Now PlayStation is rumoured to be adding in-game ads to free-to-play titles

metro.co.uk:

Both Sony and Microsoft are believed to be working on new in-game ad schemes and the one for PlayStation consoles may be out this year.

Just days after rumours emerged that Microsoft is planning a new in-game ad system it’s been suggested that Sony is attempting exactly the same thing.

Rather than simply being a way to make more money from free games, the reason for the new system is apparently to encourage developers to make more free-to-play titles.

The idea is that if ads become a thing, then making free games will be even more profitable; after Sony (and presumably Microsoft) saw a major increase in the use of free-to-play games during the pandemic.

With families around the world tightening their belts, that frugalness is likely to continue and Sony is apparently to keen to make sure there’s a steady supply of new titles.

Currently the aim is not for anything particularly intrusive, since the move is likely to be unpopular with gamers, and so the ads will be largely limited to things like digital billboards in sports titles.

Again, that’s exactly the same approach that Microsoft is supposedly taking and seems to imply that anything with a fantasy or sci-fi setting won’t have ads at all.

Developers may also be able to reward players for watching ads, with in-game items, but there doesn’t seem to be any mention yet of mobile style time gates.

According to Business Insider, Sony’s plans are more advanced than Microsoft’s and it’s already begun speaking to companies for a possible rollout this year.

If, as implied, Microsoft’s efforts are a little behind that then the Xbox company may simply wait and see what the response is to Sony’s scheme.

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