I was watching playr last weekend and was amazed at the amount of high profile ads on the cars in Race Driver: Grid. Obviously Codemasters will be paid well for the display of these ads and need all the help they can get trying to beat Gran Turismo and Forza motorsport. It could be argued that it creates realism in a game which is a racing sim. On the other hand do gamers really care and is it necessary to plaster the cars in ads.
There is also the matter of the fact that ads are taking over everything. I’m sure in time if this blog is successful it will also carry ads it is inevitable. I wonder where it will end and can we expect to see ads for companies as the game is loading or maybe the next Tomb Raider will have Lara Croft swigging coke or Pepsi.
I think it is getting to the stage where some games are making more from advertising and loyalty deals with console manufactures than they are from the game.
What worries me is that they will put less effort into development because of this.
Comment by Mad Green Ape — June 6, 2008 @ 6:17 pm