Advertising vs. Entertainment
When I make the time to play games (and I would like to make the time to get involved in gaming again now that my children are getting old enough to play too), I play for entertainment and escapism. I rationalize it by mostly picking games that require some thought (strategy games), but I also enjoy mindless twitch games (I have spent more than a few hours playing Fusion Frenzy on the X-box with the kids) for pure entertainment and escapism.

Now, some video games are ruining the escapism aspect. Massive, an advertising agency owned by Microsoft, approached both Obama and McCain about the opportunity to advertise in gaming. Obama's campaign said yes and will be advertising in the following games:

Burnout Paradise
Madden 09
Nascar 09
NBA Live 08
Need for Speed Carbon
Need for Speed Prostreet
NFL on Tour
NHL 09
Skate

McCain said no. Glad to see at least one candidate (or campaign) draws the line somewhere. I can understand advertising on free games, but this is unacceptable on paid games. I will not buy nor play any game that ruins the escapism with advertising. Nor am I likely to buy any product nor vote for any candidate that ruins the experience by advertising in a game.

Click here for more details.

 
 
Comments

In-game advertising is one of the next "big things" according to many in the industry. In fact, id software (of Quake and Doom fame) is currently working on Quake Live, which is a free FPS that you play entirely in your browser. It's supported by advertisements which appear on billboards and similar surfaces within the game.

I can definitely see how political ads would ruin the escapism more than a Sprite ad or something... we're just used to seeing certain types of advertisements plastered all over the place.

Oh, and if you're interested in strategy games you might try the Space Empires 5 demo.

Posted by: RogerN | 10/16/2008 - 08:09 AM
 
 
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