Thomcult: It isn't a question of if anymore, but when. In-game advertising is almost without a doubt going to play a major role in the financing of videogame development in the near future. What then are the implications on the structure of play in a world where our virtual experiences are brought to us by third party sponsors?
This discussion is an important one, for those both for and against. Even as we speak advertisers are finding ways to integrate sponsored content into games. It is only by keeping up with their work, and not letting it happen behind the scenes whilst both sides of the debate go at loggerheads, that it is possible to monitor and feedback into it. It is important to drop the cliche of innapropriatly placed billboards in FPS games and look at the issues seriously. Ensuring that advertising works and is beneficial for both the gaming and development community should be everyone's top priority.
Digital Foundry : Doom: The Dark Ages is now receiving its path tracing upgrade on PC, so Alex and John tested it versus the standard RT graphics - and found some surprises.
The PC version is still on schedule but the console versions have been delayed.
There are many exciting updates this month for Xbox. Copilot for Gaming is available now for early preview on mobile and will be coming to PC soon. Xbox PC app introduces a wave of new updates: Aggregated gaming library gives players quick access to games from Xbox, Game Pass, and other leading PC storefronts, and with publisher channels players can browse their favorite franchises. Updates for the Xbox Console includes customization for Most Recently Used, free-to-play benefits, Game Hubs, and dialog improvements for game saves.
"Players can now hide system apps, pin favorites to the list, and reduce the number of tiles displayed. This update is part of our ongoing effort to make Home more personal, flexible, and responsive to feedback."
This is welcomed, i like a less cluttered home screen.
I don't mind in game advertising unless it is forced on you. If it's just a billboard, fine with me. There was an article about being able to shoot up a billboard from an advertiser in game. I don't recall which game had that, but I think that is ingenious. It gets you to look at their product even if you are blowing it away.
In this day and age of TiVo/DVRs, advertisers must be scrambling to get your eyes on their ads. I rarely watch TV ads, just FF on by them.
As long as their aren't advertisements during loading screens or anything like that, then I'm fine with it. no biggie.