Dungeon Siege 2's Self-Promotional Japes
Vedrashko's 'Brands In Games' blog points to something we'd missed - an Ars Technica article noting the Dungeon Siege 2 expansion's promotional hilarity.
It's revealed: "In Dungeon Siege 2: Broken World, our forum goer Scero found an NPC that told him about the Dungeon Siege PSP game and offered him a code for it, as well as saying the PSP game had a code for items in the game he was playing." And a related screenshot is procured!
The Ars Technica guys get all shakey-fisty-y about this, ranting: "Way to help us suspend disbelief. Even worse, this "ad" was voiced by the character. Wanting to advertise in a game is fine, but I think this is kind of sick; characters in games should not try to talk to you about other games the developers want you to buy. I've just put Broken World in my "do not buy or play" folder."
So do you guys care about this? Is it fair game in a world where branding is increasingly important, or is it EVIL cross-promotional in a world GONE MAD? Inquiring minds want to know.
Comments
I think it is kind of funny is moderation. I remember playing Shareware games that did that sort of thing. Captain Magneto for the mac had strange ads that ran periodically that I missed once I registered.
The Dungeon Siege image isn't that funny though. Perhaps it would be better in character? I assume Dungeon Siege has a world that is constant between games. I'm pretty sure you could write it so its less lame.
Posted by: Corey Holcomb-Hockin | August 21, 2006 6:24 PM
Ask me about LOOM!
(Someone needs to take a chill pill and let their fourth wall down every now and then for kicks.)
Posted by: Shih Tzu | August 21, 2006 7:32 PM
Heh, the LOOM reference fitted in with the game's style.
I don't like having my walls taken down. :) But, I agree with Corey that you can write it so it's less lame.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2006 1:11 AM
metal gear solid had a lot of fourth-wall-breaking in it. remember when the psychic villain (whose name i forget) read your memory card and talked about what games you were playing? i don't think it advertised any other konami games, though. if they had, i doubt it would have bothered me. i rather enjoyed that segment.
Posted by: bunnyhero | August 22, 2006 11:32 PM