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The Next Step For The FPS - Advergames?
simoniker writes "The CEO of Vancouver company Threewave, famous for creating Capture The Flag, has been explaining their current project — multiple versions of a free, ad-supported FPS: 'We'd like to provide sponsored content that also supports the brand of the FPS, allowing it to have a whole stream of maps that are available month after month, featuring different product placement each time. Maybe in a Jeep-Chrysler level you'll be able to drive their vehicles. Maybe a Pepsi branded level where you jump through a Pepsi logo to materialise somewhere else.' He also noted: 'For example, one of the projects that we completed recently... features terrorists taking over the Alienware computer factory.'"
"Advergames" are not really that new. Think back to Tapper, in which you served thirsty patrons mugs of (gasp!) Budweiser beer. (http://www.basementarcade.com/arcade/tapper/index .html)
Threewave released a CTF mod for Quake back in the day, it was more or less the first time CTF became a popular FPS game option. Threewave didn't invent CTF, but they are largely responsible for making it a staple of the FPS.
It was called Chex Quest. I had already moved to Linux at the time (late 90s?) and was somewhat frustrated at not being able to play it via Wine, so I have no idea if it was any good; I have my doubts. It was more of a running joke between my brother and I than something I seriously wanted to play. But like other posters have mentioned there was a MicroMachines game for the NES, not to mention movie, tv, and comic book hero games such as Bart Simpson, Batman, Spiderman, Evil Dead Zelda 2 hack (scratch that one).