Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sony replaces 'Kevin Butler' ad agency with 'Axe Astronaut' firm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/sony-replaces-kevin-butler-ad-agency-with-axe-firm/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/sony-replaces-kevin-butler-ad-agency-with-axe-firm/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/sony-replaces-kevin-butler-ad-agency-with-axe-firm/#comments Sony replaces 'Kevin Butler' ad agency with BBH NYSony has announced that it has selected New York-based ad agency Bartle, Bogle, Hegarty as its new lead creative agency, after what sounds like a complicated (and crowded) selection process. For the past six years, Sony's lead agency has been Deutsch L.A., the team behind none other than Kevin Butler and the famous "Michael" ad. But after chatting with Deutsch and other cool-sounding firms like 180LA and Anomaly, Sony selected Bartle, Bogle, Hegarty New York to deliver its future message.

BBH has an impressive portfolio of work, including the Axe Astronaut campaign you may have seen during the Super Bowl last week. Why did Sony switch horses after so long? Oh, we don't know - maybe they have a big new announcement in the works they want advertised just the right way.

Continue reading Sony replaces 'Kevin Butler' ad agency with 'Axe Astronaut' firm

JoystiqSony replaces 'Kevin Butler' ad agency with 'Axe Astronaut' firm originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adad-agencyadvertisingbartle-bogle-hegartybbhbbh-nydeutsch-laplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4sonyvitaWed, 06 Feb 2013 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U ad reveals the Commercial Family Warehouse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/wii-u-ad-reveals-the-commercial-family-warehouse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/wii-u-ad-reveals-the-commercial-family-warehouse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/wii-u-ad-reveals-the-commercial-family-warehouse/#comments
The Wii U's advertising campaign takes us into a part of the Nintendo headquarters we've never seen: the facility where all the Wii commercial living rooms from the last six years are stored, complete with smiling families engaging in family fun and good-natured competition ... forever.

That strange mechanical whining you hear in the background is the enormous crane Nintendo uses to remove these Wii and Wii U habitats from the facility, depositing them in soundstages for Ubisoft launch game trailers. That's the only explanation we can think of for what almost sounds, at first, like music.

JoystiqWii U ad reveals the Commercial Family Warehouse originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingnintendowii-uThu, 01 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo unveils first Wii U advert in UK, features flurry of 'spings']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/nintendo-airs-first-wii-u-advert-in-uk-features-flurry-of-spin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/nintendo-airs-first-wii-u-advert-in-uk-features-flurry-of-spin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/nintendo-airs-first-wii-u-advert-in-uk-features-flurry-of-spin/#comments
Nintendo unveiled the UK's first Wii U commercial last night. The ad aired during a Homeland break on Channel 4, and YouTube user Neil Wheatley uploaded it shortly after.

The minute-long commercial is narrated by TV and radio presenter Adam Buxton, he of The Adam and Joe Show fame. On top of featuring Buxton's squeaky flurry of 'spings', the ad focuses on five of the new "ways to play" with Wii U. It also closes with a rapid-fire selection of upcoming Wii U games, although curiously Mass Effect 3 shows up twice within a matter of seconds. It's not like the Wii U is clutching at straws for launch games, is it?

Wii U launches in the UK and Europe on November 30.

JoystiqNintendo unveils first Wii U advert in UK, features flurry of 'spings' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcommercialnintendotvukwii-uMon, 22 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dishonored's attempt to Cure Violence with revenge, by Vice]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/dishonoreds-attempt-to-cure-violence-with-revenge-by-vice/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/dishonoreds-attempt-to-cure-violence-with-revenge-by-vice/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/dishonoreds-attempt-to-cure-violence-with-revenge-by-vice/#comments

Vice, founded as a punk zine in 1994, is now a major global brand with a network of television, documentary and digital production studios, an online hub, magazine, record label, publishing house and advertising agency. It's notorious for brash exposition and unapologetic presentation, finding the dark yet honest angle in its productions.

Vice has taken on Bethesda's Dishonored as its first attempt to market a single product, and while it doesn't have to dig far to find the dirt in an assassination video game, it managed to take the "revenge" angle in an unexpected direction, as noted by Gapers Block. Vice filmed Chicago Interrupted, a documentary chronicling the violence-prevention group Cure Violence as its members attempt to diffuse dangerous street situations, ending with a plea for America to not become desensitized.

Chicago Interrupted begins with an advertisement for Dishonored, whose tagline is "Revenge solves everything," and the documentary was featured on Eye for an Eye, Vice's multimedia project to market the game, before being pulled yesterday. Part one is embedded above and still features the Bethesda and Dishonored intro.

One of Dishonored's draws is the ability to play the entire game in stealth mode, without killing anyone, but it is an action assassination game at heart. Perhaps the juxtaposition of real-world violence is supposed to make us think twice about killing people in-game, but that street travels both ways. Showing how fun it is to slit people's throats in the digital realm right before chronicling the grim reality of violence marks the very desensitization Cure Violence stands against.

As gaming becomes an increasingly mainstream endeavor, new companies will handle its subject matter in various ways to find a sweet spot of marketing and social sensitivity. Vice may have just stumbled on one of those thresholds.

JoystiqDishonored's attempt to Cure Violence with revenge, by Vice originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbethesdaBethesda-Softworkschicago-interruptedcure-violencedishonoredmarketingmicrosoftpcplaystationps3VicexboxThu, 27 Sep 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony patents method of turning TV ads into interactive mini-games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/sony-patents-method-of-turning-tv-ads-into-interactive-mini-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/sony-patents-method-of-turning-tv-ads-into-interactive-mini-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/sony-patents-method-of-turning-tv-ads-into-interactive-mini-game/#comments Sony patents method for turning commercials into social gamesSony holds the patent for turning television commercials into interactive video games, taking humanity one step closer a future resembling Wall-E, while the likelihood of Blade Runner fades to a distant, neon second. The patent describes one method of gaming as advertisement as a "commercial overlaid on frames of the television program allowing the user to play the game while the television program is displayed."

Sony's patent provides visuals of various implementation processes, some of which include using the PlayStation console itself, along with the PS Eye, the Move or DualShock controllers, or a microphone. The controllers would allow viewers to play mini-games designed to sell products while they entertain, and they would enable people to purchase items directly from the ad. One drawing shows someone ordering a pizza by using the Move to select a large "Buy" button, and another has someone voting for a character with the X, O, square and triangle buttons.

The patent also shows a microphone hooked up to the PlayStation console, enabling viewers to vocalize whether they want an action or romantic commercial. Another voice-input idea makes viewers yell out brand names to continue their shows, pictured above.

The patent appears to work with internet TVs or screens attached to network-enabled devices, such as the PlayStation. If you've yet to disable your cable and hook up your PC to an HD flatscreen, now may be the time - or maybe consider that Steam Big Picture box when it launches. They can take our TVs, but they'll never take our PCs.

Please scream "Joystiq!" to continue.

JoystiqSony patents method of turning TV ads into interactive mini-games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingBladeRunnercommercialfuturemovepatentplaystationps3SONYUSPTOWall-EThu, 23 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA's Battlefield 3 ad campaign on Facebook shows 440 percent return on investment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/eas-battlefield-3-ad-campaign-on-facebook-shows-440-percent-ret/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/eas-battlefield-3-ad-campaign-on-facebook-shows-440-percent-ret/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/eas-battlefield-3-ad-campaign-on-facebook-shows-440-percent-ret/#comments EA's Battlefield 3 ad campaign on Facebook shows 440 percent return on investmentA major part of Facebook's business, in addition to keeping an accurate and exceedingly detailed log of the horrible web of lies you spin during your daily social activities, is as an advertising platform. As it turns out, advertising on Facebook can be pretty helpful, at least if the product you're shilling is something globally recognized like Battlefield 3.

"Electronic Arts recently spent $2.75 million promoting Battlefield 3 on Facebook," said Facebook COO Sheryl K. Sandberg during the company's first investor call since going public. "They attributed $12.1 million of their sales to these ads, translating to a 4.4x return on their Facebook marketing spend." Sandberg didn't elaborate on how EA extrapolated that figure.

An independent study performed on 60 different Facebook advertising campaigns showed that 70 percent of campaigns analyzed saw a 300 percent return on investment at minimum, according to Sandberg, while 49 percent of campaigns enjoyed 500 percent returns. It's difficult to determine how well that figure scales up, considering its small sample size, but we're sure that the simple act of typing "500 percent returns" has caused several dozen advertising executives to salivate uncontrollably.

JoystiqEA's Battlefield 3 ad campaign on Facebook shows 440 percent return on investment originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbattlefield-3DICEEAElectronic-ArtsFacebookmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Sheryl-K-SandbergxboxFri, 27 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NUads video demonstrates how your Kinect will get you to watch TV ads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/nuads-video-demonstrates-how-your-kinect-will-get-you-to-watch-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/nuads-video-demonstrates-how-your-kinect-will-get-you-to-watch-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/nuads-video-demonstrates-how-your-kinect-will-get-you-to-watch-t/#comments This is what Xbox's 'NUads' will look like, apparently
Microsoft posted a preview clip of its "NUads," which isn't quite as filthy as it sounds. Not in the way you're thinking, anyway. "NUads" are like television advertisements, presented through the Xbox 360 dashboard, that feature Kinect voice interactivity. Or, as Microsoft's sparklingly corporate text describes it, "NUads transform standard 30-second TV spots into engaging and actionable experiences using the power of voice and gesture controls of Kinect for Xbox 360."

The example shown takes an existing Toyota ad, and overlays a cutesy poll. This is just a proof of concept, and we might see them grow more interactive and perhaps even useful after the program launches this fall, but right now it appears to be a simplistic overlay of busywork designed to "engage" people in the ad just enough to make sure they're watching it. This is a very exciting development for advertisers, and something that is, for now, mercifully optional for the rest of us - those of us who didn't buy Kinects for the sole purpose of making ourselves more effective targets for ads.

JoystiqNUads video demonstrates how your Kinect will get you to watch TV ads originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingkinectnuadsxboxxbox-liveMon, 18 Jun 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SCEA patents advertising that interrupts gameplay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/scea-patents-advertising-that-interrupts-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/scea-patents-advertising-that-interrupts-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/scea-patents-advertising-that-interrupts-gameplay/#comments ImageA patent filed by Sony Computer Entertainment America in 2011 describes an advertising system in which a game would be "suspended" during play, an advertisement would come up, and then the game would continue - much like TV commercials interrupt segments of programming. According to the patent, ads would be preceded by a warning and a slowdown of gameplay, with another warning displayed when gameplay is about to resume.

The mere filing of a patent is no indication that this will be implemented, simply that the idea came up. Now, while we primarily work as journalists, we consider ourselves reasonably industry-savvy, and can thus be trusted to provide game industry analysis, pro-bono, in an advisory capacity.

It is to that end we present the following advice to Sony:

DON'T DO THIS

JoystiqSCEA patents advertising that interrupts gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingpatentplaystationplaystation-vitaps3sceavitaFri, 25 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA['The World is in Play' kicks off $50 million Vita ad campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/the-world-is-in-play-kicks-off-50-million-vita-ad-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/the-world-is-in-play-kicks-off-50-million-vita-ad-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/the-world-is-in-play-kicks-off-50-million-vita-ad-campaign/#comments
Sony plans to spend $50 million on its Vita advertising campaign... and from this "The World is in Play" commercial, most of that budget went toward the fantastic visuals.

Given the accents -- and the soccer -- this would appear to be a European ad. It also doesn't feature the #gamechanger Twitter hashtag, a cornerstone of the North American campaign.

In case you're wondering when the hardware is actually available, the first batches of Vita are available tomorrow, with the official product launch on February 22. Well, somebody had to tell you. Can't expect Sony to do all the heavy lifting.

Joystiq'The World is in Play' kicks off $50 million Vita ad campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingmarketingplaystationplaystation-vitavitaTue, 14 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony spending $50 million on Vita marketing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/sony-spending-50-million-on-vita-marketing/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/sony-spending-50-million-on-vita-marketing/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/sony-spending-50-million-on-vita-marketing/#comments You might be wondering where all the Vita advertising is. Sony's been pretty quiet about the thing until now, but that's going to change, according to Sony's senior director for handheld consoles, John Koller. Sony's just taking its time about getting that message out.

Koller told the New York Times that the company is spending $50 million for commercials, billboards, retail deals, online banner ads, and a Twitter campaign focusing on the hashtag #gamechanger. That outlay means it's "the largest platform launch in terms of marketing investment we've ever had," Koller said.

Our take: the timing is a shrewd move to make the people buying the First Edition Bundle feel like a really exclusive club -- because nobody else will know the thing is out yet.

JoystiqSony spending $50 million on Vita marketing originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingjohn-kollerplaystationplaystation-vitavitaMon, 13 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom behind 'No Hope Left' viral ads (or widespread graffiti, depending on your perspective)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/capcom-behind-no-hope-left-viral-ads-or-widespread-graffiti/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/capcom-behind-no-hope-left-viral-ads-or-widespread-graffiti/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/capcom-behind-no-hope-left-viral-ads-or-widespread-graffiti/#comments The "No Hope Left" ad campaign spotted in a variety of locations across Europe has been pinned to Capcom. At least that's according to The Sixth Axis, whose intrepid reporter schlepped down to the Vauxhall station in London after seeing an image pop up on the viral ad campaign's website. He spotted an ad company (Primesight) credited for the faux graffiti and emailed them to confirm who had bought said ad. He was told, "Panel number is 2375 03 Parry Street. The company advertising on it is CAPCOM."

This makes a lot of sense, given the "O" in "No" looks like a stylized biohazard symbol (the name of the Resident Evil series in Japan). It would also not be surprising at all for a video-game company to post adverts marauding as graffiti, though we doubt this will draw as much ire as previous attempts. Either way, it looks like we'll find out more tomorrow, as the ads all point to a reveal on January 19, 2012. Here's hoping tomorrow doesn't accidentally coincide with the real zombie apocalypse. Boy would that be a lot of egg on Capcom's face, eh?

[Image credit: NoHopeLeft.com]

JoystiqCapcom behind 'No Hope Left' viral ads (or widespread graffiti, depending on your perspective) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbiohazardcapcomenglandgraffitilondonno-hope-leftnonsenseresident-evilviralviral-adviral-adsWed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Soulcalibur V advertisement debunked, junked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/soulcalibur-v-advertisement-debunked-junked/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/soulcalibur-v-advertisement-debunked-junked/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/soulcalibur-v-advertisement-debunked-junked/#comments Following Namco's release of a controversial, crass Soulcalibur V ad focusing on ... non-fighting-related aspects of the game, the above image started going around of a subsequent ad that had reportedly been deemed too controversial and removed. The first post we've seen about it was on Digital Battle, but it's been picked up by a few others.

However, we don't believe Namco Bandai even attempted to use Voldo's codpiece as a selling point. Try to contain your surprise: as far as we can tell, the ad is a fake.

We don't know who's responsible for its creation, but we do know that the Voldo image used for the ad comes from a screenshot of Soul Calibur IV, released in 2007. Compare the two images above, and try not to think about how much time you've just spent concentrating on Voldo's business.

JoystiqSoulcalibur V advertisement debunked, junked originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingdebunkmicrosoftnamco-bandaiphotoshopplaystationps3soulcalibur-5soulcalibur-vxboxMon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to block ads on the Xbox 360 Dashboard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/how-to-block-ads-on-the-xbox-360-dashboard/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/how-to-block-ads-on-the-xbox-360-dashboard/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/how-to-block-ads-on-the-xbox-360-dashboard/#comments Tired of turning on your Xbox 360 and seeing Chuck Norris advertise a game for another platform? Redditors have found a solution. It's ... complicated, involving a lot of fiddling with your Xbox settings, clearing your hard drive cache, and signing up for an OpenDNS account, but the end result is that the domain rad.msn.com is blocked.

That way, you can get to your game of Doritos Crash Course without distraction, or get right to the business of restoring Wendy's restaurants to a repressed world.

JoystiqHow to block ads on the Xbox 360 Dashboard originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingdashboard-update-fall-2011microsoftxboxFri, 09 Dec 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Kevin Butler honors 'Legit Btness' with festive dance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/kevin-butler-honors-legit-btness-with-festive-dance/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/kevin-butler-honors-legit-btness-with-festive-dance/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/kevin-butler-honors-legit-btness-with-festive-dance/#comments
After kicking open the doors on PlayStation's "Hall of Play" last month, Sony's vice president of often hilarious video advertisements took to YouTube this week and honored Killzone 3 player "Legit_Btness." But not because "Legit" is a pro or anything, but because of his dutiful late game Helghast stabbing. Bravo!

JoystiqKevin Butler honors 'Legit Btness' with festive dance originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisementadvertisinghall-of-playkevin-butlerKillzone-3playstationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitaMon, 07 Nov 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Legend analytics announced, will assist advertisers in EA games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/ea-legend-analytics-announced-will-assist-advertisers-in-ea-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/ea-legend-analytics-announced-will-assist-advertisers-in-ea-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/ea-legend-analytics-announced-will-assist-advertisers-in-ea-gam/#comments EA has announced a new service called EA Legend, designed not for consumers but to provide marketers with information about how players are using and engaging with EA products and their related advertisers. For example, EA would be able to provide advertisers with information about their users on iOS apps, Facebook games, and even online and other console games where advertising takes place, and those advertisers and marketers would then be able to figure out when and where best to reach the audience they want.

EA's Senior VP of Global Media Solutions Dave Madden says that the company has increased its reach by 30% in the past year, and that EA Legend will help advertisers break that audience down, and give them "actionable insights across all of our platforms and a complete view into how their campaigns are driving engagement with consumers."

In other words, EA's got your eyeballs, and EA Legend will help advertisers buy them. EA is premiering the service at next week's Advertising Week conference in New York City.

JoystiqEA Legend analytics announced, will assist advertisers in EA games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingaudienceeaea-legendelectronic-artsmarketingmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3xboxFri, 30 Sep 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars ads find their way into Deus Ex: Human Revolution loading screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/star-wars-ads-find-their-way-into-deus-ex-human-revolution-load/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/star-wars-ads-find-their-way-into-deus-ex-human-revolution-load/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/star-wars-ads-find-their-way-into-deus-ex-human-revolution-load/#comments Deus Ex: Human Revolution plays host to a wide assortment of advertisements for fictional future-products (like robot eyes and face-installed sunglasses) -- but the game now sports a promo for a real-life, purchasable thing. The game's loading screen occasionally includes a tiny banner announcing the launch of the Star Wars Blu-ray trilogy, as seen in the corner of the image posted above.

Some of the billboards built into the game's environment are equipped to sport dynamic advertisements, but we haven't noticed anything as unsubtle as this. We suppose it could be worse! The advertisement could just pop up during a climactic boss battle. Or Darth Vader could just make a totally out-of-place cameo in one of Detroit's seedy alleyways. Actually, no, wait. That would be rad.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

JoystiqStar Wars ads find their way into Deus Ex: Human Revolution loading screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingdeus-ex-human-revolutionEidos-Montrealin-game-advertisingmicrosoftpcplaystationps3square-enixstar-warsxboxThu, 15 Sep 2011 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Uncharted 3 and the sands of art]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/uncharted-3-and-the-sands-of-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/uncharted-3-and-the-sands-of-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/uncharted-3-and-the-sands-of-art/#comments
Artist Natalya Netselya has been creating sand art for almost five years, her talent evident as she recreates scenes from the upcoming Uncharted 3 using the micro-pebbles and a light table. Each piece of art by Netselya, like sandcastles in the sand, is wiped away and replaced with something just as impressive.

Hmmm, sandcastles in the sand.

Actually, forget that "artistic" music Sony decided to put with the above video. Mute that and let's get some Robin Sparkles up in this joint. You can find her chart-topper after the break.

Continue reading Uncharted 3 and the sands of art

JoystiqUncharted 3 and the sands of art originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingmarketingNaughty-Dogplaystationps3Robin-SparklesSandcastles-in-the-Sanduncharted-3uncharted-3-drakes-deceptionThu, 08 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception beach stunt, from sand to sculpture]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/uncharted-3-drakes-deception-beach-stunt-from-sand-to-sculptu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/uncharted-3-drakes-deception-beach-stunt-from-sand-to-sculptu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/uncharted-3-drakes-deception-beach-stunt-from-sand-to-sculptu/#comments
The Interactive & Digital Entertainment Festival was held in Cannes in June; a retail-focused festival, publishers bring their games to sunny southern France in the hopes of attracting the attention of Europe's buyers. One way to do that: A sand sculpture!

French marketing crew Urban Act were commissioned to recreate the already iconic image of Drake in front of the crashed plane in the desert to promote Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. Note how they've got the workspace roped off, just in case someone's got a Godzilla game to promote.

JoystiqUncharted 3: Drake's Deception beach stunt, from sand to sculpture originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingmarketingnaughty-dogplaystationps3sceasonyuncharted-3uncharted-3-drakes-deceptionMon, 08 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect-enabled TV ads demonstrated on video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/kinect-enabled-tv-ads-demonstrated-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/kinect-enabled-tv-ads-demonstrated-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/kinect-enabled-tv-ads-demonstrated-on-video/#comments Remember the terrifying future we imagined when Microsoft explained its dream of Kinect-enabled advertising? There's no need to imagine anymore, as Microsoft's demonstration has been caught on video. The footage showcases functions like television scheduling and finding local retailers, all of which is tied to responding vocally to television commercials.

One example features a Toyota commercial which prompts users to say "Xbox near me" for directions to the nearest dealership (powered by Bing maps, of course). Our question: What happens when a PlayStation ad pops up?

Continue reading Kinect-enabled TV ads demonstrated on video

JoystiqKinect-enabled TV ads demonstrated on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingkinectmicrosoftxboxTue, 28 Jun 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xperia Play turns its marketing ship around with new ads (no more grafted thumbs!)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/xperia-play-turns-its-marketing-ship-around-with-new-ads-no-mor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/xperia-play-turns-its-marketing-ship-around-with-new-ads-no-mor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/xperia-play-turns-its-marketing-ship-around-with-new-ads-no-mor/#comments Kristin Schaal It's official! Against all odds, Sony Ericsson has finally ended its nearly year-long streak of embarrassing leaks, missed opportunities, and terrible advertising and come out the other side with this: a series of excellent ads for its "PlayStation Certified" Xperia Play phone.

Spokeswoman (and comedian!) Kristen Schaal walks you through some of the phone's strongest features in a series of five ads, all found after the break. Did you know the Xperia Play is the perfect phone for downloading apps, looking at kitten pictures, editing spreadsheets, and watching YouTube? Neither did we. But it's also got a slide-out gamepad, which Ms. Schaal is all too happy to show off.

Hey, Kristen ... do you mind if we call you Kristen? We know a guy you'd probably get along great with. Kristen, meet KB. KB, Kristen.

Continue reading Xperia Play turns its marketing ship around with new ads (no more grafted thumbs!)

JoystiqXperia Play turns its marketing ship around with new ads (no more grafted thumbs!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingAndroidcommercialsKristen-Schaalmobileplaystationplaystation-phonepspsonySony-EricssonXperia-PlayTue, 22 Mar 2011 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve making Portal 2 ads on its own]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/valve-making-portal-2-ads-on-its-own/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/valve-making-portal-2-ads-on-its-own/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/valve-making-portal-2-ads-on-its-own/#comments Who knows how to communicate Portal 2's gameplay and tone better than Valve? Certainly not some ad agency, the company is asserting. Marketing VP Doug Lombardi told MCV that the company is going in-house for its Portal 2 ads, not just because it knows the material, but because it's easier to tinker that way.

"With the Portal 2 ad," Lombardi said, "we playtested it and were able to make changes during production. With an agency, those types of tests are too often left to a post-mortem - at which point, the value of those realisations is pretty close to worthless."

It's solid advice for anyone with the money lying about to create its own ad division. And good news for people who like to see actually funny things on TV.

JoystiqValve making Portal 2 ads on its own originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingDoug-Lombardimicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3valvexboxThu, 17 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota offering free LittleBigPlanet 2 content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/toyota-offering-free-littlebigplanet-2-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/toyota-offering-free-littlebigplanet-2-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/toyota-offering-free-littlebigplanet-2-content/#comments What kind of car does Sackboy drive? Apparently, he drives an eco-friendly Toyota hybrid. Well, at least that's what a new cross-promotion with Toyota is suggesting. The auto manufacturer will be offering free sponsored content when LittleBigPlanet 2 launches, including a free XMB theme and a special Prius-themed level. The downloadable add-on includes collectible items that you can use to build your own adver-gaming creation for a chance to win "some very cool prizes."

So, who's going to build a LBP2 recreation of Yaris?

JoystiqToyota offering free LittleBigPlanet 2 content originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advergamingadvertisingdlcLittleBigPlanet-2playstationpriusps3psntoyotatoyota-priusWed, 12 Jan 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/#commentsIf you'd like to freshen up your Kinect Sports experience with fresh fruit and fresh ... chicken, head to the Xbox Live Marketplace right now. Microsoft has posted a free DLC suite, the "Party Pack."

The free download adds a "Challenge" feature to track friends' minigame scores. Appropriately, the DLC adds six new minigames: Super Striker (for Soccer), Pinvaders (for Bowling), Rapid Runner (for Track & Field), Target Smash (for Table Tennis), Fruit Splatter (for Volleyball), and King of the Ring (for Boxing). It also includes new games for the multiplayer Party Play mode, and three new "crazy" Party Play mascots: "Zippy Zombie" (okay, so maybe it's not all fresh), Champion Chicken, and Sportastico. Check after the break for descriptions of the minigames.

MS also announced that new DLC will arrive for Kinect Joy Ride on January 4. The "Chevrolet Car Pack" adds the Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze to your game. It's free -- all you'll have to do is ... select a Chevy ad in XBLM.

Update: Catch a trailer after the break -- a trailer that refers to the set as the "Samsung Party Pack."

Continue reading Free Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4

JoystiqFree Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbigparkchevroletdlckinectkinect-joy-rideKinect-Sportsmicrosoftparty-packrarexboxTue, 14 Dec 2010 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Golden Sun: Dark Dawn ad is a warning for parents]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/golden-sun-dark-dawn-ad-is-a-warning-for-parents/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/golden-sun-dark-dawn-ad-is-a-warning-for-parents/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/golden-sun-dark-dawn-ad-is-a-warning-for-parents/#commentsPerhaps Nintendo picked the wrong message for its Golden Sun: Dark Dawn ad: "Coming soon: the game that will maim your parents." Focusing on the cute, collectible djinn is a good idea for trying to trick Pokemaniacs into picking it up, but maybe we could lay off the family injury next time?

Continue reading Golden Sun: Dark Dawn ad is a warning for parents

JoystiqGolden Sun: Dark Dawn ad is a warning for parents originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcamelot-softwarecommercialdsgolden-sun-dark-dawnnintendorpgFri, 19 Nov 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kevin Butler will sell PS3s to your fake TV family]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/kevin-butler-will-sell-ps3s-to-your-fake-tv-family/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/kevin-butler-will-sell-ps3s-to-your-fake-tv-family/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/kevin-butler-will-sell-ps3s-to-your-fake-tv-family/#commentsFor the holidays, Sony is unleashing a previously unimaginable amount of Kevin Butler on an unsuspecting American public. Following yesterday's Gran Turismo 5 ad, Sony unveiled two additional commercials today starring the ersatz executive. Both ads push the PS3's appeal for the "whole family" (meaning not just you): one highlighting its utility as a Blu-Ray player, and the other depicting PSN's ability to make the device a Facebooking, Netflixing multimedia set-top box.

Despite the mainstream message, both ads also have some value to the PS3 "core gamer" -- because they're pretty funny, if just a touch (or sniff) creepy. See them after the break.

Continue reading Kevin Butler will sell PS3s to your fake TV family

JoystiqKevin Butler will sell PS3s to your fake TV family originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcommercialkevin-butlerplaystationps3Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ad-magine the possibilities: Microsoft sees big potentials in collecting Kinect user data]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/microsoft-sees-big-potentials-in-collecting-kinect-user-data/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/microsoft-sees-big-potentials-in-collecting-kinect-user-data/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/microsoft-sees-big-potentials-in-collecting-kinect-user-data/#commentsKinect isn't just a new way for you to interact with your Xbox, it could become a new way for Microsoft's advertising division to gather targeted data about your family. We're not talking about some tinfoil-hat conspiracy theory -- Microsoft's Dennis Durkin postulated such a future at the BMO Capital Markets conference yesterday.

"Over time," he said, the Kinect camera's ability to distinguish between different users, and therefore tailor content to each user, will "help us be more targeted about what content choices we present; what advertising we present; how we get better feedback and data; about how many people are in a room when an advertisement is shown; how many people are in a room when a game is being played." Theoretically, the camera could also be able to measure the level of interest in a particular game or program, explained Durkin, based on factors like which jerseys viewers are wearing (in the case of a sporting event).

It's important to note that this kind of data collecting is not actually happening yet. There's still plenty of time to order Joystiq Publishing's upcoming product: the Kinect Privacy Shroud. Simply drape the Kinect Privacy Shroud over the camera and go about your life as usual without fear of being targeted by invasive advertising. Oh, and learn sign language, because Kinect can hear you too.

JoystiqAd-magine the possibilities: Microsoft sees big potentials in collecting Kinect user data originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbmo-capital-marketsbmo-capital-markets-conferencedennis-durkinin-game-advertisingjoystiq-publishingkinectmicrosoftuser-dataxboxFri, 12 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[There's a lot going on in these Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit commercials]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/theres-a-lot-going-on-in-these-need-for-speed-hot-pursuit-comm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/theres-a-lot-going-on-in-these-need-for-speed-hot-pursuit-comm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/theres-a-lot-going-on-in-these-need-for-speed-hot-pursuit-comm/#comments EA has developed one of the most perplexing ad campaigns we've ever seen to promote its upcoming racer, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. It's a five-part mini-series following the shenanigans of two valets, one of which is also secretly a renegade cop (?), and one of which is also a street racer (?). Of course, they don't bust fools or drive fast in these ads. They park cars, because they're valets. Sometimes, they don't park the cars, because they're edgy.

Oh, and they're played by Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon, whom you may know from the hit television series Entourage, or, if you're not an HBO subscriber, Hotel for Dogs. Check out the first two entries into this commercial series, titled "Officer Douche" and "You Park It," respectively, after the jump. After that, join us in wishing that these ads get their own spin-off television show, Cavemen-style. We'd love to see the complexities of these characters unfold, you know?

Continue reading There's a lot going on in these Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit commercials

JoystiqThere's a lot going on in these Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit commercials originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcommercialcriterion-gameseaea-canadaentouragemicrosoftneed-for-speed-hot-pursuitplaystationps3xboxTue, 02 Nov 2010 22:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN director: The Tester is a 'foundation for something much bigger']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/psn-director-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/psn-director-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/psn-director-interview/#comments "I hope five years from now we'll be winning Emmys for quality shows," PlayStation Network director Susan Panico said to Joystiq, imagining programming on the level of HBO's Entourage or The Sopranos. She was speaking sincerely about the platform's vision for original content.

PSN might be synonymous with gaming, but going forward, Panico hopes it will also be recognized for its original video programming, which currently includes Pulse, Qore and The Tester, a reality competition show about winning a job as a PlayStation game tester, recently renewed for a second season.

"I look at what HBO has done over several years, where they started just offering movies and went into the original production business," Panico said, revealing high aspirations for PSN's original content. "By no means am I putting The Tester with The Sopranos and what have you," she clarified, "but if you want to make yourself the go-to destination for content, you need to provide content that people can't get anywhere else."

"We look at original programming and The Tester as the foundation for building out something much bigger."

Continue reading PSN director: The Tester is a 'foundation for something much bigger'

JoystiqPSN director: The Tester is a 'foundation for something much bigger' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbusiness-modelsplaystationplaystation-networkprogrammingps3psnpspsonysusan-panicothe-testervideoMon, 01 Nov 2010 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Wow, these Saw 3D advertisements sure look familiar]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/wow-these-saw-3d-advertisements-sure-look-familiar/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/wow-these-saw-3d-advertisements-sure-look-familiar/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/wow-these-saw-3d-advertisements-sure-look-familiar/#comments A pair of marketing posters for Saw 3D is under fire for ever so closely resembling PS3 advertisements you may have seen during Sony's "This is Living" campaign. We guess that's appropriate, seeing as how both the new film and the old campaign are designed to unsettle their viewers -- still, it would be difficult to argue that the Saw 3D posters' designs weren't totally yoinked from their PS3-promoting predecessors.

The first comparison shot is posted above, while another, slightly less identical pair of posters can be found after the jump. What do you think? Is this mind-theft? Or extremely coincidental individual creation?

Continue reading Wow, these Saw 3D advertisements sure look familiar

JoystiqWow, these Saw 3D advertisements sure look familiar originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingmarketingplaystationps3sawsaw-3dthis-is-livingWed, 27 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massive ad tech to be rolled into Microsoft first-party business]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/massive-ad-tech-to-be-rolled-into-microsoft-first-party-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/massive-ad-tech-to-be-rolled-into-microsoft-first-party-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/massive-ad-tech-to-be-rolled-into-microsoft-first-party-business/#comments Microsoft has confirmed the reported closure of its Massive in-game ad company and the dissolution of the brand name. Posting on the Microsoft Advertising Blog, corporate ad VP Rik van der Kooi explained that the Massive technology would be integrated into Microsoft's first-party ad business, "focusing initially on gaming," including the Xbox Live and MSN Games properties. He added, "This also means that Microsoft will wind-down Massive's third-party in-game ad business and sunset the Massive brand name at year-end."

Microsoft purchased Massive Inc. in 2006 for between $200 and $400 million. Last year, the business suffered significant layoffs despite recording soaring revenues. Microsoft will retain a Massive skeleton crew to wrap up ad campaigns running through the end of 2010. "We will make the wind-down process as seamless as possible for them," Kooi said -- for the clients, that is. No word yet on whether any Massive employees will be transferred to the first-party ad division.

JoystiqMassive ad tech to be rolled into Microsoft first-party business originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingin-game-advertisinginteractive-entertainment-businessmassivemicrosoftmobilemsn-gamespcxboxxbox-liveFri, 22 Oct 2010 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft to spend a billion marketing Windows Phone 7 and Kinect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/microsoft-to-spend-a-billion-marketing-windows-phone-7-and-kinec/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/microsoft-to-spend-a-billion-marketing-windows-phone-7-and-kinec/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/microsoft-to-spend-a-billion-marketing-windows-phone-7-and-kinec/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A million dollars isn't a cool amount of money to spend on marketing for your new phone platform and motion-sensing gaming peripheral. You know what is cool? A billion dollars. That's apparently the current company line over at Microsoft, which, according to TechCrunch, will spend $400 million on advertising for Windows Phone 7, and an additional half a billion dollars on marketing for the Kinect, according to the New York Post (via All Things Digital).

According to the reports, that money will be spent on cross-promotions with various other brands, like Burger King and Kellogg's cereal, new media mainstays like a buyout of the front page of YouTube, as well as ad buys on hit shows like "Glee" and "Dancing with the Stars." From what we've heard, both of those titles incorporate a great deal of dancing, which seems like a reasonable fit for a certain Kinect launch title. We're speaking, of course, about Fighters Uncaged.

JoystiqMicrosoft to spend a billion marketing Windows Phone 7 and Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingkinectmarketingmicrosoftmobilewindows-phone-7xboxMon, 18 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Microsoft shutting down Massive in-game marketing firm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/report-microsoft-shutting-down-massive-in-game-marketing-firm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/report-microsoft-shutting-down-massive-in-game-marketing-firm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/report-microsoft-shutting-down-massive-in-game-marketing-firm/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Adweek reports that inside sources at Microsoft have confirmed that Massive Inc., a Microsoft-owned advertising firm with a focus on in-game marketing, will be shut down by its parent company before the end of the month. The reasons for Massive's waning business are apparently twofold: Apparently, Microsoft favors advertising directly on the Xbox Live dashboard, as the company keeps all of the ad revenue, while Massive must split its revenue with publishers. In addition, sources told Adweek that EA's recent decision to keep in-game ads in-house stripped Massive of some of its largest clients.

The price at which Microsoft purchased Massive Inc. in 2006 is estimated to be between $200 million and $400 million, both of which are a great deal of money. The firm faced its fair share of hardships last year, when its parent company laid off more than one quarter of its staff. We've contacted Microsoft for a comment on the report.

Update: A Microsoft spokesperson responded to our query with a boilerplate "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."

JoystiqReport: Microsoft shutting down Massive in-game marketing firm originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingclosurein-game-advertisingmassivemassive-incmicrosoftpcxboxFri, 08 Oct 2010 16:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Medal of Honor Monday Night Football ad is [redacted]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/medal-of-honor-monday-night-football-ad-is-redacted/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/medal-of-honor-monday-night-football-ad-is-redacted/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/medal-of-honor-monday-night-football-ad-is-redacted/#comments Yesterday's Monday Night Football festivities were sponsored by a comparatively solemn advertisement for EA's Medal of Honor -- one that compiles all the testimonies from the game's anonymous military advisers into a single ad. Check it out after the break, provided you have codeword clearance.

Continue reading Medal of Honor Monday Night Football ad is [redacted]

JoystiqMedal of Honor Monday Night Football ad is [redacted] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingdiceeaMedal-of-HonorMedal-of-Honor-2010microsoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 05 Oct 2010 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Pac-Man to appear on Japanese food pac-kages]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/pac-man-to-appear-on-japanese-food-packages/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/pac-man-to-appear-on-japanese-food-packages/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/pac-man-to-appear-on-japanese-food-packages/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In honor of Pac-Man's 30th anniversary, Namco Bandai has entered into a co-marketing partnership with Japan's Meiji food corporation to create some very cute packaging for snacks and beverages. Starting next month, cartons of Meiji's coffee and fruit drinks, as well as its line of puddings, will bear Pac-Man imagery.

The enjoyment from these packages won't just be superficial. Each will come with a code allowing Japanese customers to download special Meiji/Pac-Man images for their cell phones. One on hand, we love this, but on the other hand, we can't help but think Namco Bandai's money would have been better spent on Pac-Man Battle Royale machines. For our office.

JoystiqPac-Man to appear on Japanese food pac-kages originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisinganniversaryfoodjapanmeijinamco-bandaipac-manWed, 22 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Colonel Sanders returns from the grave to help you in Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/colonel-sanders-in-phantasy-star-portable-2-infinity/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/colonel-sanders-in-phantasy-star-portable-2-infinity/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/colonel-sanders-in-phantasy-star-portable-2-infinity/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How could Sega top its outrageous ad integration campaign for Phantasy Star Portable 2? What could entice you to buy the upgraded version of the PSP action RPG? The answer to both of those questions is Colonel Sanders.

Famitsu snapped images from a Sega stage presentation during TGS, revealing a Kentucky Fried Chicken partnership for Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity that puts a Colonel Sanders partner character in the game. In addition, more KFC partnerships will be revealed, though we can't imagine how they'll top this. Perhaps you'll get a blend of 11 herbs and spices with which you can attack Rappies.

JoystiqColonel Sanders returns from the grave to help you in Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingcolonel-sanderskfcmarketingphantasy-star-portable-2phantasy-star-portable-2-infinityplaystationpspsonytgs-2010Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: Kevin Butler isn't real, can't give interviews]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/sony-kevin-butler-isnt-real-cant-give-interviews/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/sony-kevin-butler-isnt-real-cant-give-interviews/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/sony-kevin-butler-isnt-real-cant-give-interviews/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sadly, Sony pitchman Kevin Butler is not a real person, but SCEA VP Peter Dille says word may not have gotten around. "We've gotten contact from media people that aren't aware that he's a character, asking for an interview!" he told Industry Gamers ... Well, you can't blame us for trying, can you?

JoystiqSony: Kevin Butler isn't real, can't give interviews originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingkevin-butlerpeter-dilleplaystationps3sonyWed, 15 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nielsen: In-game ads increase real-world sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/nielsen-in-game-ads-increase-real-world-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/nielsen-in-game-ads-increase-real-world-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/nielsen-in-game-ads-increase-real-world-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We hate to be the ones to break it to you -- but those in-game advertisements that some of you aren't terribly big fans? Well, they're actually pretty effective at boring into your subconscious and making you want to buy Axe Body Spray or Snickers, or whatever. A recent Nielsen study of six EA Sports titles, including NHL 10 and NBA Live 09, found that in-game ads for Gatorade increased household dollars spent on said beverage by 24 percent.

For more information on how the study was conducted, you can check out Nielsen's press release. We'd normally take the time to summarize that process in this very post, but we've suddenly been struck by the strangest, most powerful urge to go out and just start slamming some sports drinks.

JoystiqNielsen: In-game ads increase real-world sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 04:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingea-sportsgatoradein-game-advertisingmicrosoftnba-live-09NHL-10NHL-2010nielsenplaystationps3xboxWed, 15 Sep 2010 04:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Reach delivers hope in new live-action short]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/halo-reach-delivers-hope-in-new-live-action-short/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/halo-reach-delivers-hope-in-new-live-action-short/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/halo-reach-delivers-hope-in-new-live-action-short/#comments SCENE Two pals catch the new Halo: Reach ad "Deliver Hope" on CBS, NBC, FOX, MTV, Spike TV, Comedy Central, SyFy, ESPN, F/X, TNT, TBS, Discovery Channel, G4 or another network. One is a gamer; the other clearly not ...

NOT (surprised) Wow! Was that an ad for a video game...?
GAMER (confidently) Uh-huh. The new Halo.
NOT The graphics look incredible! Man, these games really are starting to look real.
GAMER (angrily) That wasn't the game. It was a live-action short by the guy who directed that Smart People movie -- and a buncha other like famous people who helped out.
NOT Oh. That sounds expensive.

Continue reading Halo: Reach delivers hope in new live-action short

JoystiqHalo: Reach delivers hope in new live-action short originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingAgency-215BungieDeliver-HopeHalo-Reachlive-actionmarketingmicrosoftNoam-MurroxboxThu, 26 Aug 2010 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Reach marketing campaign flexes giant robo-arm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/halo-reach-marketing-campaign-flexes-giant-robo-arm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/halo-reach-marketing-campaign-flexes-giant-robo-arm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/halo-reach-marketing-campaign-flexes-giant-robo-arm/#commentsFiled under: , ,

What's gonna give Halo: Reach the best shot at topping Modern Warfare 2's $310 million in day-one sales? Marketing. Much to no one's surprise, Microsoft is splurging on its biggest game campaign to date, according to Advertising Age. While Reach's marketing budget has not been disclosed, it's expected to easily top Halo 3's reported $6.5 million bill.

The ad campaign, which began in earnest with a big-budget plug ... for the multiplayer beta (way back in April), will continue to use live-action segments to attempt to forge an emotional connection with a broad audience across TV and the web. "We're trying to get people to connect back to their lives, not computer graphics or something overly sci-fi," Taylor Smith, director of global marketing communications for Xbox, told Ad Age. "Live action is a way to capture that." In particular, director Noam Murro (Smart People) has created three live-action short films that depict life on planet Reach before the Covenant invasion.

Meanwhile, potential buyers will be urged to "remember Reach" as they consume Pepsi products. A renewed partnership between Microsoft and the snack-time mogul will put Halo branding on some 300 million Mountain Dew bottles and 30 million Doritos bags beginning next month. Of course, to top past efforts, Microsoft will expand the Reach campaign beyond these somewhat pedestrian reminders: Cue massive KUKA KR 140 robotic arm!

The viral site RememberReach.com, which becomes fully operational at 3AM ET tomorrow, features a user-generated light sculpture of Reach's Noble Team, created by the robo-arm and some fancy camera equipment. Typically used to assemble cars, this KUKA bot has been outfitted with an LED and stationed in an undisclosed San Francisco warehouse. As detailed by GameLife, visitors will direct the machine to plot the 54,000 points of light that will form this Noble Team "monument." Bizarre.

Halo: Reach launches on September 14.

JoystiqHalo: Reach marketing campaign flexes giant robo-arm originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingbudgetdoritosfacebookHaloHalo-ReachKuka-KR-140marketingmicrosoftmountain-dewNoam-Murropepsiremeber-reachrobotsculptureviralxboxMon, 23 Aug 2010 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[New Zealand's TV3 apologizes to Sony with Marmite, Flight of the Conchords]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/new-zealands-tv3-apologizes-to-sony-with-marmite-flight-of-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/new-zealands-tv3-apologizes-to-sony-with-marmite-flight-of-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/new-zealands-tv3-apologizes-to-sony-with-marmite-flight-of-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The conflict between New Zealand's TV3 and Sony could have gone much differently than it did. Instead of suing TV3 into oblivion when it found out that the broadcaster had produced a commercial directly copying the PlayStation 3's "Montage" ad, Sony used the Kevin Butler persona to publicly absolve (and mock) TV3. In a PlayStation Blog post, Butler offered permission to copy all PS3 ads in exchange for "TV3's support in making the PS3 the OFFICIAL GAME CONSOLE OF NEW ZEALAND." And a Flight of the Conchords box set.

As if this whole story weren't cute enough, TV3 sent Sony a package containing not only the Conchords set, but other local treats -- and a plaque proclaiming PS3 the "official game console of Aotearoa." We'd never have believed it if we hadn't seen it ourselves: two media companies settling a dispute in a friendly, joking manner instead of litigation. Maybe every company should bring in a few fictional executives.

JoystiqNew Zealand's TV3 apologizes to Sony with Marmite, Flight of the Conchords originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdvertisingCommercialsKevin-Butlernew-zealandplaystationps3SonyTV3Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST