This PS3 Space For Rent
The PlayStation 3 has been dragging a bit in terms of sales, so in order to make up for the losses, Sony has announced that it will be teaming up with in-game advertisement firms Double Fusion and IGA Worldwide to sell virtual ad space in its PS3 games. The ads will be seen on billboards and walls within the games, apparently, but I'd hope that it would be in the least obtrusive way possible.
"Various game titles are played by fans who like certain things, which can offer opportunities for targeted ads," said a Sony spokesman. "Online games allow greater flexibility for advertisers as to when, where and how long to advertise."
I would assume this to mean that they'll be tailoring the ads to match the games, putting sporty ads in sports games and so on. And online games would give them the opportunity to adjust the ads constantly to stay current. As long as the ads blend with the game I don't have a problem with it. Sports games already have billboards in them. But if they think I'm going to allow a Coke billboard in something like BioShock, they'd better think again. As yet, there's no list of which games the advertising will be appearing in, but I suspect Sony would probably want to keep that on the DL. Just a guess.
Sony Says To Put Virtual Ads In PlayStation 3 Games [afp]
Wootini
Posted to Video Games on 11 July 2008
· Comments (14)
Other stuff like this: ads, playstation 3, sony
Name: Dave
One more reason to avoid the PS3 and let the Japanese people deal with that crap.
I've seen in game advertisement in only one game Ive played on the 360. It was Crackdown and the ad was for Dodge Nitro. It gets incredibly old fast, especially if they don't change ad at all.
I personally don't like in game advertisement. I payed 60 dollars to play a game. If I wanted to be bombarded with commercials, I'll watch television.
its my system .... if i don't wanna see the ads, i shouldn't have to. FOR GOD SAKE I PAYED 500 DOLLARS FOR THIS.
So because of the people who wont buy the ps3, sony is punishing the people who have bought the PS3? o.o; I'm glad there are barely any games I want on that system anyways. After MGS4? Yeah, thats the only one anyway. And i dont remember seeing many ads (Except for the Apple products, but those werent intrusive. I laughed my ass off, and the iPod was actually an interesting item to play around with!)
this is kind of a silly article considering the amount of advertising i've seen on this website recently. it totally overshadows the look of the site and the full page ads that lock up my browser when i click on links are disgusting.
i'm all for you guys making money...but, pot meet kettle.
@David:
Access to Gaygamer.net - 0$
Access to Sony PS3 - Lots of Moneys
Having said that, I love ingame ads, as long as they are a) relevant (or hilariously irrelevant, ie. a Red Bull Mana Potion) and b) changing frequently (in case of billboards in, say, a skater game).
It really sucks if every time you play you see the same ad.
Also, why did no one ever think of ads on loading screens?
@Wootini: "Coke billboard in something like BioShock"
That would actually be muchos appropiate - if it's done in a 50s Style.
Check these out: http://www.pinballrebel.com/game/cola/ads/coke/coke.htm
I noticed a poster for the movie Hancock on the side of a tall building in PAIN, which took me by surprise, at first. But as long as it doesn't interfere with or hamper the gameplay in any way, it's okay by me.
@GhettoLevis: I remember that NCSoft's Dungeon Runners had sneaker commercials playing during the loading screens, so some developers (albeit very few) have thought of that idea.
@SZK
and I noticed a poster for the movie Step Brothers while playing Pain...it actually fit in well with the environment (it was on a wall), so I didn't really find it too obtrusive.
I am sure that adding more advertising while not lowering the price of the games or the PS3 itself will boost sales through the roof. I know everyone was holding off on buying a PS3 until there were more in-game ads.
In the case of the screenshot, not that I'm a huge McDonald's fan, but at least they're vocal about supporting G&L causes: http://tinyurl.com/6lkjrl
And I feel a Coke ad in Bioshock would be out of place, considering the story was about the colony of people rejecting the world above the surface... :)
I'm of two minds on this issue.
On one hand, I agree that when you've paid for a product...you shouldn't have to be bombarded with advertisements.
On the other hand, it isn't as if Sony has announced that you'll be forced to watch a 30 second commercial while waiting for the next level of "Ratchet and Clank" to load.
If the in-game advertising is tastefully done and appropriate for the game...I don't mind it. In some games it actually helps with the game environment to have current advertisements displayed. Wouldn't the New York of Activision's next "Spiderman" game seem even more vibrant if the various in game advertisements were fresh and constantly rotating throughout Times Square?
As I think about the issue...I'd actually not mind paying LESS for a version of a game that WAS subsidized with short video advertisements during load screens.
It's only a matter of time before they're beaming them into our dreams...
Live it up while you can.