Comments on: Google Buys AdScape Media

By: Dan Ficker

Dan Ficker — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:53:35 +0000

The interesting thing about in-game advertising is that, while the advertisers may lose if it’s done badly, the game makers definitely also get their reputation killed by all the fans who don’t want it there. It could be a really hard market to get to work well, but if targeted right, it could be great for everyone.

By: Dan Ficker

Dan Ficker — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:51:56 +0000

Well, yeah, if it distracts from the game, somebody's not doing their job well, in my opinion. The only way ads are cool is if they fit with the game. For example, I can see billboards in GTA or real sponsors on the sidelines of NBA Live 2007, but I surely don't want Coke logos all over Battle for Middle-Earth 2.

By: Joe Bowar

Joe Bowar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:02:29 +0000

Advertising within video games has become something of a joke as well as a massive annoyance amongst avid video game players. Things like having “Xbox” logos on the sides of tanks in Battlefield 2142 or advertising The Incredibles (for example) on in-game billboards becomes ridiculous after a while, and tends to distract from the “other-world” feel of a video game. What would be awesome (but won’t happen) is if Google has this company focus their resources on something else entirely. Unfortunately, and as video game players should know by now, if there is money to be made that has anything to do with video games, someone’s going to take advantage of that.