Both Sony and Microsoft are exploring the possibility of implementing ads in free-to-play games on PlayStation and Xboxso we could start seeing commercials in our video games from this year.
In the past week Business Insider reported that microsoft was building an ad program to display commercials in Xbox games so that the ads don’t interrupt the gaming experience. In addition, Microsoft would not receive profit from these ads, as their purpose is to encourage developers to explore other ways to make money.
One of the sources speculated that Microsoft is not interested in receiving a share of ad revenue because it wants to provide more money-making opportunities for developers who make free-to-play games” (transcribed by VGC).
Related: New platform seeks to bring TV commercials to console video games.
While Microsoft is aware that the ads might be unpopular with gamers, they are reportedly looking at ways to implement these ads without disrupting game play. Among the examples, it is planned to show billboard and billboard advertisements for racing games.
On the other hand, this week Business Insider announced that Sony is working on a similar program, although they have not yet decided whether or not they would take a cut of the profits. Supposedly, Sony would charge companies to access data about their consumers’ behavior on PlayStation games.
Read more: EA says it doesn’t plan to run TV commercials on its console video games.
Sony is reportedly testing a program that would allow developers to make in-game ads, with plans to roll it out this year. These ads would not only appear spectacular in racing or sports games, but could also offer rewards in exchange for watching commercialssomething very common in mobile video games.
Although both Microsoft and Sony plan to implement commercials in Xbox and PlayStation free-to-play games, it seems that the way they will do it is very different and Sony’s could prove to be more intrusive. Although it is not known when the commercials will arrive to the Xbox free-to-play games, it is believed that those of PlayStation they would arrive in this 2022.