If you don't like ads in your free-to-play game on the PlayStation consoles, this next piece of news will disappoint you.
Sony is allegedly considering adding in-game ads to free-to-play (f2p) PlayStation games, following the current trend of companies adding ad-supported features to their offerings.
The ads would be added to f2p PlayStation games through a software developer program, according to GameSpot.
Sony PlayStation In-Game Ads Rumors
According to three unnamed sources of Business Insider, the company is currently looking into ways to encourage developers to continue making free-to-play games by providing ways to monetize them due to their popularity during the COVID-19 induced lockdowns.
These unnamed sources are said to be involved with Sonys plans but chose not to name themselves for them to remain anonymous.
The sources also added that the company is working with its ad tech partners to provide free-to-play game developers with new advertising opportunities that can be directly served in-game. These ads are expected to feel like "a natural part" of the game and the experience it brings, such as via digital billboards in sports titles. Whether this means that the in-game ads won't be as invasive or jarring as those found in mobile games is still unclear at the moment.
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Additionally, Sony has begun considering rolling out a feature it was considering 18 months ago, which is to include options for developers to reward those who watch through ads and promotions with in-game items like avatar skins.
Currently, PlayStation's ad inventory is said to be liite4d to in-menu ads, wherein advertisements would pop up on a game's main menu rather than as a banner or a video popup in-game. These ads can be used by publishers and developers to promote their games on the PlayStation Store and other similar objectives.
Sony is still not allowing ad tech companies to collect user information such as emails and names, which begs the question, "how will Sony take a cut of the revenue earned by publishers and developers from the new in-game ads?"
Although the company is undecided how it would earn from the in-game ads, per Video Game Chronicle, one of the three unnamed sources mentioned that Sony is considering selling data on consumer activity on PlayStation to developers and publishers for it to earn from in-game ads.
The Reason Behind The Decision
Sony's decision to include in-game ads in its free-to-play games may have been influenced by reports that Microsoft is considering the same plan in a way that "doesn't disrupt the gameplay experience." However, Microsoft intends to "move cautiously" on this matter to avoid potential backlash from players.
The gaming industry isn't the only one considering adding advertisements to gaming platforms. The Streaming industry, particularly Netflix, is planning on adding ad-supported subscription tiers in the future, while other streaming platforms have already embraced the pratice of doing so.
