Would this be a valuable idea, could it help the devs in getting some cash in.

Probably all routes will already been walked, but after checking some gamesite I stumbled upon this headline:


Ubisoft Netherlands and Down Under Ingame Advertising (DUIA) Sign Agreement to Develop In-Game Advertising and Game Promotions

source:
http://www.ingame-ads.com/

Although ubisoft is a lot bigger then guildsoftware, and therefore will lack a lot of bargaining power in comparison to ubisoft, it could still be an idea, especially since ubisoft is the first and has paved the way. If DUIA was willing to shelve out even a small investment for some adds within the game.

Example: the loadingscreens, fill them with a coca cola add or a mars add. Just between loads. Add some billboards within space.

I dont know if it will be manageable, and it prolly will not but I was just wondering if things like this have been thought over or if it would just be a waste of precious time?

cheers

EDIT: fm please change ads to adds within the title, me grmbls, wanting to be to fast :(

Renegade, why do you want fm to change it? it's spelled correctly.

Personally, I'd be kind of pissed if the devs did that. If it were a game like GTA, and they put the ads on billboards, I'd have no problem with it, since it'd actually make sense. In Vendetta, on the other hand... It just doesn't fit...

Perhaps a futuristic logo with "Coke" in stylized GTS atop the traditional red-with-a-white-stripe background?

I think ctishman's idea works. If they replace ALL letters in current-day ads with GTS, then I won't care if they're in there.

In fact, I'll probably spend time trying to find out which ads they are.

As long as the ads are not too intrusive I'm fine with the idea. What I don't want is it thrown in my face everytime I warp from one place to another. What about the floating signs like in the old sector 9?

Just my 2¢ worth :-)

yes, having it at every loading screen will kinda annoying... and about the GTS... while it would be fun for the testers, i doubt many companies would want their ad in such a format... imagine u are seeing a billboard in a foreign language.. i think many ppl will pass by it, and even ppl who are attracted to it by the pretty colors will not know which product it is and later forget about it. That is not a good thing from a business point of view. Dont forget that if ads are put in, it is because the company wants to sell stuff, not to entertain the players, tho if that was a side affect i dont think a company would mind...... nor would they care.... neways to stop rambling companines want to sell things, they do not care to entertain the public unless they make money from that too

jim... ads are supposed to be intrusive and annoying :P

floating signs would not be bad, if a company would go for it i dunno but i have no opposition to floating signs

edit:hmm i suppose if there was a picture of a coke can it would work if there was GTS also

I'm not sure... did I introduce you to the game back when the old "Earthly Summers" billboards existed, Darth, or after?

A mix of "standard" GTS adverts floating around would be best in the central sectors of each nation, and perhaps Odia.

in the NT systems, the oldskool billboards could be used all over the place, as they are a commerce-based nation. I doubt very highly that the Itani and Serco would have them everywhere, though.

Yeah, we'd have a big sign with a black background and the words "GO AWAY" in bright red at every border station.

I would hope for something like:

"Warning to Serco Pilots: You are Entering Itani Space; Fly at Your Own Risk."

"To All Itani: You are Entering Serco Territory. You Have Been Warned."

well not at every loadscreen you should see some adds.

But on occasion maybe 1 each half hour of play. One could flash up on a load. Nothing to gamebreaking but still a presence of advertising.

Besides I would have expected some stations to have billboards, considering most of them are one way or another a browsing city. And in stead of having to take non existant companies, they could get some added support by using present existing companies.

Example in serco territory: Coke and serco a monstrous team )
example in itani territory: pepsi and itani the refreshing combination
example in neutral territory: pepsi and coke use with extreme caution it will affect your standing

and things like that...

Beside it was just something that flashed into my head after reading the article about ubisoft and duia teaming up. And ubisoft was planning to put some in on loadingscreens and within game...

So the thought was, why not follow the lead of the big player, the first that will do it will ge tthe biggest profits anyway. And GS hasnt got anything to loose anyway, they have a no, and a yes they can get.

PS: I presummed ads was written with a dubble d in stea dof a single one.

ad -- advertisement
add -- 1+1=2

Thanx Celkan, you beat me to it !!

On the subject of advertising: I don't like it. When the "Earthly Summers" billboard first showed up in the old Sector 9, I thought it was the beginning of the
end, a "trial balloon" to guage reaction to the possibility of ads. Nothing came of
it that I know of and I stopped worrying. But now a player comes up with the idea
of in-game commercials. That alone should give us all pause, and force us to think seriously about how ubiquitous advertising has become. So many people now accept advertising to such a degree that they are actually stupid enough to PAY for it, as in cable television. If the game were to remain free, I might be willing to accept it, if it wasn't too intrusive. But if we are required to both pay for
it AND put up with advertising, I would quit the game. C'mon folks !! Take a stand AGAINST commercial polution and reject this ridiculous idea.

Interesting idea...

I like the idea of in-game ads that relate directly to products found *in-game.* Possibly even player-designed (like: "Try a gargle blaster at the makchuga bar!" or "Skycommand wants YOU to fly in the Serco Navy!")

But I think ads for outside, real-life products is a bad idea. It would totally kill the ambiance of the game to see advertisements for other websites, games, or who knows what, and would detract from the game's immersiveness. And seriously, what company would be willing to edit their ads into galactic trade standard? I have to say I am strongly against this.

edit: yes I did read through the website and yes, I am still strongly against it.

If this will make the game cheaper for everyone, why not???

And for people who find ads extremely annoying, make it possible to pay a small extra fee and make their account ad-free.

Other than the complete and total whoring of the devs so far peerless artisitc integrity?

Although I guess no one cares about that anymore.

Here's what I had in mind:

http://genin.org/coke_gts.jpg

Wow. That's -really- nice GTS. Did you write it by hand? It doens't look anything like the font used in the game, but it's definitely the same language. Wow.

I wouldnt mind that at all...

Coke would though.