http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93QF82G0&show_article=1



Video games feature ads for Obama's campaign

Oct 14 03:29 PM US/Eastern
By DEVLIN BARRETT
Associated Press Writer
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WASHINGTON (AP) - Too busy playing video games to watch presidential ads on television? Barack Obama has found you, too, by becoming the first presidential candidate to buy ad space inside a game.
Nine video games from Electronic Arts Inc., ranging from the extremely popular "Madden 09" football game to the street racing "Burnout: Paradise," feature in-game ads from the Obama campaign. The ads—they appear on billboards and other signage—remind players that early voting has begun and plug a campaign Web site.

The idea of embedding advertising temporarily inside a video game is relatively new, having only begun about 18 months ago, and Obama is the first presidential candidate to buy space, company officials said.

The Democrat's ads are aimed at gamers who like sports, including NASCAR, NBA, NHL and skateboarding, meaning EA Sports' motto, "It's in the game," now applies to presidential politics as well.

EA spokeswoman Holly Rockwood would not say how much the ads cost, but she said they are running on the Xbox Live versions of the game through Nov. 3. They began earlier this month.

The timing of the Obama ads within the video game varies from state to state. Players in smaller states may see the Obama ads for the whole month, while users in bigger states may see them for a shorter period.

"It reaches an audience that is typically hard to reach—young males, roughly 18 to 34," said Rockwood. "That's very appealing to our advertisers."

For those who still associate video games with clunky "Pac Man" or "Space Invaders" consoles, here's how in-game advertising works: The Xbox 360 console connects to the Internet, so it can be updated with new features, including ads. In the case of "Burnout," the game came out in stores in January, but the Obama ads were only inserted this month.

Rockwood declined to say how much revenue the company generates from selling ad space in its games.

"What we're trying to do is offer ads in games where we're simulating a real-world environment, so our racing games, our sports games lend themselves to that," she said.

McCain would have done it too, if he knew what a video game was. ;)

Edit: in fact, I think I will.

McCain would have done it too, if he knew what a video game was.

It doesn't matter if it's McCain or Obama; I don't think campaign ads belong in video games.

It doesn't matter if it's McCain or Obama; I don't think campaign ads belong in video games.

Meh, ads in games have never really bothered me much. Same goes for these.

I should have included a winking smile in that post of mine. :)

It doesn't matter if it's McCain or Obama; I don't think campaign ads belong in video games.

Campaign ads belong in videogames no more or no less than any other type of ad.

Although I disagree with his politics, this is a very shrewd move on the part of Obama's campaign, for exactly the reasons referenced in the article that the target audience is hard to reach via traditional advertising.

Don't worry...it won't be long before another politician is waging war against the latest Grand Theft Auto or other FPS that's obviously responsible for the latest school shooting or hazing incident or suicide.

Just when I thought video games were an escape from politicians :rolleyes:

I am fine with politician ads in games...only if they are on billboards I can crash my car into or on walls I can shoot my BFG at.

Don't worry...it won't be long before another politician is waging war against the latest Grand Theft Auto or other FPS that's obviously responsible for the latest school shooting or hazing incident or suicide.

This raises a good point actually...does this mean Obama condones the illegal street racing glorified in Burnout? Oh noes! ;)

Don't worry...it won't be long before another politician is waging war against the latest Grand Theft Auto or other FPS that's obviously responsible for the latest school shooting or hazing incident or suicide.

If its not Obama or some other politician that took out an ad in the game, it has no relevance to the topic. Just because one does it doesn't mean they all do.

This actually works well in Burnout. Its really the first game where in-game advertising was done in an unobtrusive manner, a way that makes sense, and even allows the gamer to get free content (all these free updates they've been putting out).

I mean, its actually a city you're driving in, billboards make sense. I wouldn't want to see in game advertising like this in Mario Kart or something like that, but here it works well. As for it being a political ad, doesn't matter either way to me. I'm not going to make any decision whether its for a product or a candidate based on whether I see their ad in a videogame, so as long as it fits the environment, then who cares?

(For that matter, I'm always surprised by sports games. You'd think that for example, Madden, that the companies who advertise in stadiums would be more than happy to have their ads in another medium for free, so it would make more sense for EA to have them in there, and more realistic that way.)

I wonder if these are regional ads.. meaning..

Will I, as a Canadian, and who has no interest or business with US Politics, be subjected to them in my version of the game?

Article says they'll be targeted...can't imagine the campaign being interested if that wasn't possible.

I assume they'll mainly run in battleground states like Florida & Colorado. I wouldn't imagine any foreign run, what's the point?

There is just no escaping this is there?

Just when I thought video games were an escape from politicians :rolleyes:

Amen, half the reason I try not to watch TV ( Other than a little Office and Dexter)

I wonder if these are regional ads.. meaning..

Will I, as a Canadian, and who has no interest or business with US Politics, be subjected to them in my version of the game?

Most like likely IP targeted.

Bytch all you want.. I think its cool that a policitian is that connected with the younger generation that they would spend campaign funding on advertising in videogames.

And thats one of the reasons why I support Obama. I feel like he's the candidate that best understands regular everyday lives of the majority of Americans. And he's absolutely more connected with the younger generation. One of the coolest things I've heard/seen.. is watching him play a pickup game of basketball with Stuart Scott on ESPN and also that he bums cigarettes on the campaign trail.

The man who wants to be leader of the free world can't afford a pack of cigarettes? ;)

Considering he's worth about a million bucks of course he can. But how cool is it for the President to walk up to you and ask you to bum a cigarette. I much rather have that happen, than the President picking my kid up and trying to kiss them for another photo op.

he is trying to quit which is why his aids have the gum in their pockets nicoret(I know I spelled this wrong lol)
He had stopped when he began campaining.

By the way, anyone know when the last debate is on? I am in Iraq now and wanted to know if it is tonight or Wednesday?

9pm Wednesday EST

Bytch all you want.. I think its cool that a policitian is that connected with the younger generation that they would spend campaign funding on advertising in videogames.


His campaign spends money in that medium because that's they feel they can reach the younger/less educated/liberal/undecided voters there. But that's a whole different discussion meant for a different forum.

I haven't seen these ads yet but am certainly not surprised that the video game industry has found a way to capitalize on the political season and gain another revenue stream.

he is trying to quit which is why his aids have the gum in their pockets nicoret(I know I spelled this wrong lol)
He had stopped when he began campaining.

By the way, anyone know when the last debate is on? I am in Iraq now and wanted to know if it is tonight or Wednesday?

It's tomorrow (the 15th).

I am fine with politician ads in games...only if they are on billboards I can crash my car into or on walls I can shoot my BFG at.

Thinking the same thing, or if they are low enough that you can teabag the candidate:D

The man who wants to be leader of the free world can't afford a pack of cigarettes? ;)

The mayor of my town used to come down to the pier and drink with us at night. He a congressman now and I continue to vote for him. :)

At last, my favorite cult of personality has captured the oh-so-important "manic fantasy driver" and "12 year-old trash-talking Vince Young fanboy" demographics in next month's election.

I'm thinking if I start seeing political ads in my game it goes into the trash, I don't care what politician or what game.

Sorry guys. OT.