Microsoft to Include Video Ads in Loading Screens?

Koku Gamer writes: "Microsoft's in-game ad subsidiary, Massive, has revealed its intention to include not only static ads during gameplay, but video ads during 'game breaks'."

[Sunny_D]

I hope it's not COTTON: It's the Fabric of Our Lives!

[Saaking]

Wow, that would just sink MS even lower than I hold them at this moment (and they're really, really low).

I pay for XBL Gold and I STILL get a ton of ads. When I turn on the 360 instead of LOGICALLY going to the "MY XBOX" tab it goes to the "SPOTLIGHT" tab (a.k.a. the ADS tab). That is just too annoying even if the ads are game related. I'm paying and I don't want ads PERIOD

[OGharryjoysticks]

No way to avoid it. Unless you go PS3. And even then you don't get as many ads but the ones that are there pay Sony so things stay free.

[Ziriux]

Yea I was going to say PSN isn't any better I ran them both side by side, 360 has less few but generally their both full of ads.

[TheDarkCynic]

Home is like one big ad. They both have way too many

[Saaking]

Difference is, PSN and Home are free. XBL is a paid for service and there's still. Either go with ads and make online free or take a fee and remove adds. You can't have it both ways MS.

EDIT: I Know it's not a huge deal but it really pisses me off.

[Bzone24]

"When I turn on the 360 instead of LOGICALLY going to the "MY XBOX" tab it goes to the "SPOTLIGHT" tab (a.k.a. the ADS tab)."

If it bothers you so much to have to push up once to get to "My Xbox", maybe you should try something other than gaming.

[Nitrowolf2]

@1.3
you joking right? The only ads on PSn are the ones to the ps store or buy a psp. Those are the only ones. Other then inside of HOME, thats a different sory that does have allot of ads, But hey HOME is optional and honestly its a social App. I see what saaking is saying, and it shouldn't be much a bother but i think i know what your saying. Why when you turn on your console the first thing you see is an Ad.

[Blaze929]

"I pay for XBL Gold"

Lol for some reason...I just have a really hard time believing you pay for Xbox LIVE yet alone own an Xbox 360. If you do then wow...talking about bashing something so hard but still supporting it :/

What's your Gamertag brah?

--------

Anyway this is nothing new; EA Sports continuously does this every year. Microsoft has 'been' doing this since 1 vs 100 even launched with video ads for Doritos, deodorant etc. But of course: Microsoft + ads = breaking news.

[HolyOrangeCows]

Shouldn't the gold members NOT have ads and the non-gold members HAVE ads....and both get to access Multiplayer?

I think THAT would be a better system.

[LtSkittles]

Saaking's GamerTag for XBL from his Bio HellsWrath2231 which has a GamerCard

[A HiFi]

Good suggestion. It would be interesting to see how viable that is in comparison...

[HolyOrangeCows]

....and then the GOLD members could also access the Facebook/twitter/Netflix/party chat/etc stuff as well.

Sigh....but I think we all know it's not going to happen any time soon. Microsoft isn't going to give us the multiplayer that we get on PC/PS3 for free when they know the sole reason so many people pay for gold is just for it.

[A HiFi]

Maybe in the North American version of 1 vs. 100 Blaze, but not in the UK version nor would I think the European versions. I'm sure season two will provide video ads worldwide.

[badz149]

and there are a lot of ads there. but it's a FREE social space, so ads are expected. and for those saying there are ads on XMB, aside from the stuff available on PS Store, there's virtually no ads! please don't spread BS here!

[The Creep]

if there gonna do that, then they might aswell make xbox live free

[kingnick]

The ADs YOU'RE FORCED TO WATCH using more bandwidth then the match you're about to play.

So not only are Microsoft going to gouge consumers for XBL GOLD subscriptions but waste their bandwidth with video ADs.

I can just imagine all the kiddies/teens saying "Mom you need to upgrade the quota because last month the internet cost x amount or we were shaped" because they were subjected to hundreds of video ADs while playing XBL.

Bandwidth might not be an issue for Americans but in other countries where internet access is more expensive in-game video ADs might use enough bandwidth to make online gaming much more expensive and/or less accessible as a result.

I've had an Xbox360 since the launch in Australia but lately Microsoft have given me reason after reason to ditch them with almost every piece of Microsoft and Xbox360 news being negative or bittersweet to some degree.

[IaMs12]

Now if its Ads for games im alright with that, but gameplay footage and what not, but if its for that freaking Snuggie stuff i will flip Sh$*T

[bekum_aka_jarhed]

the adbox lol

[Chubear]

XBOX360: Gimp in, Pay Beyond XD

[RuPaul]

Obviously the consumer base wants or doesn't mind the ads or otherwise MS wouldn't include them.

I personally can't wait to see the ads during gaming breaks, sounds like a very good idea to me.

MS main concern is its consumer base, just look at our 3yr warranty vs Sonys 1yr.....LOL @ the Sony SUCKERS!

[Ziriux]

Gaming just needs to stay gaming, I'm sick of this crap about ads in games.

[Andrew Wiggin]

Not surprising. Doesn't ever bother me, would much rather have this than obnoxious in game product placement.

[A HiFi]

If there is some relation (which there won't be) and there are a large number of them rather than just the same ones all the time (which it probably will be), then I wouldn't mind it (but I will).

[Shaka2K6]

.

[xoxideu]

pay more, to watch your tampon ads

[corywebb93]

another Exclusive for the xbox nation microsoft is looking out for uss gamers putting video ads on the xbox360 so we dont have to watch the same boring loading screen over and over

Have fun watching the same loading screen over and over in your haze game and getting ylod ps3 owners While microsoft keeps updating xbox live and bringing the best online features like video ads in loading screens

[HolyOrangeCows]

At this point, I can only assume you're a hilarious spoof of PS3-haters, and if that's the case, you're genius.....but kinda sad.

[TheTeam06]

That was the saddest thing I've ever heard. You honestly had to try a make that a good thing.

Wait... you HAVE to be joking. For the love of god, please tell me that was sarcasm. You now have permission to repeatedly punch yourself in the face, because that statement was well, well worth it.

*sigh* I feel so bad for you sometimes. I wish I could help you.

[RockmanII7]

http://www.realfreewebsites...

[Blaze929]

people better have one fine connection

[A HiFi]

This is an interesting point. The actual loading times are gonna suck for countries that have poor broadband infrastructure in place. Having spent considerable time there, I'm looking at Australia for that one.

[Ninji]

You pay $50 a year only to have even more ads shoved in your face. I guess that money has been going towards making those static ads into video ads.

[Raoh]

PSN is like NETZERO from back in the day, free but with plenty of ads.

XBOX LIVE is like AOL, you pay for it and get plenty of ads.

[Insomnia_84]

"PSN is like NETZERO from back in the day, free but with plenty of ads."

Looks like you've never played on PSN.

[The_Firestarter]

Seriously, wtf are you talking about? I agree wtih Insomnia_84, there are no ads in the PSN. You're lying through your teeth and you know it. I'm tired of see comments as yours that are simply fanboy drivel. Please leave, nobody will miss you.

[A HiFi]

It's inevitable, there will be soon enough. Sony will want a piece of the pie.

[djtek184]

exclusively on the 360

[BX81]

The PS3 has ads as well. You must have never played a sports game on it then.

[matta]

Correct, I play sports outside.

[BX81]

@Matta, That's right keep that positive attitude even if you get picked last!

[TheTeam06]

As if they weren't pushing ads enough. It annoys me enough when I have to sit through an ad before a YouTube video...

[DigitalAnalog]

But then again that small pebble can cause a massive avalanche.

It's scary how people would consider looking the other way. Sooner or later these small ads will get bigger and grander and while that's happening, so will the standards:

- It's okay, it's only a small ad that I can skip over.

next time

- It's okay, it's only ads in a loading screen.

the near future

- It's okay, it's only video ads while I'm going to the options screen.

The future

- It's okay, the ads are not distracting enough while I'm playing a game, it doesn't bother me because I'm too busy looking at the crosshair when I'm pulling some headshots, YEAH! Besides, they only take up 5% of my screen. What's the big deal I'VE GOT A BIG-A*S TV!

The final verdict.

- It's okay, there would be video ads for only 10 - 15 seconds every mission I completed. Tsk, I can take a piss or make some coffee at that time, you fanboys should stop complaining.

[CrippleH]

I agree 100%.

Let's take a look on streaming videos. When it was first starting up there was no ads in sight. Few websites started putting ads and then as the years gone by ads are freaking everywhere now.

[A HiFi]

It really was inevitable. Streaming ads are everywhere. I expect Sony to follow suit.

[DigitalAnalog]

That would mean admitting "defeat" to Microsoft.

[kaveti6616]

The only time I want to see ads in my gaming machine is if they help immerse me into the world. For example, I always loved seeing those billboards in Fallout 3. They immersed me into that world. But, we're talking about real ads for real world companies. In that case, McDonald's shouldn't mind having their ads placed in Modern Warfare 2, especially if we get to shoot it down and stuff.

[bigrudowsky]

Whats the problem with ads as long as they dont end up in my games ill be alright. Ive never been forced to sit through an add while on live.

[djfullshred]

They are trying to do this with PS3 too. I think gamers need to rise up and sue them for this stuff. I think it is a bait & switch to buy a game, and then someone tweaks it later to have advertisements added in it. These companies are treating their customers like crap. They don't see us as people buying their products, only as dollar signs.

[OrganicMachine]

I should see this type of stuff on a free online structure, not paid..

lol I feel sorry for those people who pay monthly/yearly and see ads..

[RockmanII7]

The ads don't hurt the gaming experience for me. When MS puts these new ads into play, I'll tell you if I feel the same way.

[FailureRate54]

IN-GAME adv are good, realistic, and beautiful... but damn... and ENTIRE VIDEO ADV during loading times SUCKS A LOT!

But.. it's from M$, and i can't expect something good from this company

[StrboyM]

If in game ads generate enough revenue to make Live free. I don't think this is a make or break deal though, in the beginning it will be noticeable but after a few months I'm sure it will become very normal.

I really hope this keeps MS from raising the price to 100 (if those rumors had any merit to em at all)

"Nothing to see here folks...keep moving, carry on..HEY you stop taking pictures...lol"

[Syaz1]

the reason why i bought an xbox 360 because i feel it was the best console of this gen, but it looks like my opinion has changed. that goes to the ps3 instead. my next console looks set to be a ps4. i can understand if they put the ads on the silver accounts so that they can get multiplayer in exchange of having to see ads everytime before they play a game or something like that, but when you're paying for it, it's just bullshit.

[MaximusPrime]

well, wipeout hd on ps3 now have adverts during loading time. not every times you know. i don't really mind. adverts in ps home is not that bad. it is balanced imo.

[snake-OO]

ps3 has in game adverts but guess what, we dont pay to play online.

[Chubear]

and those are on the same multiplat games that 360fans have on their system too so this isn't Sony's thing. Plus, if you mention sports games for in-game ads in comparison to this, then that's just sad.. real sad.

[BX81]

Ok? So the PS3 has ads as well. Good job.

[madpuppy]

if they add realism to the game, seeing a billboard for dunkin'doughnuts in game or a
bus stop shelter with an advert for axe deodorant is no problem, it will just add a realistic dynamic to the game environment.

BUT, advertising during load screens and such, stuff that pulls you out of the game is uncalled for.

OR powering on my console and having to see an ad for ALPO dog food or tampax with wings would really piss me off the the point of getting rid of my console and sticking with the PC.

[34543534798]

Whipeout HD already does that

in whipeout it's cool, I donno about ms. they tend to f*ck us in the ass too often

[Chubear]

That's not even remotely the same thing at all

[riksweeney]

So basically what will happen is that the games will take longer to load so that you can fully absorb the product being shoved down your throat.

[koehler83]

Microsoft: Finding ways to make you pay for everything you never had to before. Sometimes more than once!

[silvertip83]

yet again the Microsoft sinks to an all time low.

If this continues the PS3 will be sitting on my shelf, not the Xbox 360