Topic

Totally theoretical discussion: How would "small" product placement make you feel?

Now, to be clear, I have seen NO WHERE that Tiny Speck is thinking about this. But it seems like one of those ideas that will come up if (1) Glitch is struggling or (2) Glitch does really well.*

I'm going to present two examples of small product placement ideas (not proposals, just examples) and I'm curious to how people would feel about them.

EXAMPLE A: So the new Batman movie comes out next Summer. And Warner Bro/DC cross promotes with Tiny Speck with clothes. You can buy a Batman suit! Or a Catwoman suit (yes, yes, we have a cat lady's suit now... but this would be official!)! Or Bane! They are one pricey range but, hey, you can dress up like Batman!

EXAMPLE B: This one is potentially feels slightly more sinister. Pepsi is launching a new type of Mountain Dew (i don't know, let's call it Dew3D, since 3D is all the rage). In partnership with Glitch, vendors now sell tiny cans of the stuff for a limited time. Maybe it makes it so you can surf on the backs of pigs.

How do these make you feel?

*(edit - When I say "that will come up," I don't really mean from anyone in Tiny Speck. I mostly mean from outside forces.)
(edit - just realized I wrote "product" as "protect")

Posted 17 months ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

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  • I'm cool with in game product placement as long as it is kept minimal and helps keep the game going--it might even help spread the word about Glitch
    Posted 17 months ago by Artilect Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It might be cool to allow for donations to charities that are non-controversial and positive, such as the ability to put coins in a box with a pink ribbon on it for breast cancer.  Not sure how payment would work out...maybe you could add few bucks to your subscription cost, and then you'd be given tokens...

    Maybe if you had to win a challenge to gain access to your tokens, it would be the best of both worlds.

    ...alllllthough that sounds like an awful lot of work for something we ought to be doing in the real world anyway.
    Posted 17 months ago by Biff Beefbat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Ok, a bit of Off topic here, but it the interview site........
    Quote:
    SB: For subscribers, you'll be able to have multiple characters per account, which you can't do with a free account. 

    Really? When?

    Also, I'd hate billboards. I know I stopped playing several games because of their in game billboards. And I go into La la land when any form of advertising comes on, so I'll sue them for subliminal suggestion. Or something. And I want a Glitchian version of soft drink as well. Not Coke, but coconut flavoured fizzy drinks or something that you use in a cocktail.
    Posted 17 months ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I can say with a high degree of certainty that we would never even consider any conventional product placement in the game. It's not that kind of game and I don't think it would make sense for advertisers either.

    I don't want to entirely rule out entirely something that we personally thought was awesome, unobtrusive, and fit in well with the game but it is kind of hard to imagine what … a new Tom Waits album serialized as Musicblocks maybe? But, it is so far-fetched that I think you can safely assume that there will never be any product placement.
    Posted 17 months ago by stoot barfield Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Awesome answer, stoot!  Thanks for peeking in and putting a kybosh on the beginnings of a commotion.  I REALLY thought that's what you had in mind - Glitch humor seems way too off-beat/quirky to be palpable for big advertising consumption.  Which is one of the reasons I love it just so much!
    Posted 17 months ago by Hab Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks, Stoot...
    Posted 17 months ago by sakmet Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Good. I don't want to feel like a merch slut while playing Glitch. Other types of slutdom are okay, though...
    Posted 17 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I actually don't need protection. I'm Italian. I come with my own. So protect placement isn't a concern.
    Posted 16 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think product placement would destroy the quality and feel of a top notch game and playing experience. Certainly cheapening it. Please keep it ad and product placement free.

    Thanks for creating this wonderful place.
    Posted 16 months ago by Rhoze Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Actually, Rhoze, you see some experimental stuff on the subway trains - look above the windows :) . It won't be "in your face" at all. Discreet, tasteful, and placed where people either expect them, or are comfortable with them.  There are, and will be more, independent developers and that ad placement helps support them and the game. 
    Posted 16 months ago by Fokian Fool Subscriber! | Permalink
  • As a subscriber, I say no thank you... unless it's super cool stuff, limited in its persistence and not required for game success. I don't want to be at a project and told, "But you need to wear Nike shoes to do that" or unable to acquire items from the bureaucratic hall without a Gucci wallet.

    Also, I would be very remiss to see it in the form of display ads (i.e. on the subway). These subway posters look unobtrusive now because the Mike Tyson grill is in Glitchy colors and design style. Real advertisers (of which I am IRL) want to see OUR logos, OUR colors and OUR artwork in online ads. No Glitchy rendering of Coca Cola. Also, anything that resembles an off-brand version of our product (i.e. the Mike Tyson grill) would be squashed as soon as the George Foreman grill (or similar KitchenAid version) hit the scene.

    Could get messy.
    Posted 16 months ago by Spellbound Subscriber! | Permalink
  • no thank you! although i agree with the smurf outfit (tried to id post-er but cannot find...ss) and the comment on the imagined world being ruined by ads...sorry i just feel queer about the whole thing!
    Posted 16 months ago by TealPony Subscriber! | Permalink
  • FROM STOOT 8/18/2011: "And there will never be ads in the game in any normal sense (e.g., you won't see Netflix or Toyota or Pepsi or whatever): we do want to let player advertise to reach other players (for projects, new groups, some crazy religion or company they started, etc.) All in-game & by-players-for-players."
    Posted 16 months ago by Spellbound Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The Mike Tyson grill created a jarring note of real world for me when I first saw it too and a Forge Gourmand Grill is my suggestion for improving it lol
    Posted 16 months ago by Reni's Mum Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "Forge Gourmand Grill"
    +1
    Posted 16 months ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink
  • OMG I just now got it, when I said it aloud.  Forge Gourmand.  I was just thinking, yeah, that's somewhat archaic sounding, it helps you forge items that are gourmand.  Then I spoke it, and I swear a lightbulb actually illuminated over my cranium.  +1 repeatedly
    Posted 16 months ago by Wiggles The Fluent Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 Forge Gourmand Grill
    Posted 16 months ago by Fokian Fool Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I like the idea of advertising, but only in-game player-to-player as the developers are suggesting.

    For example, the rail cars in the subway system could feature some of the auctions (Crab-tastic juice, only c9.99! Contact @John Doe), housing or planned events (end of test parties, weddings, after Glitch goes online for everyone special holiday offers etc) and hints to quests :)
    Posted 16 months ago by onizuka83 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Really Lord Bacon-o, you can find all the "product placement" you want on television or the radio. I think the majority of us in here are here because we don't watch all that much TV and just love the fellowship and game play of other like minded people.
    Posted 16 months ago by celticlady Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I love the brand new fizzy drink from Helga - Helga's slug-o-licious is fantastic, i cant get enough of it but i wouldn't want to see too much adverstising of Helga's slug-o-licious, even with its amazing tangy taste plus its low in salt!

    also no subliminal advertsing - it is terrible to mess with cigarettes peoples minds.
    Posted 16 months ago by Albus Rookslayer Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @celticladyone:  LBO is not a corporate mole!  He reiterated later that he was not proposing anything, just wanted to think through the possibilities and implications with other like minded people.
    Posted 16 months ago by Nanookie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The one sort of promotion I wouldn't mind right now, and likely not ingame, but on the Home page, would be like www.gocomics.com - which has lots of comic strips you can read while the game loads new locations - since loading time is still significant overall at present, for me at least.
    Posted 16 months ago by gimmegames Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 Forge Gourmand Grill
    Posted 16 months ago by gimmegames Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 onizuka83, that is hot I picture it myself too and love it !
    Posted 16 months ago by Laurali Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Defiantly don't what outside Glitch ads coming in BUT i would love to pass a Crab Juice billboard or a an Uncle Friendly's flyer.. hehehe it would be awesome sauce if the only product placement was glitchien products.

    But ya defiantly like the fact Stoot wants nothing to do with outside ads.
    Posted 16 months ago by Karma Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I would have no problem with a little product placement, as suggested in OP. It would not bother me, just as it doesn't bother me in movies and on TV. This is a fantasy world that contains elements from the real world: We live in houses, we farm, we cook, we ride the subway, we send and receive mail, etc.
    Posted 16 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • good point, audaria.

    we have houses, so it totally makes sense that there'd be pepsi.

    it's those universal, human constants that matter. shelter, agriculture, transportation, communication, and pepsi.

    if a fantasy world has room for houses, surely it has room for pepsi.
    Posted 16 months ago by striatic Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your ability to read utter nonsense into any comment. For those of us addicted to pepsi, it is essential, lol!
    Posted 16 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • My gnome shills for my Robots / website.  I'm feeling ok about it.
    .
    .
    .
    .
    ETA:  dog
    Posted 16 months ago by ArtOfHands RoboGirl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't hate the idea of in-game ads. For example, a limited-time fast food restaurant that gave away free stuff would have me cruising around the game, looking for sammiches.  A between-space mini-game would be fun too.  But I wouldn't have to look at it or participate if I didn't want to. 

    I play a Japanese fashion doll "game" called Poupee Girl and I think they have done a pretty good job of including ads in their site. They partner with fashion brands who make in-game versions of real clothes, or celebrities who design special clothes for the game.  They are in a separate temporary "celebrity shop" where you can buy the special items, which disappear from the shop at a specified time. You don't have to look at them or purchase them if you aren't interested.  I think from a fashion perspective especially, advertiser tie-ins would be fun and unobtrusive.  An Apple t-shirt, a Wild Thing costume, a hat made of Legos...who doesn't want that stuff? 

    I'm not saying Tiny Speck SHOULD put ads in Glitch. But if it is necessary for profitability then I think it would be fine, and maybe even fun. I know the Tiny Specks would find creative ways to integrate ads into the game without making them annoying.
    Posted 16 months ago by Miel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think players should be able to use credits to buy in game ad space for their businesses, organizations, and causes.
    Posted 16 months ago by Tofu Casserole Subscriber! | Permalink
  • That's actually what @stoot barfield has described, @Guillermo Gamera. 
    Posted 16 months ago by Fokian Fool Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 at the Lego hat. 
    I mean, they already have a Domo hat. I'm also hoping for Doraemon costumes. It's cute. Also, love the idea of in game McD giving away Cheezy sammiches, and, oh, Beer? Just so long as the wall isn't taken up by a giant video showing McD ads.
    Posted 16 months ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I played There. They had alot of product placement before.  I understood why they had it, for income to the world. It was great when it was things like Nike shoes, or Levi jeans.  However, it also, IMO, was a major part of the downfall. There got greedy, or so it seemed. They went for major names like Coke and Scion.  With the introduction of those items, it seem like There lost its feel, its hominess. 

    It went way too commercial, and it cluttered and destroyed the world we (the oldies) had all fallen in love with. 

    So, I am very hesitant to see Glitch go that route.  I would much rather pay more for a monthly payment, than to see something of this nature ruin the world of Glitch. Its perfect, just the way it is.
    Posted 16 months ago by Innie✿, Obviously Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm not sure I like the idea of players being able to use credits to buy ads in the game as I could see that really getting out of hand.  I wouldn't mind a Pepsi here or Coke there, but if players started bombarding with their personal ads, that may be a bit much.  A small amount wouldn't be bad, but you know if it is unleashed, some will abuse it!
    Posted 16 months ago by Cabinwood Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Stoot. Thanks for the reply on this. I'm a little confused, though. What did you mean from the interview that was published a few days ago: http://www.pehub.com/115378/stewart-butterfield-on-the-pressure-of-high-expectations/

    I got the impression that there would be in-game advertising eventually.

    "Butterfield thinks Glitch’s independence from Facebook will yield much higher revenue per user – between $30 and $40 per year – compared with the roughly .33 cents per user per month that Zynga appears to be earning, judging by Zynga’s S-1 filing. The money will come from subscriptions, in-world advertising, and the sale of virtual items. For example, users will also be able to purchase “teleportation tokens” that enable them to get around faster. Over the long term, Butterfield hopes Glitch can snag users who want to play the game for months, if not years."
    Posted 16 months ago by Dr007 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I forget what thread it was (in fact I think it was this one!) but he has said there WILL be advertising. Why complain about something you haven't seen in detail yet? If it helps sustain this game in a manner that doesn't detract from my enjoyment substantially, I'm all for it.
    Posted 16 months ago by Fokian Fool Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "he has said there WILL be advertising"
    It has been my understand he has been talking about in-game advertising... for in game businesses. It has been discussed here and there. Far down the road and of course subject to change.

    But it would not be signs for Pepsi. But might be for Fokian's Flummery.
    Posted 16 months ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink
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