We can’t decide, but there seems to be a place for tastefully done in-game advertising. Should the escapism of video games be immune? Or does bringing real-world products into game worlds anchor them in our shared experience? Advertising is everywhere in the world we live in. Whatever your feelings on in-game advertising are, the inclusion of real-world products will make games feel more immersive.

The patent also mentions billboards in urban locations. Other in-game advertising uses might be on in-game radio stations. It feels weird when the only in-game ads are for imaginary products. Sports games should have relevant advertising shown. The patent mentions one possible use as advertising boards around a soccer field. This patent’s existence would back that report up, as the application was filed before the reporting. That’s a long way to say, “we’re putting advertising in your games.” Earlier this year, a report from Business Insider said Microsoft was working on in-game advertising for free-to-play titles on Xbox. The patent’s name is “Providing Personalized Content for Unintrusive Online Gaming Experience.” The existence of this tech surfaced by Gamesual, who noticed a patent filed by Microsoft early this year. Microsoft is working on technology that will show personalized advertising to players while they are in Xbox games.

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