Product Placement

[Sabre]

aka. Adverts. How much is enough?

What makes PP (cant be arsed typing it every time) different is that it's in the show or game rather then during the breaks, before the show ect. Films like Iron Man and Transformers and games like Falloout: Brotherhood of Steel and The Movies showed the worse that these things can do. destroing establisted characters, themes and even gameplay in order to sell you stuff. Fair enough in a TV show, but in a game or film you pay for? No. There's no excuse.

However, there is a problem. Where does realism, licencing (ie. paying to use a company name or product for theme eg. Gran Tourismo) and PP meet?

I'm wanting your opinions due to the recent complaint about alan wake (a long awaited horror game) and it's over the top PP of ford and energizer batteries, the latter of which is a vital item you are always seeking out. Before it was pointed out, I didn't even notice. I just assumed Al drove a car, and that the batteries were just batteries, even if I had noticed the brand, I would have assumed they were as ubiquitous in the US as duacells here. (the terms batteries and duracells are pretty much interchangable here)

The same story with fallout, where the established 'Nuka Cola' (itself a play on a coke cola and that nuclear drink they brought out once) was replaced with Bawls (that sound to much like balls to be a cowincidence) Having not played fallout 1 and 2 at the time and not having Bawls drinks over here, I just assumed it was a regular item with a jokey name, it wasn't until years later I learned it was an ad for a real drink.

So, on the one side I hate ads in my games and films, but then when a game goes for realistic settings, would I notice or care about popping into a McDonalds for a burger before hopping into my Farrari and blazing down the street firing my H&K MP5 into the air while trying to rob a Securicor van?

[Vy'drach]

Run Like Hell also had Bawls in the game. Which, to me, actually added to the gameplay since it was hilarious to heal yourself by drinking an energy drink, especially with that name.

Honestly, I don't see it being a big deal or being disruptive, the original Battlefield: Bad Company would have ads in the multiplayer levels for things such as movies and products. Was it distracting? Sometimes, when it proved to be funny as hell. Was it disruptive or "ruin the gameplay," not at all. The gameplay was just fine, and I felt EA had a good idea there. Get some other companies to buy some advertising space, and use that increased income to help maintain the game and dedicated servers.

[Sabre]

Run Like Hell also had Bawls in the game. Which, to me, actually added to the gameplay since it was hilarious to heal yourself by drinking an energy drink, especially with that name.

Honestly, I don't see it being a big deal or being disruptive, the original Battlefield: Bad Company would have ads in the multiplayer levels for things such as movies and products. Was it distracting? Sometimes, when it proved to be funny as hell. Was it disruptive or "ruin the gameplay," not at all. The gameplay was just fine, and I felt EA had a good idea there. Get some other companies to buy some advertising space, and use that increased income to help maintain the game and dedicated servers.

Maybe, that seems justified, but most games manage that without the adverts, plus your already paying for it.

Rainbow 6 Vagas 2 had a level set in a convention centre that was full of ads, but that made sence since, if we're honest, that is all E3 and the like are about anyway. Run Like Hell sounds disruptive though given it's something that you have to seek out to complete the game.

[DZComposer]

I don't have a problem with product placement so long as it isn't done in a stupid way.

I mean, if someone is drinking a soda, it actually adds to realism if it is a real brand of soda. But, if the product is out-of-place, then I have a problem with it.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

I don't have a problem with product placement so long as it isn't done in a stupid way.

I mean, if someone is drinking a soda, it actually adds to realism if it is a real brand of soda. But, if the product is out-of-place, then I have a problem with it.

^ This.

But I see your point, Sabre.  Sometimes they also push these products via advertisement, repeating [television] advertisements ad nauseum.  It's reasons like that I wish I could afford a DVR.  "I spit on your corpse, advertised television!" 

[CrypticQuery]

As DZ said, I really don't mind unless it's ridiculous.  In Need For Speed: Underground 2 (PS2) for example, crashing into BestBuy was hilarious.  And in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game (NES) the product placement for Pizza Hut wasn't that bothersome. 

[Asper Sarnoff]

Unless it's out of place, I'm okay with it.

Some of the later Bond movies have had lot of this. In Brosnans films with BMW's, and now Craig's with Fords.

[DZComposer]

Unless it's out of place, I'm okay with it.

Some of the later Bond movies have had lot of this. In Brosnans films with BMW's, and now Craig's with Fords.

Some of the earlier ones, too. A couple of Bond cars were AMCs....

[Mr. Foxer]

I find things like this rather ridiculous,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krLB81phgfY

Skip to about 2:12

[Sabre]

I find things like this rather ridiculous,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krLB81phgfY

Skip to about 2:12

Is blocked.

["User"]

Is blocked.

Not sure why it's blocked for you but it's Episode 2 of "Return of Mr. Bean" He's flashing an American Express credit card.  I don't bother using a card like that personally.

And anything with Mr. Bean is win

[Vy'drach]

Maybe, that seems justified, but most games manage that without the adverts, plus your already paying for it.

Rainbow 6 Vagas 2 had a level set in a convention centre that was full of ads, but that made sence since, if we're honest, that is all E3 and the like are about anyway. Run Like Hell sounds disruptive though given it's something that you have to seek out to complete the game.

It's not really disruptive, one name is as good as another, after all. It's just a health pickup that restores minor health, they may as well take the tens of thousands of dollars that the companies are willing to pay to have their product featured in the game, and use that money to make the game as good as it can be, pleasing both the customers and themselves when their games are bought by more people.

[Asper Sarnoff]

Some of the earlier ones, too. A couple of Bond cars were AMCs....

Such as in "The man with the golden gun") Yes, when you mention it.

I do think that's a little bit different tough. It's been long since I watched those movies, but I don't remember them as obvious in the same way as the BMW's and Fords. They were just average, slightly bland american cars, exported to Asia before they had started their own car industry properly.

[rainfyre66]

Anybody see the terrible movie Mac and Me, a pitiful E.T. knock off that is just rife with product placement, up to the point where there is a completely pointless McDonald's song and dance number that has no bearing on the plot (but it sure makes eating at McDonald's look like fun!), and whereas E.T. was fueled by the love of the family that found him, the alien "Mac" is literally fueled by Coca-Cola and Skittles instead? Good times.

[Guest DRL]

I don't have a problem with product placement so long as it isn't done in a stupid way.

I mean, if someone is drinking a soda, it actually adds to realism if it is a real brand of soda. But, if the product is out-of-place, then I have a problem with it.

True.

Have you played the PS2 version of

Splinter Cell? My brother plays it

sometimes, and you know what?

I find it REALLY FUNNY when the

main character takes out his

walkie-talk or like that and the

screen centers around the little

screen saying "NOKIA".

[Scott7]

It doesn't really bother me to much unless its extreemly noticable in an area that is oftenly used, in a multiplayer area, or in a HQ. (for example a pop-tarts poster in the command bridge of the greatfox)

But i still think its pointless. whats the use of spending that much money to throw something in a game when its just going to be ignored?