EA raised (lowered?) the bar recently with
their insidious advertising in Need for Speed Underground 2. Now Funcom, purveyors of MMORPG Anarchy Online, are
putting advertisers in the game.
Not a surprising move, given the game recently moved to being free. The advertising also won't be seen by paying
subscribers. However, the company involved with the advertising, Massive, are quite clearly delusional. Quote: "Through
our own research we know that most gamers want in-game advertisement to heighten the sense of realism". Yes, ram
advertising down our throats. Make sure we have no avenue of escape. After all, nothing quite adds to the realism of an
RPG set in a futuristic world like an advert for an online casino.
It's at times like this that I remember what the late, great Bill Hicks said about advertisers and marketers.
Engadget
TUAW