So one day when I felt like playing Guitar Hero 3 a bit when I was instructed to download an update. I never really looked at these updates as a big deal, especially with games like GH3, so I downloaded the update and proceeded to play a song as planned. I chose quick play and after picking my song, the random venue that I had to play in turned out to be the second one where you fight tom morello. As soon as the loading screen was gone I quickly noticed that the background in the venue was not the same as it used to be. Instead of seeing the 5 Gum ad I'm used to seeing, I saw something new. I saw a Tropic Thunder ad and right away I knew that that ad was one of the things that was a part of the update.
Now I've never really cared about in-game advertising a whole lot, but this just seems too strange to me. I mean, I've never heard of a game company putting adverstisments in their games through updates.
There was a lot of discuss, about these advertisements changing through updates. I personally think it is a good idea - ads don't disturb you much, and as a result, the game comes cheaper.
mydogisblue: So one day when I felt like playing Guitar Hero 3 a bit when I was instructed to download an update. I never really looked at these updates as a big deal, especially with games like GH3, so I downloaded the update and proceeded to play a song as planned. I chose quick play and after picking my song, the random venue that I had to play in turned out to be the second one where you fight tom morello. As soon as the loading screen was gone I quickly noticed that the background in the venue was not the same as it used to be. Instead of seeing the 5 Gum ad I'm used to seeing, I saw something new. I saw a Tropic Thunder ad and right away I knew that that ad was one of the things that was a part of the update.
Now I've never really cared about in-game advertising a whole lot, but this just seems too strange to me. I mean, I've never heard of a game company putting adverstisments in their games through updates.
Anyone else notice this?
Rainbow six vegas did it. The biggest offender though would be Battlefield 2142 I think, which actually delivered ads based on your search patterns.
As I stated over there, I don't really find it a disruption or distraction. Like Spierek says above, non-obtrusive ads don't really disrupt the flow or action of the game, and ultimately aid in bringing costs down.
Now, we it bridges the gap to what Google's looking into doing (30 second advertisements (read:commercials) between quests or levels), I'll admit...that really cooks my goose.
mydogisblue: So one day when I felt like playing Guitar Hero 3 a bit when I was instructed to download an update. I never really looked at these updates as a big deal, especially with games like GH3, so I downloaded the update and proceeded to play a song as planned. I chose quick play and after picking my song, the random venue that I had to play in turned out to be the second one where you fight tom morello. As soon as the loading screen was gone I quickly noticed that the background in the venue was not the same as it used to be. Instead of seeing the 5 Gum ad I'm used to seeing, I saw something new. I saw a Tropic Thunder ad and right away I knew that that ad was one of the things that was a part of the update.
Now I've never really cared about in-game advertising a whole lot, but this just seems too strange to me. I mean, I've never heard of a game company putting adverstisments in their games through updates.
Anyone else notice this?
Rainbow six vegas did it. The biggest offender though would be Battlefield 2142 I think, which actually delivered ads based on your search patterns.
In my country i got one ad. ONCE. I love it here. :3
As I stated over there, I don't really find it a disruption or distraction. Like Spierek says above, non-obtrusive ads don't really disrupt the flow or action of the game, and ultimately aid in bringing costs down.
Now, we it bridges the gap to what Google's looking into doing (30 second advertisements (read:commercials) between quests or levels), I'll admit...that really cooks my goose.
I think the idea was that since the game is loading anyways and nothing but a little bar is filling up, why not throw in a commercial there and kill costs?
Spierek: There was a lot of discuss, about these advertisements changing through updates. I personally think it is a good idea - ads don't disturb you much, and as a result, the game comes cheaper.
I've heard this before, and don't believe it. Some of the most ad-intensive games I own and/or have played are the most expensive shelf-priced ones.
If the ads actually affected the shelf price I would be all for it. Like those new games that if you watch an ad you get the game for free, that is brilliant. When I pop in a game and am bombarded with ad after ad (unless it is a billboard in a sports game) and am still paying 60+ for the game then that ticks me off. I say give us an option. Ad games 40 bucks ad free games 60 bucks.
If developers want to put ads in their games, fine, but don't then expect me to swallow whatever artistic message you were trying to communicate. Can you imagine Deus Ex with in-game adverts? That would be the most self-contradictory piece of crap ever to grace a game shop. "Yeah, corporations is bad, fight the power, and makes dun' sure you drinks some Pepsi whiles you does so." Eeeurgh...
Simply put, if you want to see games elevated to proper 'art' status, then don't support in-game ads. If you're happy with games being mindless kill-a-few-hours trash, then go right ahead and chug that Sunny D for all you're worth.
squid5580: If the ads actually affected the shelf price I would be all for it. Like those new games that if you watch an ad you get the game for free, that is brilliant. When I pop in a game and am bombarded with ad after ad (unless it is a billboard in a sports game) and am still paying 60+ for the game then that ticks me off. I say give us an option. Ad games 40 bucks ad free games 60 bucks.
You hit the nail on the head. Ads are supposed to lower the price of the game, but that isn't happening. I can understand how in sports games or Vagas area games how the ads can add to the realism, but in something like GH3, I'm not there for realistic venues, so the ads don't fit. If you are gonna fill my game with ads, make it cheaper.
During the load time...ok...I can go with that. But...if it's a 'and now a word from our sponsor' kinda thing, meh...not so hot. Again, if the ad is relevant to the game, and doesn't detract from the load time...ok, I see your point. Fair enough. :)
j-e-f-f-e-r-s: If developers want to put ads in their games, fine, but don't then expect me to swallow whatever artistic message you were trying to communicate. Can you imagine Deus Ex with in-game adverts? That would be the most self-contradictory piece of crap ever to grace a game shop. "Yeah, corporations is bad, fight the power, and makes dun' sure you drinks some Pepsi whiles you does so." Eeeurgh...
Simply put, if you want to see games elevated to proper 'art' status, then don't support in-game ads. If you're happy with games being mindless kill-a-few-hours trash, then go right ahead and chug that Sunny D for all you're worth.
Exactly. Video games are a new media with exciting possibilities, but a lot of people have intentions of turning it into interactive trash TV. Please don't let them.
Spierek: There was a lot of discuss, about these advertisements changing through updates. I personally think it is a good idea - ads don't disturb you much, and as a result, the game comes cheaper.
How do you figure it makes them cheaper ? GH series in the OP's example is one of the more expensive games on the market. (due to its popularity)they shell out new versions like GH:A which is basically the same with different and fewer songs and video clips. instant cash and sold at the same price as GH3 with no chance of DLC.
I'm fine with the idea of ingame ad's as long as it doesn't break immersion or gameplay. ie updating billboards on PGR, fine. ads in BF2142 selling current gen computers not so much.
So one day when I felt like playing Guitar Hero 3 a bit when I was instructed to download an update. I never really looked at these updates as a big deal, especially with games like GH3, so I downloaded the update and proceeded to play a song as planned. I chose quick play and after picking my song, the random venue that I had to play in turned out to be the second one where you fight tom morello. As soon as the loading screen was gone I quickly noticed that the background in the venue was not the same as it used to be. Instead of seeing the 5 Gum ad I'm used to seeing, I saw something new. I saw a Tropic Thunder ad and right away I knew that that ad was one of the things that was a part of the update.
Now I've never really cared about in-game advertising a whole lot, but this just seems too strange to me. I mean, I've never heard of a game company putting adverstisments in their games through updates.
Anyone else notice this?