In game ads

[ATimson]

But I guess that's the problem with being in Europe, we get screwed all ends up when it comes to entertainment, whether it's release dates, or costs.

Well, it's at least in part because European releases simply require more work; everything needs to be relocalized in your plethora of languages, while movies and games (especially old cartridge-era ones, but apparently even now to some extent if Madworld is any indication) have to be adjusted to work with your television standards.

Blu-ray is solving at least some of those tech-standard problems, as I had thought the current crop of consoles did. Localization is still going to be a pain no matter what, though, as you have a minimum of FIGS to add, and that's if you're willing to cheat and leave all the English (US) text alone for the UK.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

But I guess that's the problem with being in Europe, we get screwed all ends up when it comes to entertainment, whether it's release dates, or costs.

Well, it's at least in part because European releases simply require more work; everything needs to be relocalized in your plethora of languages, while movies and games (especially old cartridge-era ones, but apparently even now to some extent if Madworld is any indication) have to be adjusted to work with your television standards.

Blu-ray is solving at least some of those tech-standard problems, as I had thought the current crop of consoles did. Localization is still going to be a pain no matter what, though, as you have a minimum of FIGS to add, and that's if you're willing to cheat and leave all the English (US) text alone for the UK.

I think pretty much any TV sold in the last 15 years has been able to handle NTSC, so I wouldn't think that was a problem now. As for localisation, I don't understand why it's so hard, for the UK at least. I mean they have to do English for the US, so why can't they do an English PAL version at the same time as the NTSC version, and just release it in UK, Aus and NZ, and where ever else uses PAL and speaks English.

 

[Rincewiend]

But I guess that's the problem with being in Europe, we get screwed all ends up when it comes to entertainment, whether it's release dates, or costs.

Well, it's at least in part because European releases simply require more work; everything needs to be relocalized in your plethora of languages, while movies and games (especially old cartridge-era ones, but apparently even now to some extent if Madworld is any indication) have to be adjusted to work with your television standards.

Blu-ray is solving at least some of those tech-standard problems, as I had thought the current crop of consoles did. Localization is still going to be a pain no matter what, though, as you have a minimum of FIGS to add, and that's if you're willing to cheat and leave all the English (US) text alone for the UK.

Here in the Netherlands they could just as well sell the American versions of games...
Except maybe games that are for all ages, they might want to localize those for the younger kids...
I really don't like playing games in Dutch, things just don't sound right...

 

[ATimson]

I think pretty much any TV sold in the last 15 years has been able to handle NTSC, so I wouldn't think that was a problem now.

The question is whether the console manufacturers are willing to settle for selling to just those people with TVs from the last 15 years. They all still ship with composite cables, for $DEITY's sake.

As for localisation, I don't understand why it's so hard, for the UK at least. I mean they have to do English for the US, so why can't they do an English PAL version at the same time as the NTSC version, and just release it in UK, Aus and NZ, and where ever else uses PAL and speaks English.

Short version: because they'd rather have one European release date and SKU than two.

 

[Rincewiend]

I think pretty much any TV sold in the last 15 years has been able to handle NTSC, so I wouldn't think that was a problem now.

The question is whether the console manufacturers are willing to settle for selling to just those people with TVs from the last 15 years. They all still ship with composite cables, for $DEITY's sake.

Which allows a tv to handle NTSC, with the help of a SCART adapter...

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I think pretty much any TV sold in the last 15 years has been able to handle NTSC, so I wouldn't think that was a problem now.

The question is whether the console manufacturers are willing to settle for selling to just those people with TVs from the last 15 years. They all still ship with composite cables, for $DEITY's sake.

Which allows a tv to handle NTSC, with the help of a SCART adapter...

Yeah, any TV with a SCART (more or less) can handle NTSC, and the last console I remember coming without SCART connection as standard is the PlayStation (the first one) I believe the PSone came with a SCART as standard...

 

[firehawk12]

I find it interesting that old games are still getting new ads. I popped in my copy of Vegas 2 the other day and a giant Green Day ad appeared.

I kind of wonder if the ad deals are made in perpetuity or by company or something... because who the heck is playing Vegas 2 these days?

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I find it interesting that old games are still getting new ads. I popped in my copy of Vegas 2 the other day and a giant Green Day ad appeared.

I kind of wonder if the ad deals are made in perpetuity or by company or something... because who the heck is playing Vegas 2 these days?

You?

There's probably just some kinda ad server and they do a deal with the publishers not the specific game or dev.

 

[firehawk12]

Oh yeah, probably Massive or a similar service. But it seems like a waste of money, unless the ads are prorated by confirmed number of viewers or something.

And I was just playing it just for kicks.

 

[Holdfast]

Oh yeah, probably Massive or a similar service. But it seems like a waste of money, unless the ads are prorated by confirmed number of viewers or something.

I believe these advertising systems work on either a "package" basis (consisting of a batch of titles targeting a specific demographic), or everyone from a targeted geographic area, or everyone online within a specific time range.

In other words, it doesn't cost anyone any extra to show the ad in the game you were playing. The campaign is already paid for on a package basis rather than per game or per view, and will show as many ads as possible within the timeframe, geographical area, and game packages chosen. I think that's how it works. Not entirely sure but I remember someone explaining it to me once.

 

[firehawk12]

Well, I imagine a package must cover all games under a specific publisher or something. I mean, eventually it doesn't make sense to advertise in a game that's more than a year old.

 

[LutherSloan]

Some games appear to have the ability to keep up their ads and make them current, most likely by accessing the Internet during the game. Others are basically stuck with the same ads no matter when you play it. It looks now like the former is the future of gaming.