| Jul. 1st, 2009 @ 10:47 pm A Few More Things |
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Advertising in video games is a rather touchy subject. I've seen my fair share of people who either don't want it at all or don't mind it, but I haven't talked to too many who are in the middle (as I am). The way I see it, it's the context that matters. It's acceptable in some games but not in others.
For instance, if I walk into a city in Oblivion, I don't want to see a sign plastered on the castle wall telling me to get my oil changed at Lube King. Even context-appropriate advertising (for instance, for a shop that sells renaissance-type stuff) wouldn't be appropriate in a medievalish world.
On the other hand, such a thing would be a tad tricky in something like Fallout 3. While most advertising would not be appropriate, perhaps an old, worn sign for something like McDonalds could work (though I'm still glad there isn't any advertising there).
So what's the point of any of this, you ask? The idea for this post mainly occurred to me while looking at the rather blatant advertising in "MLB 09, The Show", a game based on major and minor league baseball. There was a big hoopla in the reviews (and somewhat in the forums) about the amount of advertising in-game, but I don't have a problem with it. Nearly every (or every) major league baseball stadium has billboards filled with advertising. In-game, these billboards are still there, and some have been used in the same way as their real-life counterparts. So where's the problem? If anything, it adds a touch to the immersion since any advertising is where it should be and is not just plastered anywhere (as some of the reviews seem to suggest).
Context matters.
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In other news, I've been thinking more lately about how if I ever get a couple weeks off from work and school and everything else, I'd like to go somewhere. Obviously with my old car, driving cross-country was pretty much out of the question, but now with a new car, that's not an issue anymore. This one would hold up if I were to try to drive somewhere and see the country (even if for a couple weeks).
On top of that, it's nice to finally have a car that's mine. Ok, so it mostly belongs to the bank, but I am paying it off with my money, and I paid the down payment with my money, so I don't really have to worry about people telling me where I can and cannot drive and how I can't take the car with me whenever I move out.
Here's hoping it lasts me several more years (at least). |
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