Ads
But I guess to make this happen from the money side of things the makers are selling in game ad space. Namely over voice chat. The Ddo equivalent would be while loading from zone to zone there is a chance to get an ad played for you. And if you haven't heard an ad in more then 3 hours you get to enjoy an ad while loading for sure.
Does it sound all that bad? Not really. But here is the kicker. There is an option in their in game store to not play ads for 30, 60, 90 days (corrected by Steiner). Hmmmm. Sounds like money to me.
But what makes more since to me. Integrate the ads in to the game environment. It it gets me a few more Tps or shaves a few dollars off my sub, put some ads on the walls. Wall paintings, for people that want to buy ad space in game. Why not?
I would buy an ad for ddococktailhour if the rates were okay. Hire a minstrel to sing a jingle when you run by. Or click on him to get a full ad and a chance for some in game prize. Like 1000 gold or 25 tp. It is not a big deal for ads to be in a game but make them part of the game.
A minotaur painted like a clown holding a staff with golden arches would kill me and make me think of McDonalds every time I see it. Maybe with just text over his head saying “I'm loven it!” Or what ever their line is. And if it gets me some loven then I am game.
But I don't like having my load screen being an ad for in the store items. I am a VIP damn it. I want to see something cool.
Okay that is my 2 cents on ads in games. Oh here is that link to Massively if you want to read their piece that will set the nets ablaze.
http://bit.ly/cVbYH6
