Activision Declines Use of In-Game Ads Out of "Respect"

[SinisterGehe]

At least they did something smart, for once.
But yeah I could handle a AD or two if they aren't pushed in to your face, (Indestructible Pepsi machines anyone?) And if they game cost would be under 20-25 euros purchase.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

and i thought common sense was inexistent in the little world of gaming developing...

 

[Tom Goldman]

Just when evidence had come out [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103474-In-Game-Ads-Are-Effective-So-Get-Ready-For-More] indicating that in-game advertisements have a positive effect on consumer spending, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has indicated a reluctance to use them at all. In comments made at a media conference today, Kotick stated that in-game ads are disrespectful to his customers.

Despite a perception by some [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102062-Psychonauts-Creator-Calls-Bobby-Kotick-Names] that Kotick is all about profit, he alleges that Activision is not focused on making that profit through in-game ads. "There was a time where we thought advertising and sponsorship was a big opportunity, but what we realized is our customers are paying $60 for a game or paying a monthly subscription fee and they don't really want to be barraged with sponsorship or advertising," Kotick said. "So being very respectful of our audiences, unless it's something that's really authentic and will enhance the game experience, we're generally not going to include something in the game."

"There may be future opportunities where you might offer a consumer an advertiser-supported experience so they wouldn't have to pay for it," he continued. "But as long as our audience is paying $60 for a game or a subscription fee I think we're going to limit the amount of advertising or sponsorship incorporated into a game."

This could go a long way for Kotick's image in the eyes of gamers. In-game advertising makes sense in certain titles, like Diablo III [http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Tony-Hawk-Skateboard-Bundle/dp/B0029TQV4E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1284602730&sr=8-2] and you see a Pepsi can monster that shakes himself up and fizzes on you as an attack. Thankfully, Activison has no plans to implement such a thing.

Source: IGN [http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/112/1120864p1.html]

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I see a Reading Comprehension 101 Error...

sure, for you

 

[Plinglebob]

I have no problem with ingame advertising as long as it fits with the world its in. The best 2 examples I can think of is Alan Wake and Prototype. In Alan Wake, the Verizon ads were a bit too obtrusive (though I didnt know they are a real company) but the idea of getting a battery maker to sponser really helped with the immersion. In Prototype, you're running around New York which has a boat load of adverts in real life so making them real instead of made up is fine with me.

 

[Banana Phone Man]

Meh, he can say this because he is sitting on that money making pile that is CoD. Most game developers don't have that kind of money and maybe need ingame adds to bump up their cash. He's still speaking out of his arse.

 

[DeadAccountMoveAlong]

Kotick wins no respect from me, especially given I just read that he is going to charge for cutscenes. I've actually enjoyed some in-game advertising, I've never seen an intrusive form that has ruined my life.

 

[jonnosferatu]

It's not so much out of respect as it is out of the knowledge that doing it would cause significant negative PR for the company and do more damage to their profits than it'd help. Kotick's an exec of a publicly-traded company; there is no way in hell he's doing this for moral reasons.

Not that I'd expect him to, obviously.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

Here's an idea for advertising...

Pepsi could pay huge to have Coke ads in games like Kane & Lynch 2.

 

[IckleMissMayhem]

Since when does Bobby Kotick care about what gamers thought of his products? I thought his usual stance was "I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of how much money I have."

I reckon Activision hasn't been offered as much money as they thought they would, so they've sacked off the idea. Anyway, it's a good thing!!

 

[jamesworkshop]

I think the real reason is in-game ads are not great money makers because you can't measure to tell how many times it gets seen or for how long

 

[Jared]

...he is actually doing something...good? I think I nearly dies of a heartattack...

 

[vxicepickxv]

In-game advertising makes sense in certain titles, like Tony Hawk or Guitar Hero that use real-world products.

Translation - Unless it doesn't make any sense, we're going to throw it everywhere we can.

 

[Evilsanta]

Awww...So this means no Pepsi can monsters? Dang...

OT: I never thought i would hear this from Kotick...The guy that whants to make cash by selling cutscences.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

In comments made at a media conference today, Kotick stated that in-game ads are disrespectful to his customers.

Really? REALLY? Are these the same customers you were saying earlier that should pay more for games, and who wanted a pay subscription, you lying, manipulative weasel?

And who are you talking to? Are you talking to gamers? How about you start talking to the Governator before he cuts your umbilical chord full of money?

"There may be future opportunities where you might offer a consumer an advertiser-supported experience so they wouldn't have to pay for it," he continued. "But as long as our audience is paying $60 for a game or a subscription fee I think we're going to limit the amount of advertising or sponsorship incorporated into a game."

So, as long as people are paying you money they don't have to have adverts. You utter con-man.
And it's not even "Get rid of", it's "Limit".

This could go a long way for Kotick's image in the eyes of gamers.

Through a telescopic rifle, perhaps.

 

[Caliostro]

Activision Declines Use of In-Game Ads Out of "Respect"

My reaction.


Activision and "Respect" in the same sentence? Someone started April fool's early this year.

 

[BonsaiK]

I wish the Escapist would stop editorialising their news articles, and telling me how I should feel about the news presented at the end of each one. I think in-game advertising is a great way to get game funding, and having a fizzy drink monster in Diablo III would be awesome.