how do you feel about in-game ads?

[Razgriz]

Just read an article on ars and was wondering what you guys think about it. Text

My comment on the article->Who buys shit from ads in-game anyway? For the most part, in-game ads are bs, as they don't translate into a better gaming experience (more immersive, realistic whatever you want to call it) or lower prices for us gamers. So what's the point? Ads are everywhere else, do we really need them in games now too?

 

[erwos]

It's not about you seeing an ad for Axe, and then being "oh, I want some of that, let me go out and buy some this instant". It's to influence your purchasing choices, so that you associate Axe with awesome game X, and when you're at the store, think Axe is awesome by association. Yes, it does work, even on you and me.

If ads make a good game more profitable, and thus make a sequel more likely, that's enough for me to tolerate non-intrusive ads (like AT was talking about?).

 

[R Nilla]

They've been around longer than most people realize and don't really bother me as long as they aren't blatantly out of place. With that said, I'd prefer it if my games contained no ads.

 

[oznerol]

I hate in-game ads.

That said, my favorite video game is Cool Spot.

 

[MikeyLSU]

I don't care at all. I mean I'd almost rather real ads in some games like racing games than fake billboard ads. Makes it seem more real. If the ad is out of place, then no I won't like it, but as long as it is done correctly, I don't mind at all. And like erwos said, it is not supposed to make you want to buy that item right now, they likely just want you to have their brand name in the back of your head and remember it.

 

[mugs]

They don't bother me. I think they should be well-integrated and unobtrusive.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: erwos
If ads make a good game more profitable, and thus make a sequel more likely, that's enough for me to tolerate non-intrusive ads (like AT was talking about?).

I agree with this. People complain that they don't make the games any less expensive, but they're missing the fact that game prices only went up 20% this generation, while development costs tripled. Developers/publishers are relying on alternate revenue streams like DLC, ads, and premium editions of games to increase their profits.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: mugs
They don't bother me. I think they should be well-integrated and unobtrusive.

This. If I'm playing NBA 2K 10, for example, and there are ads along the court for Gatorade or the halftime show is brought to you by Nike, I have no problem with that.

Now, if in Final Fantasy XIII, I'm running along and see billboards for Coca Cola, we got a problem there...

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: mugs
They don't bother me. I think they should be well-integrated and unobtrusive.

This. If I'm playing NBA 2K 10, for example, and there are ads along the court for Gatorade or the halftime show is brought to you by Nike, I have no problem with that.

Now, if in Final Fantasy XIII, I'm running along and see billboards for Coca Cola, we got a problem there...

^^

what he said.

 

[Razgriz]

Do any of you feel like this guy does? I am frankly sick of advertising everywhere, and gamers shouldn't accept it just because it's everywhere else. I realize that there's a difference between gatorade in a sports game, and ads for movies/products unrelated to the game, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. We are still paying $60 for a new game with advertising. It wouldn't be such a big deal if the prices were $50 or less. I know I'm shouting in the wind here, but we can do better than putting up and shutting up you know?

How about we start boycotting the products advertised in games we play (that we pay $60 for)? Instead of using the products that are promoted, we can set up a website to boycott the products that are promoted. This would require little sacrifice on the gamer's part, as they wouldn't have to give up a game they just bought. Instead, they could just make the game a useless, or even a very risky platform for advertisers. Once advertisers realize that the platform could result in NEGATIVE sales, they will back off, and pull their money out.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

It doesn't bother me when done right.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Do any of you feel like this guy does? I am frankly sick of advertising everywhere, and gamers shouldn't accept it just because it's everywhere else. I realize that there's a difference between gatorade in a sports game, and ads for movies/products unrelated to the game, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. We are still paying $60 for a new game with advertising. It wouldn't be such a big deal if the prices were $50 or less. I know I'm shouting in the wind here, but we can do better than putting up and shutting up you know?

How about we start boycotting the products advertised in games we play (that we pay $60 for)? Instead of using the products that are promoted, we can set up a website to boycott the products that are promoted. This would require little sacrifice on the gamer's part, as they wouldn't have to give up a game they just bought. Instead, they could just make the game a useless, or even a very risky platform for advertisers. Once advertisers realize that the platform could result in NEGATIVE sales, they will back off, and pull their money out.

It's all about context. Ads in an appropriate place are fine, for example, sports games. Blatant money-grabbing ads that are totally out of place are where I draw the line.

Do you complain about ads on cable TV? You pay for that as well and in fact, it is much worse, since on TV, ads are a significant portion of your viewing time, whereas ads in games are usually nothing more than a silly annoyance.

When the gameplay stops for 30 seconds to show me a McDonald's ad, then I will get upset. Until then, it's not really a big deal.

The developers/publishers are going to get their money somehow, either by jacking up the price of the games or by selling advertising partnerships. I'd much rather have unobtrusive ads than pay $70+ for a game.

 

[mugs]

Yeah I'm not going to inconvenience myself by boycotting companies because they're doing something that doesn't even bother me.

I also pay $60 per month for cable TV, and it's full of ads. (We've had this discussion before, so I might as well respond ahead of time - some of your subscription fees ARE being used to pay for non-premium channels that have advertisements; cable networks rely on both ad revenue and fees from cable providers. Also, cable programs have blocks that the cable provider is allowed to fill with their own ads, and they sell those ad blocks to local businesses. No matter how you look at it, you're paying $60 a month for TV with advertising)

 

[Razgriz]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Do any of you feel like this guy does? I am frankly sick of advertising everywhere, and gamers shouldn't accept it just because it's everywhere else. I realize that there's a difference between gatorade in a sports game, and ads for movies/products unrelated to the game, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. We are still paying $60 for a new game with advertising. It wouldn't be such a big deal if the prices were $50 or less. I know I'm shouting in the wind here, but we can do better than putting up and shutting up you know?

How about we start boycotting the products advertised in games we play (that we pay $60 for)? Instead of using the products that are promoted, we can set up a website to boycott the products that are promoted. This would require little sacrifice on the gamer's part, as they wouldn't have to give up a game they just bought. Instead, they could just make the game a useless, or even a very risky platform for advertisers. Once advertisers realize that the platform could result in NEGATIVE sales, they will back off, and pull their money out.

It's all about context. Ads in an appropriate place are fine, for example, sports games. Blatant money-grabbing ads that are totally out of place are where I draw the line.

Do you complain about ads on cable TV? You pay for that as well and in fact, it is much worse, since on TV, ads are a significant portion of your viewing time, whereas ads in games are usually nothing more than a silly annoyance.

When the gameplay stops for 30 seconds to show me a McDonald's ad, then I will get upset. Until then, it's not really a big deal.

The developers/publishers are going to get their money somehow, either by jacking up the price of the games or by selling advertising partnerships. I'd much rather have unobtrusive ads than pay $70+ for a game.

Don't watch TV anymore, so that argument doesn't apply to me. One of the reasons I torrent/hulu my TV shows now is because of the ridiculous amount of advertising. There's no telling where in-game advertising is heading, it could very well be getting to that point. Of course, us the gamers give a little, and the developers/publisher will find an opportunity to take a mile.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Don't watch TV anymore, so that argument doesn't apply to me. One of the reasons I torrent/hulu my TV shows now is because of the ridiculous amount of advertising. There's no telling where in-game advertising is heading, it could very well be getting to that point. Of course, us the gamers give a little, and the developers/publisher will find an opportunity to take a mile.

Yet, bizarrely, those Hulu ads are already way more intrusive than the ads AT is talking about, yet you seem to give them a free pass. Yay for double standards!

 

[Razgriz]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Don't watch TV anymore, so that argument doesn't apply to me. One of the reasons I torrent/hulu my TV shows now is because of the ridiculous amount of advertising. There's no telling where in-game advertising is heading, it could very well be getting to that point. Of course, us the gamers give a little, and the developers/publisher will find an opportunity to take a mile.

Yet, bizarrely, those Hulu ads are already way more intrusive than the ads AT is talking about, yet you seem to give them a free pass. Yay for double standards!

difference is I can get up and do something else, switch windows etc. In a game, there's no avoiding it, you're stuck with the ads. Try again. Oh and last time I checked, I didn't pay for Hulu, did I?

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Don't watch TV anymore, so that argument doesn't apply to me. One of the reasons I torrent/hulu my TV shows now is because of the ridiculous amount of advertising. There's no telling where in-game advertising is heading, it could very well be getting to that point. Of course, us the gamers give a little, and the developers/publisher will find an opportunity to take a mile.

I see. So instead, you steal the content.

:thumbsdown:

You've already made your own point. There is no telling where in-game advertising is going. Presently, it's not going in the direction of being completely in-your-face, and when it does, then the battle lines will be drawn. Until then, relax. Those animated ads on the 360 Dashboard that you can only see if you scroll to that area aren't hurting anyone. Madden NFL Halftime brought to you by PowerAde is not a big deal.

 

[Razgriz]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Don't watch TV anymore, so that argument doesn't apply to me. One of the reasons I torrent/hulu my TV shows now is because of the ridiculous amount of advertising. There's no telling where in-game advertising is heading, it could very well be getting to that point. Of course, us the gamers give a little, and the developers/publisher will find an opportunity to take a mile.

I see. So instead, you steal the content.

:thumbsdown:

You've already made your own point. There is no telling where in-game advertising is going. Presently, it's not going in the direction of being completely in-your-face, and when it does, then the battle lines will be drawn. Until then, relax. Those animated ads on the 360 Dashboard that you can only see if you scroll to that area aren't hurting anyone. Madden NFL Halftime brought to you by PowerAde is not a big deal.

so you consider OTA broadcasting stealing? It's free after all. am I stealing if I DVR the content and skip the ads, or record it via HTPC to watch later on?

 

[gorcorps]

While ads don't make me personally just go out and buy something right away, they definitely influence what people consider to be the 'better brand' of the bunch. I think most people are affected whether they admit it or not. I'm much more apt to try axe just once now that I've heard about it, and know what it is, rather than just seeing it on the store shelf an saying 'well I might as well get this even though I have no clue what the hell it is or if it's good'.

I've tried axe once and it smells like ca-ca, so I won't be buying their shit again... but they got me that once which is more than the other guy I never heard of right next to it.

 

[oznerol]

I do hate the "ads" when you first load a game that display the developer/publisher/publisher's best friend/co-publisher's dog/etc. I hate them more when they can't be skipped by pressing a button. Basically anything that wastes my time and keeps me from playing a game is annoying.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: Razgriz

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Don't watch TV anymore, so that argument doesn't apply to me. One of the reasons I torrent/hulu my TV shows now is because of the ridiculous amount of advertising. There's no telling where in-game advertising is heading, it could very well be getting to that point. Of course, us the gamers give a little, and the developers/publisher will find an opportunity to take a mile.

I see. So instead, you steal the content.

:thumbsdown:

You've already made your own point. There is no telling where in-game advertising is going. Presently, it's not going in the direction of being completely in-your-face, and when it does, then the battle lines will be drawn. Until then, relax. Those animated ads on the 360 Dashboard that you can only see if you scroll to that area aren't hurting anyone. Madden NFL Halftime brought to you by PowerAde is not a big deal.

so you consider OTA broadcasting stealing? It's free after all. am I stealing if I DVR the content and skip the ads, or record it via HTPC to watch later on?

Are the torrents being hosted by the content providers, or by jackbauer24_l33tzilla who ripped the show from his DVR? You're really setting up the straw man, here.

You just have the entitlement mentality that everything should be free for you because you say so. So much so that you can't even sit through a few seconds of ads to get these shows for free.

These TV shows don't just get created out of thin air. It takes time and money to create them. The content providers need to get paid somehow. The same goes with games. If it's not through direct pricing, then it's usually through advertising partnerships. That's how the real world works.

BTW, the OTA broadcasting red herring is a fish out of water because OTA broadcasting is a federally regulated area with content provided by licensed stations. The same with their websites, which are setup by the company to provide their content in the manner that they choose, since you know, they are the ones who paid for and produced the content, and have the right to control how it is distributed. Any more straw men or red herrings you wish to trot out to try and justify your behavior?

I highly doubt that "heroz_4_free_HD!!!1111one" is a licensed distributor of content. :roll:

 

[Razgriz]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Razgriz

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Don't watch TV anymore, so that argument doesn't apply to me. One of the reasons I torrent/hulu my TV shows now is because of the ridiculous amount of advertising. There's no telling where in-game advertising is heading, it could very well be getting to that point. Of course, us the gamers give a little, and the developers/publisher will find an opportunity to take a mile.

I see. So instead, you steal the content.

:thumbsdown:

You've already made your own point. There is no telling where in-game advertising is going. Presently, it's not going in the direction of being completely in-your-face, and when it does, then the battle lines will be drawn. Until then, relax. Those animated ads on the 360 Dashboard that you can only see if you scroll to that area aren't hurting anyone. Madden NFL Halftime brought to you by PowerAde is not a big deal.

so you consider OTA broadcasting stealing? It's free after all. am I stealing if I DVR the content and skip the ads, or record it via HTPC to watch later on?

Are the torrents being hosted by the content providers, or by jackbauer24_l33tzilla who ripped the show from his DVR? You're really setting up the straw man, here.

I was talking about network TV, not premium cable channels. After all network television is freely broadcast OTA and online. Torrents is just another way of getting those broadcasts, in better quality.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: Razgriz

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Razgriz

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Razgriz
Don't watch TV anymore, so that argument doesn't apply to me. One of the reasons I torrent/hulu my TV shows now is because of the ridiculous amount of advertising. There's no telling where in-game advertising is heading, it could very well be getting to that point. Of course, us the gamers give a little, and the developers/publisher will find an opportunity to take a mile.

I see. So instead, you steal the content.

:thumbsdown:

You've already made your own point. There is no telling where in-game advertising is going. Presently, it's not going in the direction of being completely in-your-face, and when it does, then the battle lines will be drawn. Until then, relax. Those animated ads on the 360 Dashboard that you can only see if you scroll to that area aren't hurting anyone. Madden NFL Halftime brought to you by PowerAde is not a big deal.

so you consider OTA broadcasting stealing? It's free after all. am I stealing if I DVR the content and skip the ads, or record it via HTPC to watch later on?

Are the torrents being hosted by the content providers, or by jackbauer24_l33tzilla who ripped the show from his DVR? You're really setting up the straw man, here.

I was talking about network TV, not premium cable channels. After all network television is freely broadcast OTA and online. Torrents is just another way of getting those broadcasts, in better quality.

Way to not answer my question. I'm done with you here. "Fight the power, man!"

:roll:

 

[mugs]

OK, let's not turn this into a discussion of the ethics of downloading TV shows. The OP is obviously very passionate about not viewing ads, regardless of the fact that those ads pay for so much of the content he consumes. Personally, I'm not so anti-ad. Ads can be entertaining and informative. One of the reasons I've never complained about the ads on the 360's dash is that they sometimes make me aware of content I otherwise wouldn't have known about. I don't watch live TV anymore either, so I've found that there are things that flew under my radar that I would have known about if I watched live TV. District 9? WTF is that?

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: mugs
The OP is obviously very passionate about not viewing ads, regardless of the fact that those ads pay for so much of the content he consumes.

The OP needs to go to ATOT and rant there, then, because this isn't _really_ a thread about video games to him.