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Thread: In-Game Advertising/Product Placement in Games

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    Proudly Loathsome ;) DMKA's Avatar
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    Default In-Game Advertising/Product Placement in Games

    So I just got InFamous 2 and I jumped off a building and when I landed and turned around to my utter dismay I was standing in front of....a Subway restaurant.



    ITT discuss product placement/in game ads you've seen while playing.
    I like Kung-Fu.

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    Not a Banana Mo-Nercy's Avatar
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    If it's there in a way that doesn't affect the gameplay, such as a billboard in a sandbox game or in a racing game, I'm not bothered by it at all. If that ad revenue has gone towards making the game better than it otherwise may have been, it can only be a good thing.

    If it ever gets to the stage when we're buying a game called Pepsi Max Presents GTA 12, that's probably a bit overboard. =]

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    navmaldeuh Madonna's Avatar
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    The loading screens in Wipeout HD have commercials built into them.

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    Recognized Member Jessweeee♪'s Avatar
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    I don't mind it as long as it's natural. Like on billboards in a game like Mirror's Edge, or actual restaurants on the streets like in the screenshot you provided. It could potentially be pretty neat. I'd be annoyed if they started showing commercials during loading screens--that could lead to a trend of purposefully making them longer to gain more ad revenue. Little pop-ups like you see in Youtube videos would also be annoying.

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    Steve Steve Steve Steve Iceglow's Avatar
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    I think that product placement in games can be both done well and badly. Stuff like that which you've posted is when it's done well. When it's something totally obnoxiously intrusive to the game play then it's not done well and well then I get put off the game. I will say, a very good example of it I've seen is actually the Gillette Fusion vans in Burnout Paradise City you see driving around. Considering the game actively rewards you for smashing your competitors off the road, it's not obnoxiously intrusive at all.

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    Zachie Chan Recognized Member Ouch!'s Avatar
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    Default Welcome to the Department of Redudnacy Department!

    Frankly, I don't see what's wrong with what you pictured at all.

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    Ghost 'n' Stuff NorthernChaosGod's Avatar
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    Stuff like billboards or restaurants wouldn't bother me if they make sense being there. Most of the games I tend to play could not pull it off though; blatant advertisement in games like Halo or Gears of War would piss me off.

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    Fei Gone Wrong Polnareff's Avatar
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    Run Like Hell had Bawls vending machines everywhere.

    Jet Moto had Mountain Dew barriers along the courses.

    That's all I can really think of. Oh, and Crazy Taxi has actual franchises all over its town, like KFC, Pizza Hut, etc.
    Xenogears is the tragic story of how your whole life can take a crappy turn, just because you happened to see a lady in a wedding dress before her wedding.

    This boy is crackin' up, this boy has broken down
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    Steve Steve Steve Steve Iceglow's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NorthernChaosGod View Post
    Stuff like billboards or restaurants wouldn't bother me if they make sense being there. Most of the games I tend to play could not pull it off though; blatant advertisement in games like Halo or Gears of War would piss me off.
    You never know, in the 2500s Mountain Dew might still be drunk. Or Budweiser, so Halo could pull of some digital advertisements/billboards for it's backgrounds/battlefields but it would need to be subtle and look natural.

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    Recognized Member Jessweeee♪'s Avatar
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    To amend what I said in my previous post about billboards in a game like Mirror's Edge, if it actually popped up in a sequel, I hope it in no way clashes with the whole white and primary color scheme. It's just so pretty!

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    Twisted Reality Shattered Dreamer's Avatar
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    Every single EA Sports title has tons of advertisements. I think one of the Spiderman titles on the PS2 had adverts for other Activision on billboards dotted all over New York.

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    This could be Dangerous! Carl the Llama's Avatar
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    TBH I am surprised games companies do not advertise their other titles in game, completely free advertising and in a format I think most gamers would not object to.

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    Proudly Loathsome ;) DMKA's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ouch! View Post
    Frankly, I don't see what's wrong with what you pictured at all.
    I...never said there was anything wrong with it...I just don't particularly fancy Subway.
    I like Kung-Fu.

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    she'll steal your heart Hollycat's Avatar
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    In 3rd birthday, SE put an ad for itself in level 4. In rachet and clank games there are jak ads and visa versa
    This post brought to you by the power of boobs. Dear lord them boobs. Amen

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    This could be Dangerous! Carl the Llama's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hypoallergenic Cactuar View Post
    In 3rd birthday, SE put an ad for itself in level 4. In rachet and clank games there are jak ads and visa versa
    I was wondering if someone would pick up on that, Kudos to you Mr. HC

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