Microsoft, EA Sign In-Game Ads Deal
By Shawn on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 9:45 AM PST In Electronic Arts, Gamer Life, Games, Microsoft
Players will find their virtual sports games have more in common with the real thing than ever this year. Microsoft has signed a deal with EA to insert ads into popular sports games. “Madden”, “NASCAR,” “Tiger Woods” golf, “NHL” hockey and upcoming “Skate” skateboarding games will play host to in-game adverts as Microsoft tries to get a jump on the competition.
“The real issue here is that we’re making a network play. If I just had ‘Madden,’ while great, it would be of limited value to advertisers,” said Cory Van Arsdale, chief executive of Massive, a game ad company that Microsoft bought last year for $200 million.
Is the ability to sign big name endoresments too far away in the dynasty modes of any of these titles? Will franchise mode also mean you have the ability to assign the stadium’s lucrative advertising contracts? We’ll have to see if advertisers can infiltrate the market as a part of the gameplay or if they just continue to flash their signs in the background. Personally I like the “realism” of having the sponsors in the game. I just want it to complement my game playing in some way.
Check out all the details on Reuters.
If it’s anything like Battlefield 2142, you’ll feel that it will only add to the game. So long as it doesn’t slow down game-play or any other ill effects, there is absolutely no issue with it.
As long as it’s in designated advertisement zones that are already there, I dont mind. Just don’t have the splash screen of a game say “Madden 2009, brought to you by Pepsi”.
@peter, dont hold your breath, i wouldn’t doubt that for one bit