Yes, that was Joystiq's own Vladimir Cole on NPR's Marketplace last Wednesday, commenting on Microsoft's munching (subscription to the WSJ required) of video game advertising company Massive Inc. for between $200 and $400 mil. The purchase makes an ad-supported version of Xbox Live look like a sure thing. Whether you consider it a good thing is another matter. Advertising is an oft-debated subject in the video game blogosphereo (Ironic considering how we pay the bills). Personally, I could stare at Taco Bell ads on XBL all day, if it meant saving money. What bothers me are in-game ads. For one, they can be as obnoxious as the most blatant television product placement (See FNR3 and Burger King). Two, companies seem to be throwing this money on the pile instead of using it to lower the retail cost of games. Correct me if I'm wrong but lower cost = more games sold = more ad dollars, does it not?
How comfortable do you feel now that MS is making some major moves in the ad arena? Will you happily fork over your $60-$70 for Halo 3: Toyota Forerunner?
[Via Joystiq]
