Ads on Xbox Consoles Are Getting Worse

Ads on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles are getting worse. Over time, Microsoft has been getting more and more aggressive with ad placement on the Xbox Series X|S. Invasive ads already clutter and ruin the Xbox Series X|S dashboard, something that has been annoying Xbox fans for a while. We also know that Microsoft is reportedly exploring a tier of Xbox Game Pass that will make players watch ads in order to play games. And this ties into what Microsoft revealed last year, which was that it was looking into ways to include ads in games, something Xbox fans threatened to boycott the brand over. In the face of public backlash, Xbox has done nothing to alleviate concerns of players, it's only doubled down.

[TheNamelessOne]

If they did start putting ads into games that's when I'd be done. That's ridiculous.

[thorstein]

They have been for decades.

Or do you mean, explicit ads that interrupt the game?

NFL 2K5 had the "Burger King Halftime Report."

BK paid them to put that in there. It's technically an ad.

[TheNamelessOne]

Yeah. I mean ads ads, not really product placements. I don't really mind stuff like that if it fits into the logic of the world. Hell, even Fallout originally wanted Coka-Cola in the game but didn't work out, so they went with Nuka. There's ads on billboards in a lot of racing games. That stuff doesn't bother me.

[Yi-Long]

I think if THAT’S your red line then you’re already lost. There shouldn’t be any ads on the console, at all.

Not at boot-up, not on the dash, not in the store, and not in the games.

It’s ridiculous.

[NotoriousWhiz]

No ads in the store? Isn't that the whole point of the store?

[JackBNimble]

I agree, adds shouldn't be in games, but what do you expect with xbox?
It's a dying platform and they recently spent $70Billion and they will never recoup that money , not unless they do something drastic and make huge changes.

Now with games going to ps5 , there is no reason to buy into xbox so they shot themselves in the foot.

I would expect adds to become even more common place then they already are.

[Yi-Long]

@Whiz;
No, there shouldn’t be any ads in the store. Just the basic categories, like ‘new releases’, ‘demos’, ‘deals’, ‘categories’, etc. You shouldn’t be greeted by a huge Call of Duty banner every time you enter the store, or a ‘promoted’ post in every search-page, etc etc.

[NotoriousWhiz]

Sure. The store shouldn't have any obstructive annoying ads. But a small banner somewhere that says: "look, this game you wishlisted is on sale" is fine.

[Yi-Long]

@Whiz; That wouldn’t be an add; That would be the actual function of the wish-list feature. You, as a consumer/user, have opted to use that feature to let the store let you know that a game you’re interested in, is on sale. And you can edit/remove your wishlist if you don’t appreciate such updates, so it would be fully under control of the user, instead of just thrown at you by Microsoft.

[HyperMoused]

Who is down voting this

[Einhander1972]

Microsoft's Tim Stuart, Sarah Bond and others have said they want to add x second of ads every x amount of time of game played. (I say x because they have said various times from every 30 minutes to 2 hours and various lengths of ads from 30 seconds to minutes)

Heck they already put ads in their games on Windows.
https://windowsreport.com/a...

People need to realize Microsoft has never cared about actual gaming, it's a means to make money and gain control, the more control they have the more obnoxious they can be. That's why they want PlayStation eliminated so badly that they were willing to spend 100 billion to control what games major publishers are putting on the platform, they are the major roadblock to their control.

I have said for years it's not Microsoft keeping PlayStation in check it's PlayStation keeping Microsoft in check.

The only reason why the xbone failed was because PlayStation offered another option. If PlayStation hadn't been there they would have ignored every single complaint and just forced what they wanted.

You only have to look at how unpopular so many decisions with Windows are yet they do them anyway regardless of complaints and as time goes on they force more and more unpopular things. (and the software gets more bloated and buggy)

[ChasterMies]

“If they did start putting ads into games that's when I'd be done.”

Some games already have ads, but that’s besides the point. You’ve already accepted ads your Xbox. Microsoft’s job now is to get you to accept more.

[XBManiac]

Late... Microsoft have been using their games as an ad platform for decades... Xbox included: https://www.reuters.com/art...

[LG_Fox_Brazil]

Didn't this already cause a lot of debate in the Xbox community a few months ago? They are still moving forward with the idea?

[gold_drake]

a few years ago even

[MrDead]

The McDonald's ads must have made them a nice amount. MS don't care about the user base so why not just fill it with ads.

[Zombieburger638]

Imagine having to pay to play online and still getting ads shoved in your face. Consoles are cooked.

[Lightning77]

So let me get this straight. The writer is getting mad because MS is advertising Games? The very thing that MS sucks at doing which is advertising it's own games and third party? For a second he made it seem like a hot pockets ad would pop up when turning on the console. But it's video games that are popping up and are releasing soon.

Talk about about a none issue. Btw writer where's this "boycott" at? I don't see anyone on socials right now threatening to boycott, its simply all on your head. Especially, Especially if these ad are video games related and games that are releasing soon.

[SimpleDad]

Imagine turning your pc on and before log on screen you see MS Word ad across your whole screen.
Hey it fine, right?

[Lightning77]

Talk about not knowing how to read good lord. They're advertising games not word or Doritos, or nothing like that.
Tell me which ones worse. Advertising games or something none game related?

Also read the article and you'll see what he's complaining about. Go ahead.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Lighting

Sounds you're coping bro

[PhillyDonJawn]

They're not advertising that stuff tho. It's games.

[MagUk]

They offering a 10 hour free trial of a game. This is outrageous 😅

[SimpleDad]

Being fine with ads on Xbox game related is the same as ads on PC Word related.

But, hey I learned a new term for this and it's called... Toxic Positivity...vity...vity

[Lightning77]

You're right how dare Xbox advertise video games on their video game console. Why's that a bad thing please explain. Go ahead, exactly just stay silent, the smartest thing you've done.

Positivity? No its called a severe lack of common sense and stupidity. Willful ignorance is the number one thing that gets me heated.

@natsu coping tf are you talking about. Read the article (if you know how to read) he's complaining about game Video game ads on a video game console.

[Nacho_Z]

"You're right how dare Xbox advertise video games on their video game console. Why's that a bad thing please explain."

A: people have been enjoying gaming for decades without adverts and we are all used to that.

B: Everyone hates ads.

C: It's an extremely slippery slope. If people start making excuses for and suggest they're willing to accept advertising in gaming then that will be exploited to ridiculous levels in the future.

[Charlieboy333]

Making excuses for Xbox's bad decisions is all the Xbox zombies ever do. Their console, brand and it's games have become synonymous with mediocrity.......unrecognisabl e from the excitement and quality they possesed in the past.

Yet their fanatical fans don't seem to care, so of course MS will continue pushing the boundaries with the crap like this. You can bet your ass that in the not too distant future they will definitely have ads popping up during your gamepass game....interrupting everything just like a youtube ad. But don't worry, I'm sure they will offer a more costly 'ad free' tier for you so it will be fine.....right.

Oh and something I also predict is that one day the ONLY way to play MS games will be through gamepass. MS has already dropped physical completely for the future and you won't be able to buy digital either.

Nope, if you want play e.g.COD you are going to be forced to subscrbe for it and it won't be cheap.....I'm calling it.

[Lightning77]

You're right let's not advertise any game related content while you're online on your console. Matter of fact let's get rid of the games section where new games are available to play so devs won't know that their game is out, or that your favorite game is available to download or in store shelves. If we're talking 360 type of ads where it was lots of none game related stuff y'all would have point big time. But getting pitchforks out over something that's game related is dumb. It's like going to a car club and getting mad that they're selling you car parts.

I would say do you hear y'all selves but no you don't, at all.

That's it, I'm the only one with a brain on here.

@charlie "Making excuses for Xbox's bad decisions is all the Xbox zombies ever do."

Seeing how you don't know what's happening or you never know what's going on especially in this article which congrats nobody else can read either because everyone's slow in here. Tell me where all the times I make excuses for Xbox go, I wanna know.

"Yet their fanatical fans don't seem to care, so of course MS will continue pushing the boundaries with the crap like this."

Advertising games on your console is bad now. I guess Nintendo and Sony are terrible to use that exact same logic.

"You can bet your ass that in the not too distant future they will definitely have ads popping up during your gamepass game....interrupting everything just like a youtube ad. But don't worry, I'm sure they will offer a more costly 'ad free' tier for you so it will be fine.....right"

MS was talking about an ad based GP tier at one point it might happen or it might not. This isn't what this articles about at all if only you did basic, simple, easy ass research such as reading the article. You'll know what's going on. So far it's all tinfoil hat that the article isn't even about. Read, if you don't how to read then get some that can read the article.

[Mr_cheese]

Lightening, I think it's you who is struggling to read.

Sure, we get it, you don't mind seeing adverts on the console as long as they're game related ads. Well many people don't want this. You pay for the system, you pay for the online and then youre greeted with ads at the menu. There is a time and place for them, and it's not when switching the console on.

Annoys the sh*t out of me when fC24 pushed the FC25 advert before you even get into the menu.

If you think all of that is okay, then you'll be the reason they take it a step further with none gaming ads or forced viewing trailers on boot up

[Charlieboy333]

Except it's not just game ads....I recall ads from places like McDonalds popping up, so what's the excuse for that then hmmmmm?
Also the only place that new games should be promoted on your console is in the damn store like Playstation does. If I'm interested in what's coming up I'll go and check out the pre-order section.

[Lightning77]

"Except it's not just game ads....I recall ads from places like McDonalds popping up, so what's the excuse for that then hmmmmm?"

Uh huh sure you did, you don't have an Xbox so how would you know? Show that proof?

Wait you actually read the article!? I didn't think it was possible on here. Finally someone on here did basic human function and its you of all ppl. I'm proud of you. I didn't think it was possible, I'm not joking either I really think it was possible. Take back what I said about you up top. Again good Job bro.

[IRetrouk]

https://gamerant.com/xbox-m...

[SimpleDad]

To edit your replay:
Wait you actually don't have a brain!? I didn't think it was possible on here. Finally someone on here without basic human function and its you of all ppl. I'm proud of you. I didn't think it was possible, I'm not joking either I really thought it wasn't possible. Take back what I said about you up top. Again good Job bro.

[Lightning77]

So you can't refute what I said or prove what I said wrong got it. It's what happens when you lack basic fundamental reading skills and comprehension. Go back to grade school, you severely need it very, very, very badly. It's what happens when you have room temperature IQ kiddo do better next time (but you won't). You also won't learn your lesson. All you had to do what simply read the article, not a hard task at all. For you and many here it is of course.

Man I just easily embarrassed you.

[OldDuffer]

There was a McDonald's advert sitting on peoples dashboards less than a month ago, or dont you care to see whats actually going on? Willfull ignorance is exactly what you are engaging in....

[Lightning77]

Someone provide evidence finally. Something I (some how) over looked. It's none game related so no that's terrible horrible and the usual greed from MS. In this instance it's game related stuff, which isn't the same as showing a Burger King ad or something the moment you log in.

The McDonald's ad is an example of what not to do and they need to be constantly in check.

Willful ignorance is not doing a basic function like not reading an article
to understand what's going on in this particular instance.

No that's ignorance.

[OldDuffer]

Seeing as how you clearly cant do simple google search and see this was all over social media recently, heres link to an article about the McDonalds advert that was on top page of peoples dashboards recently:
https://www.purexbox.com/ne...

This is clearly an area they are going to expand on if you have read MS finacial reports this year, as they are expecting very strong growth from advertising revenue. You can try and pillory everyone on this site all you like: if you wish to encourage this roll out of advertising, then you have very little in common with most gamers.

Why you feel the need to belittle others instead of engaging in intellegent discourse says a lot more about your very obvious character flaws than any of the posters.

[RhinoGamer88]

How are they going to pay Phil's mega salary peeps?!

[raWfodog]

And they’re likely trying to recoup more of the $70B that they paid out for their acquisition.

[pwnmaster3000]

Bro if they add ads on game pass like those mobile phone I will be piss. I would drop my Xbox so fast.

[Knightofelemia]

Give a person an inch and they take a mile. Next thing you know it Microsoft will add a feature where you subscribe to a certain tier of Gold to skip the ads. Great way to piss off your fans who will jump the fence to another platform to game. And a great way to kill the Xbox fans lets add ads I hate ads whether on Youtube or Twitch and I hate that subscribe to this to avoid the ads. Glad I sold my Series X and don't have to put up with bull shit ideas like ads.

[Popsicle]

Should have sold my Series X back when it stil provided a decent return. Worst console I have ever purchased in my life.

[Firebird360]

Could not agree more. Theyve fallen so far from the 360 era. They went from must own to why own.

[cammers1995]

Enjoy your Xbox 😆

No ads on steam deck, PS5 or switch.

[Petebloodyonion]

Really? That's the fun part. I have yet to see a single article on N4G discussing Switch Ads or people talking about boycotting the Switch, etc. Yet, before accessing the main screen, you have to press a button three times on a screen full of ads.

[sagapo]

Seriously, are these ads US only? Because I’ve never gotten any of these ads on my Xbox 🤷‍♂️

[PhillyDonJawn]

Nah im in the US and i havent seen them either. Unless the author is complaining about a window about cod bo 6 or the lastest gamepass drop or a new sale.

[Firebird360]

I ditched xbox awhile back and this was one of the reason.
Zero exclusives, first party in shambles.
I dont need to turn on a console I own and have to stare at football ads or even worse mt dew and the final straw was a big mac on my home screen for a week.
Xbox is a shell of what it was in the 360 era. They've done nothing since the inception on x1 but diminish games as a whole, including gamepass which does exactly that.
The one and only shining example of competence they have is backwards compatibility.

[Exthun]

The point if you pay more than 300 for a console.Ads are NOT allowed, if the console is free then you can ads. Shame on you Microsoft I am tired of your mess.

[Petebloodyonion]

The number of articles on N4G discussing Xbox Evil ads plan on bootup is astronomical.
The number of articles on N4G discussing Nintendo Ads on the lock screen is none.

[VariantAEC]

The only console that doesn't do this yet is PS5. People will argue that this isn't true with the "What's New" feature existing since late in the PS3 generation, but PS3 literally gave users the option to not even launch on that screen. Back then and during the PS4 era users couldn't choose what was on the "What's New" section or PS4 landing screen at all, but on PS3 you could choose not to start in that section at all.

PS5 had the "Explore" tab and now "Welcome Hub" all of which allow you to disable news and updated information you didn't want to see and rarely if ever featured ads for in-game purchases for games even ones you own and follow.

Switch at least doesn't have general ads for anti-fungals, automobiles, medicare, and solar power generators like Xbox and PC (and possibly all iOS devices any many cheaper Android devices). PS5 gives users so much control with the "Welcome Hub" these days. Of course, PS5 doesn't put anything (other than the logged in user's name) on the lock screen, which is how it should be.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

So are the ads on N4G…

[helicoptergirl]

Gamers have let Microsoft get away with this. Xbox fans have made their bed and now they have to sleep in it.

[Jingsing]

So basically the strategy is to advertise games that are faltering on their platform at the expense of the diminishing user base that is already pissed off.

[Tedakin]

I haven't noticed any change to the ads.

[SoloGamer1]

🤣🤣🤣

[Notsofast]

mid game ads coming soon trying to beat that boss in Elden Ring no interruptions just pay 20 dollars a month

[HyperMoused]

You gotta love peopel defending this, lik eits just games...well maybe..for now..but there will come a day when its not