I just had an interesting thought. As I stood and my first smooth Camel cigarette of the day, looking down upon the whirl of people swarming to get to their jobs in their suits and fancy briefcases, I wondered about if product placement in games is so bad?
Hear me out before you start lecturing on the risks of smoking or why I should shut the fuck up – Why must it be such a bad thing that big companies pay game developers to advertise their products in games? I mean yeah, sure, it could cheapen the experience of seeing a big Coca Cola billboard when you’re blazing your way through Liberty City on the back of a chopper, with the wind in your hair and the cops on your ass. But what if it could be different?
What are really the negatives about this? Developers get a bigger budget for better tools, more staff or just more time to polish and improve on the game. However, the risks are that the game in question could become a joke, with advertisement on EVERYTHING, maybe even having the main character dress up to look like Ronald McFuckingDonald… Oh the awful thought!
But does this really need to happen? Can’t the publishers and developers agree with the sponsors that their advertisements will be seen, but that will be it? I would like to believe that most of the game designers and producers love their creations too much to have it be cheapened just for the sake of money. If that were to happen – we, the gamers, will surely tell them what the fuck is up. But seriously, though?
Picture playing GTA IV and watching a cutscene where Johnny Klebitz standing by his bike, waiting for his fellow brothers, as he pulls up a pack of Marlboro cigarettes. He jerks one out as he lights it up, leaning back on his ride as the nicotine enters his blood stream and calms him down.
I can’t be the only one who thinks that the idea would be pretty cool, as Rockstar tried (and succeeded) to create a world similar to ours, and having something as universal as Marlboro in the game could very well be useful as a link to the real world, making it easier for the Player to relate to the character, whether he smokes Marlboro or not.
It’s all about self-discipline, you see. Not giving into the money and lavish deals of the corporate world. And I’m talking about small things here, people. I don’t want to see big, blatant and arbitrary advertisement that throws me out my suspension of disbelief, but merely small details that enhance the game world and the immersive qualities of the game.
What do you think? Flame on!
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November 29, 2009
#1
I hate to say it, but for the most part i liked Product placement in games, it always felt like a real world. Like using Dodge for cars in Rainbow six Vegas.
But there can be down sides to it and they can be frustrating.
November 29, 2009
#2
Product placement in games can be a wonderful tool to add immersion to the game if used properly -such as in the example you gave- but most of the time it just ends up out of control with ads for shit that doesn’t make sense in places that don’t make sense.
November 29, 2009
#3
I dont see a problem with these in game ads becuase it adds alittle more realism to the game. I personally like for example MLB2k9 and the in game advertising it makes it feel like the games alive. but it could be alittle excessive like when i played one of the CSI games it advertised visa in every scene i went into. So i agree that in game advertising is good and brings out more realism to video games
November 29, 2009
#4
I think people are just looking at too many small things and not enjoying the game enough. Is that Coca-Cola machine or a CompUSA billboard really hurting the game? No. No it’s not.
November 29, 2009
#5
don’t you think you’re overreacting a little here?
November 29, 2009
#6
Advertisements make a game more realistic. I cant imagine racing around Daytona with NASCARs in GT5 with without advertisements everywhere, it just would not be like the real thing.
November 29, 2009
#7
As long as they don’t interfere with my game it’s ok. When you play a game, then it breaks to a commercial of a product then we have a problem.
November 29, 2009
#8
but in others it sticks out like a major sore thumb. When I played the first NFS: Underground it made me roll my eyes *every* time I raced by the Best Buy. I instantly spot it in movies too. When Peter Parker is trying his web shooters for the first time in his room in Spider-Man, he webs up a Dr. Pepper can, specifically. It could have been a lamp, or a clock radio, but him shooting the Dr. Pepper can *instantly* took me out of the movie. It made me specifically think “I’m being advertised to.”
That’s just not cool.
November 29, 2009
#9
well a realistically a dr pepper can can be just lying around the room and can be realistically the first thing he sees.
November 29, 2009
#10
Why? Because a kid in HS would never have a Dr. Pepper can in his bedroom? I understand having an issue with feeling like you’re watching a commercial, but something like that is pretty minor. Like most of the others above, I don’t have a problem as long as it’s done appropriately and believably. Honestly, what annoys me even more than product placements is when everyone in a movie is consuming fake products, unless this is done for comedic effect (as in Repo Man), then *that* is what takes me out of a movie. Also, when the product just doesn’t fit the situation, that’s also a problem… If Frodo whipped a Dr. Pepper out of his backpack while making his way through Moria, I’d have been a bit peeved.
November 29, 2009
#11
As long as the game takes place in the “real world” it is fine by me. Sports games, or even the Tom Clancy games are good examples of where it is appropriate to place real ads.
THIS AD however crossed the line. I can see a Coca Cola machine here or there, but come on!
November 29, 2009
#12
well, there are a fair few coca cola machines in real life too
November 29, 2009
#13
I don’t mind it. If it’s realistic who cares.
November 29, 2009
#14
It doesn’t REALLY bother me to see a coke machine, visa credit card, or smith and wesson gun, seeing i never really pay attention, and because it’s not over-kill. It’s subtle enought to be present without feeling intrusive. However, the first time i here a character say ” hop in my new 450 hp ford mustang, and i’ll show you the american advantage” then the line has been crossed.
November 29, 2009
#15
Haha I agree.
November 29, 2009
#16
It’s not like it’s stopping you from playing or anything. It doesn’t bother me at all.
November 29, 2009
#17
I don’t mind for advertisement as long as they fit the settings..
who would want a coca-cola/pepsi billboard on a steam-punk game? it would ruin the atmosphere and the immersion.. Grandturismo fits the criteria for a game that can be flooded with billboards that has SPRITE or Burger king.. etc..
November 29, 2009
#18
or cocoa cola ad in Dragon Age origins
November 29, 2009
#19
I don’t mind it at all, but i will say that i did always enjoy checking out fake ads in games. Shows some creativity.
November 29, 2009
#20
In-game advertising. The more popular video games become, the more ads make it into each game.
Get used to it. This medium is fueled by buyers. $60+ for a game, 100+ limited editions, DLC and other add ons, peripherals, the list goes on…
I foresee video games taking a similar route movies have taken, with big budget titles being nothing more than an explosion filled, special effects induced car commercial, (Transformers). The scary thing is, most video games nowadays fit the criteria for mass in-game marketing, that criteria of course, meaning millions of people will buy said game. 100% Guaranteed.
November 29, 2009
#21
It would ruin some of the humor in the GTA series if they used real products. They create an entirely fictional set of consumer products for their games, usually poking fun at their real life counterparts.
November 29, 2009
#22
I’m all for it. As long as it keeps the cost of games down. I don’t wanna end up paying $80 and up in the next generation of videogames.
November 29, 2009
#23
i wonder if the author knows that the king from burger king is in fight night round 3?
November 29, 2009
#24
I’m paying to play a game, I’m not paying to look at advertisements. It’s a slippery slope.
First, it’s subtle hints like a character sporting a Sony Ericsson. Then it’s a poster that a character conveniently “passes by” on a locked path. Then it’s blatantly in your face like a commercial break. But there’s something far worse than looking at a coke bottle.
Political ads.
November 29, 2009
#25
I really don’t care if there is a Coke vending machine in my GTA games. I’m not gonna look at it and say “ooh, the agony!! Ahh, I can’t play this game now?!!”
I can understand if it’s getting in my way, but seeing Burger King billboards and Mountain Dew vending machines all make my gaming experience much more realistic and familiar.
How many times have you seen a Burger Shot in Grand Theft Auto and thought “haha, it’s a Burger King parody!”
And plus, how else are they gonna recoup? Nowadays games don’t sell too well unless they appeal to our mothers…
November 29, 2009
#26
Coke, Pepsi, hell even Tide pay cash to these developers to advertise in a game plus the cash helps out the developers aswell. And it makes the game look more real like NHL 2010 the boards would look boring with out advertisement same with racing games. You won’t see Coors Light or Camels advertised in a game thats regulated by the goverment on where they can advertise.
November 29, 2009
#27
I don’t see whats wrong with it. I think that Coca-Cola can dispenser makes the game more real. As long as its not overwhelming and unrealistic (for example, if the Coca-Cola advertisement was the shirt I was wearing or written on the top of my gun), then it would be annoying.
November 29, 2009
#28
If it’s set in the real world, who cares?
I have Coke machnes outside my house. If I see a Coke machine in a video game taking place on planet Earth, during any period within the last few/next few decades, I really don’t care.
If it’s blatant and ridiculous, that’s one thing, but if it’s not forced in, there’s no reason to get all flustered.
November 29, 2009
#29
First coca-cola machine i ever saw in a game was in parasite eve i thought it was the coolest thing. Heck im drinking it right, that ad must of worked.
November 29, 2009
#30
Actually i don’t like going to chiken something in GTA, i would like to see same Mcd’s ou KFC, that’s realistic..
It’s like playing GT without the Brand/Model of the car.. yeah i know it’s a simulator, but can you imagine that?
November 29, 2009
#31
There’s nothing wrong with product placement in videogames. Especially the ones like GTA which try to emulate real life. In real life you see Coca – Cola adds all over the place, therefore you HAVE to see them in the game or the game will be less realistic. Advertisements in games only help realism, take Fifa or Pro Evolution Soccer for example. If you were playing Football in a stadium that had ZERO advertising – it would be the stupidest, most un – realistic Football game in the world.
November 29, 2009
#32
@ #31
desagree, for exemple, if the stadium it’s empty it can show advertising in it’s seats.. like many stadiums do..
November 29, 2009
#33
Ehhh………what? I said if a stadium had ZERO advertising. If a stadium uses it’s seats for advertising then that would mean it has more than zero advertising…………
November 29, 2009
#34
Whining about product placement in videos games being out of control? Take a look outside! Hell, take a look around your house. Product placement, and company logos are everywhere. That’s call “capitalism”… And business. Its all about making money. I’m far more bothered by product placement in the real world than I am about it being in some game.
November 29, 2009
#35
If the ads were kept at a minimum and only used when it made real world sense, it would be fine. But you and I know corporations and ad agencies are never satisfied. Give them an inch and they want a mile. It might be ok for a little while, but soon they’d be pushing to have ads in between loading screens. Heck, anywhere they could! Take the DVR, for instance. Ad agencies are trying to find a way to stop people from fast forwarding thru commercials. They’ve even contemplated having commercials play at super slow speeds so that when you fast forward, you still could see their ads. WTF!? See what I’m getting at? No amount of money will ever be enough for these people. Give them a little and all it’s doing is adding fuel to the fire.
November 29, 2009
#36
Also, to the person above saying he doesn’t like the fact that in GTA there are fake restaurants. Get over it. No company in their right mind will ever license a real restaurant to a game in which you can walk in the joint and blow everyone away a gun. No one will ever want to be associated with that happening. And if they do, well, you can imagine the fallout they will receive when life imitates art. And trust me, it eventually will happen.
November 30, 2009
#37
It is bad because it really hampers the “video games are art” argument. I mean would the Mona Lisa have been so revered if she was holding a can of pepsi in her hands???
November 30, 2009
#38
Rainbow Six Vegas 2 already has done this… and has changed the add posters in the game.. When it first released there were adds for Far Cry 2s release, now its something else… I think its the inly place marketing sould be on the 360. It adds emmersion, and serves its purpose without clutter up the dash menus that are not the marketplace.
November 30, 2009
#39
What bothers me more and takes me out of a game is seeing a fake advertisement of a real one. Like the Taco Bell in Modern Warfare 2 etc. If they wanted to put Taco Bell and other stores in there for realism, then strike up a F’N Deal with them and put the real logos and stores in the game. But Mock advertiseing is the worst!
December 4, 2009
#40
+1 to recon’s post
add to the list: red alert 2: yuri’s revenge has few missions which involves few Hollywood stars, without their permission:
Sammy Stallion, Arnie Frankenfurter , Flint Westwood
with Massivesoft Campus (microsoft was the original brand)
and if Einstein was alive they would’ve had twisted his name as well
December 14, 2009
#41
>maybe even having the main character dress up to look like Ronald McFuckingDonald… Oh the awful thought!
I hate to be the one to tell you, but in Japan Dragon Quest IX had a special set up with McDonald’s where you could download an exclusive red (Ronald McFuckingDonald) wig for your character if you connected your DS at a McD’s