video game advertising summed up in a picture

[taltamir]

http://www.thenoobcomic.com/index.php?pos=186

that really says it all as far as video game advertising goes :)

[Optimystik]

I lol'ed, but this is nothing new. What's there to discuss? T&A sells, particularly in 18-34 male-dominated markets.

[Ravens_cry]

I can think of a better one that was actual advertising involving Duke Nukem and Lara Croft.

[Dr.Epic]

Clichequest! I love it as well as the rest of the comic.

[deuxhero]

Really? I would have had a picture bribing a reviewer.

[Trazoi]

The brilliant new marketing idea was to sell the expansion pack at the supermarket?

[Dr.Epic]

Cliche Quest: the sequel to Generic Journey and Average Adventure!

[taltamir]

Cliche Quest: the sequel to Generic Journey and Average Adventure!

are those actual comics? do you have a link?

[Dr.Epic]

are those actual comics? do you have a link?

No, I was just making up those names. They could be real games if someone designed them.

[Bhu]

Nice comic. Actually that pretty much sums up advertising for most media. Advertising is pretty much based on either fear or sex. With video games you get both.

[Dr.Epic]

Nice comic. Actually that pretty much sums up advertising for most media. Advertising is pretty much based on either fear or sex. With video games you get both.

Random thought: fear is pretty much the gimmick for every good Batman story, so what if as you say, they through in sex. No, wait you do that you might end up with Batman and Robin.

[taltamir]

fear? what fear?

and who says batman does sell with sex?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_Ivy_(comics)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catwoman

[X2]

For stills then yes that's pretty much how it rolls. Moving advertisements like trailers and stuff use lots of flashy cuts and epic music to simulate a pulse pounding experience. Seriously, spreadsheets look awesome using this method. But a lot of the time there will be boobs in the moving advertisements too. Look closely though, because most shots last no longer than a second.

[Optimystik]

Really? I would have had a picture bribing a reviewer.

Other way around, actually - the reviewers have to suck up to the game-makers, so that they can get exclusive previews/interviews before anyone else. Some reviewers even work for in-house publications, like Nintendo Power and OXM.

[Prime32]

Other way around, actually - the reviewers have to suck up to the game-makers, so that they can get exclusive previews/interviews before anyone else. Some reviewers even work for in-house publications, like Nintendo Power and OXM.I recall one "word from the editor" which contained something like "We could have put a <game> review in this issue, but they would only give it to us if we gave them the cover pic, and there's no way we were taking that away from <other game> which-".

[taltamir]

Other way around, actually - the reviewers have to suck up to the game-makers, so that they can get exclusive previews/interviews before anyone else. Some reviewers even work for in-house publications, like Nintendo Power and OXM.

also, reviewers get revenue from game advertisements... thats why writing a bad review for a big advertiser gets you fired, and writing bad reviews for awesome indie games is used as a method of appearing unbiased.
http://kotaku.com/gaming/rumor/gamespot-editor-fired-over-kane--lynch-review-328244.php

[Lord Seth]

also, reviewers get revenue from game advertisements... thats why writing a bad review for a big advertiser gets you fired, and writing bad reviews for awesome indie games is used as a method of appearing unbiased.
http://kotaku.com/gaming/rumor/gamespot-editor-fired-over-kane--lynch-review-328244.phpYou noticed that both in the URL and the article it notes that the firing being based on the negative review was an unverified rumor, right?

[Prime32]

Plenty of magazines seem to hype up games then give them luke-warm reviews. Or at least, they give them high scores while pointing out flaws in the main body of the review (since the scores are what they put on the box).

[taltamir]

You noticed that both in the URL and the article it notes that the firing being based on the negative review was an unverified rumor, right?

Suuuuure... and I have a bridge to sell you.
Besides, there was plenty more evidence that came out later. the link was just a quick 20 second search I just performed for the original article that blew the whole story. it was followed up pretty much everywhere for some time later.

[Trobby]

This holds true for all advertising, but especially video games, and especially online video games. I refer you to Cracked.com

Evony Online: Not what the ads would have you think it is. (http://www.cracked.com/funny-4570-evony/)

Warning: Cracked.com is frequently NSFW.

[Lord Seth]

Suuuuure... and I have a bridge to sell you.That analogy even doesn't make sense.


Besides, there was plenty more evidence that came out later. the link was just a quick 20 second search I just performed for the original article that blew the whole story. it was followed up pretty much everywhere for some time later.Then more definitive links, please?

[taltamir]

Then more definitive links, please?

you are welcome to search for them.

[nanobot_swarm]

I love how the ad on the page was advertising an expansion pack for Billy vs Snakeman, and it had an anime woman with ridiculous cleavage.

[Sholos]

If that were true, then this:

http://videotekavizion.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/onechanbara-bikini-samurai-squad-x360.jpg

would be the best selling game of all time. I like to think that, while sex sells, the average gamer is a little more discerning.

[Bhu]

Sex does sell, but if the game is a stinkfest word quickly gets out.

[taltamir]

Sex does sell, but if the game is a stinkfest word quickly gets out.

true... also there are misleading covers. and word gets around about that as well.

[Optimystik]

Sex does sell, but if the game is a stinkfest word quickly gets out.

Evony is still around, so... tiny hole in that theory.

[taltamir]

Evony is still around, so... tiny hole in that theory.

evony isn't really a "game" though... just like the Nigerian prince that wants your credit card number to give you all his money isn't really a prince, or giving out free money.

Also, games don't poof out of existence if they don't sell well. His theory is that a sexy cover will not result in many sells for a really bad game, not that the game will disappear.

[Optimystik]

evony isn't really a "game" though... just like the Nigerian prince that wants your credit card number to give you all his money isn't really a prince, or giving out free money.

No, that's the sad part - it is a game. And naturally, it is nothing like the ads describe it to be.


Also, games don't poof out of existence if they don't sell well. His theory is that a sexy cover will not result in many sells for a really bad game, not that the game will disappear.

It's not just lingering though, it's thriving. Which, as I said, flies in the face of that theory.

[king.com]

I politely disagree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_E83GfWM-A&feature=player_embedded

[Caewil]

The effect of MMOs will be to decrease the total male population walking around doing stuff, which means more girls and boobies for those of us who do!

[Optimystik]

The effect of MMOs will be to decrease the total male population walking around doing stuff, which means more girls and boobies for those of us who do!

Speak for yourself :smalltongue:


I politely disagree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_E83GfWM-A&feature=player_embedded

Naturally, the established companies - Blizzard, Valve, Bioware etc. - don't need to resort to hormonal tactics. taltamir's observation relates more to those starting up.

[taltamir]

I politely disagree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_E83GfWM-A&feature=player_embedded

with whom do you disagree?

Also, haven't you noticed that even the queen of the zerg has some really nice cleavage?

besides, "sex sells" doesn't mean sex is the ONLY thing that sells.

[Caewil]

Speak for yourself :smalltongue:

What? I practically have an anime harem*, thank you very much.

*The kind where the girls laugh at you all the time and there is never any sex.

[taltamir]

What? I practically have an anime harem*, thank you very much.

*The kind where the girls laugh at you all the time and there is never any sex.

I was always bothered by the "harem" definition... apparently it means being stuck in the dreaded friend zone with multiple women.

[Caewil]

It's a form of harem guaranteed to cause intense sexual frustration - but for the men instead of the women.

[Optimystik]

What? I practically have an anime harem*, thank you very much.

*The kind where the girls laugh at you all the time and there is never any sex.

What I meant is that not everyone will capitalize on the increased supply of girls and boobies. *Points at sig*


I was always bothered by the "harem" definition... apparently it means being stuck in the dreaded friend zone with multiple women.

A large part of the comedy from that genre stems from the harem being unwanted. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnwantedHarem) Or in a less extreme scenario, the guy is interested only in one or two girls in the voluminous cast.

[taltamir]

A large part of the comedy from that genre stems from the harem being unwanted. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnwantedHarem) Or in a less extreme scenario, the guy is interested only in one or two girls in the voluminous cast.

Yes, there is the unwanted harem variant... which is even worse. Because it flies at the face of what a harem actually IS.

[Ravens_cry]

This, is video game advertising. (http://www.desktopextreme.com/photos/Lara_Croft_and_Duke_Nukem_33200544415PM290.jpg)

[Ravens_cry]

Yes, there is the unwanted harem variant... which is even worse. Because it flies at the face of what a harem actually IS.
Just like everyone that has ever been called a bastard must be born out of wedlock. :smallannoyed:
Words. . .change, people.

[Bhu]

No, that's the sad part - it is a game. And naturally, it is nothing like the ads describe it to be.



It's not just lingering though, it's thriving. Which, as I said, flies in the face of that theory.

So Evony is a bad game then?

[Optimystik]

So Evony is a bad game then?

Don't take my word for it - a comprehensive list of issues was compiled in Introbulus' link.

[taltamir]

i have read that evony does very shady stuff with your personal info... there is a "game" but its very shallow, very bad, and total ripoff, they literally stole art assets from other games.
Yes, there is something you can play though, so technically it is a game.

[Flame of Anor]

http://www.thenoobcomic.com/index.php?pos=186

that really says it all as far as video game advertising goes :)

Oh, The Noob! I forgot about that comic! I'll have to go catch up!

...tomorrow...

...zzz...

[Bhu]

i have read that evony does very shady stuff with your personal info... there is a "game" but its very shallow, very bad, and total ripoff, they literally stole art assets from other games.
Yes, there is something you can play though, so technically it is a game.

Ah so it's spam...