The Sims Online to use McDonald's and Intel in the game.

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: C|net
No. 1 video game publisher Electronic Arts said on Monday that it has struck multimillion-dollar product placement deals with fast-food giant McDonald's and chip heavyweight Intel for its heavily anticipated life-simulation game "The Sims Online."

Detailed terms of EA's multimillion-dollar deal were not available but it will allow Intel's familiar jingle, its product logo, and computers using its Pentium 4 processor to appear in the game.

Players in the game also will be able to buy a McDonald's kiosk and sell the company's branded food products, earning "simoleons," the game's currency. Eating that food will also improve their standing within the game.

I guess it makes sense, since The Sims is the #1 selling PC game of all time. I'm very curious to see the online version.

 

[Nightfall]

I know someone who is using a closed beta. She really likes it and I have seen it. Still a little buggy, but updates are released every other day for it. The open beta is supposed to be fun too. Don't know if it will be worth the price though...

 

[BigJohnKC]

I guess that's cool, but the game didn't need product endorsement before to make it success. I'm excited to see this game come out - I loved the original, but haven't played it in a while.

 

[UNCjigga]

Eating that food will also improve their standing within the game.

Yeah well too bad it makes you a big fat fsck in real life!!

 

[neomits]

PA had a funny comic on it today


Linkage

PENNY ARCADE RULES!!

 

[Fausto]

Ugh. Product placement is getting more annoying by the minute. The latest Austin Powers flick had how many obvious shots of Pepsi, Britney, etc? It's disgusting how pervasive advertising is. :|

 

[SuperTool]

If it has ads, it better be free. I am not gonna pay to be bombarded by ads

 

[ElFenix]

next thing you know there will be ads in ultima online...

 

[gopunk]

maybe the sim mcdonalds can also miss its earnings

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
If it has ads, it better be free. I am not gonna pay to be bombarded by ads

product placement is a little different from "being bombarded". its like bmw in the bond films....

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
Ugh. Product placement is getting more annoying by the minute. The latest Austin Powers flick had how many obvious shots of Pepsi, Britney, etc? It's disgusting how pervasive advertising is. :|

Real life products make the game have a more realistic feeling. How would you like counterstrike without the M4A1, AK47, Steyr Aug, Sig Commandos, Desert Eagles but instead some random made up pistol/rifle? Although I do not like the advertising part of it on a heavy commercial scale.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: dexvx

Originally posted by: Fausto1
Ugh. Product placement is getting more annoying by the minute. The latest Austin Powers flick had how many obvious shots of Pepsi, Britney, etc? It's disgusting how pervasive advertising is. :|

Real life products make the game have a more realistic feeling. How would you like counterstrike without the M4A1, AK47, Steyr Aug, Sig Commandos, Desert Eagles but instead some random made up pistol/rifle? Although I do not like the advertising part of it on a heavy commercial scale.

That would only work if the manufacurers of those guns payed to have them in there. Not only that, but there are many military hobbyists who like realism. How many McDonalds hobbyists would actually put forth the effort to ask for McDs to be in the game? Other than the McD brass of course.

 

[Smolek]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
If it has ads, it better be free. I am not gonna pay to be bombarded by ads

you see a mcdonalds banner during in game but its not going to be like web ads

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: dexvx

Originally posted by: Fausto1
Ugh. Product placement is getting more annoying by the minute. The latest Austin Powers flick had how many obvious shots of Pepsi, Britney, etc? It's disgusting how pervasive advertising is. :|

Real life products make the game have a more realistic feeling. How would you like counterstrike without the M4A1, AK47, Steyr Aug, Sig Commandos, Desert Eagles but instead some random made up pistol/rifle? Although I do not like the advertising part of it on a heavy commercial scale.

That would only work if the manufacurers of those guns payed to have them in there. Not only that, but there are many military hobbyists who like realism. How many McDonalds hobbyists would actually put forth the effort to ask for McDs to be in the game? Other than the McD brass of course.

why does it matter whether somebody paid for them or not? realism is realism. i would much rather have a mcdonalds in the game than some cheesy McRonalds or Burger Queen.