For Ro~: Obama ads placed in video games - The Orange Mane

alkemical · 10-21-2008, 06:41 AM

Obama ads placed in video games

Obama ads placed in video games
Presidential candidate is the first to use format
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Too busy playing video games to watch presidential ads on television? Barack Obama has found you, too, by becoming the first presidential candidate to buy ad space inside a game.

Nine video games from Electronic Arts Inc., ranging from the extremely popular "Madden 09" football game to the street racing "Burnout: Paradise," feature in-game ads from the Obama campaign. The ads -- they appear on billboards and other signage -- remind players that early voting has begun and plug a campaign Web site.

The idea of embedding advertising temporarily inside a video game is relatively new, having only begun about 18 months ago, and Obama is the first presidential candidate to buy space, company officials said.

The Democrat's ads are aimed at gamers who like sports, including NASCAR, NBA, NHL and skateboarding, meaning EA Sports' motto, "It's in the game," now applies to presidential politics as well.

EA spokeswoman Holly Rockwood would not say how much the ads cost, but she said they are running on Microsoft's Xbox Live versions of the game through Nov. 3. They began earlier this month.

The timing of the Obama ads within the video game varies from state to state. Players in smaller states may see the Obama ads for the whole month, while users in bigger states may see them for a shorter period.

"It reaches an audience that is typically hard to reach -- young males, roughly 18 to 34," said Rockwood. "That's very appealing to our advertisers."

For those who still associate video games with clunky "Pac Man" or "Space Invaders" consoles, here's how in-game advertising works: The Xbox 360 console connects to the Internet, so it can be updated with new features, including ads. In the case of "Burnout," the game came out in stores in January, but the Obama ads were only inserted this month.

Rockwood declined to say how much revenue the company generates from selling ad space in its games.

"What we're trying to do is offer ads in games where we're simulating a real-world environment, so our racing games, our sports games lend themselves to that," she said.

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117994007.html

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Rohirrim · 10-21-2008, 11:17 AM

Why for me?

alkemical · 10-21-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Why for me?

you always talk about gen x/y and video games...

DBruleU · 10-21-2008, 04:17 PM

I was playing NHL 09 last night, and right there on the boards along the ice is a huge banner for Obama, making sure I know early voting has begun.

spdirty · 10-21-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBruleU

I was playing NHL 09 last night, and right there on the boards along the ice is a huge banner for Obama, making sure I know early voting has begun.

how is that game? I was thinking of gettin it.

alkemical · 10-28-2008, 12:39 PM

http://www.nextnature.net/?p=2880

broncofan7 · 10-28-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amesj523

http://www.nextnature.net/?p=2880

scary. And I don't know why exactly, just feels dirty.

I would say the advertising in a VIDEO GAME for a politial candidate.....reeks of BIG BROTHER to me.

alkemical · 10-29-2008, 05:21 AM

As far as just the advertising aspect, or what exactly?

10-21-2008, 06:41 AM	#1
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,696 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	For Ro~: Obama ads placed in video games Obama ads placed in video games Obama ads placed in video games Presidential candidate is the first to use format By ASSOCIATED PRESS Too busy playing video games to watch presidential ads on television? Barack Obama has found you, too, by becoming the first presidential candidate to buy ad space inside a game. Nine video games from Electronic Arts Inc., ranging from the extremely popular "Madden 09" football game to the street racing "Burnout: Paradise," feature in-game ads from the Obama campaign. The ads -- they appear on billboards and other signage -- remind players that early voting has begun and plug a campaign Web site. The idea of embedding advertising temporarily inside a video game is relatively new, having only begun about 18 months ago, and Obama is the first presidential candidate to buy space, company officials said. The Democrat's ads are aimed at gamers who like sports, including NASCAR, NBA, NHL and skateboarding, meaning EA Sports' motto, "It's in the game," now applies to presidential politics as well. EA spokeswoman Holly Rockwood would not say how much the ads cost, but she said they are running on Microsoft's Xbox Live versions of the game through Nov. 3. They began earlier this month. The timing of the Obama ads within the video game varies from state to state. Players in smaller states may see the Obama ads for the whole month, while users in bigger states may see them for a shorter period. "It reaches an audience that is typically hard to reach -- young males, roughly 18 to 34," said Rockwood. "That's very appealing to our advertisers." For those who still associate video games with clunky "Pac Man" or "Space Invaders" consoles, here's how in-game advertising works: The Xbox 360 console connects to the Internet, so it can be updated with new features, including ads. In the case of "Burnout," the game came out in stores in January, but the Obama ads were only inserted this month. Rockwood declined to say how much revenue the company generates from selling ad space in its games. "What we're trying to do is offer ads in games where we're simulating a real-world environment, so our racing games, our sports games lend themselves to that," she said. Read the full article at: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117994007.html Like this article? Variety.com has over 150,000 articles, 40,000 reviews and 10,000 pages of charts. Subscribe today! http://www.variety.com/emailfriend or call (866) MY-VARIETY. Can't commit? Sign up for a free trial! http://www.variety.com/emailfriend © 2008 Reed Business Information Use of this Website is subject to Terms of Use. Privacy Policy

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10-21-2008, 11:17 AM	#2
Rohirrim Partisan Human Cannonball Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Twixt Hell & Highwater Posts: 48,843	Why for me?

10-21-2008, 04:17 PM	#4
DBruleU Ring of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boulder, the bastion of communism. Posts: 3,663	I was playing NHL 09 last night, and right there on the boards along the ice is a huge banner for Obama, making sure I know early voting has begun.

10-28-2008, 12:39 PM	#6
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,696 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	http://www.nextnature.net/?p=2880

10-29-2008, 05:21 AM	#8
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,696 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	As far as just the advertising aspect, or what exactly?