THQ's Massive In-Game Ads
In-game advertising is kind of a touchy subject for some people, but it seems like it's simply a fact of life in this modern gaming generation. Especially with the latest round of consoles being hooked up to the interwebs to allow for automatic updating of ads. Microsoft has announced that its subsidiary Massive Inc. has made a global, multi-year deal with THQ naming Massive as the exclusive in-game advertising partner for THQ's upcoming games on the PC and Xbox 360.
This will include dynamic in-game ads in several of THQ's properties including the Saints Row franchise. Saints Row 2 will be one of the first titles to feature in-game ads as part of this deal.
"By aligning with THQ, Massive is now poised to represent new content and franchises that are realizing enormous market success globally," said Eric Bassman, COO of Massive. "And with an open-world, mission-based game such as "Saints Row 2" coming into the Massive network, we can work creatively with advertisers to place their brands in new, edgy environments."
I don't actually have a problem with in-game ads as long as they're in something like Saints Row, where they can be billboards or something of that ilk that actually adds to the realism of the in-game environment. Along those lines, I figure in-game ads also wouldn't be too obtrusive in something like THQ's WWE series. On the other hand, when THQ starts putting ads in their licensed kiddie games like Avatar or SpongeBob, then we might have a problem.
Also, because Massive Inc. is a subsidiary of Microsoft, this only covers ads in THQ games on the PC and Xbox 360. Which I take to mean if you're playing Saints Row 2 on the PlayStation 3, you should be free of in-game advertising.
Wootini
Posted to Video Games on 25 November 2008
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: in-game advertising, massive inc., microsoft, pc, saints row 2, thq, xbox 360
A well-placed ad is certainly a tricky thing. I think the best example of how *not* to do it is Guitar Hero III. The ads for the music store and the various brands of instruments were well done, but such blatant ads for gum and cars helped ruin the game for me.
I'm of the same mind as Wootini on this. It's just like on TV or in movies; as long as it makes sense I don't mind it and actually kinda like it. The have HP computers all over 'The Office' and it makes sense so it's fine. On '30 Rock' they make jokes about their product placement which have always been hilarious so that works too. Advertisers don't want you to openly resent the ads so they'll have a motivation to make sure it's done right, as will the game devs.
Wow. I am surprised anyone thinks adverts are acceptable in games or movies. The moment i see an ad in films I switch off, and am completely disconnected (and offended.) Adverts are ok in Tv because they pay to keep it free to air. I am currently playing fallout 3 (and adoring it) and if there were any ads at all I would stop playing. I pay money for these games to escape and not be subjected manipulative advertising. It offends adults, but more importantly affects younger gameers by realting a fun game to a product. How disturbing.