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I understand that product placements in video games are here to stay. They offset the massive cost of game development and can even enhance games if used correctly... but that's a big "if." A good video game creates a complete, fictional world for you to live and play in; hawking real-life products can break the delicate narrative-spell of a game as sure as a glitch can break gameplay. A NASCAR game with a car sponsored by STP makes sense; a post-apocalyptic RPG with a Taco Bell does not. With this simple rule in mind, check out my list of some of the worst, most game-breaking product placements in video game history.

Fight Night Round 3: Players can 'hire' the Burger King as a fighter's cornerman in this game. King gives your stat ratings a heart boost, making it easier to get up from knockdowns. I'm a fan of lovably creepy adver-character The King, but making him an unlockable character in an otherwise realistic boxing simulator is jarring, stupid and corny. Yeah, I know it's just game, but come on.
No mention of Burger King is complete without noting that Sneak King, Big Bumpin' and Pocketbike Racers, a trio of Burger King games that just exist as advertising. I have no problem with these at all. Sneak King was fun, and hey, free achievements!

Gran Turismo 1-4: It's not that I object to real cars being used in a realistic racing game. This is exactly one of the ways that in-game advertising can work out for the game company, the players and the car companies. The problem comes in the damage to the cars in most sponsored racing game-- you can't do it. Apparently, car companies want to keep you from seeing a dented up Camaro limping across the finish line, so they make the cars indestructible, at least in terms of visuals. A car bouncing off a guardrail without scratching the paint destroys the realism so carefully created by every other aspect of these games.

Battlefield 2142: Pepsi sponsored billboards for use in a game set more than 100 years in the future, as if people locked in a perpetual war in a dystopian future would really care about their soft-drinks. But that's not the worst part. The billboards in the game were also sold to various other companies, including The Discovery Channel and the DVD release of Ghost Rider. Wait, it says "2142" right in the title... how could there be an ad for a movie that came out in the last century?

Madden NFL 09 (and others):During the contentious presidential race of 2008, Barack Obama advertised in a number of video games, including Madden, and Burnout Paradise. It wasn't so much that Barack Obama's face is out of place in a campaign ad at a football game, it's that Barack was fond of partially blaming societal ills on games, while simultaneously courting gamers for their votes. Not cool, Obama.
Alan Wake: I've already written about this piece of product placement, so I won't repeat myself. I'll let the video speak for itself.
What am I missing? Any other in-game ads tick you off?




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DarkSausage
Jak 2 billboards in the city were awesome, especially if you found the one with ratchet and clank on it
Shuklar
Didn't Planetside have in-game ads?
Bloodthr0e
People who complain about product placement tick me off. It looks better than them using fake name brands of soda like POPSI and makes the world seem more real. It can also be done in a humorous manner.
WarBuff
I hated the 1-800 Flowers ads that recently popped up in Mercenaries 2 right before Mothers Day. Luckily we could blow them up.
hardangelfan
I liked the ads in Rainbow Six Vegas..it was usually just movie posters and Fight Night Posters..they blended really well on the RSV: Multiplayer.
ControlV
Guitar Hero 3 had tons of advertising/product placement. Im not opposed to it existing in it so uch as they had it right on the set list and they were only HALF there, just kind of annoying.
Steve.Volton
Haha, this article is so funny, I am going to this on my facebook. Also this was a fun article to read on my new dell streak. You can totally see one of this things at http://www.engadget.com/2010/0 5/29/dell-streaks-gorilla-glas s-screen-torture-tested-for-yo ur-amus/.
CaptnB2theP
Jet moto was REALLY bad.
bohbn
...come on there will totally still be pepsi in 2142
Adrian_L_B
Other than Alan Wake I never really payed attention to this stuff when playing games. I only noticed itin Alan Wake because of looking at the T.V. shows. I do not care all to much about it but if it gets in the way of game play like for example making me watch a commercial to go on with the game then yeah I think it is bad.
SeEsAw12
Let's not forget the almighty 'Crazy Taxi'
learnedfist
I agree with Stephen Johnson on this one. I don't mind ads in games, so long as they are integrated in a way that makes sense and does not detract from immersion in the game. The Alan Wake Verizon commericial was just too much. Advertisers really need to think about the harm they can do to their brand when their hamfisted ads screw up a player's enjoyment of a $60 game. Put another way, I like Verizon less because they ran the ad, not more.
Dan3791
the only one here that is irks my nerves is the obama one, everything else i find somewhat humorous, especially the alan wake one, that one is funny. but really, presidential campaigning, what's next.
LeBigMac
Goddamn Barack has nothing to say about gaming anymore <3
hostelowner
yea rainbow six vegas had posters for that al pacino and robert deniro movie all over the place.
obanana1
why didn't anyone say anything about that obvious ad for apple macbook on assassins creed I when you are in the future on the left of the anymus and on the right table in that room where you cant enter until you reach a point in the game where you can...
plus the last level is very freaky and a bit unexpected if you ask me.
VEGETABLE SQUALO
Of course you don't have to mention Splintercell Conviction, thats already a little ubiquitous, lets just face it, it's not going to stop. though I do like how the GTA series is never bought out and put in there own fake and funny advertisements. :)
Vaelhan
I do believe we're all forgetting the MMO that basically started ingame advertising and is one of the oldest currently active mmo's. Anarchy Online.... With billboards within a 360 degree view of nearly everywhere in every city, truely one of the ones actually done well... annoying , possibly, but allow u to play for free, definatly.
Tankfantry
it is getting a little out of control with how much screen real-estate these ads are taking.
Cyborger
What's so fake about The King? He's a real guy in a mask.
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