[MUD-Dev] [bus] Anarchy Online to serve in-game ads

[ceo]

At last, the answer to my question ("why have they decided to make
it free?")...suddenly, it all makes sense :).

  [and this explains why they did it despite the fact that they
  hadn't fixed the serious tech problems yet and couldn't really
  handle the load yet]

Adam M

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050224/245421_1.html
-----------
Funcom and Massive Inc. to Implement Revolutionary Game Ad Deal
Thursday February 24, 10:02 am ET
Anarchy Online First Game to Feature Dynamic in-game Advertisement
Billboards

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2005--Funcom, developer and
publisher of top video game titles like Anarchy Online and The
Longest Journey, has signed an exclusive agreement with Massive
Incorporated, creator of the world's first video game advertising
network. In a revolutionary deal all free players of Anarchy Online
will see dynamic in-game advertising billboards in central areas of
the game. Paying subscribers will not see the advertisements.

Mitch Davis, CEO of Massive Incorporated said "We're thrilled to add
Funcom's leading titles into our advertising network and broaden our
reach with their hundreds of thousands of gamers. We're excited
about changing the game development business model to provide a new
source of significant revenues beyond box sales and subscriptions
and delivering a powerful new medium to global advertisers."

Last year, TV rating company Nielsen Media reported a fall in the
amount of prime-time TV viewing among 18 - 34 year old men. In a
report from Ziff Davis Digital Gaming they reckoned that a quarter
of gamers had swapped TV watching time for playing time. Seeing that
in 2003 US advertisers spent $ 12 billion on TV spots targeting
young men while the equivalent figure for in-game ads was just $ 10
million, the US advertising landscape is poised to undergo changes
in the years to come. As millions of young men and women change
their lifestyle and entertainment habits, advertisers now finds an
additional venue to reach the coveted 18 - 34 demographic through
the medium of games.....and Funcom takes the first step in March
2005.

Trond Aas, CEO of Funcom stated "As opposed to a medium like TV you
know that the gamers eyes are always watching the screen while
playing games. With official ad measurement methods from Nielsen we
are sure advertisers will cherish this revolutionary new opportunity
to reach the extremely valuable 18 - 34 demographic. Through our own
research we know that most gamers want in-game advertisement to
heighten the sense of realism. Seeing that the live billboards in
Anarchy Online do not interfere with gameplay I am confident our
free players will welcome the permanent continuation of our
complimentary subscription in the ultimate sci-fi MMORPG."
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