I'm all for realism in video games. That's why I particularly enjoy
games that let me be myself and express myself the way I can in real
life. Like running around hacking peoples heads open with a crobar or
chainsaw and splatter their brain cells all over realistically lit and
textured environments.
Just joking of course. Mostly. Point being, the realism is just there to
suspend my disbelieve. But sadly, I think adding ads to video games
could mean one thing. Most companies are going to realistically recreate
mediocre or even worse shitty ads in the most believable way possible.
Maybe if I can splatter some marines internal organs all over a
political ad, it would make me warm and fuzzy again.
Don't get me wrong, I love good advertising that makes me thing. But the
potential and magic of advertising in video games is not knowing you're
being advertised to. Like when people idolize Dirty Hairy then ran out
and bought up every Colt 45 they could get their hands on. When product
placement and brand awareness become pop culture, the battle is won. Not
the inverse, when advertisers try to force pop culture into being ads.
The industry takes a huge blow when ads of fat balding men waving their
hands and yelling about their mattresses are shot at us like bullets to
annoy the hell out of everyone.
Keep it simple and keep it real!
