Advertising in games itself like ads on a billboard while you are playing a racing game, or product placement as it is known is driving the economics of the gaming industry. Like in Rockport you can see only Burger King as the only fast-food joint in the game or in EA's Need for Speed: Most wanted, if you wanna get tips etc your character has to text using Cingular SMS.
The TV tracking firm Nielsen Entertainment, has started to follow such advertising. It estimates that it product placement business in games will be a $75 million market in the United States this year and will grow to $1 billion by 2010.
A novel idea started with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles promoting a pizza chain in the arcade game in the 80s, it has now become a very serious business indeed.
Via: Trend Hunter
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