It seems that the Entertainment Software Association is fed up with the Chicago Transit Authority’s advertising policy on M and A/O rated games and have decided to take it to court.
Now you may think it’s the CTA’s decision what they put on their buses and subways but the ESA’s argument is that there is no ban on R-rated movies or the like. This has led the ESA to suggest that this violates their constitutional right of free speech.
The ban on M and A/O rated games apparantly went down in January of this year but only now has the ESA decided to do something about it. We’ll keep you posted as this story unfolds.
via Kotaku
If you thought Sony’s Playstation Home was stupid, get ready for this — A recent patent filed by Microsoft details a 3D advertising environment that is somewhat similar to the abovementioned Home.
However, instead of a fully fuctional 3D environement players will instead take the form of an avatar that is determined based on the advertisment. Still don’t get it? Below is an excerpt from the patent filing that might give you a better picture:
In one example, to advertise the movie TRANSFORMERS, an advertiser may provide the robot BUMBLEBEE, which is a popular character in the movie, as the advertiser-generated avatar. The BUMBLEBEE avatar may include functionality to “transform” between the robot and the CHEVROLET CAMARO depicted in the movie. In another example, to advertise the cereal TRIX, an advertiser may provide the TRIX RABBIT as the advertiser-generated avatar. The TRIX RABBIT avatar may include functionality to say the popular catchphrase “SILLY RABBIT, TRIX ARE FOR KIDS.” In yet another example, to advertiser the ZUNE digital media player from MICROSOFT CORPORATION, an advertiser may provide an image of the ZUNE digital media player as the advertiser-generated avatar. The ZUNE digital media player avatar may include functionality to change colors, change models, and play various digital media.
But what will Microsoft give us in return for participating in these 3D advertisment environments? I’ll take Microsoft Points.
via Kotaku
It’s no secret that Activision is looking to make a huge impression with their highly anticipated FPS Modern Warfare 2 but just how big, you ask?
Well, it seems that the mega-publisher has contracted advertising firm TBWA with the task of making Modern Warfare 2 the “biggest entertainment launch of all time”. This means that Activision is looking to put Halo 3′s first day sales of 1.7 million copies and GTA IV‘s first day sales of 3.6 million copies to shame.
Do you think Modern Warfare 2 will live up to the hype? Given Call of Duty 4‘s success there is a good chance that it will. Not to mention the fact that it’s shipping on just about every major console (including the PC0 there is.
I guess we’ll have to wait until the game’s November 10th release date to pass judgement.
Read (GI.biz)
While most game developers are focusing on improving graphics and gameplay, NeuroFocus is aiming for something different in terms of gameplay interface. NeuroFocus announced NGame, a suite of products and services providing game designers and developers with brainwave-based tools for creating and marketing games.
The NGame suite includes NSequels, which is designed to identify core game elements that build into a franchise; NTarget, which offers user group analysis, design, implementation, and marketing recommendations; NeuroNet, which is geared for multi-player and social gaming; and TGA (Total Gamer experience), which measures multi-sensory gaming effectiveness.
By measuring neurological reactions to games on a millisecond-by-millisecond basis, NeuroFocus believes that the NGame suite can determine how gamers interact with and respond to elements like characters/avatars, storylines, authenticity/realism, weaponry/properties, game scenarios/action sequences, colors/schemas, and in-game advertising.
(Source) Gamasutra
