* EA Considering Putting Ads Into Their Triple-A Games https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/ea-is-looking-at-adding-in-game-ads-in-aaa-games-well-be-very-thoughtful-as-we-move-into-that-says-ceo
Really, does anything need be said about this topic
beyond its title? Not that advertising in games are
new (the article points out that even in 1978, the
text-adventure "Adventureland" was published with
an advert baked into its gameplay, and arcade favorite
"Tapper" originally was sponsored by - and featured
the logo of - Budweiser. But EA has always been
bullish on adverts in games, and apparently its
interested in pushing even more into its products.
And not just baked-in adverts, but dynamic, rotating
advertising campaigns too. Of course, EA is promising
a 'thoughtful implementation'; I'm sure they've no
desire to turn PC and console gaming into a less-portable
version of the mobile-gaming scene, right?
After all, there's no Coca Cola in Mordor!*
* there is Mountain Dew, though.
On Sun, 12 May 2024 09:38:08 +0100, JAB <noway@nochance.com> wrote:
On 11/05/2024 18:37, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
* EA Considering Putting Ads Into Their Triple-A Games
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/ea-is-looking-at-adding-in-game-ads-in-aaa-games-well-be-very-thoughtful-as-we-move-into-that-says-ceo
Really, does anything need be said about this topic
beyond its title? Not that advertising in games are
new (the article points out that even in 1978, the
text-adventure "Adventureland" was published with
an advert baked into its gameplay, and arcade favorite
"Tapper" originally was sponsored by - and featured
the logo of - Budweiser. But EA has always been
bullish on adverts in games, and apparently its
interested in pushing even more into its products.
And not just baked-in adverts, but dynamic, rotating
advertising campaigns too. Of course, EA is promising
a 'thoughtful implementation'; I'm sure they've no
desire to turn PC and console gaming into a less-portable
version of the mobile-gaming scene, right?
I don't have a intrinsic problem with advertising in games as long as
it's more of the product placement type that you get in TV/films so I've
never played Tapper but Budweiser being involved doesn't bother me, well
beyond you're advertising beer to children.
Later versions of Tapper changed the Budweiser branding to root-beer
because of this. It was only the earliest editions of the game that
featured the Budweiser logo.
This being EA though, you know it won't be just that but instead
something that is far more intrusive. Oh you want to reload your gun do
you, well you need to watch an advert for that.
There are other problems with advertising though. One, for instance,
is that it makes it far less likely for games to be set in fantasy or far-future settings. After all, there's no Coca Cola in Mordor!*
Another problem is that keeping the advertisers happy means that there
is increasing editorializing made for reasons other than story or game mechanics. This isn't just in regards to avoiding controversial
topics, but also altering how the game presents the advertised
product. We already see stuff like this in racing games (where car manufacturers often object to their licensed vehicles being shown in
anything but pristine conditions, so damage modelling is often removed entirely). Or demanding long lingering shots of the product (as it too
often and obviously done in movies already).
The inclusion of advertising just makes for worse games overall.
On 12/05/2024 17:04, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
On Sun, 12 May 2024 09:38:08 +0100, JAB <noway@nochance.com> wrote:
On 11/05/2024 18:37, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
* EA Considering Putting Ads Into Their Triple-A Games
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/ea-is-looking-at-adding-in-game-ads-in-aaa-games-well-be-very-thoughtful-as-we-move-into-that-says-ceo
Really, does anything need be said about this topic
beyond its title? Not that advertising in games are
new (the article points out that even in 1978, the
text-adventure "Adventureland" was published with
an advert baked into its gameplay, and arcade favorite
"Tapper" originally was sponsored by - and featured
the logo of - Budweiser. But EA has always been
bullish on adverts in games, and apparently its
interested in pushing even more into its products.
And not just baked-in adverts, but dynamic, rotating
advertising campaigns too. Of course, EA is promising
a 'thoughtful implementation'; I'm sure they've no
desire to turn PC and console gaming into a less-portable
version of the mobile-gaming scene, right?
I don't have a intrinsic problem with advertising in games as long as
it's more of the product placement type that you get in TV/films so I've >>> never played Tapper but Budweiser being involved doesn't bother me, well >>> beyond you're advertising beer to children.
Later versions of Tapper changed the Budweiser branding to root-beer
because of this. It was only the earliest editions of the game that
featured the Budweiser logo.
This being EA though, you know it won't be just that but instead
something that is far more intrusive. Oh you want to reload your gun do
you, well you need to watch an advert for that.
There are other problems with advertising though. One, for instance,
is that it makes it far less likely for games to be set in fantasy or
far-future settings. After all, there's no Coca Cola in Mordor!*
Another problem is that keeping the advertisers happy means that there
is increasing editorializing made for reasons other than story or game
mechanics. This isn't just in regards to avoiding controversial
topics, but also altering how the game presents the advertised
product. We already see stuff like this in racing games (where car
manufacturers often object to their licensed vehicles being shown in
anything but pristine conditions, so damage modelling is often removed
entirely). Or demanding long lingering shots of the product (as it too
often and obviously done in movies already).
The inclusion of advertising just makes for worse games overall.
I do agree that the gaming industry is overall worse for including >advertising but for me it's when it crosses a line into having a
practical effect on my enjoyment of the game. So I would prefer there to
be no advertising but I can accept a certain type. The likelihood of EA >crossing that line and then carrying on for another mile is relatively high.
The examples you're mention are ones that I do have issues. If immersion
is being broken or the gameplay/story is being unduly 'bent' to
accommodate advertising then I do have a problem. To take say James Bond >films, for me there's a difference between having a script that includes
a flash car that Bond uses (don't they all) and changing the script to
make a brand of car have a far more prominent role. Saying we have a car
that Bond will use so who will pay us to make it their car is fine
(although not good for the viewer). Saying that I would have a problem
is if the car didn't fit with the character of James Bond at all, so a
Fiat Punto would be a no, no.
On 12/05/2024 17:04, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
On Sun, 12 May 2024 09:38:08 +0100, JAB <noway@nochance.com> wrote:
On 11/05/2024 18:37, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
* EA Considering Putting Ads Into Their Triple-A Games
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/ea-is-looking-at-adding-in-game-ads-in-aaa-games-well-be-very-thoughtful-as-we-move-into-that-says-ceo
Really, does anything need be said about this topic
beyond its title? Not that advertising in games are
new (the article points out that even in 1978, the
text-adventure "Adventureland" was published with
an advert baked into its gameplay, and arcade favorite
"Tapper" originally was sponsored by - and featured
the logo of - Budweiser. But EA has always been
bullish on adverts in games, and apparently its
interested in pushing even more into its products.
And not just baked-in adverts, but dynamic, rotating
advertising campaigns too. Of course, EA is promising
a 'thoughtful implementation'; I'm sure they've no
desire to turn PC and console gaming into a less-portable
version of the mobile-gaming scene, right?
I don't have a intrinsic problem with advertising in games as long as
it's more of the product placement type that you get in TV/films so I've >>> never played Tapper but Budweiser being involved doesn't bother me, well >>> beyond you're advertising beer to children.
Later versions of Tapper changed the Budweiser branding to root-beer
because of this. It was only the earliest editions of the game that
featured the Budweiser logo.
This being EA though, you know it won't be just that but instead
something that is far more intrusive. Oh you want to reload your gun do
you, well you need to watch an advert for that.
There are other problems with advertising though. One, for instance,
is that it makes it far less likely for games to be set in fantasy or
far-future settings. After all, there's no Coca Cola in Mordor!*
Another problem is that keeping the advertisers happy means that there
is increasing editorializing made for reasons other than story or game
mechanics. This isn't just in regards to avoiding controversial
topics, but also altering how the game presents the advertised
product. We already see stuff like this in racing games (where car
manufacturers often object to their licensed vehicles being shown in
anything but pristine conditions, so damage modelling is often removed
entirely). Or demanding long lingering shots of the product (as it too
often and obviously done in movies already).
The inclusion of advertising just makes for worse games overall.
I do agree that the gaming industry is overall worse for including advertising but for me it's when it crosses a line into having a
practical effect on my enjoyment of the game. So I would prefer there to
be no advertising but I can accept a certain type. The likelihood of EA crossing that line and then carrying on for another mile is relatively high.
The examples you're mention are ones that I do have issues. If immersion
is being broken or the gameplay/story is being unduly 'bent' to
accommodate advertising then I do have a problem. To take say James Bond films, for me there's a difference between having a script that includes
a flash car that Bond uses (don't they all) and changing the script to
make a brand of car have a far more prominent role. Saying we have a car
that Bond will use so who will pay us to make it their car is fine
(although not good for the viewer). Saying that I would have a problem
is if the car didn't fit with the character of James Bond at all, so a
Fiat Punto would be a no, no.
On Sun, 12 May 2024 09:38:08 +0100, JAB <noway@nochance.com> wrote:
On 11/05/2024 18:37, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
* EA Considering Putting Ads Into Their Triple-A Games
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/ea-is-looking-at-adding-in-game-ads-in-aaa-games-well-be-very-thoughtful-as-we-move-into-that-says-ceo
Really, does anything need be said about this topic
beyond its title? Not that advertising in games are
new (the article points out that even in 1978, the
text-adventure "Adventureland" was published with
an advert baked into its gameplay, and arcade favorite
"Tapper" originally was sponsored by - and featured
the logo of - Budweiser. But EA has always been
bullish on adverts in games, and apparently its
interested in pushing even more into its products.
And not just baked-in adverts, but dynamic, rotating
advertising campaigns too. Of course, EA is promising
a 'thoughtful implementation'; I'm sure they've no
desire to turn PC and console gaming into a less-portable
version of the mobile-gaming scene, right?
I don't have a intrinsic problem with advertising in games as long as
it's more of the product placement type that you get in TV/films so I've
never played Tapper but Budweiser being involved doesn't bother me, well
beyond you're advertising beer to children.
Later versions of Tapper changed the Budweiser branding to root-beer
because of this. It was only the earliest editions of the game that
featured the Budweiser logo.
This being EA though, you know it won't be just that but instead
something that is far more intrusive. Oh you want to reload your gun do
you, well you need to watch an advert for that.
There are other problems with advertising though. One, for instance,
is that it makes it far less likely for games to be set in fantasy or far-future settings. After all, there's no Coca Cola in Mordor!*
Another problem is that keeping the advertisers happy means that there
is increasing editorializing made for reasons other than story or game mechanics. This isn't just in regards to avoiding controversial
topics, but also altering how the game presents the advertised
product. We already see stuff like this in racing games (where car manufacturers often object to their licensed vehicles being shown in
anything but pristine conditions, so damage modelling is often removed entirely). Or demanding long lingering shots of the product (as it too
often and obviously done in movies already).
The inclusion of advertising just makes for worse games overall.
Huh... in retrospect, all three stories are pretty depressing takes onThere are rumours that Red Dead Redemption 1 finally will make it to the PC:
the game industry. Maybe I should have found something a bit more
uplifting. Oh well, maybe next time.
Am 11.05.24 um 19:37 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:
Huh... in retrospect, all three stories are pretty depressing takes onThere are rumours that Red Dead Redemption 1 finally will make it to the PC:
the game industry. Maybe I should have found something a bit more
uplifting. Oh well, maybe next time.
https://twitter.com/TezFunz2/status/1790031522315026508
On Mon, 13 May 2024 14:30:10 -0000 (UTC), candycanearter07 <candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> wrote:
JAB <noway@nochance.com> wrote at 08:51 this Monday (GMT):
On 12/05/2024 17:04, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
On Sun, 12 May 2024 09:38:08 +0100, JAB <noway@nochance.com> wrote:I do agree that the gaming industry is overall worse for including
On 11/05/2024 18:37, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
* EA Considering Putting Ads Into Their Triple-A Games
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/ea-is-looking-at-adding-in-game-ads-in-aaa-games-well-be-very-thoughtful-as-we-move-into-that-says-ceo
advertising but for me it's when it crosses a line into having a
practical effect on my enjoyment of the game. So I would prefer there to >>> be no advertising but I can accept a certain type. The likelihood of EA
crossing that line and then carrying on for another mile is relatively high.
The examples you're mention are ones that I do have issues. If immersion >>> is being broken or the gameplay/story is being unduly 'bent' to
accommodate advertising then I do have a problem. To take say James Bond >>> films, for me there's a difference between having a script that includes >>> a flash car that Bond uses (don't they all) and changing the script to
make a brand of car have a far more prominent role. Saying we have a car >>> that Bond will use so who will pay us to make it their car is fine
(although not good for the viewer). Saying that I would have a problem
is if the car didn't fit with the character of James Bond at all, so a
Fiat Punto would be a no, no.
Or Sonic wearing SOAP shoes in SA2?
I can actually live with that sort of stuff. But I hate it when the
pacing of the movie is interupted to show off the advertised goods.
It's not always obvious that is what is happening, but once you start noticing it, it becomes extremely obtrusive.
E.g., the heroes run out of the building and get into their waiting
car. The camera pans in front of the car, focusing lovingly for a half
second on the automaker's logo on the hood, before moving on to the
action.
Or:
Hero pulls a can of soda from the fridge, and the label is facing
outwards (and if he puts it down on the table, it is between him and
the camera so you can't miss it).
Apparently, "2001: A Space Odyssey" was one of the first movies to use product-placement in this way, but both Kubrick and the advertisers
were so embarassed by the concept that they worked hard not to make it obvious. Would that modern producers had such concerns. I've no trust Electronic Arts would.
On Mon, 13 May 2024 20:46:11 +0200, "Werner P." <werpu@gmx.at> wrote:
Am 11.05.24 um 19:37 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:
Huh... in retrospect, all three stories are pretty depressing takes onThere are rumours that Red Dead Redemption 1 finally will make it to the PC: >>
the game industry. Maybe I should have found something a bit more
uplifting. Oh well, maybe next time.
https://twitter.com/TezFunz2/status/1790031522315026508
While that would be welcome, I'll believe it when I see it.
Not only does Rockstar treat the PC like its red-headed stepchild, but
the company seems to have only marginal interest in anything that
can't be turned into a live-service model.
In the meantime, the game works well enough on my PS3 (or was it the
Xbox360? I forget which platform I have it for)
With the Ps5 and current xbox basically being PCs architecturewise, they
did a port to two pc like platforms (on top of the switch port) [...]
My guess is that Rockstar's bias against PC games comes from a fearYes lets wait and see, there are atm 3 options to play the game on the
of piracy. They usually do make PC ports of their games, but its always
been a delayed release, and the common assumption has been that piracy has been main reason for that. I assume that Red Dead Redemption basically slipped through the cracks here, a PC port being originally planned,
but given such low-priority the idea was eventually dropped after a
number of delays.
Maybe a possible reason that I'm less adverse to it is that my
understanding is that in Europe the rules of product placement are
considered quite strict by general standards so the things I mentioned
that I have a problem with just don't really happen or aren't overly
noticeable. The BBC is even stricter in anything produced for it and
product placement is very much frowned on even if it fits with the
story. In a soap opera called EastEnders you can have real brands in the
background but if it's in the foreground, nope. That's why you have fake
beers and cereals.
Yeah, the BBC is wonderfully strict about stuff like that.
Unfortunately, they produce only a fraction of the English-speaking
content. Almost anything American-made is saturated with product
placement. I've even noticed it in various Scandanavian productions
(albeit not to the degree as in Merkin shows).
And that's only TV. Even Ofcom isn't a defense against egregious
product placement for/movies/ made in Britain. Or against it in
movies or shows made elsewhere shown in the UK.
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