Phony Worlds Invaded By Real Products

The New York Times, Thursday, May 29, 2008 9:45 AM
  • Comment
  • Recommend (1)
Subscribe to Around the Net In Brand Marketing

Tags

Players of popular video game The Sims will soon be able to enjoy the same Ikea furniture in their virtual reality as they do in their real one. That's because game developer Electronic Arts has decided to accommodate the requests of players looking for more realistic furniture, and make a little sponsorship money at the same time.

It's the kind of move that would have yielded howls of protest from gamer purists just a few years ago. But branded items are increasingly being incorporated into video games as marketers look for new footholds in the massive video game market, and video game manufacturers are looking for ways to offset the growing costs of development.

In addition to sponsorship agreements like the Ikea-Sims deal, game companies have been trying to sell advertising space and time in games, often on billboards or other elements of the virtual backdrop. But analysts say that advertisers have been skittish about such ads, in part because of their limited reach, and partly because some games are just too controversial, like the recently released blockbuster Grand Theft Auto IV.

Read the whole story at The New York Times »
  • Comment
  • Recommend (1)

Be the first to comment on "Phony Worlds Invaded By Real Products "

Leave a Comment

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now

Recent Around the Net In Brand Marketing Articles

  • Are Facebook's 'Likes' Free Speech?  
    In a court room in Virginia, Facebook's lawyers are busy arguing that the social network's “Like” ...
  • The Next Martha Stewart  
    Brit Morin may be the next -- or at the least a digital -- Martha Stewart. ...
  • Kroger Defends Ditching Double Coupons  
    Kroger's CFO said the grocery chain's double coupons in several markets was “a very expensive reward ...
  • Fiat May Move HQ To U.S.  
    With Fiat SpA hoping to wrap up its takeover of Chrysler LLC sometime this year, the ...
  • Mozilla Delays Blocking Cookies  
    Mozilla has postponed activating the third-party blocking feature on its latest browser, Firefox 22, according to ...
  • Heineken Aligns Web And TV  
    Heineken is looking to make more original content for online channels and more long-form digital programming. ...
  • Craft Beer Grows   
    Consumers have increased beer consumption, and craft beers have benefited. According to Chicago-based research firm Mintel, ...
  • In Peru: Billboard Ads You Can Drink  
    A Clear Channel billboard in Peru, the first to extract drinking water from air has produced ...
  • Netflix Says It Won't Sell Ads  
    Netflix says it won’t be selling ads for its streaming site. Netflix executive David Wells, speaking ...
  • New App Lets You 'Buycott' Frankenseed Maker   
    Big surprise: the Supreme Court comes down on the independent farmer. Consumer sentiment about Monsanto isn't top ...
>> Around the Net In Brand Marketing Archives