I remember fans having a huge outcry when it was stated that The Sims 3 would feature real-life in-game ads. It was actually effective, because we really hadn’t had to put up with it. Sure, we got free downloads like the Toyota Hybrid pack, JC Penny clothes and more…but it really didn’t bother anyone.
It looks like EA has learned its lesson on the matter, as in a recent interview over at Edge with EA’s free-to-play general manager Ben Cousins, while micro transactions has taken off, in-game advertisement hasn’t.
We actually aren’t getting much from ad revenue at all. The in-game advertising business hasn’t grown as fast as people expected it to.”
“We did a deal with Dr. Pepper for Battlefield Heroes where if you buy a bottle and scan in the code, you get an exclusive outfit. That kind of deep integration will work, I think. But I’m not convinced that we’ll have billboards in games and things like that. Maybe those days are over.”
So there you have it, mission accomplished 😀 (via GameInformer)
I’ve been against In Game ads for a while, but it wasn’t until recently I’d seen them in a game. Shaun White Snowboarding has them, and the Verizon one throws me off guard almost every time I see it, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Ads in The Sims would stick out even worse. But, like theblackscorpion, I don’t mind the Prius, Dr, Pepper, and other things like that, since they are free, and you have the choice if they go in your game or not.
there was some racing game (i think it was a NFS game) that had billboards that would change when the user was playing or connected online. BK was one of the main ones and i always hated seeing the BK King. i lost lots of races because of him. but with the Prius and Edge and the DP stuff that doesn’t bother me. main reason is because it’s free stuff and because… well just because.
I wouldn’t have minded ads in the game if they had been in Simlish. But having ads in English in the game just would look way out of place.
First of all I would like to say terrific blog! I had a quick question in which I’d
like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to find
out how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
I have had a difficult time clearing my mind
in getting my thoughts out there. I do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin.
Any ideas or hints? Kudos!