You may recall Business Insider reporting last week that Microsoft was creating an advertising program for free-to-play games on Xbox, and now the same outlet has suggested Sony is doing something very similar for PlayStation as well.
According to the report, Sony wants to "encourage developers to keep building free-to-play games by giving them a way to monetize them," with the apparent goal being to have ads "appear like they're part of the game, like digital billboards in sports stadiums." It's mentioned that players could be rewarded for watching ads, for example.
It's believed that Sony started working on the program around 18 months ago, but it "hasn't decided if it would take a cut of the revenue," and is potentially considering "charging developers and publishers for data on consumer activity on the PlayStation." However, it's said to be "strictly vetting adtech companies" to ensure there won't be any collection of personal information from PlayStation users.
Like the Xbox program, it's expected that this will roll out later in 2022. The plot thickens!
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know down in the comments section below.
[source businessinsider.com]
Comments 12
HAHAHAHA YES!!! All the damn Baby Horses were trying to roast Xbox since the Ads in free to play games article dropped.
Funny how they were quick to talktrash, yet it seemed to slip their mind when their favorite game, Death Stranding (Their new favorite game to put on their PS website banners... to signify its exclusive, not a Kojima acquisition though, lets not get that twisted haha) Actually had multiple MONSTER ENERGY DRINK Ads thoughout that game. A game that is set in a world that surely would never in a million years have multiple cans of Monster Energy Drinks in it at all LoL.
So lets not forget that PS has been placing much more egregious Ads in their EXCLUSIVE games (that are not free to play), For years now... This is nothing new.
And yes I know Xbox games I am sure have had product placement in them before also, I am mostly just bringing this up after all the grief Baby Horses have given Xbox all weekend lol
If this turns out real then I will just not play any free to play games any more, simple
The only thing worst than one of the big consoles looking into this is both looking into it. XB and PS are always looking over their shoulders at the other not wanting to push their players to the other party. I'm guessing both Phil and Jim both have the same recurring nightmare. Being on a E3 stage telling the press to play on a xbox 360 if you don't have always on internet.
But with both the power players looking into this they will encourage each other. I can only hope one of two pulls back at the last second shouting "Psych, we'd never do that bruv, what you smoking?" I don't think those odds are in my favour though.
@Stoned_Patrol
You know your comment literally makes you no better than them, right? Calling them 'baby horses' just shows nothing but immature hatred and makes you just as much a fanboy as some of that more vocal fanbase.
And saying 'they roasted Microsoft' does that make Xbox better somehow by doing the same thing as you roast them? Your comment is no different from any you accuse them of.
And for your information you might want to head over to PushSquare, they're not defending it, infact they are in an uproar over it meaning their integrity for 'roasting Microsoft' is intact.
Don't worry guys. I'm buying Sony and MS and stopping this crap.
I hate street fighter 5 ads in street fighter 5.
Maybe PH ads?
@RevGaming 'local women in your area' 😂
I'm gonna be the dissenting opinion, but if it's done unobtrusively, why not? Banner ads, around the arena in rocket league, like world cup games now; billboards in apex or forknife; airplanes pulling banners through the air for world of tanks, etc. Don't put ads in loading screens, don't do the "watch this ad for..".
Hell, take it a step further and get sponsored skins, etc. Who wouldnt want a marks and spencer or waffle house skin?
@Would_you_kindly YEEEEEEEEEEES THOSE ONES ARE PERFECT
@IronMan30 The same Nintendo that put Mercedes Benz product placement in mario kart?
It will all come down to how these ads are used. Product placements have been in games for years. They can ad to authenticity (sports games with all their sponsorship, recreations of world placement - the getaway had McDonald’s, Burger King and pretty much anything else you care to mention). They can be built around an event (dreams has been doing this lately). Or they can be blatant product placement that have very little to do with the world created (death strandings monster energy drinks is probably a good recent example).
Through out generations they’ve been trying to do this. EA fight night would update with new ads for products printed in the ring.
Or they’d have f2p games on the 360 promoted as being brought to you by Doritos. Remember that?
It’s all going to depend on how intrusive these ads are going to be. If they’re on billboards in f2p that’s no big deal. If they force ad breaks where you literally have to watch adverts unless you pay a premium then that’s hopefully going to get a backlash. The danger is it seeping through to £60/70 games…which it will, eventually. And that’s when you vote with your wallet.
But f2p games on Xbox/ps will be treated the same on Nintendo if there’s money to be made. You can count on that.
If I thought it would ONLY be used in F2P I wouldn't mind as much. Games need to be monetised and i'm open to other solutions than MTX + Whales.
But it's a slippery slope. It starts with F2P and then wheedles it's way into other paid titles.
Give an inch they will take a mile.
EDIT: I can see ways this could be semi-tastefully done but sadly I have little faith it won't be in your face.
@GADG3Tx87
Push Square? Never been to that site, and assuming it is a PS site, I'll let you continue to keep your tabs and just let me know what is going on. Thanks kid!
@Stoned_Patrol
So what if it's a PlayStation site, you don't have to comment. But you feel content with making assumptions on what they're saying about the situation with a fanboy comment like that when the truth is they're outraged. All because you have a clear hatred of the platform and can't be bothered to check out the facts and be proven wrong because you're dedication to a logo won't allow your pride to be hurt.
And for your information 'kid' I'm 34.
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