Major Nelson: Don't sweat Xbox Live Silverlight ads
by Justin McElroy 
{ Jul 2nd 2009 at 12:15PM } 
Just when we were starting to get all excited about Silverlight-powered ads for Mountain Dew and Axe Body Spray littering the Xbox Dashboard, Xbox Live spokesman Major Nelson rains on our parade, telling readers that they don't need to sweat.The Major recently posted, "One of our core principles is to enhance, not interfere with the gaming experience, and we work directly with our partners to only deliver experiences that are relevant to the LIVE community. Silverlight will help make those ads a more organic part of the dashboard, like we've done with some of the NXE slots in the past."
Aww, come on. Maybe just one "Get Totally Crunchatized With Doritos" ad? Something?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Master Bruce @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:20PM
I have a feeling they think ads will enhance said gaming experience.
Storm Eagle (P:FoXGameR, X:PullingADrifter) @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:22PM
It's bad enough some of our games can be littered with them...
Must our game consoles also be?
The Dark Wang(Ohyeahcola in disguise) @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:45PM
Stare into my name to see your future.
John B. @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:20PM
I'm not sure ads enhance anything. But if they want to start inserting ads as a source of revenue, they better stop charging for gold memberships.
roger @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:24PM
This is crap and I blame all of you MS apologists for this trend. They know that the no matter what they put out you will buy since there is a sucker born every minute. I will not renew my subscription and play on my PS3 where online is free. I just hope the rumored 3.0 upgrade brings it up to par with Live since I shouldn't have to pay for something that's free everywhere else.
protofunc @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:05PM
Wtf roger, did Steve Balmer crall into your bed when you were little and play with your vagina or something? Why so much hate for the company and apparently its consumers also?
I'm not justifying the ads, but at the same time they don't bother me. I don't think its a big deal whenever the first thing is i see is the spotlight category and i sure as hell don't get butthurt whenever i see an ad for a movie that i was prolly gonna watch anyways.
Get over yourself dude, it's not really that big a deal.
protofunc @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:06PM
crawl*
protofunc @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:16PM
For the record, i wasn't talking about fucking commercials. I agree with the majority when they say we shouldn't have to be forced to watch an ad for a service we already pay for.
Fuck that.
ForbidenMaster @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:24PM
NXE proved that it does. Tell me, how do you find out whats on the PSN store? As far as I can tell PSN has the same problem the original 360 dashboard has. Unless you frequently visit video game websites that report what content the store has, you simply dont ever get that info.
I think most people are blowing this out of proportion, and that people dont mind what it actually is. I think that its more like the game preview videos and the OXM report type stuff that insta-stream that will be in 1080p, just like they will be doing with the video marketplace. Unless something is taking up the whole screen, like the items mentioned above, then there is no point to 1080p.
I think that the adds on the dashboard are implemented very well and are very useful. I recently stopped reading gaming websites as often as I used to, and if it wasn't for the adds on the dashboard I wouldn't know about anything that came out on the XBLM, specifically the recent Fallout 3 DLC. Items like that are important to advertise, and I would be annoyed if they removed them.
roger @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:24PM
See a sucker every minute isn't that right protofunc. Your paying for a service that's not only free, but ad free as well and defend MS for it, a true apologist if I may say so myself.
YinzJagz (PSN: YinzJagz) @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:36PM
I fear that you are right. EVERY, and i mean every ad on the dashboard pisses me off. Those things may be "relevant to the live experience", but the bottom line is that it adds way too much clutter to the dashboard. Don't get me wrong, It's great that they have those features available, just make a way available for me to turn them off. IMO (sounding like a PS fanboy) They should do it more like sony and just have the dash be things that system functions and have the store filled with ads that change every second or so. Let the consumers decide, instead of constantly beating them over the head with useless jargon that ultimately tarnishes the live experience for me.
Bottom line: If they want to make the "best live experience they can" then let me turn off the stupid ads.
LameDuck @ Jul 2nd 2009 10:15PM
I pay 50 dollars a year for XBL. I pay 50 dollars a month for TV. Guess which has more ads. I count 3 ads on XBL: 2 for Netflix and one promo for Torchwood. In fact, I didn't know Torchwood was on XBL so I'm downloading it now. We're talking about relevant stuff here, not ads for baby milk and tampons. Get over yourselves.
Anyway, they already have to power to bombard you with ads, Silverlight isn't going to change that. If any thing, it's a sign that there may be a 360 browser in the works or a new streaming service. Maybe this has something to do with the new store coming this fall? Hmm... Na... It's just for ads, amirite? Look at flash, totally useless.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:21PM
In the picture that was shown of the dashboard with the ads (not sure if it was photoshopped or real), it had the espn tracker on the bottom which I gotta say I wouldn't mind that one at all.
But if I have to look at Mcdonalds and all that everytime I go to the dash, I want Live free. Specially since they can't seem to NOT fuck up Live for me after a supposed maintenance day.
Dr. Stabbingworth @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:33PM
Sometimes I just want a simple, uncluttered interface.
Every MS employee should own Maeda's "Laws of Simplicity" but I bet you won't find a single copy there.
ALBGunner04 @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:21PM
This is why I prefer the XMB over the NXE. XMB is much more personal and doesn't have any ads (you can disable the PlayStation ticker if you want to).
Having ads on the dashboard is like having ads on your desktop of your computer. I don't like the idea at all.
Wiizer (Michael Pachter MUST DIE.. Professionally) @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:38PM
I mean, they PAY for the service, too! This is unbelievable.
I remember when Livejournal started putting ads on personal free blogs, and people responded VERY negatively.
Now, LJ only shows ads on free blogs in the community to users that are not logged in when viewing said blog. The revenue might be nice, MS, but there's a price to revenue ads at the expense of a gamer's experience.
Badboy1979 @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:08PM
All of the ads on the dashboard are either game/movie related or a free theme/pic/contest sponsored by a company.
Not directed at the commenters above, but I have to wonder if the people who flat out hate ads because of Live not being free are also the ones who complain about how MS is able to get exclusive content in GTA IV, Fallout 3, etc. I say that because those people always bring up MS having money to throw at studios when I'm pretty sure those ads on the dashboard and Live fee help to secure said exclusives.
So it's NOT like this stuff isn't benefiting 360 gamers directly... not to mention help paying for additional devs to provide integrated apps that broaden the 360 entertainment experiece (keyword being integrated... as in more like the iPhone facebook app experience instead of having to browse using the iPhone browser)
Wiizer (Michael Pachter MUST DIE.. Professionally) @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:11PM
@ Person Above Me
Are you making something off of the ads (monetary-wise)? Why in the Hell are you justifying ads when you're just speculating on where that money would be going?
You don't EVEN KNOW!
ALBGunner04 @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:17PM
@Wiizer: Agreed. The consumers shouldn't defend corporations when they make enough money as it is while we make none.
@Badboy1979: When you talk about GTA IV DLC content, really, that would be coming to the 360 anyway. MS did not do anything to ensure it would be coming to the 360, they just ensured it wouldn't come to the PS3, and I don't know how that benefits you. It only benefits the company.
And in the end, would you ever tolerate Windows 7 if MIcrosoft decided that the desktop would have a little corner which showed ads for computer software? Game ads or not, I don't want to see it in my personal user experience.
Badboy1979 @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:23PM
Um, did you not read what I wrote... they benefit me because it provides MS with more money to hire more 360 devs (which means more 360 software) and helps to secure exclusives (as in giving $50 million to Rockstar before they started developing GTA add-on)
... OR are we all now saying that devs do exclusive contracts out of the kindness of their heart???!?!?!?!?
Ads appearing on paid services is nothing new. At least we don't have to sit thru 30 seconds of an ad before you do anything. (I'm looking at you cable tv channels)
Badboy1979 @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:38PM
How does that benefit 360 users having exclusive content?
Let's say a couple of high profile games like GTA IV have exclusive stuff that the PS3 doesn't. That means that people who want said content will more than likely buy a 360 and increase the install base. Having an substantial install base catches the eye of developers who would have otherwise stuck with their console of preference (for example, devil may cry series on the PS2). So for those gamers who only have one console (in this example, the 360), exclusive content benefits them even if they don't buy it cause it helps to sway buyers who only have enough interest in gaming to have one console. Which, in turn, provides a larger install base that appeals to Devs looking to make more money.
(Sidenote: I have a PS3 and a 360)
Wiizer (Michael Pachter MUST DIE.. Professionally) @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:04PM
@1979
You are making NO SENSE!
They are getting exclusives with the money they have already! DO YOU WANT THEM TO BUY OUT ALL THE COMPETITION???
And for what? So, the 360 can monopolize the entire gaming industry? WHY, dude, WHY?
If they're doing it by sending out shotty 360's that RRoD and put ads in the NXE, is it really about EXCLUSIVE GAMES/DLC ANYMORE?
Is it really about gaming?
Badboy1979 @ Jul 2nd 2009 3:45PM
Um yeaaaa... ok it seems you just don't like MS or the 360 and that's fine. You're making it seem like the money they get from ads or XBL is just going off into oblivion somewhere and NONE of it's being funneled into making the console better. Ok.
I've explained why getting exclusive content helps gamers who only have the 360 above.
I, personally, don't think MS is doing anything different that Sony or Nintendo wouldn't do: try to get a bigger marketshare to make more money. In order to do that, they have to keep bettering their service and game selection that people like. That idea/competetion benefits us as 360 gamers.
I still have a launch 360 so I can't really say much about RRODs. I don't mind ads that tell me about contests and stuff that i wouldn't have known about otherwise (example, I've won 2400 points because of competing in stuff I'm found in dashboard ads). You obviously have had a different experience. Cool.
You're making it seem like the ads are just there for MS to make money and it just destroys the whole gaming experience since it has NO benefit to us gamers even tho they're advertising contests and free theme/pics (and entertainment).
You have your opinion and I have mine.
Anam @ Jul 2nd 2009 4:29PM
While I actually generally agree with the argument being made by badboy, the problem I see which could negate the argument is that using adds could drive customers away from the 360. So you'd have to make enough ad revenue and use said revenue in a way that would make up for the loss from customers angry about ads.
The question is, does whatever they may or may not do with this ad revenue justify the cost of annoying paying customers? My opinion is "probably not."
Wiizer (Michael Pachter MUST DIE.. Professionally) @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:27PM
@1979
The money obviously doesn't go into oblivion, it goes into Microsoft... which is kind of like oblivion, but that's not really the point.
You keep saying "I don't mind ads." Then, why put up such a fight FOR them?
Why not just STFU and let us fight to remove them? :D
Badboy1979 @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:11PM
"Why not just STFU and let us fight to remove them?"
I guess you pick and choose what to read from my posts. Did you miss the part where I said that the ads benefited me. (2400 points won from contests in ads... ads aren't intrusive... etc) Maybe I'm not the one that should be talking less and listening more?
"The money obviously doesn't go into oblivion, it goes into Microsoft... which is kind of like oblivion"
Ok and what does MS do what said money... I guess they ship it off to increase the size of life force sucking machine that obviously killed your parents since you don't seem to like MS at all.
Keep on fighting the good fight... a lot of people who aren't up in arms like drama kings/queens (oh no, the ads have completely removed my ability to press up once on my controller to get to the my xbox tab) will be just fine.
Wiizer (Michael Pachter MUST DIE.. Professionally) @ Jul 3rd 2009 1:28AM
@ 1979
It's not about the drama, dude. And I can't believe you're so easily bought...
If I give you 2400 MS points this year, can I rent your forehead as advertising space?
Don't be such a sheep, sheesh!
Badboy1979 @ Jul 3rd 2009 3:38AM
How is ANYONE being bought? What am I sacrificing because I don't mind seeing ads for FREE stuff, contests where you can win FREE stuff, and entertainment (I like music/movies) that AREN'T intrusive on a video game dashboard? You don't like the ads... fine. I do because they alert me to things that I'm interesting in.
I could see if it was an interstitial (sp?) ad or something that popped up and kept you from doing anything. Getting to the main tab of the 360 is literally just one click away. (Although I do believe there should be an option to have the My Xbox tab be the default)
You're starting not to make sense.
Tom @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:23PM
Is it just me, or is there something fundermentally wrong with advertisments on the dashboard? I pay £40 a year for my gold subscription (which is way too much) - why should Microsoft make more money by hijacking my bandwidth?
MystileArmor @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:24PM
You know what I think is fucked up?
We PAY for Xbox Live, but we get ads? Fuck that. Either no ads, or make XBL free or discounted or give us more free shit!
Ryan @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:26PM
I agree, but I wouldnt say to make XBL free. What I would say is that Gold members should be exempt from these ads.
Silver members will be subjected to these ads.
jynxycat @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:28PM
XBL is 99% profit for Microsoft.
p2p gaming requires no bandwidth from MS,
updates for games cost MS points,
all video content, no matter how small, cost MS points,
AND they have ads here and there.
Otherwise, they offer a friends list (MSN), demos (filefront/fileplanet), and match making (gamespy)... all free.
So, to even have ads AT ALL, is hilarious.
Storm Eagle (P:FoXGameR, X:PullingADrifter) @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:36PM
That exact point was made yesterday Mystile and it's perfectly valid. I'm not spending $50/year to cycle through commercials on my dashboard...and it's absolutely ridiculous for them to put that on their users.
Obie @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:39PM
Yup, it's really shady how we pay and yet the first thing we see when we boot into XBL is advertising. It is a glorified pop up advertising...and just because we get used to it, doesnt make it right.
dark_inchworm (on Steam!) dark inchworm (on XBL!) @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:46PM
Ads in the dashboard don't bother me at all, really, though I'm looking forward to the system update that purportedly speeds up the dashboard. Maybe that way I can look at them or (ideally) breeze past them even more speedily. But yes, I do think it's kinda silly that we get all these ads despite paying for the service. Oh, Microsoft.
Ads IN games, though, I cannot stand. Please, no more.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:49PM
thing is if most silver members are like me they wont see them....Since I dont have access to online play I simply start my 360 and go straight to a game....I dont look at friends.....dont browse the marketplace....none of that....just Straight to the game....damn the rest.
Wiizer (Michael Pachter MUST DIE.. Professionally) @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:57PM
"Silver members will be subjected to these ads."
@ Ryan
If Silver pays for service, why should they have to even see the ads???
THEY PAY FOR SERVICE ALREADY.
Ryan @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:04PM
@Wiizer
"If Silver pays for service, why should they have to even see the ads???
THEY PAY FOR SERVICE ALREADY."
Actually, XBL Silver is free.
zero2dash @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:47PM
No, I don't care about "free shit" if ads are the requirement.
If they want ads, then the ad companies pay for the revenue and Live should be free.
If I have to pay for Live, then I don't want ads - no negotiating.
This is absolutely ridiculous. I'd rather not pay for Live seeing as if every other online service (sans MMOs) is free, and offers the same features (Steam especially). If I have to pay for Live, $2.50 (or so - on sale) for a year is a drop in the bucket. But if they're going to start collecting revenue based on ads that are forced upon us, that my ISP wastes bandwidth to download - then Live should be free. Period.
OnToGloryReturns @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:03PM
@Jynxycat
Just to clarify - by game updates you mean DLC right? Because title updates are of course free.
Not all video content costs MS points - game and movie trailers are free (that can't be what you meant) and they sometimes do offer free video content. Other than that is that any different than the PSN? You forgot to mention universal cross game chat and the party system btw.
Having ads is not hilarious, it's business. And they're not at all intrusive. I see this as a non-issue.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:24PM
I'm not sweating it. I dropped Gold so I'm at least I'm not paying to watch ads anymore, I'm seeing them free of charge!
Come on MS, I know companies like to hoover up every nickle they can, but sometimes that can get between you and your customers.
Wonderflex @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:26PM
I only have a PS3, and I could understand having ads seeing how we are able to have our online services for free, but to me it just seems odd that a person on Live who actual pays for their services would have to have ads on top of it. On some websites if you pay you no longer have to look at ads. By that logic I say open up live to everybody for free, and if you are a paying member you can have them hidden.
Will there come a time when we have to see a "quick word from our sponsor" prior to having our games load?
aggrazel @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:02PM
Now some marketing exec is drooling over that prospect. Thanks a LOT jerkface!
Wonderflex @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:04PM
Don't worry Mr. Hutz, I doubt anybody from marketing reads any of our comment, seeing how a few of the gems I've thrown out over the past three years have never taken hold.
err...wait, that's not true at all.
I've said that I don't like DLC because it would make it so games are made only half complete, forcing you to purchase things for the full experience. I imagined a game where you would start out with just cars, but many would be released for a charge - then we hear that Gran Turismo HD would have just that option (thankfully they nixed it).
Later I thought up a game where you would start with only a handgun and a basic assault rifle, and would need to purchase all others. Battlefield Bad Company then decided to take on a similar model, but thankfully changed it to some five tier scheme to unlock all the weapons.
Now we have incomplete games that come in episodes, games where you have to pay to play each month, games with premium items at the cost of real currency, games with dynamic in-game advertising. I can only imagine that the future will hold inceased amounts of forced-viewing advertising with fewer stock in-game items.
Imagine an Xbox achievement or PS Trophy for having found all 15 Mountain Dew signs in some new Mirror's Edge game. When the trophy is unlocked you get some new character outfit. Or how about if you sign up for five free promotions you can unlock one new weapon for each class for Modern Warfare 2.
ducttapeBigSexy @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:49PM
Why stop there? Instead of finding things in game, why not have a trophy that requires you to buy like 10 bottles of Pepsi, then enter the codes under the cap into the game to get the trophy.
Wonderflex @ Jul 2nd 2009 3:03PM
ducttape - I think we are on to something. We should join a marketing team.
BFBeast666 @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:27PM
The only ones benefitting from in-game-ads are the publishers. The end users are not getting cheaper games. On the contrary - we never paid MORE for games than in this generation. Games got a $10 markup, then there's DLC, often enogh just unlocks for stuff on the disc, and now even MORE ads? I'm seriously getting angry here.
GhostofGrendel @ Jul 2nd 2009 1:12PM
Don't even get me started on downloadable content....
butaneko @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:28PM
Don't tell me when to sweat!
Wonderflex @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:08PM
You tell 'em. Nobody tells me when to sweat except for my own sweat glands.