A user on NeoGAF has uncovered a patent filing by Sony for a type of in-game advertising method that interrupts gameplay to bombard you with unadulterated capitalism. The patent is called “Advertisement Scheme for use with interactive content”. Sounds marvellous, doesn’t it?
The filing is from July 2011, but it has only been uncovered today. Website Eurogamer points out that the filing is a continuation of one that Sony filed back in 2006. How it works is that you’d be playing a game which would begin to slow down prior to a warning popping up onscreen to tell you that the gameplay is about to stop. Once Kratos grinds to halt mid-disembowelment, you’ll get an advert for Coke or some other product. Once the advert has finished, you’ll be warned that gameplay is about to continue and then off you go. The patent mentions a feature to rewind gameplay in case the interrupt completely throws your progress/concentration/emersion/joy/fun.
Boo! I think it’s possibly the worst idea on the planet, unless of course the game is free. I can’t see many people being thrilled with paying R600 for a PlayStation game only to have to sit through adverts every 30 minutes. If it’s a free, PlayStation Network sort of game with an option to pay for no adverts, then this might be a great way to get new games during those times when you’re broke and living on noodles and potatoes.
