Toyota Yaris ad campaign to spam XBLA?
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Aug 28th 2006 at 3:55PM }
According to a recent OMMA (Online Media, Marketing & Advertising) article, which examines Toyota's strategy for the Yaris, its new subcompact, the car manufacturer will be releasing "a Yaris driving game for the Xbox Live Arcade."Without an official statement from Saatchi & Saatchi, the advertising firm employed by Toyota, or Microsoft, it's not yet clear how the Yaris campaign might infiltrate XBLA. Are we to expect advertisers are now vying for space on the virtual download service -- perhaps using momentary incentives to elevate their "games" above the rest? Or is this an isolated case in which, for example, Toyota gives Load Inc. some cash to complete Mad Tracks for XBLA, and in exchange, Load Inc. incorporates several models of the Yaris and some ad banners into the game?
[Via XBLArcade.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Casey @ Aug 28th 2006 4:09PM
Take a look at Battlefield 2145, there are billboard spots in the game to advertise products.
ill trooper @ Aug 28th 2006 4:12PM
Keeping it short: I don't like seeing ads in things I pay for, although it's an unfortuante reality in movies, games and TV these days and I can overlook it. And yes, you pay for competing on XBox LIVE, so even if it's a download for NO ADDITIONAL MONEY we are still paying for it...
Saxon @ Aug 28th 2006 4:18PM
I could have sworn Microsoft told us they were being strict with the XBLA to make sure it's not overrun with crap games.
scottydont @ Aug 28th 2006 5:21PM
ROFL a Yaris driving game? I'm sure it would be just as boring to drive the virtual version of that as it is to drive the real thing. we could practice constantly looking to the left/right at all the gauges mounted in the CENTER OF THE DASH. what a pos.
ry @ Aug 28th 2006 4:25PM
Don't wanna play it? Then don't. Whiny bastards.
Razlo @ Aug 28th 2006 8:24PM
There's no saying it'll suck. I'll take an ad game if it's free and fun.
ty @ Aug 28th 2006 7:46PM
Thats why I will never buy a xbox.. Microsoft doesnt have enough money? Same thing with how they sell "icons" on MSmessenger. its rediculous. in game advertising is pathetic. games are 40-50$ we shouldnt be forced to look at ads. and yeah with BF anf GRAW, WTF!!!
Don't wanna play it? Then don't. Whiny bastards.
... do you like having ads everywhere?
lloyd @ Aug 28th 2006 5:09PM
if they put together a cart racing game similar to the chase commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snoTA73Lt3g&mode=related&search=
it could be a fun little game... as long as it was free, since it is advertisement
GSI @ Aug 28th 2006 5:23PM
Well considering that that car was ALL OVER E3 this year it wouldn't surprise me.
As for you people complaining about in-game advertising? Quit your whinning...it's already here...it's here to stay so get over it.
pattyblades @ Aug 28th 2006 6:40PM
"Keeping it short: I don't like seeing ads in things I pay for, although it's an unfortuante reality in movies, games and TV these days and I can overlook it. And yes, you pay for competing on XBox LIVE, so even if it's a download for NO ADDITIONAL MONEY we are still paying for it..."
Actually *pushes up glasses*, you only pay to play online, theres always the silver account. FTW
Ciaran Gallagher @ Aug 28th 2006 6:51PM
If it's free and it's fun, put it this way :)
and maybe I'll consider a YARIS at some point in my life.
If it costs but it is fun, I don't think so - I will NOT be paying for a moving, interactive ad.
ill trooper @ Aug 28th 2006 7:31PM
Pattyblades, I wrote my comment to parry off any lame mentions of a 'Silver Account' by adding the words 'you pay for competing on Xbox Live,' so I revoke your 'FTW.' 'Silver' is only for downloading so far, not for playing other people online.
All you other dudes: No one is 'whinning.' For that matter, no one is WHINING either. You guys are too quick to judge other people's opinions. Listen to yourself: "STFU, advertising is here, get used to it or don't play." Huh...
Way to be Microsoft and other corporations' DICKRIDERS, and yell at other fellow gamers. Microsoft will never buy you a pony no matter how hard you swallow.
Sam Machkovech @ Aug 28th 2006 7:32PM
You guys have obviously forgotten the genius that was Beetle Adventure Racing for the N64. The game flopped, but my guess is without the VW sponsorship, it never would've been made, and man, no other racing game was ever made quite like it before or since. It's tough to get a car game in the marketplace without some marketing hook/angle...cut the design team some slack and hope that the game's actually any good.
GSI @ Aug 28th 2006 9:25PM
Yay for the whiners and complainers!
/end sarcasim
epobirs @ Aug 28th 2006 10:24PM
Free sponsored DLC sounds fine to me. It's no more unreasonable than broadcast television.
#12
Ty, could you be any more wrong? What do you think motivates Nintendo and Sony? After $Billions in profits from video games, don't those companies have enough money? Should they now just give stuff away?
This is a business. Businesses seek to grow. One way to do that is finding alternate sources of revenue. If a car company will put up millions of dollars to give away a game to your customers, why wouldn't you do it? The customers get something for free, the sponsor gets their product noticed, and the company running the venue gets paid.
Flash games and such have been used as ads for many years now. Offering this to consoles users is a natural part of the online component.
Psaakyrn @ Aug 29th 2006 12:48AM
I would like to make a clarification. Product-based game != In-game advertising. It is essentially the difference between America's Army and an advert to join the army when you play CS:S