Confirmed: Obama Is Campaigning on Xbox 360

Last week Gigaom noted unconfirmed sightings of an "Obama for President" billboard in the Xbox 360 racing game Burnout Paradise. Today they are able to report that it is, in fact, an official advertisement placed by the senator's campaign team.

[Dann59]

Since when was Burnout Paradise a 360 exclusive?

[Zerodin]

Since because f_ck you, that's why!

[ThatCanadianGuy]

No f*ck you Zerodumb,Your one of the worst trolls on this site.Atleast the others are random and funny.You're just an insulting prick.

[Shaka2K6]

.

[Dann59]

You think being anonymous protects you,is that right?Don't play with me fanboy.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Maybe they only felt the need to name the console that matters.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Who plays games on the PS3? I didn't know that thing had games, I thought it was only good for playing Ironman.

[FAQS]

At jason:
A: Man, do us a favour...just Shut The F"ck Up!!!!!!!!!

[Pain]

So all that Advertising would go to waste on a INTERNATIONAL Console like the PLAYSTATION 3..

best kept on USA BOX 2 for its 80% Yankee male audience

[Stubacca]

So is it only on the 360 these campaign ads exist in Burnout Paradise???

I think it's cool like, Obama campaigning for the youth vote through one of my favourite mediums. I made a groovy Obama theme for PS3 on www.PSU.com. Check it out.

[juuken]

Lmao @ Zerodin.
This dude is a real psychopath.

[Johnny Cullen]

Wow...Obama an Xbot XD

(not slating the 360 as I have one and love it, just joking ya know XD)

[TheTimeDoctor]

can i drive through it?!?

[GiantEnemyCrab]

hahaha +bub for that comment.

Oh yeah and I'm still not voting for him.

[Sircolby45]

Too bad it isn't a billboard in Saints Row or something...Then they could add paint cans and we could "edit" it. :)

[Killjoy3000]

Xbox 360 racing game? Last I checked, not only is it on PS3, but the PS3 version was the lead version. Don't mean to troll, but I found that weird. If anyone thinks I'm trying to start a console argument over something so absurd, so don't give me some stupid retort.

Anyways, this is a good way to get a hold of the adolescent demographic.

[Finch]

Do you think he really cares what version it was lead on?

[Bnet343]

Killjoy3000 you really care that much? You must really love your PS3. A little too much :3

[vhero]

another reason not to buy a 360 you pay for live so why the hell should you have advertisements in game?? tell me why the hell this is fair?? at least PSN is free so if it had ads you could explain this crap but its not got em. How do you think MS can pay for these console drops this christmas??? now you just found out! Thank god I dont take my 360 online to play only for updates so i dont get this BS

[Daishi]

Because ads really throw my game off!? It's just something that's there and kind of makes it feel more lively with up to date things like this. I just got finished playing RSV2 again and noticed FarCry 2 posters all over the convention center. It made me laugh, but it's like "hey, we know your in here". As long as they don't put comercials in games I'll be fine...

[CliffordM Bleszinski]

im too cool to vote.

[Killjoy3000]

So far, your cause is a good representation of how douchey Cliffy B is, so don't blow it lol.

[iamtehpwn]

The Real CliffyB would cross out both their names and write in his own. His Party? The Confederation of God-like men

[Merritt]

I don't like the guy at all, Obama. I won't be voting for him. It is interesting to see him use videogames as an advert for his campaign though. I'd say it's pretty forward thnking. Most Fortune 500 companies don't have that kind of forward thinking.

Vote Libertarian!

[Snake Raiser]

Haha, Obama 08

PS3 FTW

[dkgshiz]

Obama is just a dirty politician. Im not even voting this year. Democrats and Republicans are just BS. Too corrupt. Yeah if this is on Burnout paradise, Im sure this ad is on the PS3 too, not like you would want it to be.

[CliffordM Bleszinski]

yea you and i are too cool to vote. im not going to vote for these scumbags.

[UltimateIdiot911]

Man, I totally agree with both of you. Neither of them got good ideas or plan. They are politician, it's their job to lie their way to office. Not voting this year, both choice are terrible.
I would be annoyed to see campaign in my games heck it's almost like trying to spread religion in games. I don't want to see these annoying ads especially in games.

[pshizle]

vote ralph nader

ftw

[OldGamer]

Anyone else catch this:

"Of course, detractors could accuse Sen. Obama of sending out mixed messages; earlier this year he was telling audiences that parents need to “turn off the television set, and put the video games away.” Then again, since the Burnout billboard specifically advises gamers to vote early, maybe it’s his subtle way of trying to get them off the couch."

Last I checked, you have to be 18 to vote, which means you are legally an adult. The in-game ad is directed towards adults who play games, not kids.

[Coke-a-Cola]

.

[poindat]

I had no idea Burnout Paradise was a 360 exclusive game. A better choice of words is in order, perhaps. Not a large matter, though.

Not surprising, considering Sony stated that they were all for in-game ads. As long as it is no major annoyance (i.e. huge billboards looming over many roads with a blown up picture of Obama's face proclaiming "Vote Obama!") it doesn't really bother me much.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

It's just ignorant people that are writing articles.

Why would they know of Burnout being on another console?

But I have yet to see that billboard myself, in either version of the game.

[Kirstenlottesovs]

Guess I'm changing my vote to McCain

...Kidding

[NegativeCreepWA]

I hope his adds stay on the 360 since I have the PS3 version.

[ReBurn]

I haven't seen the ads, but if Obama is doing it then it's a pretty interesting tactic. It shows that his campaign knows how to go after the votes he wants.

[Kirstenlottesovs]

"go after the votes he wants"

and that would be the votes of -20 year old gamers wrecking cars?

[dukadork]

XBL the most racist, homophobic, joe-6-pack, pro guns gaming network is turning coat at the last minute: LOL

how do liberals do on XBL?
they turn off headsets and ignore 99% of online requests?
I've always wondered...

bloodmask is sucha tool... they made a special billboard for 360?
LOL!

[Auron]

OUT OF OUR GAMES!

[Yi-Long]

... however, I dont want this stuff in my videogames.

It takes you out of the game, out of the experience, etc. And I play games to just enjoy myself.

It just feels horribly out of place. IF you ARE going to advertise in certain games, at least make sure the design etc is corresponding with the look of the game, so it doesnt look horribly out of place.

But TBH, I feel it just shouldnt be in games at all. Look at Crackdown, great game set in the future, which suddenly had in-game advertisement for movies coming out at your local cinema(!) That just ruins the whole thing.

[NegativeCreepWA]

-

[Merritt]

@12

12 - I like Obama, and I feel he would make a very good president...

Why? What qualities does he have that would make him a good president? Give me three...please, I'm curious as to know why?
1. Because he wants to spread the wealth around even to lazy people who don't work?
2. He has NO experience, less than Palin.
3. We know nothing about the guy, is he even an American citizen? None, nada, zip, of his records have been released...
4. He's going to raise our taxes?
5. he's going to require you have health insurance, if you don't you get penalized?

I don't get it...people just following blinded? None of those reasons are enticing for me to vote for the guy...why would anyone want those kinds of things in a president?

[Yi-Long]

... cause people will only believe what they want to believe.

I've seen all the debates, I've seen every interview, I've read every article, I've gone through all the aftertalk with 'experts' etc.
Not just Obama's plans, but all of them. I would actually have prefered Ron Paul as the republican candidate, as it would have made for much better debates, especially on the economy and the foreign policy.

Most of the questions you ask, just reek of ignorance, spouting the nonsense you'd expect from fOX-news and all that. 'Is he an american citizen??' Geez(!) He has already explained his taxplans many MANY times, and independent economists have already said it's a sound plan that will benefit the normal citizens much more than McCain's 'plans', which will basically be a continuation of Bush's policies (subsidising big companies and hoping it will lead to jobs (which it does, but overseas)).

Anyway, like I said: you need to do your own SERIOUS research, IF you are interested in making a fair and balanced decision. And if you're not, you probably shouldnt go out and vote. Cause the problem with democracy, as demonstrated in the last 8 years, is that ignorance is pretty counter-productive when you (pretend to) have a democracy.

[Funky Town_TX]

Are you American? Do have any none American blood in your body. There are very few "Americans" in America.

[Merritt]

@Yi-Long

You didn't give me three, you gave me soundbites...I'd like to have three qualities of the guy that would benefit you and I if he were to become president.

Aside from saying he has a sound plan...tell me what it entails...I understand your support, and I'm not going to critcize you for what you beleive in. I just want to know exaclty what it is...you believe in.

My 5 points are real, and don't reek of ignorance my friend, I watch, listen, and read. I'm not saying McCain is any better, he's not. Chosing Palin was the worst thing the guy could have done. Liberman would have been an excellent choice.

I'm actually voting for Bob Bahr, I'm a Libertarian, and a socialist like Obama is my exact opposite way of thinking. I just can't understand the blind faith people have in Obama, who has NO experience! Far less than what we've had for the past eight years, look where that's gotten us.

[Quickedie]

Do you? And how come you made statements 1-5?

1."spread the wealth" - not exactly, more like creating a bigger middle-class and providing at least basic health care to people that can't afford it.
2. Experience is kinda hard to measure. Life is not like you get experience and get a level up. McCain is lvl 55 and Obama is only lvl 35! And does McCain getting shot down make him more qualified for President?
3. "Is he even an American citizen?" No comment. (He's not an Arab nor a Muslim, if that matters to you)
4. "He's gonna raise our taxes" Really??? Have you really done ANY research besides listening to the McCain campaign BS or even watched a SINGLE debate? You must be one of those making more than $250.000
a year. In the case you make less, you get tax cuts.
5. Where did you get that from. Your ass? There will be a fund where BIG businesses will pay into if they do not provide adequate health coverage to their employees. That fund will be used to make health care cheaper to those who can't afford it.

Looks to me like you have watched too much Fox.

And now whats bad about a person coming from a rather poor background and even being BLACK, working his way up to become a president?
Sounds like a better career to me like from George Bush.
I don't think Obama has 7 houses like McCain either. But I'm sure McCain is going to fight for the middle-class and suddenly "shake things up in Washington, my friend", lol.

[Merritt]

@Yi-Long

If you were about Ron Paul then you should be about Bob Bahr and Libertarians...I can't find a single wrong thing with their platform.

http://www.lp.org/platform

Seems like my idea of Utopia actually...

[Rob0g0rilla]

I could understand if they're on PSN because it's free but Xbox Live? You pay for Xbox Live. The last thing anyone should see is an ad if they pay for the service. Just my opinion. Ads with silver are fine since your not paying for the service.

[FantasyStar]

I've been saying this since 2006. Why should I have to pay for online gaming when the ads probably do the job already? This is why I love PSN because it's free online gaming and service almost comparable to XBL, plus they keep the ads in the place I care to see them.

[Quickedie]

Isn't it up to Microsoft if they choose to have advertisement on X-Box Live? Obama just purchased advertising space offered by Microsoft.

[FantasyStar]

I don't want their **** in my games! I can't believe you guys are approving this!

Just to keep ya'll politco-heads at bay, I would've said the said for the McCain group too. Last thing I want is a Tank Lady showing up when I'm playing GTAIV. I hope Sony and their developers don't fall for this political campaigning for a quick advertising buck. Sony & Group will sure gain alot more respect from me if they choose to keep politics out of my video games.

[sleepyk]

vote OBAMA for '08

[ZILLA]

just like they did in SOUL CALIBER,with VADER and YODA.its now with them.i think PS3 is the dark side,cause mccain is the emperor and obama is mace windo,what a skit that would be on SNL.AWSUM!!

[Dacapn]

No...McCain is the Atari. And Palin is the wii.

[enjoi187]

mccain and obama are both :(......but mccain could die soon and then were stuck with Palin....and F_ck that....lol she retarded...and make no sense at all.... http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[360 man]

hahaha dat was some funny sh1t

she aint got a clue lool

[Bladestar]

"Obama Please advertise on the PS3".... I didn't know Obama was running for President of the world? Based on the US PS3 installbase vs the Xbox 360's that would be a bad move... not to mention that PSN is probably one of the worst places for targeting advertising since people are allow to have a bunch of accounts where XBox live encourage (because of gamescore, Payments, achivements, etc) to have 1 account and demographic data is cleaner on xbox live.

[QQcrybaby]

confirmed: I would never vote for Barak Obama.

[MikeJonesOK]

because you don't turn 18 until 2016

[MikeJonesOK]

<----is that one.

[biggiechubbs]

Obama is a a tool with radical haters like ayers and wright. How could anybody with common sense vote for that america hater?

[HairyBrownSack]

Obama SUCKS!!!!

And before you reverse racists claim it's because he's half black, it's not; it's because he's a horrible person deep down inside. And he doesn't even have a birth certificate, LOL. He's a MOOSE-SLIME terrorist! An anti american, no flag wearing, no hand of heart placing TERRORIST!!!!! We can't have a potential TERRORIST in office!!!! Can we? NO! WAKE UP!

-

Vote McCain/Palin!

A TRUE war veteran....and...and.. A MILF!!!!! (LOL, JK, VOTE NADER)

Poor welfarecrats :(

[Imallvol7]

Same Obama that said that gamers are wasting their time and need to do something worthwhile? Just another one of his inconsistencies.

I won't get into politics on here. LEAVE IT OUT OF MY GAMING. It's one of the ways I forget about and get away from corrupt politics.

[xXicemanXx]

really who cares burnout is multiplate that sign was on the ps3 a week ago

[No FanS Land]

Really? Never saw it cause i own the ps3 version. However I live in Canada.

[XxCYONIDExX]

They sure did pick the wrong game to advertise his campaign through.

[Bon Scott]

for prez LOL

[Neo604]

the redneck will kill themself.

[No Way]

"the redneck will kill themself."

Good..

[Obama]

This must be a big mistake since I ******* hate the 360. :)

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

This is like Obama himself walking up to you and kicking you in your nuts.

[GAMExxOVER]

Dont need that crap when I am trying to get away from that crap by taking some me time on the xbox.

[VMAN_01]

God damn I am happy that there are no politicians campaining on my PS3, I want gaming and politics to stay very far away.

[Obama]

This is a huge mistake as my beloved console is the p3. The Mccain and 360 crowd are trying to distract you from the fact that I heart the ps3.

[robotnik]

lol, ok, CONFIRMED.

Obama hearts the PS3.

[robotnik]

To be honest I dont think this guy likes consoles at all, he want to put you all to work and promote jobs for small companies and middle class.
But if I had to vote for someone I would vote for this guy, McCain is an old hack.

[JD_Shadow]

I like that Obama is trying to court younger voters this way. Not many people seem to grasp how important their vote really is.

The only thing I could see is that if he hasn't already, get them on the PS3, as well.

That, and I don't think he's going to need the help. Right now, unless McCain does that "OMG, WEATHER UNDERGROUND!" BS that he's been doing (and having it kick his own ass in response) and pulls some type of cheap shot or has this miracle plan that we've never heard of that is SOO great, then we will be seeing our first black president in the US (the economic situation is giving McCain the worst possible backlash on him at the worst possible time for it to happen TO him).

I challenge all of you to watch the debate this Wednesday night (9PM EST, on MSNBC in particular). If you don't like the people that are in office and you don't vote or do enough to tell your folks that you know enough to be able to change THEIR vote one way or the other, then do not complain when the person you didn't vote for is f*cking up our country.

[FantasyStar]

But I don't need politics in my video games. I play video games to get away from that. What am I going to do when I play Resistance 2 online when suddenly I see a billboard to support gay marriage. Then the next map, I see another billboard to ban gay marriage. Oh wait, PS3 games don't have in-game advertisements. Brilliant Sony!

Keep Politics out our gaming please. If you want my political opinion, this is just Obama's campaign team struggling to find more potential voters because more than half the states are leaning towards McCain. I base this on multiple sources from FOX, CNN, MSNBC, WashingtonPost, New York Times, Boston Global, and talking to multiple government professors in California. California is incredibly liberal and I go to school in a district that's mostly democratic. I can go on all-day about why I think this way, but the short answer is KEEP POLITICS OUT OF VIDEO GAMES.

It's inexcusable to brainwash a younger generation of people since a gamer can be as young as 7, and therefore, be taken advantage of. Don't give me that ESRB crap either cause no one really follows it. If political ads were restricted by the age group, I wouldn't care too much, but I personally saw this on my nephew's account. He's 15 years old and there's no reason for him to see this, since the minimum voting age is 18. I consider myself very active in politics, but this is ****ing ridiculous.

Politics corrupts everything it touches. Politics, Religion, and economics should never be mentioned in video games because all they do is get people riled up and turns the conversation into a pissing match between side A and side B. Politics is the worst offender out of the 3.

[CloudsEnd]

If this lands in Europe im f*cking pissed, i dont want have anything to do with the sh!tty politics of dumptopia aka america.
i mean it would be pretty dumb to put that on European servers!?

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

We can just have another World War so we can come save your ass again.

[NitrogenB]

Hahaha, so true. I hate the XBOX 360, but that was hilarious.

[Swamp@ss]

.........get my vote either way.

In other news John McCain plans to campaign on a Magnavox Odyssey to prove to everyone that he's also "with it."

[man0fsteel]

The "Maverick" thinks he's "hip"

[militant07]

die in hell obama you and your friends

[Firstkn1ghT]

Obama FTW!

[cityboy100]

Crybaby I don't have to say anything to u because your name says it all. For merritt, your so full of it, be careful its starting to spew everywhere. A lot of people don't like to step in it, let alone hear it and smell it coming out of your mouth. Guess what ??????? THAT ONE will be President.

[NitrogenB]

If you are as outraged as I am over political ads showing up in games, for either party, show your disgust by emailing EA:

[email protected]

This is the only contact email I could find, tell everyone. Or, if you know a better contact email for the company, share it. It’s the only thing I know to make this crap stop. I play games to escape, not jump right back into the crap I’m trying to escape from.

[NitrogenB]

If you are as outraged as I am over political ads showing up in games, for either party, show your disgust by emailing EA:

[email protected]

This is the only contact email I could find, tell everyone. Or, if you know a better contact email for the company, share it. It’s the only thing I know to make this crap stop. I play games to escape, not jump right back into the crap I’m trying to escape from.

[pixelsword]

...While there are plenty of sensible gamers on XBL, the majority of the time you hear all of those whiny loud-mouthed XBL troll-beggars that brings down the experience; yelling like some girl that just pissed herself at the prom.

I don't even use my mike much anymore.

on the PSN it's quieter, for some reason hardly anyone used their mics; you'll have 32+ people in a round (depending on the game) but no mics on.

[Panipal2005]

Nice to see Sony's too classy to allow this cult figurehead anywhere near them.

Though there is an extremely strong resemblance between the obnoxious rabble that make Xbox Live so notorious and Obama supporters. Obama, I suppose, is just going where the votes are.

[Blink_44]

Yet another reason why i hate the 360.

[devilhunterx]

Oh great. Now the ads are going exclusive. Tell me M$ didnt pay another 50 million for this.

[sanamsingh]

lol
even though you're a crapbox 360 fanboy
at least your not british!!!

[ManOfPopsicle]

Why is he advertising for a game that mostly people under 18 play? The game is rated E10+.
Also, why didn't they put his advertisement in a war game? Don't want to make people think he's a terrorist? I mean... his name is Barack Hussein Obama.

[papayapanda]

You're an idiot. You can disagree with Obama's policies without looking like an ignorant backwoods trash tard. Stop watching Hannity and realize Hussein is just a name nothing more. You make Mcain supporters look like toothless inbreds.

[Panipal2005]

Wasn't Obama in fact born in Kenya? Aaaaaannnndddd...don't you have to be a natural born American to be eligable to run for President? Hey, has Obama released his birth certificate for public scrutiny yet?

[Radiodread]

You people really need to get a grip on your priorities and not a freakin ps3 console.

[gersh]

Yay!
No ads for PS3.

[papayapanda]

No, tardstick he was born in Hawaii.

Y'know like they've been saying for the last TWO GOD**** YEARS! GTFO! You and manopopsicle are nothing but trolls. Earn your Mcain points somewhere else.

[Panipal2005]

Serious question, why are people who bang on about 'change' and 'hope' and all that guff, always, ALWAYS, the nastiest, most hostile, most spiteful creatures you could ever hope to meet?

[papayapanda]

I guess if you want to question Obama's legitimacy as an American citizen you have to wonder about Mcain's seeing as he was born in the Panama Canal Zone. You see two can play that stupid game. Just admit it. You don't like Obama for any substantive reasons. I don't care if people dislike Obama's policies, but disparaging him because of where he was born (Which was Hawaii, but everyone who isn't retarded already knows this)? Who is being the partisan hack here? It's certainly not me. LMAO!!!

There are plenty of people in this thread who disagree with Obama but none of them are trolls like panipal2005 and manopopsicle. Come to think of it you two idiots are probably the same person. Now, THAT'S pathetic.

[Panipal2005]

Nice try pal, I'm actually not an American but since Obama's being sold (read: pimped) to the 'international community' I suppose I have just as much right to an opinion on him as you do.

McCain's born in the Panama Canal zone you say? Whoa, would this mean BOTH the major candidates for US President are NOT native born Americans? I wonder why no-one's spoken about THIS yet!

Oh and, a piece of advice, when you respond to my question about Obama's citizenship, what you do is you provide proof of his US native born status. Like, his birth certificate if it's been released for public view yet. You don't say something like 'he was born in Hawaii and if you don't buy that you're a retard!' THAT smacks of someone peddling, ahem, a lie, and trying to cover up the lie with bluster and noise. Which is, after all, what an Obama kool-aid drinker would do.

Since you're a kool-aid drinker, you probably don't understand that not favouring a candidate because (A) he's being forced down your throat (B) in most real news stories about him he seems like a really unsavoury character (C) and the nature of his devotees, who are happy to attack a radio station to shut up someone who's saying things Obama doesn't want said (it's a real possibility that was done at his behest) are all very substantive reasons. Like, that a normal person (as opposed to a kool-aid drinking cult follower) would have.

Tell me, do you think the best move for Obama cult followers to influence people's opinions is to attack, demean, and insult normal people? The way you act, you would think the answer is 'yes'

[biggiechubbs]

watch this

I wanted to put up another video but it is now not available, go figure!

[Quickedie]

You must be pretty pathetic to not vote for him because of "dirt" like this.

[Funky Town_TX]

And the truth shall set you free. Take it how you want to.

[Panipal2005]

'taken out of comment' is a pathetic defence of anyone, Obama or not.

He doesn't have the manners to sing the national anthem - taken out of context!

He says 'typical WHITE person' - taken out of context! (an aside - is there a good context for 'typical BLACK person'? If there isn't, then there wouldn't be a good context for 'typical WHITE person', would there?)

'taken out of context' = DESPERATE.

[Quickedie]

Personally I don't mind some advertising. Apparently some people don't like it so much.
So the solution would be an option to turn advertising ON or OFF. This shouldn't be a problem on XBL since gamers pay for that service.

[papayapanda]

You're right Quickiedie. I didn't even watch the video because I don't give troll the time of day. I don't fall for pathetic troll bait. It's a shame that when people don't have a legitimate issue to stand on they rely on on petty petulant attacks.

[papayapanda]

Stuffing him down your throat are you kidding me? Did I just read you right? Are you blaming the media's trance like fanaticism of him on Obama? How about you have some useful criticism and save your "choice" words for the news anchors who give him un-vetted coverage. Oh by the way I can tell you're not American, because if you were American you would know that having at least one parent whose an American automatically grants you American citizenship ergo if you were born on Mars with a Martian father and a Mother from El Paso, Texas. You would still be considered an American citizen.

It surprises me that someone who isn't American is complaining that the candidate running might "not" be an American. I'm mean look at the last 8 years with a certified American and look how that turned out. I only brought up where McCain was born because I was trying to point out the stupid logic people who don't have real arguments (in which case I mean YOU!) use to discredit a legitimate candidate.

If you want to dislike Obama fine dislike Obama, but don't pretend you know anything about American politics, because it's quite clear you know zilch.