Obama shows his gaming side with in-game ads. As if 4 years of him isn't bad enough

from JoeUser Forums
Makes me wonder just how passionate are some gamers about the political parties and the politicians they like or dislike when they learn that politicians could actually have advertisements within certain video games they purchase.

Imagine an Obama ad that actually shows up in a billboard on a video game. Imagine no more. According to a Talking Points Memo article, virtual billboards within games like Burnout Paradise for the xBox 360 can be bought just like billboard space out in the real world. Hmm, I guess I won't be seeing this game grace my TV, ever. Sorry, not an Obama fan. Here what it looks like:

                            
                             (Image from Talking Points Memo article)

But as I asked before, could something such as an Obama ad within a game influence a buyer who is aware of it? I mean, the billboards in the real world are not the same since they can be changed and Obama will not be running for President for ever, but to have to play a game where I get to see his face telling me to vote for him will definitely make me not wanna play these games. To be honest, I would not want one with McCain, or any candidate for that matter.

I think this is to extreme for my taste. Politicians need to stay away from these kinds of things. I don't want my children being influenced thru their video games by politicians. Makes no sense to me to be honest because while gaming is not limited to younger people who are not old enough to vote, it seems like this kind of advertisement is aiming at a crowd that can easily be influenced while making it seem that it is those who can vote the ones these ads were meant for. Kinda like when the Camel cigarette company was using a cartoon as their mascot. But hey, it's just my humble opinion, what say you about this?
2,414 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

He has more money than he knows what to do with.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

He has more money than he knows what to do with.
End of quote

If he's truly smart and wins this election, he'll create a govt program that will help purchase these types of games and systems (or hand them out for free) for when he runs for relection in 4 years.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

mean, the billboards in the real world are not the same since they can be changed
End of quote

You obviously don't understand how this works.  It's only in the ONLINE version - the XBox Live version.  If you play it at home, offline, the billboards have fake advertisements.  If you play it online you see whatever billboards companies or people want to pay for.  In other words - after the election, you won't see an Obama ad again in Burnout.  It'll be farmed out to Pepsi or Gamespot or whatever sucker wants to pay for it.

so in other words, it's EXACTLY the same as a real billboard - only cheaper and easier to change.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I don't even like racing games.

~Zoo

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Well thanks for clearing that up SanCho. I am not perfect so am bound to get things wrong from time to time. Shame the article did not mention that though. Still, I don't want to be playing a game where I am looking to get away from the real world only to find myself having the real world thrown at me in a virtual way. Although I have to wonder, considering I have played games like Need for Speed's various versions, Burnout and others, at the speeds I drive, I can't imaging paying attention to these billboards in the game. Still, the idea that I know they will be there really bites.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

Shame the article did not mention that though.
End of quote

That it is.  I just re-read the original article, and they certainly don't make that clear.

at the speeds I drive, I can't imaging paying attention to these billboards in the game.
End of quote

XD I know, my thoughts exactly.  Hope I didn't come off too harsh, my friend.  Wasn't my intent, but I was cranky this morning.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

 Not to worry...Sarah Palin has billboards coming out in NHL '09!  JK!!! :grin:

~SH80 B)

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

Sarah Palin has billboards coming out in NHL '09!
End of quote

I thought hers were going to be in 'Shoot a Wolf From An Airplane '09'?

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hope I didn't come off too harsh, my friend. Wasn't my intent, but I was cranky this morning.
End of quote

Nah, you made a good point. I didn't make sure to check that. Still, I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been embeded in the game itself. I wonder if GTA 4 has this? Now there's a game with plenty of billboards that one could actually notice. But then I would simply crash a chopper into one with Obama's face or at least shoot some missiles from the jets.

Not to worry...Sarah Palin has billboards coming out in NHL '09! JK!!!
End of quote

I'd much rather see her as one of the cheerleaders on the mega screens.

I thought hers were going to be in 'Shoot a Wolf From An Airplane '09'?
End of quote

Now there's a game I would actually buy rather than download. :grin: The receipt would read something like this

Shoot a Wolf From An Airplane '09' - $49.99

Crusin USA - Race Across 57 States - $49.99 Tax free

 

 

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

I actually don't see how this is different from any other kind of in-game advertising. I find marketing through commercials on television and in-game billboards or posters to be quite obnoxious, irrespective of the product. I guess I'd put a lot of people out of work, but if it were up to me, I'd probably ban all broadcast advertising except for non-profits.

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

I actually don't see how this is different from any other kind of in-game advertising. I find marketing through commercials on television and in-game billboards or posters to be quite obnoxious, irrespective of the product. I guess I'd put a lot of people out of work, but if it were up to me, I'd probably ban all broadcast advertising except for non-profits.
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Maybe not TV, but on video games which we buy with the intentions of playing and not necessarily looking for commercials in them, I would probably agree. I don't mind commercials because sometimes I find things I wouldn't have otherwise known about, I just don't think I have to have commercials role thru TV shows 5 times in half an hour.