Advergames

Anne_Nonymous writes "Here's an interesting story on the use of video games as advertising. They claim 'advergames could be a $1 billion industry by 2005'."

Comments

I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing...

[addaboy]

hell it might bring the prices of games down to a more reasonable $20-$30 per game. I like it. I know we're already innundated with advertising everywhere, but this could save you money.

Re:I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing...

[Tofuhead]

That's not a very strong endorsement for the idea. Besides being logically flawed, it just sounds to me like, "We're surrounded by crap, but more is always welcome."

This article is about games developed for the sole purpose of being distributed as ads, not retail games that contain ads in them. I recommend at least skimming through it.

Note, to add to this off-topic preach: Ads can help subsidize the cost of production, but it doesn't necessarily lower the cost of purchase for the end user. Regardless, would the idea of ads in games, movies, and books fly in the actual retail market for such items? My idealistic confidence in the American buying public wants me to say no, but I know that the answer, as demonstrated in part by your post, is actually "Yes, most likely." And society is worse off for that fact, IMO.

< tofuhead >

Re:Sims Online?

[PepperedApple]

There was a lot of backlash against the inclusion of McDonalds, including talk of picketing the in-game kiosks

Worked for me

[KurdtX]

After playing the origninal Gran Turismo, I became fixated on the Mitsubishi Eclipse as a relatively affordable performance car that matched my driving and personal style. Enough so that a year out of college (when I had the $$) I dropped it on one of them (0%/$0 down/$0 for a year helped as well). And anyone who knows me knows I drive it just like the video game - I can't imagine driving anything else in it's price range.

Right now, I'd say it's the best way (for manufacturers or consumers) to compare head-to-head dozens (hundreds) of cars in different conditions (and not get kicked out by the dealer) - given that the game does not falsely favor one car over others. Hey, if they make it real enough, it might replace illegal street racing (big problem here in San Diego) to an extent. I know among my friends we've settled whose car is better with a few sessions of GT. Needless to say, I am not happy to see that the Eclipse was left out of GT3.