Ads in video games

[JC]

I've read about ads being placed in video games -- sorta like product placement. Here's a really interesting screenshot: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/236924.php

I'm not a fan of advertising, because it's manipulative. During the NES days, the ads or product became the game. That is, the whole game was the ad -- which they still do today with movie-based video games (and other franchises), where the game "advertises" the movie and the movie "advertises" the game. But I don't recall there ever being an ad placed in a calssic video game. Maybe the closest we get is Yo Noid.

[UglyJoe]

TMNT2 had Pizza Hut signs in it.  And they fell on you 

Also, Maniac Mansion (the US version, not sure what the bizarro-Japanese version says) had a can of Pepsi as well as a Pepsi machine.

Also also, why is this in Auction! Auction! ?

[JC]

That's a frivolous lawsuit waiting to happen. I totally forgot about that, which makes perfect sense since the turtles always ate that in the films. I forget...did the cartoon come first? And if so, did the cartoon have Pizza Hut pizza in it?

[UglyJoe]

I'm pretty sure the ads were intentional.  There was a bit of a tie-in with Ninja Turtles and Pizza Hut at the time.  The cartoon didn't have Pizza Hut in it (not that I can remember, at least), but I think the movies did.

edit:
Looks like the Pizza Hut thing didn't make it into the Famicom version:

[JC]

That's a frivolous lawsuit waiting to happen.

In reference to the signs falling on you...

[UglyJoe]

That's a frivolous lawsuit waiting to happen.

In reference to the signs falling on you...

Ooooh 

[Jedi Master Baiter]

Does anyone know if there's such a thing as Lojca Cola?



Track & Field II seems to have Over the Top cameos; not sure if that's advertising.

[ckenda1]

Kaettekita Mario Bros for the FDS has SMB3 ads before and after levels sometimes...

[xyzzy32]

ckenda1 beat me to it.
But nevertheless, for your viewing pleasure...

[turbo D]

That raccoon Mario looks like he's taking a dump, lolz

[Flash1087]

I typically don't mind it unless it's really intrusive or really out there. I remember in Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory there was a level that involved you hiding near a huge neon sign for AXE Body Spray. It was kinda weird at first since the game wasn't that full of advertisements until that point, but it kinda added to the realism in an odd way.

Anyone hear about the Obama ads in Burnout Paradise and Madden 09? I'm completely for Obama and even I think that's kinda pushing it.

[zombiepowder]

umihara kawase shun (PSX)

had cut scenes between certain levels that had ads for Mitchell fishing equipment...

[FamicomFreak]

Pepsi Man with ads about umm pepsi!! I think the game is for the Saturn.

[Jedi Master Baiter]

In that case, Spot: The Game has the 7-Up logo on the intro.

[nurd]

In those cases, MC Kids. The entire game had Mcdonalds.