More Advertising in Your Next Xbox Game

ejwong writes "TheGameFeed is reporting on Microsoft's plans to offset Xbox360 game costs with more in game advertising under its subsidiary, Massive. In-game ads are gaining popularity and the wave isn't going to stop. Publishers see this as a huge potential for increased game revenues to help offset the rising development costs for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. The question is how far will they go, and how much are gamers willing to take?." From the article: "If you plan on picking up an Xbox 360 title this month, then you're probably picking up one with Massive's in-game ads. Titles such as Crackdown, Def Jam: Icon, MLB 2K7, and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 are all part of the Massive network showing off ads from Dell, Intel, Discovery Channel, Intel, NBC, Verizon and even the Navy among others. "

Comments

I dont have a problem

[adamstew]

I don't have any problem with in game ads. If it helps them generate revenue for future development, that can only help create incentive for future games.

Plus, with some games, it makes them more realistic...to have an actual Pepsi, Nike, Pizza Hut, etc. ad in the game rather than just "liberty city pizza".

I would only have a problem with it if the ads took over the game, or they were intrusive on the game play.

For example: If it's just a subway sign, or billboard in a FPS, or those signs hung up around the stadiums in sports games...those are fine...

But if the game actually cuts to a commercial between loading screens...then that's not cool at all.

My favorite is theaters

[spun]

I still like to see certain movies in the theaters, but in order to get a good seat, you need to get there early and submit to a constant barrage of advertising that you just paid $9+ for the privilege of watching.

Re:My favorite is theaters

[maynard]

Actually, I have HBOHD and it's worth every penny, if but for Rome and Deadwood alone. The other HD pay channels aren't as good, though I got some chuckles from Weeds on SHOHD. IMO: The best stuff on Cable HD is the Discovery Channel and the National Geographic Channel - though I do tend to DVR stuff and watch it later so I can skip the ads. And, of course the projector is great for DVDs.

Re:Getting popular?

[fotbr]

Sorry, I don't agree -- PC games have long been about the same price as console games ($40 - $60), yet have supported a far more complex range of hardware, including higher resolutions than HDTV, and have done so for several years.

Re:BF2142: snoop your web browsing habits, target

[MaineCoon]

2142 did not snoop web browsing habits; a few blogs misread the disclaimer and claimed it did, but the disclaimer was somewhat different than the reactionaries made it out to be. DICE clarified things (it only reported what ads you saw in the game), and others investigated it, and nobody produced any evidence that the game did anything at all outside of the game itself.

If you want to argue a point, don't use deliberate misinformation that has been publicly proven to be false.