Sony defends the existence of pop-up ads in PlanetSide 2

PlanetSide 2 players recently noticed a lot of “pop-up” notifications while playing the game, which offered them to buy its premium membership.

The notifications appeared in the lower right corner of the screen. Players complained that they were getting them several times an hour, and that it was easy to accept them by mistake by pushing the wrong key.

[pedrof93]

Its free to play, so be it.

[Iamnemesis4880]

You noticed in battlefield 4 there was an add for need for speed.

[pedrof93]

On Xbox live you get some even if your Gold. Sony should do the same.

[Detoxx]

It was in the menu.

[abzdine]

The ads pop-up have always been part of the games. Remember Uncharted 3 PS+ edition? ads were poping during loading times, i don't see why this is a big deal suddenly. it's not like you are in the middle of a fight and the game pauses to show the ad

[Gazondaily]

Yeah the ads aren't intrusive so I don't see a big deal. And its f2p too.

[Ittoryu]

Because that will be the next step.

[Raf1k1]

Ads in BF games have been around a while. I seem to remember seeing them in BF 2142.

[UltimateMaster]

@pedrof93
"On Xbox live you get some even if your Gold. Sony should do the same."

Go back on your Xbox and cry about it, don't drag the rest of humanity down with your crazy obsession with ads.

[awi5951]

Planetside 2 isnt that good anyway reminds of Mag. Overhyped and the graphics are bad.

[amnalehu]

Planetside 2 reminds me of MAG is some respects also... which is a GOOD thing.

[Nekroo91]

maybe you should get a better pc to play on ultra. And even then its hard to have a pc with stable fps when you have 2000 players in one map!!

[MysticStrummer]

"Planetside 2 isnt that good anyway reminds of Mag."

Since MAG was my favorite online FPS last gen, and yes I played the more popular ones as well, you just made me want Planetside 2 even more.

As for the graphics, I have to disagree on behalf of both games. Taking into account the size of the maps and the number of players, the graphics look better than fine.

[ThanatosDMC]

MAG is a good thing. Try again. Proxy chat makes Planetside 2 come alive and so did MAG.

[awi5951]

@Nekroo91
I got a dual graphics card pc with a overclocked cpu to 4.8 Gigs. I played the game on ultra and its not taxing at all. BF4 and metro last light on ultra maybe but still i hover around 80 fps. Planetside like all MMO games are a total joke. Anyway the new Tribes game is more fun to play anyway lol. I wish there was a game to upgrade for but the console launch has killed any hope to ever have to upgrade anytime soon. Maybe witcher 3 since witcher 2 for some reason with direct x9 was killing peoples pc with ubersampling on.

[Enigma_2099]

Yeah, complaining about pop up ads in a free-to-play game is kinda pointless.

[Volkama]

From what I gather it is only advertising it's own paid services as well, which is pretty fundamental to them making money.

Publishers will do what they can to get revenue, and in a free to play game it is no surprise that they try every avenue available. The whole model is based on getting lots of people engaged, and then making money off of them.

The big problem is when publishers apply the same logic to customers that already pay to play their game.

[kingduqc]

I played it few months ago and there was no ads.

ha consoles.

[frostypants]

Exactly. People...do you want to pay for the game, or do you want it to be pay-to-win, or do you want ads? Because no major developer is going to put out a game that doesn't have at least one of those things. People don't make games to be charitable. They make games to make money.

[3-4-5]

Play/ed this on PC, don't remember pop-up ads and if there were they weren't a distraction because I don't remember them.

* This game + WarThunder will be huge for the PS4.

[Revvin]

I'm hoping to spend a bit more time with Planetside 2 once my PC is upgraded later this week. Pop up adverts may be annoying but the game is free and unlike so many other 'freemium' games its not got a 'pay to win' structure, you can quite happily play for free and not feel forced to pay for game changing weapons or features.

[frostypants]

Disagrees, but no comments. LOL. People secretly want a game that is 100% free of any sort of revenue generation, but they don't want to admit it.

[darkstar18]

idk why i thought ppl would be more upsey about this..Sony can do damn near anything they want, no one would even give it a second thought." b..but Microsoft is doing it too!" -_- sad really..

[hkgamer]

It was a mistake by Sony. They not meant to be displaying ads so frequently.

Also users are clicking accept by accident. Not really sure what happens, but if an Internet browser pops up, that could interrupt your play.

Though, I would like to say that it is f2p and people shouldn't really care too much.

[SneeringImperialist]

No one is upset on N4G because Sony is be all to end all on this website.

[johndoe11211]

I don't think people like you will ever be able to look at things objectively. You're so caught up in a bloody fanboy point proving contest that everything suddenly becomes a conspiracy.

I'm not saying that sony does everything right. Heck we all know they have been responsible for some major screwups at times but not because you have a pc elitist complex means you can't use common sense once in a while.

The reason it appears that people defend sony so much is because there is a stark difference between the way microsoft and sony do things. Planetside is a FREE TO PLAY GAME. Do you understand what that means? You should seeing that you are a PC gamer.

When these companies take their time and resources and money to create a game that you don't have to pay for it is only understandable that they will need to do certain things like this in order to try and generate some sort of income in order to not go broke. This is one of the repercussions of enjoying a game that is free to play.

If this was microsoft, they would have made you pay for the game, pay for in game DLC, pay for a monthly subscription and still have popups in the game (yes I know I exaggerated a bit but the sad thing is we can actually see microsoft doing something like that).

It's one of the reason you anti sony fanatics don't understand why a lot of ps players didn't cry to much about having to pay to play online. It's because that's the ONLY thing you have to pay for unlike with the xbone where if you don't have a gold subscription you can't even surf the net on your bone.

It's also the reason so many xbox supporters complained about all the ads in the xbox ui knowing that they were already paying for the xbox live service.

I would suffer through a hundred ads a day in DC Universe Online if they did that because that game is so much bloody fun to play and I never once had to buy DLC in order to enjoy the game or level up my character. With all their faults sony still makes their supporters feel good about supporting them because of how much they give back to the gaming community.

That is why people will defend them and feel justified when doing so but knowing your obvious hatred for sony you're probably one of those that think they should make all games free to play and yet still criticize them for having financial trouble.

[BX81]

@ johndoe
You're approach is dead wrong. The people you're referring to don't defend Sony because they do thing differently. It's because they are fanboys, plain and simple. " I know I exaggerated a bit but the sad thing is we can actually see microsoft doing something like that". Congrats on thinking you speak for some majority and thinking your opinion is fact. That's what fanboys do. Personally I don't think this site will change any time soon. It caters to who they perceive is winning the console war at the time. The only difference is there happen to be more Sony fans on this site than ms or nin. So when they troll it's more apparent, but if things start to change for Sony you can bet the roles will reverse.

[johndoe11211]

@bx81

Your post made little to no sense, did not disprove a singleI point I made and sounded like the whining of a 5 year old girl whose mommy took away her lalaloopsie and you want to call me a fanboy ?

[MysticStrummer]

@BX - "Congrats on thinking you speak for some majority and thinking your opinion is fact."

Save some congrats for yourself, because you did the same thing.

"The people you're referring to don't defend Sony because they do thing differently. It's because they are fanboys, plain and simple."

I definitely fall on the Sony side because I prefer the way they do things, as opposed to MS who I disliked long before they ever got into gaming.

OT - I'm not a fan of pop up ads at all. I'll put up with them in a FTP title, but whatever company uses them will be less likely to get my business.

[baodeus]

@johndoe11211

This is your respond to :@bx81

"Your post made little to no sense, did not disprove a singleI point I made and sounded like the whining of a 5 year old girl whose mommy took away her lalaloopsie and you want to call me a fanboy ?"

but you said this earlier:
IF this was microsoft, they would have made you pay for the game, pay for in game DLC, pay for a monthly subscription and still have popups in the game (yes I know I exaggerated a bit but the sad thing is we can actually see microsoft doing something like that).

how can someone disprove your point when you use something that didn't happen. Key word "IF" and "can actually see MS doing something like that", ah what? Can you actually give a real example rather than IF or what you think might happen?

how can anyone disprove anything if your example hasn't happen or something that you think might happen?

I'm quite curious about your "objective" view on things.

Now on Planetside2 advertisement for premium service. So what is the differences between premium service (i'm thinking payment is involved) vs. just plain F2P on PS4? YOu get no ads, pay to win, extra perks/stuff,DLC, etc...?

If it is true F2P game on PS4 and no extra payment is necessary (like DLC, etc...something that you said MS would do), what is the point of advertising for a premium version? Why not advertise something else (diet coke, 24 hrs fitness, outdoor sport, love connection, etc....)?

[johndoe11211]

@baodeus

I'm also curious as to how both you and bx81 read an entire post from me and only focused on one point that was just used to make a reference, a point that I admitted was exaggerated.

In other words both you and him ignored everything else in my post and chose to argue a point that I admitted should not be taken seriously. I'm extremely curious about your motive in arguing for him on an irrelevant topic.

[baodeus]

@johndoe11211

here is your point, which actually doesn't prove anything.

It's one of the reason you anti sony fanatics don't understand why a lot of ps players didn't cry to much about having to pay to play online. It's because that's the ONLY thing you have to pay for unlike with the xbone where if you don't have a gold subscription you can't even surf the net on your bone.

so then i would ask, what is the purpose of you or anyone on here buying the PS4 for? To surf the web? Can you see what Sony did when they say these:

1. PS4 is a gaming console and for the core gamers.
2. You don't need to pay for access to online stuff that AREN'T GAME related?
3. How many games nowadays that actually doesn't have MP from 1st, 2nd, 3rd party?
4. Sony said that MS is quite resourceful. what do they mean by that?
5. If MS is so evil, why Sony follow them for?
6. Why charge for cross game chat/invite now when the RAM isn't an issue anymore (the one reason that Sony wasn't able to do back in PS3 with it limited rams when online play is still free?)

Question for the gamers and especially you:
- So what is the differences between paying to pay online and get those extra non-game related stuff for free vs. paying to play online and other stuffs along with it on live?

Point #2:
It's also the reason so many xbox supporters complained about all the ads in the xbox ui knowing that they were already paying for the xbox live service.

are you sure there never been ads on PSN? Have you ever check under PLaystation Network tap (What new)? you might be surprise that you could get football tickets or even pizzas (through what medium, i'll let you guess on that one).

It this true about consumers (gamers in this case) perspective on making a purchase?
- I would like it free or cheaper/affordable and also high quality?
- "I paid therefore I'm right"
can you see the contradiction in that?

Here is another great example (very similar to Live and PSN even though they are in a different field of service)

American Online vs Netzero. One is a paid service and one is free. Of course consumers go for Netzero (even with restriction and limited used) because it is free (because Netzero was a latecomer and need to get more people on board with the service). It becomes very popular quickly. However, was Netzero a viable option after American Online dies out? No, they start charging for usage also. Now they both dies out because something better comes along, eventhough these new services are all paid services, at a much higher price no less. Why consumer still pay for them? I was a supporter of Netzero as well back then and thinking paying for American online is stupid (i still do), until i realize a realistic idea about maintaining a business as I go through hardship and other things doing business. The reason why Sony charging for online, having ads, subscription services because the business model before just simply not viable. It has nothing to do with giving back to community.

Do you ever think that by taking a realistic, viable and upfront business approach (like MS) would ever be viewed as something popular with the gamers compare to Sony? Look at Netzero and American Online and what i describe about the consumer perspective above.

P.S.
"Your post made little to no sense, did not dissprove A SINGLE point I made", and yet THAT SINGLE POINT wasn't real as you have also admit. :D

[SixtyNine]

It's a free to play game. What do you expect? :D

[No_Limit]

I am OK with it as long as Sony thinks it is cool and will make them money just like Live and PSN dashboard with ads. It actually work as I actually went to Taco Bell last night and got me some grub due to the advertisement on he PSN dashboard.

[Fireseed]

Except Live and PSN dashboards are part of an immersive game world...

[No_Limit]

LOL, The disagrees? What, you guys don't like Taco Bell?

[Shad0wRunner]

Who cares, really? I certaintly dont. If Im playin a game...and an ad flashes up in the menu or loading screen for Taco Bell...so what? Yet, millions of people sit in front of their tv's everyday and watch countless amounts of commercials between their favorite tv shows. Big deal. Get over it.

[Hellsvacancy]

You may watch adverts but I don't, I change the channel or get up and make tea or a joint

Can't do that when playing a game

[hkgamer]

It's a little message on the bottom right. Not really distracting and it only ask for items or premium membership.

Only problem is of people accept it by accident. Not sure what happens then.

[Hellsvacancy]

^^^^

Is that all it is? I can live with that, I was expecting "we interrupt your gameplay with a message from our sponsors"

[MeteorPanda]

but...it's free to play? what the players are upset they are reminded of that?

[Fireseed]

League of Legends is f2p and doesn't put pop ups in-game... This is just a horrible design choice.

[ZodTheRipper]

LoL also is a simple game with only 1 map and a few players. One Planetside server with up to 6000 players runs the calculation that hundreds of LoL servers need to run.

And did you even read the article? Players are sometimes offered a premium membership which they can refuse with a button press, how is this a horrible design choice? If that's a horrible design choice then what do you say about character SKINS that cost up to 30$ ?!?!?

[MeteorPanda]

lol doesn't do pop up in game true...but they get by on skins and rune pages. believe me they know how to manipulate a crowd.

l've bought so many skins...

[ArbitorChief]

Keep the ads in Menu screens, kill cams, changing loadouts, etc in F2P games. I don't want ads while I'm in the middle of the game. Most F2P games don't put ads in game, usually outside the game.

[KonsoruMasuta]

This is why I tell people F2P sucks. People moan about having to pay for MMOs. Well guess what! This is what happens when a game is F2P.

If you think this is as bad as it gets, you are wrong. Oh no, my friend, it will only get worse. The developers have to profit in some way.

[stavrami-mk2]

good news for free to play hopefully devs will relax that finger from trying to work into my a*&hole .i mean i just want to play games i didn't sign up for a rectal exam :-/

[hkgamer]

Why do gamers feel that they can have everything free?

TV has been interupting their programmes or movies with advertisements for years. I think some adverts take as much as 25% of the shows viewing time.

[Mithan]

OMG! How dare they do this in a game I play for free! Lets post more useless news posts on N4G.

[DanielGearSolid]

I don't like that its during gameplay

[ElementX]

I'd rather pay for no ads

[Hicken]

Well, seeing as the ad is for premium service, I'd think you wouldn't see it if you paid for it.

Not saying this is necessarily good, mind you. It would be far better for the ad to not be there at all, but failing that, it shouldn't be as easy to accidentally choose, nor should it appear so often.

But overall, this isn't as big a deal a quite a few people want to make it out to be.

[TheEnigma313]

As long as this doesn't happen in games we pay for, I'm fine.

[il-JumperMT]

Pay to Win PoS. MMOs without subcription are horrible.

[kevinsheeks]

This occurs in-game O.o and apparently while your in the middle of doing stuff way to break immersion why not have it for when the user pauses :\

that'd be like me reloading my gun then a popup appears saying "if you enjoy regular ammo why not upgrade to our premium fire-based ammo"

then the fact that it has a button push to remove it so it isn't a ad that you can just fully ignore

[urwifeminder]

I deleted it long ago the grindy king sure looked ok played ok , oh but that grind was just killer may look at it again now I can watch ads I may get something out of it after all.

[ATi_Elite]

Nothing is WORSE than Pop-up ads in a game.

WAIT!

Pop-up ads that require a button push to get rid of are WORSE.

way to sleaze ball the game down with rotten push button pop-up ads. That's about as bad as pop-up ads with FAKE "X" buttons that when clicked auto download stuff unto your computer.

Sony needs to do it how EA does it with Battlefield play 4 free and only show ads during the load-out screen or when a round is loading.

[Black-Helghast]

No sony... just no. you might be a nice company and all but defending ads in games? no.