Videogame or Ad? Hard to Tell

Business Week Online looks at the increasing appeal of videogames to advertisers. Specifically, as has been noted in the past, the ease with which product placement can slip into a game. From the article: "The Sims 2 Open for Business, the expansion pack in the popular Sims franchise that hits stores in March, allows players to launch virtual restaurants, stores, and other entrepreneurial ventures. But, oddly enough, they won't be able to interact with true-to-life financial services companies, or see any on-screen versions of objects, food, or clothing representing recognizable brands. Although the game's publisher, Electronic Arts, considered product placements and even wrote some into early storylines, the game's ad and design staffs decided against it."

Comments

Re:Ad supported gaming is a lie. Nothing is free.

[catahoula10]

In exchange for a free gaming experience I am willing to suffer the Coke, Pepsi, and other ads, much like I do in "the real world,"

And are you willing to have their ad server placed on your computer? Or maybe a "Sony-type-Root-Kit"? How about some more of tracking devices and spyware that advertisers love so much? Do you actually think all you are going to do is put up with a flashing ad here and there?

We do not have root-kits in "the real world" and you can avoid their advertising should you choose to do so in RL.

I say: "No Thanks" to that crap on my computer which i paid for.

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