Believe it or not, a study by IGA Worldwide (an in-game advertising company) found that over 80% of video game players thought that games are just as enjoyable with ads in them as they are without ads. Not only that, but a gamer's positive opinions of a product actually improved by 61% after seeing it in a video game. 
Sony is the first company to launch an in-game ad on the PlayStation 3. In-game advertising is expected to grow to be worth about $971 million by 2011. Looks like video games as we know them are about to change dramatically with the insurgence of in-game ads.
I should point out that IGA Worldwide who conducted this research is also the company handling in-game advertising for Sony.
What do you think? Are the results skewed to benefit IGA Worldwide and Sony or do 80% of video game players truly not mind in-game ads?
I think you have to take the results of this "study" with a HUGE grain of salt considering who authored it. As for the general premise, if I'm going to pay $50 for a video game, it better not have ads in it. If they put ads everywhere, either the cost had better come down or there had better be some kind of networking or online component thrown in free (as opposed to the subscription-model for Xbox Live and PS3). If they charge the same thing and just start making money off advertising, they'll face a real backlash from their core customers.
Posted by: Jeremy | June 23, 2008 9:06 AM | Permalink to Comment