Microsoft Reportedly Looking Into Ad Integration in Free-to-Play Games - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 16 April 2022 / 2,258 Views
Microsoft is reportedly looking at adding ad integration into free-to-play games. This includes billboard and/or posters for real products in the games themselves, according to Business Insider.
"One of the sources speculated Microsoft isn’t currently interested in collecting a cut of ad revenue because it wants to provide more money-making opportunities to developers who make free-to-play games," reads the report via VideoGamesChronicle.
Two sources say that Microsoft "moving cautiously and intends to create a 'private marketplace,' where only select brands can insert ads into games in a way that doesn’t disrupt the gameplay experience." The advertisements will be things like "digitally rendered billboards in a car racing game."
The report added, "Insider was unable to learn if Xbox will also offer other types of in-game ad units, like avatar skins or video ads that play in gaming lobbies. Insider was also unable to determine if Microsoft has pitched the Xbox offer to advertisers yet."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Free to play games have to make money somehow, and I would much prefer this than microtransactions. Of course, they'll probably wind up doing both.
My SNES looks better with each passing day lol
The only kind of ad integration acceptable is "in-game add".
Like monster drinks you can have in Death stranding, or perhaps "radio ads" on GTA, perhaps "real ads" in a city outdoor, ad on character clothing.... Organic ads that get mixed on the gaming experience.
The Monster drinks were cool, but, they took them out in Director's Cut.
As the saying goes - when things are free, you are the product.
This is how it starts ppl...
Give them an inch and they take a country mile.
f2p phone games have been doing this for the longest time.
Product placement in movies
Quality video games will handle product placement and ads that fit the world without any difficulty. Trash games will be trash whether they run ads or not.
I see no problem.
I have never understood the issue people have with product placements in games and movies. I think having fake brands in the world I`m inhabiting is actually distracting to me. Like, if I see a Coca-Coca billboard my brain will not even register it, but if I see a "Coga-Coga" one, my brain instantly goes "wtf?"
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