I just read this and it makes me cringe, how do you feel about it?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070105/ap_ ... dvertising

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As far as advertising goes, I don't mind it so much so long as it's not out of place in the game.

As far as everything else, I don't want to buy special content in any form for a game I already own. With the exception of expansion paks. But it better include a lot of new content. Otherwise, you're not gonna make me buy one game or movie in order to unlock stuff I already have (ugh, why'd they do this for Sonic Mega Collection Plus?), and I'm not gonna buy individual pieces of a game online.

5 DOLLARS FOR HORSE ARMOR!? BLASPHAMY!!!

Well I wouldn't mind buying parts of a game if it came out to the same price as a full game. Maybe I don't care so much if it has multiplayer, or some levels I just don't like. So I think this could provide a much better distribution method to get more money going back to the developers and not lining the pockets of Wal Mart, and various other department stores that essentially control which games people hear about.

As for advertising I don't have a huge problem with it, if like Draygone pointed out, it fits with the game. Sad at it is a lot of situations are made more authentic by having some advertising on them. Driving down a highway without seeing any billboards would seem empty if it's meant to be a representation of real life. So instead of having all the fake ads and pictures they would usually have, why not advertise real products there and increase ones revenue. Now advergames I do have a problem with, not really because they are advertising but because they generally suck.

But I think what most people miss is this has been going on since video games started. Yo Noid anyone, the Spot game, all the movie games pushed on the Atari. So this is nothing new, and now they have the technology to make these ads much more subtle and actually fit into the environment. Not that many will but this is the hope.

I think the best place to put them would be loading screens. You have to wait anyway, so if it's just a picture why not use that unused space for an ad.

Now if they start doing things analogous to flash ads and popups on the internet in my game, I will be returning that game to the store, and will encourage others not to buy the game.

So really it's all in how they present it. As long as it's not taking my attention away from playing the game I don't see the harm. Unlike TV it's possible to seamlessly integrate them in games in such a way to not overly distract the player or take away from the experience. So while a game like Shadow of the Colossus you couldn't seamlessly put ads in, in sports and racing games not having ads would feel weird, as they are part of the real life experience of those things. Not like I'm scared some ad is going to make me buy something I don't want, so if it's not bothering me, and helps fund the people to make a better game because of the extra funding then what's the harm.

As for the $5 for horse armor, and paying for cheat codes, that's just retarded and makes me feel cheated. That should be part of the game to begin with.

I actually think that loading screens would be the worst possible place to put up an ad. It'd be the equivelant of having a commercial while you're playing your game. "We will now be entering the Hidden Temple of the Cosmos. But first, a word from our sponsor." Funny in concept, but it'd be a total distraction if used.

For what it's worth the Yo Noid and Spot games might've been advertisements for Dominos and 7-Up, but they were still games. You don't see anybody complaining about the Burger King games. Or at least I don't.

Your last point is why I'm a bit iffy about buying parts of a new game in general. If people go along with it, developers will be less likely to include that extra level with the game if they could make a profit by selling it separate for $5. And if I ever play a game that does wind up being like that, I'll be complaining about it here first.

Not only that but what if Npc's told you an ad like from Burger King after they finish say something.

Megaman talking to Dr. Light.

Dr.Light: Megaman! Wily is at it again! Bk! Have it your way!

CoolSpot rocked.

its undeniable.

But aren't loading screens themselves a big distraction. I forget where but I read an article recently talking about loading screens and how much they take away from the immersion quality of a game. Since essentially at a loading screen the game comes to a complete halt. So if the loading screen is already going to last a couple of seconds (10+) why not have an ad there instead of a black screen. I don't see how it could possibly take away from the experience more than it already does.

So in that instance I don't really see the problem, yeah it's not subtle, but it's not detracting from the game anymore than having the loading screen. While not all loading screens are avoidable, a lot of them could be by much smarter coding on the part of the developer, or sacrificing a little glitz for gameplay. You don't need the best graphics ever to make a good game, and if that's what your hoping will make your game different, I don't think I will be playing your game anyway.

Changing gears a bit, I still find it funny how people are up in arms about some small ads on billboards in games, but have no problem playing the burger king games. There they're practically forcing the brand down your throat as it encompasses the whole game and has to be bought with a value meal for Christ's sake. If those games were actually good I would be worried this would be the current trend instead of subtle product placement in games where that kind of stuff fits. Good thing they show their price tag and are so repetitive it's ridiculous (sneak king anyway, man that was boring to watch or play).

Maybe it's me but I don't have a problem if my Sim is drinking Coke, but I do have one where the whole game is about one product or franchise. Call me crazy.

Oh yes, I can see it now. Here we are playing a game of Halo and up comes a loading screen advertising Sprite. Totally not distracting.[/sarcasm]

And don't turn this around on me, either. I'm sure seeing that advertisement for Sprite during the load screen in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 3 wouldn't be near out of place, but it'd still be distracting. I want to think about the upcoming race, not about wanting to buy soda.

I really don't mind load screens myself. They help show that the game is doing something and hasn't frozen. If the load times are limited to a few seconds, get rid of the load screens, but otherwise let me know that the game is in working order.

Of course, there are "load screens" out there that don't take away from the immersion. Look at the Ratchet & Clank games. Loading each map pretty much consists of Ratchet flying his ship through space at different angles, the load ending as he zooms to the planet/space station/asteroid field nearby. It's not always possible to have such a load screen, though.

Oh wow... so people really DID play that game. Interesting...

For the most part it doesn't bother me. If it's completely out of place or just pointless then it annoys me. And it's always happened. Not like it's gonna change.

By pieces of games to suit your play style sounds interesting...But I think I'm just more of a package person. Even if I'm not gonna use a feature I still want it.

And yes. Coolspot rocks.