EA for the win

[LostStraw]

From the article: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=13680

 

The agreement covers up to four "select" EA titles, which will be integrated into Massive's Video Game Network. The first title to utilize Massive's dynamic in-game advertising will be the upcoming Need for Speed Carbon. Gamers "will see both static and dynamic brand presence integrated into the game environments, across the platforms and across the geographies where they play."

It's racing, ads are to be expected like in real life -- right? This anouncement didn't bug me too much as it most likely wouldn't break the imersion of the game. Most other racing games I've played also contain ads, so it wasn't much of a surprise to read about.

 

 

But then I read this...

In EA's other deal with IGA Worldwide, the publisher will make "select EA franchises" available for integration into IGA's in-game ad network

[Meshugger]

EA has already proven more than ever that they aren't making games.

 

They're a big company that are manufacturing products, which should sell to the right demographic group, researched by marketers, based of trends of a segmented share of people, who have the highest amount of money to spend, to fit the excel-based diagram that the board shows for its share-holders.

Edited August 31, 2006 by Meshugger

[angshuman]

Well, I actually like the idea of ad-supported games. The games themselves are free, of course, right? ...RIGHT?

[Deraldin]

I agree with the ads in the racing game. I can see those working well without being too distracting. However there are very few games that I think would work well with modern product advertising. I mean Drink Coke! Official drink of the 22nd century military! just wouldn't work well.

[Dark_Raven]

Sports games FTW.

[Jorian Drake]

EA? win? in one sentence?

[Bokishi]

EA is THE MAN

[Dark_Raven]

EA is THE MAN

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not really. That mantle falls on Bioware.

[Bokishi]

But no one said there can't be two men

[Dark_Raven]

There can only be one!

[Jumjalum]

Good to see one publisher is unafraid to make bold steps forward for the industry.

[Hurlshort]

This isn't new, and it doesn't bother me in movies. Whatever companies need to do to pay the bills, I support, as long as the gameplay and story are solid.

 

 

Of course...EA has been known to give the axe to gameplay and story...

[DemonKing]

My first reaction to ads in BF2142 was outrage but I guess I could handle it as long as it was done with a minimum of fuss...like maybe in a loading screen or at the bottom of a server list.

 

It would be totally unacceptable if I was trying to fight a future war set over 100 years in the future while Axe deodorant or Athlon64 commercials (ala Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory) were plastered on every billboard or computer monitor.

 

I'm prepared to take a "wait and see" attitude.

[Judge Hades]

I hate EA.

[213374U]

EA has already proven more than ever that they aren't making games.

 

They're a big company that are manufacturing products, which should sell to the right demographic group, researched by marketers, based of trends of a  segmented share of people, who have the highest amount of money to spend, to fit the excel-based diagram that the board shows for its share-holders.

And that's incompatible with making games how exactly?

 

 

I hate EA.

Say it ain't so!

[Atreides]

They're a big company that are manufacturing products, which should sell to the right demographic group, researched by marketers, based of trends of a  segmented share of people, who have the highest amount of money to spend, to fit the excel-based diagram that the board shows for its share-holders.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's the basics of what all companies should do.

[Lare Kikkeli]

i think it's a step forward to be honest, i work in the advertising industry and games have been an unappreciated media for too long. as long as it's done in good taste and doesnt break the immersion, i'm all for it. it just means more money to the developers.

 

of course theres always the risk of companies getting to decide how they want their products to be used in the games, thus affecting the outcome and possibly ruining a game.

[Judge Hades]

I wouldn't mind it in racing games or games that depect a modern day setting but I wouldn't want to see a Coke can in a fantasy CRPG.

[Lare Kikkeli]

I wouldn't mind it in racing games or games that depect a modern day setting but I wouldn't want to see a Coke can in a fantasy CRPG.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

if it was a small add in the menu? or the game box?

 

advertising is a huge business, and i think that smaller developers could sell advertising space from their games and make more money that way.

[Judge Hades]

No freaking way. If it makes sense in the game then fine but pulling crap like that would basically kill the sale fore me. I don't need or want to see the Coke or Pepsi logo on the box art or menu in any fantasy or far future game that I play.

 

I like my advertising, for the most part, out of the way and not be bothersome. If it makes sense in a modern setting, then its not a problem. Anywhere else would be a major problem. Personally I hate the fact more and more advertising is creeping into my life. In the papers I read, the websites I visit, and so forth. If I want to know about a product I would look to do so on my own terms and not someone elses.

 

Most advertising is just downright stupid to the point I don't even want to have anything to do with the media that it advertised on. That is why I simply do not watch television any more. I watch DVDs that I buy at the store and rip them onto my computer. No commercials and no annoyances.

Edited September 1, 2006 by Judge Hades

[alanschu]

*waits anxiously for an open-ended CRPG with full character customization and a killer story, that has a small Coke ad in the bottom right corner of the title screen*

[Judge Hades]

I really hope it never comes to that, Alan. I already ditched a lot of media entertain because of tupid advertising. I don't want to give up on gaming.

Edited September 1, 2006 by Judge Hades

[alanschu]

I really hope it never comes to that, Alan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Even if it means a smaller developer is able to be successful, and it serves as a way to help keep the costs of games down?

[Lare Kikkeli]

as long as the companies advertising their pruducts wont call the shots, i'm all for ads in games. hell, if WoW would had ads they could (potentially) cut down the montly fee and i could/would play it.

Edited September 1, 2006 by Lare Kikkeli

[alanschu]

Though WoW wouldn't, because clearly people are willing to pay.