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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?




Comments are Closed
Comments
Displaying 41–60 of 129
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Ryne S.
The Alan Wake In-Game Verizon Commercial does suck but I think if they were forced to put in the game that's a perfect spot because in that seen while your running out of the house and stuff is being trown at you...your not going to stop running to watch tv. So I think the devopers put that there on purpose. You dig?
krispybacon2010
One of the main things that I hated about Hilary Clinton's campaign promises is that she planned to ban mature games. Instead Obamam just speaks ill of them.
Tactical Ninja
That Alan Wake AD was such a "WOW" moment
PLUS: What the the hell Obama, using gamers then screwing them over
grita6689
I only played Madden of the games on the list, and that was really bad. Not only the "Vote for Obama" ads, but now the ads on screen are annoyingly big and on there for every play. Also, in Skate 2, billboards and other signs around the city would constantly be advertising McDonald's or other companies. It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't every single billboard showing the same ad all over the entire city. And then Skate 3 with the T-Mobile, and Miracle Whip street competitions. T-Mobile? OK. Miracle Whip? WTF? Oh, and if you go on Dr. Pepper's website, you can unlock a giant DP can and a DP vending machine to put in your skate parks.
christophblak
The best product placement is the Pizza Hut advertisements in the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade Game.
Fyzban
Alan Wake ads make sense, they created a real world, oyu got real car ( at the start you got a lincoln and lithium battery pack are Energizer. So why when i watch a tv show in game I wouldnt see real ads like verizon? It makes sense.
bolo73
In 2142 all I want is my Pesi, just a Pesi, and I wanted teleported to me. Just one Pesi and YOU BETTER TELEPORT IT TO ME. Just one Pepsi.
MasterSamChief
I don't know why people get so bent out of shape because a sign for a company is up somewhere in their game. It has never decreased the enjoyment of anyone's game. It just seems like people are being whiney.
tturner1
In Tabula Rasa there where frequent XPS computers that you could use... And they where very obviously advertised.
TheMilkMonster
by the way, its impossible to spell out her name on these threads. Even her name is too grimy for the public
TheMilkMonster
I just wish duke nukem had the hilltonn tape playing in the curtain rooms
Broheimer
I hate product placement in video games especially when its in multiplayer the only game I didn't mind it was in Battlefield Bad Company because I could destroy the signs and it felt like I was taking it to Dr.Pepper when I did it.
ThePsychoGamer
in the Yakuza series just about all the products you can buy are based off real products, there was Pepsi, Jack Danial's, and a lot of others.
seipherz
I would just like to say that a Billboard in Saints Row 2 reminded me to see the Hangover the night it came out. The only product placement that has worked on me.
V_Translanka
What about games that ARE ads, like the oldschool NES era when it was super easy for any company to crap out some platformer and paste Yo! Noid all over it in order to sell pizzas? Though what kid that played that needed convincing that they loved pizza? >_>
vash kyller
guitar hero 5 has random ads in it. when you play online you see ads for cisco and sprint usually at that irish pub venue
M6000
I remeber in SC double agent multiplayer I saw a sign for a movie that came out 3 years after the game even came out same thing with smackdown vs raw 2009 in the arena I've seen signs hanging up for movies that are out right now like I saw a sign for the book of Eli anbd I was like WTF how the hell did that get there.
1nitial_D
I MGS3 they had calorie mate and playboy magazines. In MGS4 they had apple products and now in peace walker Big Boss can wear AXE body spray t-shirts.
"Don't be so mayo" achievement in Skate 3 is about the food miracle whip. The Rainbow 6 las vegas games had in game ads as well.
In the Tony hawk games had butterfingers and Dave Mirra BMX had Slim Jims.
Every NFL>NBA>NHL and MLB game has in game ads.
JamesFinn1
That really ruins the tension.
B0BAFETISH
Oh yeah dont forget [PROTOTYPE]. But I wonder if a bad game can influence me to not shop at GameStop.
Displaying 41–60 of 129
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