RSSToyota Signs On to Massive In-Game Ads
By Ed Oswald | Published July 24, 2006, 12:42 PM
Microsoft subsidiary Massive said Monday that it had launched its in-game advertising unit, with Toyota as its debut sponsor. The company will advertise its new 2007 Yaris Sedan in the Funcom title "Anarchy Online," an online multiplayer game. Gamers will be encouraged to interact with the ads to see an image of the new automobile. As well as in "Anarchy Online," the program will run across several other games utilizing Massive's technology, the company said.
To promote the Yaris, 2-D in game elements and video and audio ads would support the campaign. As with all ads in the network, any placed advertising does not affect the gameplay. "Leveraging this new interactive ad element from Massive allows gamers to interact with our brand in an environment they're passionate about," Toyota corporate marketing manager Kim McCullough said.
Ahh, and the complaining begins.
Hey, guys, where were you when Yo! Noid was released on NES? How about Pepsiman on SNES? How about when baseball games incorporated stadium ads like real baseball? Where were you guys then?
Asinine.
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|My comments weren't about advertising in games, per se, but choice of WHAT gets advertised. Seems really stupid to me to put an advert for a car in a sci-fi/fantasy video game.
If you want to advertise cars, fine, put them in a game that has something to do with cars.
~dnc
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|I wasn't replying to your comments per se, but I agree that a car ad in a fantasy game is stupid. My point was more that in-game ads are nothing new, and people rebelling against the concept are about 18 years too late.
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|LOL, good point... Advertising in gaming is nothing new... I remember an pro/con article in Game Informer a couple of months ago (I'll have to see if I can dig up a link). It was really interesting to see both sides of the issue, especially when you throw in micro-transactions.
I also think I stumbled across the stupiest one yet. My daughter was playing one of her online Pokemon games. In the game, there was a billboard advertising Secret (yes, the "strong enough for a man, tender enough for a woman" stuff!) deodorant. I could only shake my head in disbelief... lol
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|Why would anyone buy a car because they saw an ad in a game they were playing?
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|The same reason why people bought Mini-cooper after they saw Austin Powers.
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|Touché. People are stupid.
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|Ads have finally been implemented into gaming fully. it's been a few years since the first, and the idea is brilliant. (we see ad spots in practically every major film that's released. I'll have to say that ads in movies have been pretty "seamlessly integrated."
-while the toyota yaris may not fit Anarchy online... I'm willing to bet they went with MMORPG's first because it has the widest playerbase/most subscribers... -they'll hit the biggest market first, and then go with with the niche gaming generes later. (as well theres already many other companies who are customers with massive.)
as for pc tool - the media/news material for today is esp. fun to poke at =p
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|Perhaps AO is trying to be more futuristic. Like the in-between for Warhammer, and Warhammer40k.
No horses, no Panther tanks, just lots of Flex-Fuel F-150's.
Can't build 'em without iron, power, and...
... um ...
... corn.
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|Countdown to unofficial patches to block in-game ads in 3... 2... 1...
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|ooo I bet the hardcore RP'ers will be up in arms over that :P
Yes I agree the ad should at the very least fit into the game so as not to totally destroy the immersive environment.
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|Yes, sire, these horses will do quite well. But might I suggest a Toyota Prius?
The Orcs will never know what hit them, sir.
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|dude, you're in a roll today .... this has to be the funniest post you've ever made
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|They should make the ads appear in the sky every time someone uses magic.
If the ads are successful, and they can subsidize the cost of the batteries with the revenue, they would then be able to claim they were partially powered my Magic.
Imagine, if you would, thousands of overwieght men, leaving their (Mom's) house, wizards hats on, cruising down the freeway....in their Magic powered Prius's(ses?)
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|dude... what the hell are you drinking today? I agree with Das mod, you are totally on a roll...
Laughing my a$$ off over here
~dnc
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|Amusing to look at one's self in the mirror??
*ducks*
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|WTS +5 Doritos of Rejuvenation, PST...
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|So I assume these games are going to be cheaper, now the game manufacturers have another revenue stream. Yeh right....
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|Ok, so what exactly does a Toyota Yaris have to do with AO? I'm just wondering here. Can your character ride around on one during quests?
sheesh, if you are going to put in microadvertising, at least make it relevant to the game!
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|More than likely the ads will be more along the lines of those found in racing games, or shooters, such as billboards or signs/posters. I doubt it will be as drastic as adding major content, as the article directly says "any placed advertising does not affect the gameplay".
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|Sure, I agree... but in this instance, I still want to know WTH does a Toyota Yaris have to do with AO?!?!? lol
If you are going to advertise in a game, great. Show me ads for things like controllers, or PC upgrades... or hell, even Burger King so that after 4 hours of wasting my life, I will have an idea of what I want to eat... but, to me, a Toyota advert has no business being in a sci-fi based role playing game.
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|exactly ... i see this ads on NFS and racing series alike .... but toyota on lets say... WOW .... .......... ???
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|*sigh* It's a sad day in the fantasy world when you see a knight charging in to rescue you on top of his shiny, new 2007 Toyota 4Runner with fog lamps a blazin'!
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|It's WoW.
*sigh*
some people.... ;)
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|Toyota marketing people should have played the game. Ground Vehicles are pretty rubbish in the game http://auno.org/ao/db.php?id=117295 , flying is the way round Rubi-Ka.. Yalm much better http://auno.org/ao/db.php?id=117322
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