In-game advertising to keep Home free

PHLAK · 09-October-07, 07:33 PM

In-game advertising to keep Home free

For those of you who've been living under a rock for the past year or so, there's this new online service called Home that's coming to PS3's around the world early next year.

With all its fancy graphics and mountains of features, you'd expect Home to cost you a pretty penny. On the contrary, when Phil Harrison first announced it back in March at the 2007 Game Developers Conference, he informed the masses it would be absolutely free of charge.

How can Sony afford such a thing? Small micro-transactions were always cited as a way to counter development and upkeep costs of the online universe, but we were skeptical as to whether they could fully support Home. However, it appears in-game advertising will have a far greater impact (and therefore greater presence). In fact, in-game advertising is what is keeping Home free.

Darlene Kindler was recently appointed SCEA's head of in-game advertising strategies. She'll work in conjunction with Nielsen Media Research on the type of ads we'll be seeing in Home (and possibly future online PSN fare).

Don't worry, the ads won't be ludicrous and out of place - no coca-cola ads engraved in trees in the Fairy Realm of one of Home's online game rooms. We'll be seeing ads that are both "dynamic, [and] relevant."

What's your take on all of this? Would you rather pay for Home, or have to walk past a GAP billboard on the way to and from your Home Space?

via psu

Now if only Microsoft would catch on to this idea!!

NCXCStud · 09-October-07, 07:49 PM

Would I like XBL to be free? Sure...but I also don't need to 'walk' to the 'theater' to watch a game video... (I know you'll be able to do it quickly as well...but Sony isn't speaking much on those...).

I personally think the idea is just a gimmick. But, it is good that PSN is catching (slowly) up with XBL. Just means XBL will get that much better, then PSN will, then XBL will, so on and so forth.

The only good thing Home brings to the table, is it makes the competition a bit fiercer, so new ideas blossom on both sides

PHLAK · 09-October-07, 08:35 PM

I just hate the thought of the consumer having to buy the console and accessories and then they purchase a game. $500 dollars later they take it home and turn it on and to actually enjoy the whole 360 gaming feeling you have to pay to play. I think the content downloads can remain a pay to play item but regular game play? Come on!

Sk8forMaple · 10-October-07, 01:57 PM

In game adverts don't bother me so much. I know they are toying with this idea for Quake Zero (Browser based version of Quake 3) I guess i'd really have to see how much it would affect my gaming experience.

09-October-07, 07:33 PM		#1 (permalink)
PHLAK Apex Tech God	In-game advertising to keep Home free In-game advertising to keep Home free For those of you who've been living under a rock for the past year or so, there's this new online service called Home that's coming to PS3's around the world early next year. With all its fancy graphics and mountains of features, you'd expect Home to cost you a pretty penny. On the contrary, when Phil Harrison first announced it back in March at the 2007 Game Developers Conference, he informed the masses it would be absolutely free of charge. How can Sony afford such a thing? Small micro-transactions were always cited as a way to counter development and upkeep costs of the online universe, but we were skeptical as to whether they could fully support Home. However, it appears in-game advertising will have a far greater impact (and therefore greater presence). In fact, in-game advertising is what is keeping Home free. Darlene Kindler was recently appointed SCEA's head of in-game advertising strategies. She'll work in conjunction with Nielsen Media Research on the type of ads we'll be seeing in Home (and possibly future online PSN fare). Don't worry, the ads won't be ludicrous and out of place - no coca-cola ads engraved in trees in the Fairy Realm of one of Home's online game rooms. We'll be seeing ads that are both "dynamic, [and] relevant." What's your take on all of this? Would you rather pay for Home, or have to walk past a GAP billboard on the way to and from your Home Space? via psu Now if only Microsoft would catch on to this idea!!

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09-October-07, 07:49 PM		#2 (permalink)
NCXCStud Apex Tech Fanatic Supreme	Would I like XBL to be free? Sure...but I also don't need to 'walk' to the 'theater' to watch a game video... (I know you'll be able to do it quickly as well...but Sony isn't speaking much on those...). I personally think the idea is just a gimmick. But, it is good that PSN is catching (slowly) up with XBL. Just means XBL will get that much better, then PSN will, then XBL will, so on and so forth. The only good thing Home brings to the table, is it makes the competition a bit fiercer, so new ideas blossom on both sides

09-October-07, 08:35 PM		#3 (permalink)
PHLAK Apex Tech God	I just hate the thought of the consumer having to buy the console and accessories and then they purchase a game. $500 dollars later they take it home and turn it on and to actually enjoy the whole 360 gaming feeling you have to pay to play. I think the content downloads can remain a pay to play item but regular game play? Come on!

10-October-07, 01:57 PM		#4 (permalink)
Sk8forMaple Apex Elite Tech	In game adverts don't bother me so much. I know they are toying with this idea for Quake Zero (Browser based version of Quake 3) I guess i'd really have to see how much it would affect my gaming experience.