Splinter Cell Conviction to feature in-game advertising during torture scenes
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Nov 12th 2009 at 9:15PM } 
This is actually the pitch Ubisoft delivered at Microsoft Advertising's Gaming Upfront presentation in New York this evening. In-game advertising is rapidly growing, but has typically been relegated to sports and racing games. Splinter Cell Conviction breaks convention by being neither. Expect both static and video ads to appear throughout the environment -- including during the game's lengthy torture sequences. Perhaps they should take it one step further: Sam Fisher should grab a Coca-Cola bottle, smash it, and use the broken glass to kill a guy. Talk about refreshing!
In addition, Ubisoft showed potential advertisers the "heat maps" they created whilst developing the game. These maps highlight likely places players will go while playing. Advertisers will be able to place their ads in high-density areas, in order to ensure maximum exposure to their brands while in the game world. Considering Splinter Cell is a stealth game, don't be too surprised to see ads inside of the conveniently accessible (not to mention remarkably roomy!) air ducts.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
MrSpaceCowboy @ Nov 12th 2009 9:18PM
I eagerly await the opportunity to use a 'Slap Chop' on someone's hand as an interrogation technique in game.
Van Faulk @ Nov 12th 2009 9:39PM
Stop having a boring interrogation, stop having a boring life.
CH3BURASHKA @ Nov 12th 2009 10:20PM
Your floor all bloody? Not enough paper towels? ShamWow is all you need!
Evi1d33d @ Nov 13th 2009 9:40AM
'You'll love your nuts when I'm done with you!'
Traceur_Ryuk [Founder of The Anti-EMCB(tm) and co-leader of ATDF] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Nov 12th 2009 9:18PM
"NOOO! STOP!"
*5 second pause*
"Burnt from torture? Try our new Icy hot patch for burns"
*Torture resumes*
UnKool @ Nov 12th 2009 9:46PM
So whats the news torture or in-game adds?
Kingdaniel97 @ Nov 12th 2009 10:13PM
What's the difference UnKool?
Bobby Kotick - Co-Founder of the ATDF @ Nov 12th 2009 9:18PM
Hey everybody. Let's put up our own ads right here in the comment section!
Like for example: http://lakupo.com/grblitz/kotick_tampon.png
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 9:21PM
I like this one for you better...
http://i.imgur.com/N3NCG.jpg
See? You're advertising Activision, Infinity Ward, Logitech, Axes, douchebaggery, and general smugness!
Josh @ Nov 12th 2009 9:25PM
KOTICK, YOU!
Josh @ Nov 12th 2009 9:25PM
Those are good shops, though, gj.
PrinceWitherdick @ Nov 12th 2009 9:19PM
Everyone get ready to use YOUR very own Miracle Blade III (tm) to slice and dice America's worst enemies! When you're finished, feel free to use the included IN GAME super shamee to clean your mess and a find a pack of TROJAN condoms while searching you're searching his fresh corpse. By god, I can't wait.
PSN: John-Paul-Jones (click for last.fm profile!) @ Nov 12th 2009 10:16PM
Just imagine Sam Fisher looking down the barrel of a gun and all of a sudden:
HEAD ON APPLY DIRECTLY TO YOUR FOREHEAD
HEAD ON APPLY DIRECTLY TO YOUR FOREHEAD
HEAD ON APPLY DIRECTLY TO YOUR FOREHEAD
Bad move by Ubisoft. No one's going to take the story seriously if ads are inserted during one of the dramatic scenes.
Mairtin @ Nov 12th 2009 9:20PM
It's like that movie War, Inc... Capitalism is going to liberate the f*** out of you, terrorist scum!
WRYYYYYY @ Nov 12th 2009 9:22PM
Sick of being tortured by your computer? Switch to Windows 7!
mike smith @ Nov 12th 2009 9:23PM
If it has "Sham-Wow"....
Day one purchase.
Bobby Kotick - Co-Founder of the ATDF @ Nov 12th 2009 9:25PM
I kinda like Sham-Pow better...
uncle jesse @ Nov 13th 2009 10:09AM
Wouldn't it be the 'Sam-Wow'?
I'm sorry....
Ashkental @ Nov 12th 2009 9:24PM
I cried a little... inside.
I don't know why you americans are not revolted by seeing advertisement in every possible place ...
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] ATDFs Financier and Batman @ Nov 12th 2009 9:25PM
AMERICA IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT SELLS THINGS
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 9:26PM
We'll do anything for money. I'd wear all Activision-branded clothing for money.
Ashkental @ Nov 12th 2009 9:28PM
I bet if you could put a Coke logo in your face for 1 dolar a day you guys would do it, then spend it drinking Coke 2 days later....
Traceur_Ryuk [Founder of The Anti-EMCB(tm) and co-leader of ATDF] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Nov 12th 2009 9:30PM
I'd eat a Klondike bar for money.
(Amidoinitrite?)
Bobby Kotick - Co-Founder of the ATDF @ Nov 12th 2009 9:34PM
Americans are SO disgusted whenever this shit pops up. I hate anything and anyone that advertizes like that. (Please ignore the following)
http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~jwilder/pepsi.jpg
http://thedivinemissmommy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/barbasol.jpg
http://omglists.blogfaction.com/global/radar/blog_images/40513-1.jpg
Traceur_Ryuk [Founder of The Anti-EMCB(tm) and co-leader of ATDF] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Nov 12th 2009 9:37PM
A Coke logo on my face? Hell no! ... I prefer Pepsi
AoE @ Nov 12th 2009 11:25PM
I like the part where you use a story about a French game publisher sticking ads into every corner of the single-player component of one of their flagship titles as an opportunity to slag off Americans.
I hate to tell you this buddy, but as someone who very obviously also lives in a consumer society (I assume you don't just read game blogs just to see how the other half lives) You're gonna be affected by the actions of French video-game publisher Ubisoft as well. ;)
knor @ Nov 12th 2009 11:55PM
Funnier still, Dark Wayne, when you consider ubisoft MONTREAL is making the game.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 9:26PM
I hope they have Billy Mays in the game!
HI! BILLY MAYS HERE!
MystileArmor @ Nov 12th 2009 9:34PM
Got some nasty bloodstains on your toilet bowl? OXYCLEAN!!
Bobby Kotick - Co-Founder of the ATDF @ Nov 12th 2009 9:35PM
Maybe if this game took place in Vegas...
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 9:36PM
Got dog shit on your boots? Get it out with Kaboom!
MystileArmor @ Nov 12th 2009 9:39PM
The preceding bit of comedic Joystiq commenting was made possible in part by:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/files/images/0909-jello-singles.jpg
CheeziePotato (Super Saiyan of the ATDF) @ Nov 12th 2009 10:21PM
Fuck that, where's mah Jello Pundin?
AoE @ Nov 12th 2009 11:26PM
They won't unfortunately. But I hear he's gonna be doing some in-game advertising for Capcom in Dead Rising 2.
charlie b. @ Nov 13th 2009 12:29PM
Billy Mays is the final boss.
good luck trying to defeat the awesome power of Orange Clean™.
JoeStillLife @ Nov 12th 2009 9:28PM
clean up all that blood with Sham-Wow!
Young_Nastyman @ Nov 12th 2009 9:28PM
Sam: WHO KILLED MY DAUGHTER?!?!
Guy: I'll never tell you
*Sam shoves a Taco Bell Cheesy Double Beef Burrito in his mouth after carefully unwrapping it to make sure the Taco Bell logo shows*
Guy: So? I love Taco Bell!!! *camera wink and maybe a thumbs up*
Sam: ...there's no bathroom around here for 3 miles, I have the keys to you car, and I can wait an hour for my answer...
Guy: FINE I'LL TELL YOU WHO HE IS!!!
Sam: *thumbs up to the camera*
xtremeholymuffin @ Nov 13th 2009 10:39AM
Sam: WHO KILLED MY DAUGHTER?!?!
Guy: I'll never tell you
Cosby: JELLO PUDDING POPS!!!
freaparn @ Nov 12th 2009 9:30PM
So when some loony gamer is arrested for breaking into Jeffrey Dickstein's house in the dead of night, locking him in a closet, and bombarding him with Axe Bodyspray commercials on an infinite loop until he claws his eyes out, does that mean they can use the "videogames made me do it" defense to get acquitted? Because, I mean, come on... it was HIS idea, after all.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 9:33PM
I hope there are ads for Burger Town!
Filthy Assistant @ Nov 13th 2009 2:14AM
Wait you actually play games? I thought you spent all your free time commenting here.
MystileArmor @ Nov 12th 2009 9:33PM
IF I PAY 60 DOLLARS FOR A GAME, I DON'T WANT ADS. THAT'S LIKE COMMERCIAL BREAKS IN A DVD YOU BOUGHT!!
WHY AM I YELLING?!!
AAH LOUD NOISES!
Bobby Kotick - Co-Founder of the ATDF @ Nov 12th 2009 9:36PM
CAPS LOCK
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 12th 2009 9:38PM
PILLS HERE!
WAIT!
ADS HERE!
MystileArmor @ Nov 12th 2009 9:43PM
AIDS HERE?
AIDS?
AIDS VACCINE, VOTED ONE OF THE BEST INVENTIONS OF 2009! COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU!!!
(disclaimer: actual results may vary and are depending on possible effectiveness on vaccine that yes yet to be proven, and might, but is not limited to the following side effects: nasea, vomiting, diarrhea, death, tubercoloses, death, cancer of the testicles, aids and herpes)
MystileArmor @ Nov 12th 2009 9:44PM
(disclaimer 2: misspelled disclaimers are not the responsibilty of the advertiser... typing with chocolate pudding covered fingers is tricky)
maveric101 @ Nov 12th 2009 10:37PM
why is it so bad? there are ads all over the place in real life. if they're place in realistic locations i don't see the problem.
Giroro @ Nov 13th 2009 4:33AM
@maveric
Well, first a question: have you played anything with in-game advertisements?
They are obtrusive annoying and repetitive, they really do ruin the immersion.
Most media that contains advertisements depends almost entirely on those ads for revenue, like TV and radio. However, most things you pay money for, like a DVD or CD doesn't have ads getting in the way. A a consumer I pay a very high premium for a game, they typically cost about 5x more than a DVD or CD. However, game makers insist on profiting on obtrusive advertisements in addition to the large amounts of money I am already paying them, which clashes with the fact I AM PAYING $60 FUCKING DOLLARS FOR THE GAME! Ads are fine in games like Quake Live that are free to play, but absolutely UNACCEPTABLE in something that I pay for. comprende?
Annoying Poster @ Nov 12th 2009 9:36PM
this is not news, splinter cell double agent had in game dynamically streaming advertising too. they werent out of place or intrusive, so i didnt mind, in fact it was kind of cool to see how they would update with current media so you didnt see the same thing all the time.
however, why arent we as consumers seeing the results of these ads in the form of lower costing games?? ie: why do games with ads cost the same as those without ads? ubisoft is clearly just pocketing the cash. this is unfair and something needs to be done here to give some sort of value to the consumer in order to give everyone a reason not to boycott this sort of movement
CynicalStrike @ Nov 12th 2009 9:48PM
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory had advertising in it too. Some of that WAS intrusive though; why would a North Korean missile silo have posters for a Motley Crue album on the walls?