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View Full Version : In-Game Advertisements: Your Opinion?


Kaito-kun
21-05-2009, 20:18
As gaming becomes more and more mainstream and large companies see the potential of video games as a method of reaching Joe Public we've also seen an increase of in-game advertising.

But what's your opinion on the subject? Does seeing a McDonalds logo at the side of a race track make your blood boil? Or are you not at all bothered by a billboard or two for Nokia appearing in the background?

Personally I don't mind it if it fits seamlessly into the game's setting. For example; if the game is set in the present day, somewhat realistic and I'm wandering around a logical environment for advertisements (Such as a city area in games like GTA or the Tony Hawk's franchise) then I don't mind seeing a billboard or two in the background. But if I'm playing something where it would make no sense for it to appear, it's invasive or just ruins the atmosphere of the game then I will get annoyed. (Advertising something like Gillette razors in Katamari, Zelda or R-Type? Rot in hell.)

Rayne
21-05-2009, 20:46
The advertising of Gillette Razors in Katamari would make sense really, you roll enough of them up anyway.

I love in-game advertisements, running through Crackdown and seeing Play.com on the billboards is pretty kick-ass. Imagine playing through Infamous or GTA IV and seeing Coke on the vending machines rather than Cola, or Cuke.

Killer French Bread
21-05-2009, 20:47
I prefer it when they are made up like in GTA or Wipeout. Some games can have an added sense of context or novelty by using them, Crazy Taxi for example, but that's rare compared to piss takes like Need for Speed were the publishers start taking liberties.

Reknoc
21-05-2009, 21:08
Would be shite in GTA, considering a good amount of the humour comes from the adverts for their made up parodys of real life products, that is back when the games tried to be humourous. Fine in racing games like Burnout Paradise though or sports games like FIFA.

Gavvie
21-05-2009, 21:13
Yeah, I don't mind it too much in games where real world advertising actually makes sense, usually in racing games.

I do hate it though when it's there just to be there. No game actually springs to mind at the moment, although I do remember reading about advertising overkill in Need for Speed: ProStreet. Don't think they've done it since.

mudokon100
21-05-2009, 22:16
Have to agree, if it fits into the setting, fine. If not, no.

What about the game itself being an advert though? (*cough*NewFableDLC*cough*) That was... offensive. At least, the way they pulled it off was.

FPS_Leo
22-05-2009, 11:14
If the advertizing is used in context then it doesn't bother me at all.:) I wouldn't mind advertizing in an MMO game if it meant there was no monthly fee to play it (monthly fee is the reason I don't touch MMO games).;)

sonicfanRICH
23-05-2009, 06:38
^^ I agree with this. It's why I'm not one of the many of millions of people playing WoW.

SegaShinja
18-07-2009, 04:09
I agree with Kaito-kun (http://radiosega.net/forum/member.php?u=2086). The city stuff like in Crazy Taxi doesn't bother me but in the fantasy fiction type stuff it just needs to stay away. It also needs to not be shoved down my throat like being able to see a logo better than my character/automobile.