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February 9, 2007 1:03 PM PST
Can Google score with in-game ads?
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Google has reportedly looked at acquiring AdScape Media, a small company, founded in Ontario and now based in San Francisco, that specializes in so-called in-game ads. Google did not return calls seeking comment, and an AdScape spokeswoman declined to comment on the talks.
Though an industry insider who asked to remain anonymous said negotiations had stalled, such an acquisition would allow Google to take on old foe Microsoft, which last year acquired a similar but larger company called Massive. In-game ads, however, are one place where Microsoft would have a rare advertising advantage over Google thanks to thriving sales of its Xbox 360 gaming console and a long list of gaming titles.
"Google would be playing catch-up against some significant entrenched providers," said Michael Goodman, a program manager at research firm Yankee Group Research. "The biggest challenge for them is they might see themselves closed out of the Xbox as a platform to serve ads to."
In-game ads may sound like a niche, but it's a growing one that reaches a choice demographic for advertisers. A recent Nielsen Entertainment study found that men aged 18 to 34 are spending more time playing video games (12.5 hours on average per week) and less time watching television (9.8 hours per week).
About 6 million U.S. households have at least one "power gamer," someone who spends as much as 20 hours per week and $50 per month on games, and there are more than 15 million active players of casual games, which are free ad-supported games such as Tetris or cards, said Michael Cai, director of broadband and gaming for Parks Associates.
"It's not a pimply faced teenage kid playing video games in the basement anymore. It's people with a lot of disposable income," said Jeff Berg, content editor at the Interpublic Emerging Media Lab think tank. "It's a natural space for Google to move into if they can do it effectively."
The dollar value of this market isn't nearly as small as many people would think. Parks Associates predicts that game advertising revenue will grow from $120 million in 2006 to $200 million this year and $300 million in 2008. Yankee Group forecasts in-game ad revenue to reach $732 million by 2010.
Buying AdScape wouldn't get Google a lot of new customers, but it would get the company technology, Goodman said. "Google already has significant relationships with advertisers, but they would have to build up relationships with game publishers," he said.
Over the last 18 months, the search giant has been rapidly moving into new ad markets such as print and radio, using its automated online ad-delivery system to provide a way for advertisers to reach new customers via offline mediums. Google purchased radio advertising provider dMarc Broadcasting for just over $100 million a year ago and has been conducting radio ad delivery tests.
While it's hard to imagine virtual world games like World of Warcraft being a great advertising vehicle for Coke or Pepsi, plenty of games could be ideal, such as sporting titles.
"For example, we take Nike's (ads) they've used for print or television and implement that straight into the games across our sports titles," said Justin Townsend, chief executive of in-game advertising firm IGA Worldwide. The ad is delivered over the Internet and can be changed depending on which advertiser has purchased the ad rights, he said. The ads are targeted geographically, so players in Germany, for example, will see a German version of the ad.
Because Google's greatest success has been in contextually targeted ads rather than display ads, it might be better suited serving ads that appear alongside casual games, which are sold over the Web, Cai said.
"The question is whether Google is interested in getting into a new media form--gaming, and whether they are looking beyond search and trying to address a new ad business--display advertising," he said. "Google is the king of search ads, but they aren't that dominant in brand advertising."
But is the gaming industry ready for Google's automated kind of advertising?
See more CNET content tagged:
Parks Associates,
advertiser,
Google Inc.,
video game,
Microsoft Xbox
If so, is Google prepared to take the blame for every perceived bit of lag or other in-game glitch? They had better be because, responsible for it or not, they will get blamed. When we do things like spend over $1000 for video cards and pay for top-tier broadband service in order to squeeze the last bit of performance out of a $50 game, any kind of real-time intrusion into the server-client data stream will not be view favorably.
One of the great paradoxes of modern video gaming is that we gamers demand, and pay through the nose to get, maximum eyecandy from our games. Then, when actually playing, we don't even see it while concentrating on the objectives of the game. I see no benefit to anyone in putting advertising into video games...like I'm really going to click on an ad, or make note of a place to redeem an offer while in the middle of a firefight in Unreal Tournament 2004 or, when it comes out, UT3. Somebody needs to get a grip on reality here.
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Pixel image editor - http://www.kanzelsberger.com
blatantly. I don't mind the graphics in a given level or map if
they blend in (for realism purposes), but otherwise no fscking
way.
/P