In-Game Advertising Makes Games Better? 352
Pretty much every time we hear about a game launching in-game advertising it sounds like a horrible idea that will only serve to detract from the experience. However JJ Richards of Massive wants you to give it a chance, claiming that if done correctly it can not only work, but actually enhance the overall experience. "In fact, according to Massive's research, gamers like ads. Here's the caveat: they have to add to the gaming experience. He describes a game that takes place in Times Square. With no ads, it's not real at all. With generic ads, it's a little better. 'Now imagine Times Square with ads you just saw on television or read in a newspaper—the latest movie release or television show or a new car model,' he said. 'Imagine further that it is up-to-the-minute, whether you played your game today or six months from now. That is much more realistic.' His argument is that gamers consume the experience of ads, not just the ads themselves. 'The ads add to and enhance that experience, and our research shows that it is highly effective for both game play as well as advertisers.'"
Imagine this, asshole (Score:5, Funny)
How about I come park outside your house and enhance your sleeping pleasure by blaring Swedish death metal at all hours of the night? I bet with the right combination of Mayhem and Burzum you'd find that not only was the intrusion on your sleepytime making the overall sleep experience better but also that your dreams were brighter and more colorful.
STOP ADVERTISING TO ME WHEN I'VE ALREADY PAID FOR YOUR PRODUCT, ASSHOLE.
yes! that's it! he's got it! (Score:2, Funny)
> 'Imagine further that it is up-to-the-minute, whether you played your game today or six months from now
Yes! *That* is what's been missing from my gaming experiences recently. I knew someone would figure it out. All those classic games I enjoyed in the decades past... little did I know how much better they'd have been if they only had up to the minute advertising! They didn't have advertising *at all*, so now I realize that I wasn't actually enjoying Baldur's Gate or Elite 2. It was a hollow experience, compared to today's FPSs. Who cares how dumbed down the gameplay gets; what we *really* want is up to the minute advertising. Give us that, and we'll be happy little consumers and buy ever more of your shiny products.
Thank you, Mr Advertising Man, for making it all so clear now. I hadn't even realized!
Re:...but Beyonce... (Score:5, Funny)
What other horrible parts of life can be added? (Score:5, Funny)
Make players wait in line to buy items in an MMORPG. Make those leveling up characters only capable of talking to one person at a time, and they get breaks, too. Require bathroom breaks or experience loss of social status as characters crap their pants. Require quarterly paperwork to file video game taxes.
This guy is an idiot.
Re:Marketers think they do us a service (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Illusion (Score:3, Funny)
"I can see it now, a WoW loading screen: "This instance brought to you by McDonalds, why not fight Onyxia while chowing down on our new Quadruple Big-Mac? And how about you wash it down with one of our gallon cups of Mountain Dew, Game Fuel?" "
What?! Your game doesn't support the /pizza command?!
Re:GTA did it best... (Score:2, Funny)
Instead I play games that are deliberately non-realistic, where I can get shot 10,000 times, eat some food, and miraculously heal.
You mean...
"Instead I play games that are deliberately non-realistic, where I can get shot 10,000 times, eat some McDonalds, and miraculously heal."