Just when you thought the relentless dumbing down of video games couldn't get any worse....

"After months of testing, marketers are finally going to be able to start running video ads within console and PC games. A first-of-its-kind in-game advertising platform called playerWON launches this week, allowing big-name marketers that are used to running splashy TV ads the ability to target younger demographics with similar types of spots that will run in video games.

The platform, which is owned and operated by Simulmedia, a TV ad tech company, will let users determine whether they want to watch a 15 or 30-second video ad in exchange for being able to unlock exclusive gaming perks. Simulmedia has struck deals with some of the world's biggest gaming studios, including Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent's Hi-Rez Studios, its EVP, Gaming and OTT Dave Madden told Axios."

https://www.axios.com/playerwon-launches-tv-ads-console-games-1c02dd1a-2f6d-4e02-bd8d-b6f8b870f844.html

My personal view on the subject. ;-)

I have not much to say because it isn't really necessary but when a company like EA for example tells you that they want to improve player relations and do better, just ignore it for your sanitys sake because it's all PR speak.

They can shove their adverts where the sun don't shine.

People still buy EA games? Will they ever learn?

Yuck. They can stick that mobile-ad-inspired shit where the sun don't shine.

Havent bought any modern EA games since Mass Effect Andrmida and looks like i never will now. If it aint loot boxes it is this . Once upon a time EA was a games company now i dont know what they are but games is not their thing.

Nothing surprises me anymore, especially with EA. Years ago when trashy mobile "Freemium" / lootbox / coins / pay2win / "surprise mechanics" were introduced I warned people "This is how PC games will end up". 'Don't be silly. That's mobile. They wouldn't dare do that on PC.' Pro-tip: Whenever you read "they wouldn't dare do (insert anti-consumer gameplay mechanic here)", mentally replace it with "they absolutely plan on adding this, then doubling down on it in 10 years time..."

Best thing is if this sank like a stone by everyone boycotting games with it in. But with your average "casual gamer" having less spine than a jellyfish, I'm not holding my breath and can easily see 2030 'free to play' video games ending up looking like that "future of TV" scene in Idiocracy.

Will they sell an add-on that removes the ads?

I wonder what'll happen when these advertising contracts expire. Will the game stop playing those ads? Or if they're integrated into the game like car model licensing in racing games, would the games themselves just disappear? If ads are supposed to change periodically, you can bet that the game would force online connection for them to update; so whatever way you slice it, this isn't good for game ownership.

Also, has anyone seen ads in private servers for multiplayer games? I've seen some in the past and didn't think too much of them then, being obvious single image ads and loading poorly.

Yeah, the most recent EA game I own is Dragon Age Origins (2009). And the only reason that's any good is they acquired Bioware just before the game's release, ie, too late to change anything. They soon "fixed" that with DA2 though... ;-)

In the past they were doing this with billboards in the game itself. I think full spectrum warrior was free with advertising in the game. maybe there's still the free copies so people can check it for themselves.

Welcome to the consumerist dystopia of today! This message was brought to you by the "we don't care what you want, stupid gamers, just buy our f-ing products" council.

I'll just play games from my backlog for the rest of my life, it's not like I don't have enough quality 0-advertisment content.

EA never got my money. EA never will get my money.

First Battlefield 2142 and now this. At least they waited 15 years to come up with a new shitty idea...