Obama billed $44.5K for in-game advertising
by Ross Miller 
{ Oct 30th 2008 at 1:15PM }
Comparatively, the campaign has spent a estimated total of $205 million on TV ads, about $4 to $5 million of which was for last night's 30-minute infomercial on CBS, NBC, MSNBC, Fox, BET, TV One and Univision. Fun statistic: The amount spent on TV ads was 455,555% higher than in-game advertisement. According to previous statements, Massive had approached the McCain campaign about doing a similar advertising deal, but they had passed on it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
NaeemTHM @ Oct 30th 2008 1:22PM
Speaking of advertising, I just heard an ad for Joystiq.com on AOL Radio!
Damn Joystiq...you pimp.
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Oct 30th 2008 1:25PM
Joystiq's blog service is owned by AOL, so I am pretty sure it didn't cost Joystiq a cent.
AOL makes me feel so so dirty ughhh
Latin Trident @ Oct 30th 2008 2:38PM
why is it just roses and pedals when obama is running? He is in favor of partial birth abortion. Try cutting up a baby in your wife's womb and tell me it is humane. That is just one example. He has a very very shady history with some very shady characters. Think people.
mccain is no "maverick" either. he has been washy on many things but he definitely gets blasted a lot more than a grunt on halo 3!
seriously people, please do more research excluding CNN, MSNBC, and alot if not all of the newspapers out there. and if you do, cross reference them. don't let the tv think for you!
this is like picking the better of two bads!
1) eat rotten food
2) eat food that was found in the dumpster
if i could pick, condoleezza rice would be president and colin powell, vp. *note: I am not african american/black
The Fatass of Kickassness @ Oct 30th 2008 2:46PM
You tell us to do research shortly after spewing misinformed junk?
Yeah, Obama is in favor of partial birth abortions, but ONLY if the birth of the child would drastically lower the woman's chance of surviving giving birth.
What's wrong with using all of the media outlets? I don't know why you would exclude CNN and MSNBC... you don't watch Fox News, do you?
343 Guilty Fart @ Oct 30th 2008 3:30PM
I don't see what's so evil about socialism. I lived in Germany and Austria for a few years and things there seemed to work much better. Public transportation was extensive and a breeze to use. Medical care was all taken care of. I had to go into an emergency room in the middle of the night once. It cost me zilch.
We already have socialized services such as the Post Office, Police Dept. and Fire. I don't see what's wrong in helping other people out.
343 Guilty Fart @ Oct 30th 2008 3:31PM
Whoops, that was meant for further down.
heypaul @ Oct 30th 2008 4:17PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man
Welcome to Joystiq, Trident. People WILL call your BS here.
Jakka @ Oct 30th 2008 1:24PM
Is this what USA wastes it's money on?
baby sea tuna @ Oct 30th 2008 1:28PM
Just...don't.
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Oct 30th 2008 1:28PM
No...its just that the Obama campaign is running out of time to spend its record setting contributions.
That is they spend millions of dollars for Obama's infomercials.
McCain's campaign can only afford to put ads on pigeons at this point.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08'
copa @ Oct 30th 2008 1:38PM
It is a horrifying waste of money, and shows you how misplaced the Obama campaign's priorities are.
For that kind of money, instead of putting ads in videogames, they could have afforded to clothe Sarah Palin for a week.
Jakka @ Oct 30th 2008 1:42PM
...or bring Africa's poorest countries out of complete crisis they are in now.
Marty @ Oct 30th 2008 1:46PM
Sure, the money could be better spent elsewhere, but it's important that Obama get his message out to as many people as possible, because we need to be freed from a Republican presidency.
People donated money to his campaign for this specific purpose, so there shouldn't be any problem if that's the way he spends it.
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Oct 30th 2008 1:50PM
Also according to campaign finance laws if this money ended up in the hands of anyone who is not involved with the campaign it would be highly illegal.
You can say that contributing to Obama's campaign is like reinvesting into America.
Vcize @ Oct 30th 2008 2:12PM
At the risk of starting a huge flame war.
$44k on advertising is a "huge waste of money".
Compared to $10 BILLION spent per MONTH in Iraq? If the guy plans to move out of Iraq (whether or not that is the right thing to do) he could advertise in every videogame in existence and still be in the green in terms of money saved.
Tez @ Oct 30th 2008 2:21PM
For someone criticizing America and its spending, Jakka, I'm surprised this drop in the bucket outrages you instead of things like the recent 'bailout.'
Besides, throwing money at Africa will not solve the problems there.
Spiza @ Oct 30th 2008 3:23PM
Obama's campaign has spent over $600 million. This is more than both the Bush and Kerry campaigns spent combined in 2004. Also, in case no one noticed, we are in an economic crisis as this money is coming in.
He doesn't put up a list of people who donate less than $200 unlike what both McCain and Hillary did.
His website doesn't check to make sure that the name of the donor given and that of the credit card are the same. Given this and the previous statement, it's unknown where Obama's money is actually coming from.
If your stupid enough to think that the past 8 yrs is all Republican's/Bush's fault, then you're stupid. Bush took over a declining economy in 2001, and then had 9/11 happen on top of that. It was under the Clinton administration that we saw fair trade open up with other countries while at the same time increasing both energy and corporate taxes to make our buisnesses unable to compete. We also saw the repelling of the regulations on banking institutions and the housing bubble being created by Clinton's move for a house for every family.
I'm an independent that leans libertarian. We need smaller federal government and less spending, which John McCain has pushed for his entire career. Obama is for expanding federal spending. I'm also not a socialist, so Obama's talk of econimic equality in 2001 (youtube, look it up), his ties with the Democratic Socialists of America while running for Chicago state senate, and his "Spread the wealth" terminology.
Yet again, I will vote this against Obama, instead of voting for someone to be president.
343 Guilty Fart @ Oct 30th 2008 3:32PM
Accidentaly posted this above, but here it is again:
I don't see what's so evil about socialism. I lived in Germany and Austria for a few years and things there seemed to work much better. Public transportation was extensive and a breeze to use. Medical care was all taken care of. I had to go into an emergency room in the middle of the night once. It cost me zilch.
We already have socialized services such as the Post Office, Police Dept. and Fire. I don't see what's wrong in helping other people out.
Markez @ Oct 30th 2008 3:32PM
"We need smaller federal government and less spending, which John McCain has pushed for his entire career."
Ah, ok, I see, you must be referring to a different John McCain than the one that is running for president. Because I happen to know THAT John McCain isn't for smaller federal govt or less spending by any means.
Markez @ Oct 30th 2008 3:35PM
"If your stupid enough to think that the past 8 yrs is all Republican's/Bush's fault, then you're stupid."
Also, nice redundancy. To clarify, the nonsense in Iraq is absolutely Bush's fault, just to clarify. It'd be stupid to say otherwise, if you do, you're stupid.
John @ Oct 30th 2008 3:51PM
Because people shouldn't be FORCEd to give what they make to someone else.
Sharing is great, but when you are forced to give money you worked for to someone else, it is theft.
And for all you people that think Gov't healthcare is so great, google how much the navy hospital in jacksonville has had to pay out recently for killing people, including 2 babies.
Fuck free government healthcare.
Dudeman08 @ Oct 30th 2008 3:53PM
Iraq = All ??
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 30th 2008 4:18PM
The financial meltdown showed us how well Libertarianism works. The regulators believed that the banks would work in their own best interests, and thus didn't need more regulation (in fact reduced it). And it didn't turn out, because of some combination of foolishness and greed.
Libertarianism is a good ideal, and nothing more. Like Communism.
Titanium_Orchid @ Oct 30th 2008 4:22PM
@Vcize,
I don't mean this as attack on you so I hope you don't take it the wrong way.
The American army will never leave Iraq. Never. Never. Never. The presence may not be as large but there will always be military installations in the area. Anybody who tells you otherwise is a liar.
John @ Oct 30th 2008 4:38PM
the financial meltdown is a result of democrats bringing affirmative action to housing lending, disregarding such things as ability to pay and credit history, and allowing welfare checks to be considered income.
I bought a house before the "collapse", didn't hurt me, but oddly enough, I was smart enough to understand what I was signing.
josh @ Oct 30th 2008 11:43PM
@John
"Because people shouldn't be FORCEd to give what they make to someone else.
Sharing is great, but when you are forced to give money you worked for to someone else, it is theft."
so, it sounds like you are saying that Taxes in general are theft, which i think most people would agree is an extreme position. taxes are annoying, but they pay for the services that we all enjoy like roads, firefighters, police, the armed services, etc...
John @ Oct 31st 2008 3:17AM
An I'm fine with them paying for those things.
What I disagree with is it paying or people's poor choices, IE: not doing better in school, getting knocked up, not preparing for retirement.
also for foreign aid, fuck those people, like george carlin said, we have deserts here in america, we aren't stupid enough to live in them.
Spiza @ Oct 31st 2008 8:40PM
@Josh
What is radical is that only 40% of households pay any income tax at all. Many actually only get money back through the tax system. And under Obama's plan, he's going to be cutting checks to those who pay little income tax. Basically, only 40% of American's pay income tax today. Under Obama's plan, this will be extended. What he's doing is offering "tax credits." No matter what you pay, you get this check back from the government after you pay. If you pay $10k in taxes, and you get back $2k in credits, you still are paying that 8k. Now, if you are working, but then don't make enough to pay income taxes(
JAWilliams @ Oct 30th 2008 1:26PM
The McCain camp declined the advertising offer because they couldn't quite figure out how people can leverage the interwebs to place advertising on stick-n-hoops, orange boxes tied to phone poles, or whatever it is kids do these days.
baby sea tuna @ Oct 30th 2008 1:27PM
That's what I was thinking.
"What the fuck is the INTERNET?!"
LaughingMan @ Oct 30th 2008 1:31PM
Obviously they were afraid the tubes would be clogged, and they'd send out their own personal Internet and not have it received until tuesday... It's not a Big Truck!
Nick the Hero of Canton @ Oct 30th 2008 1:31PM
The Internet is a communication tool used the world over where people can come together to bitch about movies and share pornography with one another.
GenBanks @ Oct 30th 2008 1:58PM
The key to world peace, in other words.
John @ Oct 30th 2008 3:54PM
do you people seriously think a United States Senator doesn't understand how to use a computer?
I mean really.
JAWilliams @ Oct 30th 2008 4:03PM
I'm joking, but kinda serious. Check out this interview:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/us/politics/13text-mccain.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print.
"Q: But do you go on line for yourself?
Mr. McCain: They go on for me. I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself."
This from July 2008.
John @ Oct 30th 2008 4:40PM
you gotta realize we are a pretty savvy bunch. Some people think knowing how to use the google makes them an IT professional.
But really if you think that anyone in ANY govt job doesn't know how to use office and get email and stuff you need to come to my work and see what happens when an exchange server goes down.
Doug @ Oct 30th 2008 4:46PM
The thing is, if we go to Joystiq, the well, we are savvy (and passionate about games). Compared to the average Joe who use the internet to Google "boobies".
JAWilliams @ Oct 30th 2008 4:53PM
I think use and comfort with technology is more of a generational thing, although there certainly are people much older than I that were programming BASIC when I was in diapers as well as younger people than myself who are much more comfortable with integrating technology into their daily lives. Regardless of age I'd like to have a president who, when creating the laws that govern and impact technology, is somewhat more saavy than the average Joe Plumber. It's admitedly my personal preference.
Sarge @ Oct 30th 2008 6:37PM
You know, people did actually get work done before the Internet existed.
I know quite a few people who are very uncomfortable with technology. Many of them don't see a need for it, and therefore the effort to learn it is not there. I even see it from people my age (late 20's), although it's not as prevalent.
Besides, if you're the President, why the heck would you need e-mail or the Internet when you get a briefing on what you need to know every day? I'd leave it behind in a heartbeat if I could.
Lord HowitHurtz @ Oct 30th 2008 1:28PM
So with all this extra money coming in with in-game ads i guess this means that videogames containing these ads will be cheaper!!
SAWEEEETTT!!
Shagittarius @ Oct 30th 2008 1:30PM
Add that too the money they can save digitally distributing games and its going to cost next to nothing for new games!
SWEEEEET!
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Oct 30th 2008 1:32PM
No its just insurance money for developers/publishers just in case their games with massive development budgets fail.
Also helps with DLC, Obama paid for those bikes you'll be using soon.
Shagittarius @ Oct 30th 2008 1:37PM
SARCASM, Your detecting it wrong.
Superstar90 @ Oct 30th 2008 5:29PM
Grammar, you're doing it wrong.
Maverick Saturn @ Oct 30th 2008 1:36PM
Don't worry people, either way, theres only a couple of days left before a decision is made, whichever way it goes, all those ads that annoy you so much will be gone, apart from the off cases where the devs can't be arsed to remove the ads :D
ZaxCG2 @ Oct 30th 2008 2:00PM
Amen.
JUST LET IT BE OVER. I'm getting to the point where I don't give a crap who our next president is- JUST MAKE THEM SHUTUP.
Mr Khan @ Oct 30th 2008 2:25PM
I'll be glad when the daily poll averages are off my homepage, thank you very much
Though as a democrat, i like where the numbers are now, they make me nervous. Like Obama said, we could readily grasp defeat from the jaws of victory here
Master Bruce @ Oct 30th 2008 4:09PM
Sure, the elections will be done soon, but don't forget the weeks of lawsuits that will probably follow if the election is too close.
sure... @ Oct 30th 2008 1:38PM
No, it just goes to show you that the election is up for sale to the highest bidder. A nation of over 300 million people and these 4 are the best we can find?
You tell me. I guess the Myans are right afterall.
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Oct 30th 2008 1:44PM
You do realize that a lot of Obama's campaign money came from private citizens right? Also I think 3 out of the top 4 contributors to Obama's campaign are institutions of higher learning.
This time around its a little different, sure he had major corporations contribute a crap load of money so they can cover their asses just in case he wins but he also got millions from private citizens like myself and others.