Author Topic: In Game Advertisements  (Read 22363 times)

jimdog33

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #20 on: September 19, 2012, 02:33:51 PM »
I think that'd be a pretty sad thing to do...
Normally i wouldn't mind anything like billboard ads, but in CoH the whole way organizations and stuff advertises make them part of the game universe. It's one of those slight things that build the overall game magic to me.
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eabrace

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #21 on: September 19, 2012, 02:35:27 PM »
Normally i wouldn't mind anything like billboard ads, but in CoH the whole way organizations and stuff advertises make them part of the game universe. It's one of those slight things that build the overall game magic to me.
If in-game advertising worked anything at all like it did when they tried it before, you'd only see a few billboards here and there replaced.  Not all of them would have real-world ads.
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Segev

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #22 on: September 19, 2012, 02:37:03 PM »
I think that'd be a pretty sad thing to do...
Normally i wouldn't mind anything like billboard ads, but in CoH the whole way organizations and stuff advertises make them part of the game universe. It's one of those slight things that build the overall game magic to me.
Valid concern.

Done well, it wouldn't remove the fictional in-universe advertisements; they just wouldn't be the only ones. Heck, clever marketing execs at the client purveyors would take the style and feel of CoH into account and design special ads that play on it. It might be a bit off-putting to have Stateman shilling for Apple, but it would be kind-of cool to see hints that Nemesis is behind, say, Pizza Hut's new delivery service. Charge purveyors extra to incorporate them as a patsy, location, or other such thing in a grander scheme in missions, or something. Product placement without going over-the-top about it would be the key.

The theory is that these things are part of the in-game universe, and that everything has to happen somewhere, so let those who want to pay just to be seen get to be that "somewhere." Keeping it from overwhelming the story would not even be hard; it would just take some wisdom and moderation.

Thirty-Seven

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #23 on: September 19, 2012, 02:40:44 PM »
For instance, changing the vending machines to dispense real-world sodas and snack would, IMO, further connect the game world to the real world... having every billboard converted to selling Pepsi would be a HUGE misstep, and piss me off.

There is a line.

Knightslayer

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #24 on: September 19, 2012, 02:42:51 PM »
On a related note, I know Second Life managed to strike several deals years ago, with even Manpower opening some offices in the game (probably others too, but I recall reading the manpower article a few years ago when a friend was playing the game. http://www.manpowergroup.com/press/secondlife.cfm).

jimdog33

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #25 on: September 19, 2012, 02:44:40 PM »
For instance, changing the vending machines to dispense real-world sodas and snack would, IMO, further connect the game world to the real world... having every billboard converted to selling Pepsi would be a HUGE misstep, and piss me off.

There is a line.
Agreed.  Any semi-skilled marketer would know how to balance capitalizing on a fervent & loyal fan base vs. complete spamming to the point of their brand becoming hated.  You would think that, anyways LOL

Segev

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #26 on: September 19, 2012, 02:56:59 PM »
Agreed.  Any semi-skilled marketer would know how to balance capitalizing on a fervent & loyal fan base vs. complete spamming to the point of their brand becoming hated.  You would think that, anyways LOL
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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #27 on: September 19, 2012, 03:24:15 PM »
Well, I'm not sure where you were seeing them but it wasn't Paragon. We had two ads - some shoes and a phone - before the whole thing was scrapped.

Nope, we definitely had a Babylon AD advert on the Union and Defiant back in the day. It was the only advert we had. I assume the EU and US servers ran different ads.

eabrace

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #28 on: September 19, 2012, 03:26:10 PM »
I assume the EU and US servers ran different ads.
Quite possible.  Different markets, different advertisements.

Clearly that wasn't left up to NCsoft to figure out.  ;)
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QuantumHero

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #29 on: September 19, 2012, 03:31:22 PM »
This is the exact idea I have asked to be placed in the code for plan z and have mentioned to numerous people for after we save COH.   Because managed correctly it does add to t.he game experiance.   My background in marketing, sadly, can't do much *except* on the advertising or sponsorship front.  Once we again have a viable project again...regardless if it is plan A, Q, B or even Z.  I look forward to finding sponsors, designing real life rewards missions, immersive promotional contente, etc.  In fact several of the ideas posted in this thread...well either a lot of brains are on similar wavelengths  :P or you were among thosein game who I have spoken to about this idea  :D

So provided we do save our game, I am very willing to join the marketing team.

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« Last Edit: September 19, 2012, 04:25:37 PM by QuantumHero »
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Segev

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #30 on: September 19, 2012, 03:34:38 PM »
Similar wavelengths, in my case. I have not played in years, but I am always looking for ways to make something that I am interested in make money for those who produce it, preferably without costing the direct consumer much at all. Because I recognize that making money is what makes something thrive. And, admittedly, I one day want to be the producer of such goods, and the more ways I can make such things profitable, the more of those goods I can get behind making, and...

Well, it's a beautiful upward spiral.

dwturducken

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #31 on: September 19, 2012, 05:11:25 PM »
So, you lurkers who report back to the two parties at the negotiating table are writing this all down, right?  ;D
I wouldn't use the word "replace," but there's no word for "take over for you and make everything better almost immediately," so we just say "replace."

Soundtrack

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #32 on: September 19, 2012, 07:10:16 PM »
I would absolutely LOVE this idea... my wallet may not. (I love Amazon and shop there frequently). :)

And as somebody suggested...those who pay x dollars a month see NO ads... if you pay Y dollars/month you DO see ads where X > Y.

I would just ask the stores, etc. were tastefully done.

What I would NOT want to see happen is regular broadcasts:

"SALE AT THE MACY'S STORE - WOMEN'S SHOES 20% off!" spammed.

Maybe there'd be a "Store" channel that people could block/allow?

Segev

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #33 on: September 19, 2012, 07:15:24 PM »
I hadn't even considered ads in chat channels. I would not recommend that, nor would I suggest NPCs that hawk wares out in public places. It would be too irritating. Maybe in a given company's "store" space, where NPCs and "PA announcements" could be the source of these things, but that'd be on the company's head.

And of course taste would be required; you don't go into a Wal*Mart or a Kohl's or a Neiman Marcus and find tastelessness on parade; it's bad for business. If any store tried to be tasteless, it would probably not get much custom. And it would be within terms-of-use to disallow designs that got too many complaints or offended sensibilities.

dwturducken

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #34 on: September 19, 2012, 07:16:36 PM »
Here's a question: where's the line? Would real political ads be allowed, or regional companies? What about content? We all could agree that porn ads would be disallowed, but what about male enhancement or ED treatments or feminine hygiene? I'm asking as a parent who has just introduced his kids to the game.
I wouldn't use the word "replace," but there's no word for "take over for you and make everything better almost immediately," so we just say "replace."

QuantumHero

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #35 on: September 19, 2012, 07:17:00 PM »
No regular spam broadcasts....but how about including info among the things npc pedestrians might say.  ;)
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QuantumHero

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #36 on: September 19, 2012, 07:31:33 PM »
Here's a question: where's the line? Would real political ads be allowed, or regional companies? What about content? We all could agree that porn ads would be disallowed, but what about male enhancement or ED treatments or feminine hygiene? I'm asking as a parent who has just introduced his kids to the game.

Good questions...first we are not compelled to take.a specific sponsor or representation.  Second there is.concepts such.as zoning.  There are certain portions of content that is a bit.dark for younger players anyway.  So.yeah.certain products just aren't going in this game (at least if I have any say  ;D ) except possibly in an 18 plus district or zone.
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Segev

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #37 on: September 19, 2012, 07:36:50 PM »
Really, "content appropriateness" would likely go through the same filters that prevent the kinds of ads over which concern has been expressed from showing up during, say, "Avatar: the Legend of Korra" or "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic" (to name two kids' shows popular with older audiences).

Kheprera

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #38 on: September 19, 2012, 08:18:25 PM »
I could get behind something like this... storefronts for places like Amazon, Egghead, TigerDirect, and GameStop seem to me the most appropriate way to go.

Feminine hygeine or male ED or pharmacuetical companies pushing their hottest new "cure"? I don't like them on regular tv, much less anywhere else.

dwturducken

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Re: In Game Advertisements
« Reply #39 on: September 20, 2012, 05:38:08 AM »
I could get behind something like this... storefronts for places like Amazon, Egghead, TigerDirect, and GameStop seem to me the most appropriate way to go.

Feminine hygeine or male ED or pharmacuetical companies pushing their hottest new "cure"? I don't like them on regular tv, much less anywhere else.

Mmmmm...  Gamestop stores in-game?  There's a slippery slope.  ;)
I wouldn't use the word "replace," but there's no word for "take over for you and make everything better almost immediately," so we just say "replace."