Electronic Arts has signed with Massive Inc. and IGA Worldwide to put in-game advertising in seven up-coming titles...
The titles released so far: Need For Speed: Carbon and Battlefield: 2142. Will they stick out like a sore thumb?
Ok, here's the deal (tribute to Diggnation): many of us can understand "in game advertising" for games that mimic the real would which also contain tons of advertising. For instance, Fight Night: Round 3. We may duke it out in a ring covered in Burger King logos, but that's how it really is when you watch a big fight on HBO or in live in Las Vegas. That's how the world works, how everyone gets paid, and so be it.
The same can be said for games that involve Nascar racing, (american) football and other sports related gaming. As a matter of fact, if you watch a Golf game on TV you will see advertisers in the game, sponsors of the show, and TV commercials targeted towards Golf fans. It's a smart business move, and frankly, we've all grown used to it. Many of us have grown up with it.
But... Can you picture an advertisement for Starbucks in Battlefield: 2142? Perhaps Need For Speed: Carbon will fit the in-game ad mold better than other games, but I do not see how this is going to work out to be good for us, the consumer.
Many say, "it's just a matter of time" given the game industry is hot with people looking to game. However, if we do not see price reductions for next-generation games that contain in-game advertisement than I believe its a bad move and not cool.
If I can purchase a $59.99 game for $29.99 and have to see some Mountain Dew vending machines, a Trojan condom box in the bathroom of an FPS, or a Sony Wega TV in a shopping mall filled with zombies or whatever, that's cool with me. But not for a $59.99 price. No Way.
The titles released so far: Need For Speed: Carbon and Battlefield: 2142. Will they stick out like a sore thumb?
Ok, here's the deal (tribute to Diggnation): many of us can understand "in game advertising" for games that mimic the real would which also contain tons of advertising. For instance, Fight Night: Round 3. We may duke it out in a ring covered in Burger King logos, but that's how it really is when you watch a big fight on HBO or in live in Las Vegas. That's how the world works, how everyone gets paid, and so be it.
The same can be said for games that involve Nascar racing, (american) football and other sports related gaming. As a matter of fact, if you watch a Golf game on TV you will see advertisers in the game, sponsors of the show, and TV commercials targeted towards Golf fans. It's a smart business move, and frankly, we've all grown used to it. Many of us have grown up with it.
But... Can you picture an advertisement for Starbucks in Battlefield: 2142? Perhaps Need For Speed: Carbon will fit the in-game ad mold better than other games, but I do not see how this is going to work out to be good for us, the consumer.
Many say, "it's just a matter of time" given the game industry is hot with people looking to game. However, if we do not see price reductions for next-generation games that contain in-game advertisement than I believe its a bad move and not cool.
If I can purchase a $59.99 game for $29.99 and have to see some Mountain Dew vending machines, a Trojan condom box in the bathroom of an FPS, or a Sony Wega TV in a shopping mall filled with zombies or whatever, that's cool with me. But not for a $59.99 price. No Way.
