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One of many Google’s acquisitions was a company called AdScape, which specialized in in-game advertising and was bought for $23 million in March of 2007. Later this month, rumors say, Google will put this asset to good use and launch their advertising system for games in two steps.
The first step will comprise of a beta test with a gaming startup called Bunchball Games. Google will embed 15-second video ads in some of Bunchball’s games, which are mostly casual affairs, and some are available as Facebook applications.
Quote:
In December, Google is supposed to start offering an ad-supported version of Psychonauts, a platform game currently available for Xbox, PS2 and Windows PCs. The game was a critical success but the sales have been lackluster when it was initially launched in 2005. Still, it’s far from a casual game, and some even consider it to be a cult hit. Google’s version of Psychonauts will feature 30 second pre- and mid-roll video ads.
Although this news is unofficial, and both Google and Bunchball Games have declined to comment on it, the level of detail disclosed makes it sound like the real thing. Video pre-rolls don’t sound that exciting, though, and there’s no word on Google implementing more sophisticated and immersive types of advertising at a later date.