Video games have become an entertainment product that has become mainstream for at least the past two decades, reaching more consumers and devices. That is why companies are constantly look for new ways to monetize their publications to get more economic benefit or to make your platform more attractive to developers. Evidence of this is that PlayStation and Xbox are looking into how to inject ads into certain games.
This week’s report business insider outlined plans for Xbox to create a system that allows brands to advertise through games free game (for free). For example, in a racing title, advertisements would be displayed on billboards on roads or tracks. So that, will not interfere with the gameplay.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this initiative raises some concern among players about possible interference with their experience. Xbox, of course, is aware of this situation and is looking into the matter carefully to avoid any issues. On the other hand, Redmond. brands will be carefully selected that they will be able to advertise themselves, thus avoiding inappropriate advertising.
One of the surprising things about the report is that Microsoft doesn’t appear to have any plans to capitalize on the idea. Instead, the real goal would be free game developers can maximize their income in addition to selling additional content. Without a doubt, independent studios would be the biggest beneficiaries of the system. “We’re always looking for ways to improve the player and developer experience, but we have nothing more to share,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.
PlayStation is following the same path
The case with the PlayStation is very similar. The same media says that Sony is working on a technology for displaying ads in games free game. “The idea is to encourage developers to keep making free games that have skyrocketed during the pandemic by offering them a way to monetize them,” he explains. Business Insider.
The PlayStation offering, like its competitor, is not expected to interfere with gameplay. Now a series of awards that players could get for watching certain ads. These rewards can be given in the form of experience points (XP) or the virtual currency used in the title.
The most striking thing about the PlayStation system is that if companies intend to obtain data related to the activity of players when consuming ads, Sony can charge them. Of course, the company is still considering this option. Companies will have to think twice before getting into a privacy dispute.
No wonder PlayStation is trying to show ads on free game. In fact, it is well known that the blue mark accelerating their efforts to create multiplayer online gamessome of which will most certainly follow this free distribution model.
If it materializes, when will we see the PlayStation and Xbox ad systems? From what the source says, it appears that both are still in development, so it will be a few years before they are implemented.
Source: Hiper Textual
