Shrapnel Games Blog

So I’m discussing with my RPG group the next campaign we’re going to start in a few months and I mention that I’m approaching it almost as a television series. Obviously this means the general dramatic structure of a series (although does a Seinfeld influence count as dramatic structuring?), and not that I plan on running games 22 minutes at a time with several words from our sponsors. But of course the peanut gallery had to chime in with their disdain for commercials in the game, which in turn got me thinking about the idea of FedEx sponsoring FedEx adventures in my game, and armorsmiths plastering Viagra stickers over their plate mail (’cuz, ya know plate mail is *hard* and Viagra…hey, I just tell’em, I don’t write’em…oh wait, I do…).

Now, the idea of a D&D game full of advertising is pretty ludicrous, right? After all, nothing is going to pull you out of a D&D game faster than the DM describing “Okay, as the priest of Celebrex lays his hands on you to heal he gently reminds you that besides receiving 3d6+6 hit points back you may suffer from nose bleeding, constipation, sexual side effects, blindness, and a strange desire to listen to Yanni…” right?

Yet what about advertising in computer games? Is that not also ludicrous? Or, depending on the game, does it actually create a more “immersive” experience?

First of all I suppose it’s going to depend on the game. Like a typical D&D game, any fantasy game is going to have a tough time with putting in-game product advertisement. But what if it’s not in-game per se, but just present? For example, what if as you’re loading up Diablo IV: This Time It’s Personal, ads are appearing for the nine billionth book in the Wheel of Time series? Heck, isn’t the fact that you can order pizza in Everquest II a form of advertising? What’s next, ordering hemorroid creme since most people playing Everquest II are probably spending 95% of their life plopped down in front of their monitor?

With a “real world” game product placement can fit in better, but is that really a good thing? Does anyone really care if Sam Fisher uses Nokia? Does anyone play a street racing game and really need to see Burger King restaruants in it? Do these ads really reach people? Sure, you as a gamer might see them, but do they really influence you in any way? Other than the fact that dammit, now we can’t even play games without ads and all mainstream publisher execs should be tarred and feathered?

Let’s see, on any given day you’ll find ads on television, in the newspaper, in magazines, on websites, on buses, on bus waiting areas, in your mailbox, on cars, before movies, on the radio, as you walk down the grocery aisles…do we really need them in games now?

Here’s something to ponder…these product placements, are they helping the game out or are they helping the execs pay for their shiny new Bentley? Like, with a magazine there is a direct correlation between advertisers and publishing, as the ad money helps the magazine get out the door. Are these games in such financial trouble that they have to get a boost from Madison Avenue?

Does product placement ever have a place? Sure, there are times when it can be unintrusive, such as in a NASCAR game. If you were racing some made up car would it feel like you’re trying to simulate professional racing? But it’s a really fine line. We can handle driving a Chevy, but when super-secret spooks need to sport namebrand wireless gear, there’s something wrong with the picture.

Ah well, maybe it’s the future and we just need to embrace it. I’ll start by offering up ad space in my upcoming game. Tell you what, for $5000 I’ll name any piece of magical equipment or spell after your company. So instead of our fearless mage/cleric Edward (who by the way wears a propeller beanie…) casting fireball he can cast Washington Mutual presents the Fireball. Drop me a line and let’s deal…

-Scott

Currently getting the most play in the Krol fortress of solitude:

Iced Earth - Horror Show
Iron Maiden - Dance of Death
Loreena McKennit - The Book of Secrets
Nile - Black Seeds of Vengeance
Children of Bodom - Hatecrew Deathroll

…and since I know the lead singer/guitarist I’ll throw out a local band
for you guys to check out: Homeroom