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Google Acquires In-Game Advertising Company

Posted by Zonk on from the that-was-a-googame dept.

Firmafest writes "According to Red Herring Google has purchased an in-game advertising company called Adscape for $23 million. Is this the next logical step to delivering ads where there's sufficient potential buyers? Or is it simply a response to Microsoft acquiring a similar company?"

8 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. In Game Advertsising Done Right? by Rycross · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In game advertising is one of those things that has to be done really subtly to avoid pissing off the player. If anyone can do it right its Google.

    Hopefully this means we won't have intrusive and loud ads added to our games.

    1. Re:In Game Advertsising Done Right? by Kimos · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think we can agree that the only way to do it right is to not do it at all.

      I don't want video games to turn into the same system as TV. Where you pay the provider for the privilege of them showing you ads that they are getting paid to show you.

  2. Great... :( by mandelbr0t · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Now I have to watch ads every 15 minutes of raid time. What a PITA. Isn't my subscription fee enough revenue?

    --
    "Please describe the scientific nature of the 'whammy'" - Agent Scully
  3. Sweet. by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 5, Funny

    Awesome.. now I can see a "Google Sponsored Link" to buy a real AK-47 while playing Grand Theft Auto...

  4. Obligatory Penny Arcade link by SighKoPath · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, ads in games... http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/10/19

  5. No way I'm playing Counter-Strike... by garyok · · Score: 5, Funny
    Can you imagine what the content's going to be if they make the ad content context-sensitive based on player chat between rounds?
    • "OMG ur ballsucking fag!" - gay porn
    • "UR Mom suxx0rs teh cocks" - milf porn
    • "you are so fucking lame" - cripple porn
    • "stop being such a fucking little kiddie" - ehhh...
    --
    One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors - Plato
  6. If they follow what they did for web publishers... by WoTG · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Google could generate an explosion in small software shops writing cute little games to get "page" views. Google AdSense has probably done more to encourage the growth in small web sites than anything else the last few years.

    I'll call it Freeware 2.0.

  7. Re:The only type of in-game advertising I like. . by An+ominous+Cow+art · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The only type of in-game advertising I like is advertising for products in reality simulators, such as car sims. If I'm racing around in a hot car, I expect to see billboards for products. I think such advertising enhances the immersion effect. As long as game developers do not go overboard with in-game advertising by only placing it in natural, reality-based settings where one would expect to see them, I don't have a problem. In this case, it's 'reality' that's broken. You shouldn't be conditioned into expecting to see advertising while driving around a race track or regular streets.