Google eyes in-game ads acquisition

via gibiz

Google is currently in talks to buy in-game ads company Adscape, a company that specialises in technology that allows adverts to be placed in online videogames.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, a deal could be announced as early as this week.

"We are always considering new ways to extend Google's advertising program to benefit our users, advertisers and publishers," said a spokesperson for Google.

"In-game advertising offers one such possible extension among many others," said the company.

The deal would follow Microsoft's purchase last May of Massive Inc, a firm that has numerous gaming partners including 2K Sports, Codemasters, Eidos, Konami and NCsoft.

we see enough ads everywhere else, why do they have to pollute video games too?

As long as it's in the background, like a billboard AND it leads to more money to develop better games it's a good idea. But if we are bombarded with loading screen-style adverts then NO!

If Google's adverts are unobtrusive on the internet, I think they'll be unobtrusive in games.

How crap would it be playing a game with big white billboards and blue writing advertising crap like psp blender?

If i see one google ad in MGS4 i will kill the google servers :). Lets just put it like that :). lmao

If executed the right way I don't have a problem with it.

Obviously if I'm playing a game and random pop-ups start occurring that is unacceptable.

But for instance if I'm playing a Need for Speed game and I see ads incorporated here and there for Greddy, Eibach, or Injen I see no problem with it. If it goes with the theme of the game, why not?

Although the situation I just mentioned above might be due to licensing requirements.

Unless I'm getting a game for substantially less money or the advertising adds an element of realism to the game, I don't think advertising is acceptable in games personally.