Ads in video games?

[shilala]

When did they start putting ads in video games?
I just started playing Need for Speed Underground 2 and it's loaded with billboards from Pontiac, Cingular, Edge shaving cream, Burger King etc...
Are there any other games doing this?

 

[spidey07]

<---remembers seeing red bull ads from my favorite game of all time.

WipeOut for PS1.

What was that? Like 1997? Don't even think you could get it in the states back then.

Best Game Evar.

-edit- wipeout was released in 1995.

 

[rh71]

how could you forget Best Buy? They're everywhere in that game.

 

[Bootprint]

Some group wants it so the games download new ads from their servers.

 

[csyberblue]

Originally posted by: spidey07
<---remembers seeing red bull ads from my favorite game of all time.

WipeOut for PS1.

What was that? Like 1997? Don't even think you could get it in the states back then.

Best Game Evar.

lol, that's the exact game I was thinking of too. That was my first ps1 game and it's still awesome.

 

[Colt45]

I remember teenage mutant ninja turtles 2 (arcade or whatever they called it) had "Pizza hut" ads, back in like.. 1980 something.

 

[Koing]

I prefered WipeOut2097 myself

For Football games it has been in for as long as I can remember. BUT traditionally Football stadiums have had them running along the sides anyway. Adds for more realism anyway. Also you don't have to take notice and as long as the graphics don't slow the game down it isn't a problem for me. I'm pretty dam sure the ads don't slow the game down much if at all.

Koing

 

[sniperruff]

lisence can be a good think... think gran turismo with its lisenced cars since day one...

 

[raildogg]

i remember ads by Lobster Cola in Triple Play Baseball 2000 or 20001. Not that Lobster Cola is an actual cola, it was kinda cute and funny

 

[rh71]

BTW, the thing about NFSU2 ads... if you use the GPS, it'll take you through routes where the ads are, instead of the most direct / quickest route to your destination.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: rh71
BTW, the thing about NFSU2 ads... if you use the GPS, it'll take you through routes where the ads are, instead of the most direct / quickest route to your destination.

REALLY?

LOL if so that is pretty sly of the developers.

Koing

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: rh71
BTW, the thing about NFSU2 ads... if you use the GPS, it'll take you through routes where the ads are, instead of the most direct / quickest route to your destination.

REALLY?

LOL if so that is pretty sly of the developers.

Koing

I only figured that out after I couldn't get to one of the places on time ... 3 failures in a row... then I looked at the map and saw it was taking me through the small streets just outside the fountain area... instead of the big streets along it onto the highway. One of the turns was totally unnecessary... right in front of a cingular store.

With that said, I don't even mind the ads... I don't have a problem with them making profits on top of profits... it doesn't "ruin" the gameplay for me. Other than that 1 GPS fiasco for 1 mission, that is.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Cool Spot was a complete 7up ad wasn't it?

 

[Qwest]

truly annoying about nfsu2.

cingular gps, meeting up for a race behind burger king...pretty ridiculous. the game actually won the award for most despicable product placement in a video game.

link

 

[Schadenfroh]

does this mean game prices will come down so they can advertise more?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
does this mean game prices will come down so they can advertise more?

Have movie tickets come down in price? No.

 

[atiyeh]

its a good way to supplement development costs. plus it makes it seem more real to me because race tracks have ads up all over the place.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: rh71
BTW, the thing about NFSU2 ads... if you use the GPS, it'll take you through routes where the ads are, instead of the most direct / quickest route to your destination.

REALLY?

LOL if so that is pretty sly of the developers.

Koing

I only figured that out after I couldn't get to one of the places on time ... 3 failures in a row... then I looked at the map and saw it was taking me through the small streets just outside the fountain area... instead of the big streets along it onto the highway. One of the turns was totally unnecessary... right in front of a cingular store.

With that said, I don't even mind the ads... I don't have a problem with them making profits on top of profits... it doesn't "ruin" the gameplay for me. Other than that 1 GPS fiasco for 1 mission, that is.

I see. That was a pretty messed up situation then for you!

Me as long as the game is fine I'm happy. Just makes it more 'real' when the shops and stuff are 'actual' shops and not just made up ones.

Koing