down the street you expect to see ads on billboards. And as in real life, you can choose to ignore them if you wish to, so I don't see a problem (so far!) in this case.

lol Could be funny though if your standing in the game and viewing an ad for the latest video card and some lowlife sneaks up behind you and sticks the knife in!

**Shane R. Monroe** · 04-22-2005, 04:37 PM

We ALL acknowledge that there are times in games where ads are appropriate. But advertising only works when its targeted, visible, and in your face (these poor bitches will figure this out in about 6 to 8 months) ... once they realize that ads on the side of virutal buses and billboards aren't making them cash - they will convince developers to make more "advertising opportunities" ... like forcing the ads into the cut scenes - imagine the cut scene showing the camera behind you (third person) and traffic going buy ... the FMV intentionally slows down as a bus passes by .. with Kotex Tampon ad filling up 80% of the screen for at least 5 seconds...

There is NO END to how far or how bad they can do with this.

**Paingiver** · 04-22-2005, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Shane R. Monroe

"the FMV intentionally slows down as a bus passes by .. with Kotex Tampon ad filling up 80% of the screen for at least 5 seconds..."

Hmm. 'Bullet Time' for Adverts!

**Shane R. Monroe** · 04-22-2005, 09:20 PM

Bingo ... You think its goofy and its not coming ... trust me .. its coming.

**esteban** · 04-22-2005, 10:45 PM

there was a wonderful fellow, he actually had a prestigious career as an advertising guru... maybe in the 50's and 60's... anyway, HE anticipated a hyper-commercial future where every square inch of space was plastered with advertisements (he was partially to blame for this himself!)...

So he proposed that there would have to be "advertising free zones" ... where folks would literally take refuge from the onslaught of inescable ads.

He was spot on. It's really sad. That's why folks like "ad busters", who go out and subvert billboards are my heroes. Guerilla warfare, so to speak.

One thing I can't remember... did this advertising guru suggest that we should PAY for access to the "ad free zones"? If he did, then he's not so wonderful.

**B_Rik_Schitthaus** · 04-23-2005, 01:09 AM

I dont mind small non invasive ads in games for example I like the dole bannana adverts in monkey ball but i can see advertising in games getting out of hand in the future.

**Turbo2Xs** · 04-23-2005, 01:16 AM

Wasn't there a push to put ads in Central Park?

**esteban** · 04-23-2005, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Turbo2Xs

Wasn't there a push to put ads in Central Park?

oh my, that would be horrible. I'm sure folks have tried and I know they would love to gain access to the park for advertising purposes, but I think some bylaws would have to be changed in order for that to happen. For example, there aren't supposed to be any sculptures or "art" in Central Park.... but somehow folks have managed to get a few pieces (stone sculture i think) in there. So, unless the bylaws are enforeced... anything might happen

**esteban** · 04-23-2005, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by B_Rik_Schitthaus

I dont mind small non invasive ads in games for example I like the dole bannana adverts in monkey ball but i can see advertising in games getting out of hand in the future.

Put me in the "Just say no to adverts" camp. I mute TV ads. I mute radio ads. I wear cheesy shirts w/o any designer labels. I am not 100% free of advertising, mind you (I'm sure I do a bunch of things to promote brands)... but I try.

Now, there have been some good video games that are overt attempts at branding / merchandising (M.C. Kids on NES, Cool Spot for Genesis, Alladin on Genesis)... they're good games, and the over-the-top promotional aspect is lame (and can appreciated as kitsch)... but ultimately I want in-game advertising to be the anomaly, not the trend.