Google eyes in-game ads acquisition

[wraggster]

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.

[The_It]

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

[dejkirkby]

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!

[808]

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

[tgm123]

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

[Airdevil]

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

[Veskgar]

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.

[souLLy]

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.