Funcom have announced that Anarchy Online has taken a bold new step forward with the addition of in-game video advertising:

In Anarchy Online the video and audio ads start playing on billboards or other appropriate locations when gamers enter select areas or zones within the game. This ground-breaking new advertising element has two distinct applications; it can be used to dynamically deliver television equivalent 15-second advertising spots, as well as audio messaging. The advertisements, using a combination of code created by Massive Incorporated and Funcom coders and utilizing technology licensed from RAD Game tools, do not increase latency, interrupt gameplay or gather personal information from players. Like the prior advertisements, those opting for the entirely free version of Anarchy Online will see the videos as a natural part of the city environments, while paying subscribers may opt in to view the content. The first video ads were unveiled to players at the four year anniversary for Anarchy Online in June, and brought fictional video advertisements from the warring factions in the game. Now the first paid video advertisements are in, with Panasonic and Channel 4 being the first companies to kick-start the new era for advertising in games.

It'll be interesting to see if this kicks off a massive spate of advertising in other MMOs that are actually pay-to-play (remembering that Anarchy Online is free to play). Personally I'd be happy to play games with advertising in them (assuming it wasn't totally over the top) if it meant I was able to enjoy it for free.

Yeah, I thought the idea a little while ago to make an MMO that just had billboards and ads playing on TVs and stuff in game. I wouldn't find it intrusive at all (providing it's not over the top), and it could more than cover the costs to make a game F2P.

Last night I was just imagining that in a few years you will be going around de_dust and it will have mountain dew and mcdonalds adverts all over the walls.

Its not far off, in a cut scene in splinter cell 3 the main character pulls out a packet of airwaves fresh gum. Also in an old game on n64 called rush you had to collect cans of mountain dew.

It would be good if the owners of the MMO game filter adds so that they fit in with the world around it. Imagine WoW with blatent drink Coke adds around the place.

Reminds me of Minority report, where hes walking through the mall and all the ads and billboards and stuff are talking to him trying to sell him things.

But yeah, I can't see it really working in a fantasy mmorpg, would kill the immersion totally.

pair of Nike's with +15 to stam and +25 to int anyone? yawn

But who would you buy them from? The Sweat Shop or the Gold Farmer????

this game is bad enough even without in-game advertising

Ads in free games? That's ok ... the developers need to be compensated somehow.

Ads in paid games? A big no-no. I'd boycott a game in a heart-beat over this issue. I'm sure most people would do the opposite and come to accept it anyway.

I'm sure most people would do the opposite and come to accept it anyway

you'll get used to it... especially when you've got no where else to turn... :(

Personally I'd be happy to play games with advertising in them (assuming it wasn't totally over the top) if it meant I was able to enjoy it for free.

That's what everyone said about banner ads on websites ten years ago.

Can see it now: shopping centre layouts for maps. Shops pay to have the respawn, rocket launcher, mega armour etc. outside their shop. No pay - get relegated to a no-go zone.