Blizzard looking to hire "product placement" producer for next-gen MMO
by Mathew McCurley 
Jan 24th 2012 at 2:00PM
What does this mean for the next-gen MMO currently roasting slowly at Blizzard's complex? We don't really know. If we look at other games that have had advertising, it's usually in the form of billboards or sponsorships, featuring products that you and I know of. The possibilities for where ads could go within the game world of an MMO are endless, but it does preclude some settings and time periods. Intriguing, no? Something to freak out about? Definitely not.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
llcjay2003 Jan 24th 2012 2:05PM
As long as it is not intrusive or detracts from my gaming in any way, I don't care. Ideally, the more money a company can make, the more they can put into a project. Key word: "ideally."
llcjay2003 Jan 24th 2012 2:20PM
However, the day I see a quest involving gathering Mountain Dew to cure a village of AIDS or something, I will not be pleased.
Gimmpy2008 Jan 24th 2012 5:43PM
I agree 100% i dont mind it, but if its constantly thrown in my face I wont be so pleased.
Neirin Jan 24th 2012 2:13PM
I just had an image of a shaman casting "Healing POM Wonderful Wave" while a mage attacks with "Panda Express Spicy Chicken Fireball." I don't think it'll go there, but it seems ripe for the machinima treatment.
Phil Jan 24th 2012 2:25PM
Thanks I want Panda Express now
yagamimoon Jan 24th 2012 2:32PM
A mage using [Conjure Tim Hortons Refreshment] ! :D
rhorle Jan 24th 2012 2:16PM
While it "implies" in-game advertisement it could just be general marketing. Or other more subtle things. Without knowing the setting of the new MMO it is hard to think of how real world products could effect the in-game world. In Azeroth it wouldn't make much sense, in a Modern/Future setting it could.
However we most also remember that currently there is a clause for "in-game advertising" that has never been used for current games except for the battle bot and mt.dew promotion.
Drakkenfyre Jan 24th 2012 2:52PM
The job description flat-out says "in-game product placement." It "implies" the part as much as the trademark listing for Mists of Pandaria implied it was a game product. It listed "game software, discs, manuals, printed boxes." It's a certainty it's in-game advertisements.
While WoW won't likely be subjected to this, remember Titan is brand new. They can do anything they want to with it. And if the pet and mount store has taught us anything, if people are willing to accept it, they will do it.
If the game launches with in-game advertising, it will be less resistance than if they were putting it in an existing product.
Monthly fee, in-game transactions, and in-game advertising for extra money? Damn straight they would do it. It's hard to admit the influence of Activision can be seen. But if they have to ruin a company in the pursuit of money, they will. They have already done it to several companies.
rhorle Jan 24th 2012 3:08PM
In game product placement is still broad. It can mean anything from the words COKE to simply a pet that holds an amber liquid. The battle bot promotion was "in-game product placement" but it wasn't really in-game advertisement.
"In-game" could even just refer to in-game footage for commercials and advertisements instead of "in-game' to players.
Drakkenfyre Jan 24th 2012 4:14PM
The Battle Bots never mentioned Mountain Dew, a drink, or anything. The closest they got was "Red Fuel" and "Blue Fuel", and the product's name was Game Fuel. It wasn't technically product placement.
What little has leaked out from Titan says it's a casual MMO set in the future. It's likely the in-game advertising will be flat-out billboards advertising real world products. It's also likely it will have a cash shop.
rhorle Jan 24th 2012 4:20PM
The battle bots is exactly what product placement is. You don't need to mention it by name or spell it out in a neon flashing sign in order for it to be product placement. No matter how much you want to deny it the Red War Fuel and Blue War Fuel were product placements for the MT.Dew Products.
It was product placement at its best in a game. No in your face, but subtle.
Al Jan 24th 2012 4:26PM
"While it "implies" in-game advertisement it could just be general marketing. Or other more subtle things."
No, I think they'd have said "marketing", not "product placement".
"However we most also remember that currently there is a clause for "in-game advertising" that has never been used for current games except for the battle bot and mt.dew promotion."
Yeah, well, they also used to have a "release it when it's done" mantra. Then they threw Cataclysm at us.
Schadenfreude Jan 24th 2012 8:19PM
The latest Stannic Haberdashery over titan is that it will have full-on gambling-- you'll be able to bet on arena matches and so on. In-game advertising would fit right in, same with the real money AH: think Vegas, but online.
Drakkenfyre Jan 25th 2012 3:14AM
Which is absolute bullshit because you cannot market a game with gambling to underage kids (that's why Poker or any other card games have never been encorporated into WoW, it's too close to gambling and with the T rating would get Blizzard into a lot of trouble) and there is no way Titan isn't going to be marketed to all ages.
Combined that with the fact that online gambling is actually illegal in the US, and that rumor is beyond ridiculous.
wow Jan 24th 2012 2:19PM
I can see it now. Horde and Alliance NPCs pimping Pepsi/Coke/Oreo, etc.. right down to the jingles. I see some pretty unique Machinima coming out of this one. ;)
Picture this: An Orc standing in ORG with a Pepsi can in his hand. hehe
Yeah, I know, this is for the next Gen MMO. WOW2 pops into my head. hehe
Shinanji
Thundrcrackr Jan 24th 2012 2:56PM
I imagine our armor covered in logos, like Nascar. =P
Imnick Jan 24th 2012 3:05PM
Hey I wouldn't mind renting out my Guild Tabard for some official sponsorship money ;)
Edymnion Jan 24th 2012 3:23PM
Well see, Raid Finder easy mode gear will have the Nascar style advertisements plastered all over it. If you want "pure" gear, you'll have to go do the real raid. =P
Blayze Jan 24th 2012 3:26PM
Tyrygosa yet lives! We must press on, to the Temple! WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALL THESE WONDERFUL PRODUCTS AT ROCK-BOTTOM PRICES!
xebeth Jan 24th 2012 2:22PM
For me this puts Titan firmly in the future (or at least the modern day forward). I can't advertising working in a fantasy environment like WoW, but it would work in a future environment like the billboards you see in a setting like Blade Runner