In-game advertising

[DChurchill]

Real world advertising? Absolutely not.

Kerbalized not-real-world advertising? Sure.

Edited August 27, 2013 by DChurchill

[Kimberly]

I thin kerbalized advertising in return for a funding boost would be interesting, but it should also carry some downside. If prestige is ever implemented, then advertising should reduce prestige but increase money. Real-world advertising is obviously an awful idea; who would pay to have advertisements broadcast to them in exciting new ways?

[Faark]

You know what, i would happily place a SpaceX logo on my rockets, even without (ingame) payment, especially if there ever will be some kind of MP mod. Though squad receiving money for it would make it feel kinda odd.

On the other hand, advertisement about in-game-compainies with no real-life relation could be nice. Can't complain about that, as long as it isn't to pushy.

Btw, what happens when a sponsored rocket ker-polodes? That usually doesn't reflect good on the sponsors, no matter if RL or in-game.

Edited August 27, 2013 by Faark

[CpPolar268]

1 word... NO

'nuff said

[King Arthur]

Real world advertising? Absolutely not.

Kerbalized not-real-world advertising? Sure.

This. There has been a real world case of rockets carrying advertisements (I think it was a Soyuz rocket emblazoned with a Pizza Hut logo?) so I wouldn't mind seeing something like "Rockomax Conglomerate", "Jebediah Kerman's Junkyard and Spaceship Parts", "Kerlington Model Rockets", or maybe even something like "Pizza Kut" wanting to ask me in-game if I'd be willing to let them advertise on my rocket in exchange for "donations to my space program".

Also, the rest of you that are going INSTA-NOPENOPENOPENOPENOPE at the mere sighting of the word "advertisement" need to take a step back and actually read what is being proposed.

[leax256]

If real world ads are added to the game then I'll set my computer to not allow ksp to access the internet.

[Guest]

Absolutely not.

[EvilotionCR2]

Maybe on Billboards in cities? But only KerbCola or something like that. And also we should be able to add ads to our rockets for extra money in career mode,and also be able to add things like KerBull to our astronauts to advertise it for in game money.

Edited August 27, 2013 by EvilotionCR2

[mythbusters844]

This would be interesting.

Mission to Duna!

Sponsored by Kerba Cola, the official soda of Jebediah Kerman

But not real world advertising. That would be..

Edited August 28, 2013 by mythbusters844

[M5000]

Ahem.

After actually, you know, reading the OP, I'm seeing that what he's suggesting is that we put real-world logos in-game and use them as revenue? I think...?

I'm not so sure that would fit in with the game so well, though you can't deny the fact that it could generate some revenue for developers.

I just can't possibly see any way of fitting corporate logos into the game and not totally ruining the style. They come from two different universes.

However, let's not rule out the idea of advertising strictly in-game, it would be an interesting idea, and it is something that happens in real-life, so it could fit in with a business mechanic. See: Felix Baumgartner jumping from the highest step in the world. Red Bull sponsors a lot of really cool stuff. And, while you could debate that Felix wasn't "in space," surely not everything you do in Kerbal Space Program is "in space" either.

Even if you rule out that, NASA sponsors projects, as do many other space exploration companies. Money's everywhere if you can prove you're worthy of it.

So yeah, it would be kind of cool to get sponsorships or something in-game to help out. Especially in the early stages.

[leax256]

After actually, you know, reading the OP, I'm seeing that what he's suggesting is that we put real-world logos in-game and use them as revenue? I think...?

me:I about had a heart attack at reading the title. I thought you were suggesting that real world ads get displayed in game.

now I like the idea of this, could be helpful for those who are bad or slow at learning the game as a sort of crutch to help get a little bit etxra cash. so long as it becomes less effective later on.

That's exactly what I am suggesting, on the side of your giant rockomax tank.

Why not?

Of course, you could do it with a fun in-game only mechanic, like being offered enough to buy some boosters, if you have a disgustingly Pink kerbal-kola logo all over them, but then it struck me, it'd be quite possible to allow real adverts there too, perhaps lowering the price of the game. It's a suggestion, alright? No need to panic I've not seen anything yet that indicates that the Kerbal Space Programs are government funded, or bowing to commercial pressures.. Of course, no one LIKES advertisements, but the simple fact is that as long as we are in a society driven by capitalism it's a large economic factor. In reality, the only thing to motivate KSP-size budgets, besides corporate interest, is an international cold war between superpowers. There is a lot of discussion regarding the balance of realism in the game, and one issue which strikes me as incredibly unrealistic so far is the economic support for a space program of these sizes. We're not afraid of including hardcore, real-world orbital mechanics and physics models, so lets at least look to see what sort of challenges exist within the economic model.

[chaos_forge]

In game advertising: no no no no nope nope NOPE. If squad wants extra money, they can add a donate button to the front page. But no real-word advertising in the game.

Now advertising for fake, in-universe corporations: I still don't like the idea, but I wouldn't be angry if they decided to include it as a way of adding to your in-game revenue.

EDIT: Adding the option to sell yourself out to fake companies has the potential to be funny ("I'm commander Shepard, and this is my favorite store in the Citadel!"), IF IT IS PULLED OFF CORRECTLY. Adding real-world advertisements to the game changes it from a pseudo-satirical statement to making KSP look like some kind of freeware/freemium quality program.

Edited August 28, 2013 by chaos_forge

[llamatoes]

I won't lie, I would out squad on the level of those freemium iOS developers who slap ads on everything and make it impossible to do nothing without paying them, but I wouldn't mind stick an ad hoarding on the side of my rocke although it would ruin the styling on my b9 ssto.

[shand]

EDIT: Adding the option to sell yourself out to fake companies has the potential to be funny ("I'm commander Shepard, and this is my favorite store in the Citadel!"), IF IT IS PULLED OFF CORRECTLY. Adding real-world advertisements to the game changes it from a pseudo-satirical statement to making KSP look like some kind of freeware/freemium quality program.

I think your edit sums up my view now.

it could be a nice quirky feature that could help you out in a tight spot (or be used for pure comic irony), IF carried out well.

real world stuff doesnt seem likely from a pure technical/financial POV, but nobody seems to like the idea either, which i get, i think i'm moving that way myself - it would have the potential to break the immersion without epic work.

BTW: to everyone just saying "no" or some variant. clearly you didnt read the tag [Discussion], not [Poll]. Just saying.

[JakeGrey]

I think it would be fun in the already existing companies ingame (Jeb's Junkjard e.t.c) got some sort of logo that could be displayed on their parts or on the someday included fairings"

Maybe you could get some sort of discount or even a few freebies, depending on your reputation, in return for allowing this? Maybe it could be extended to some billboards around the public viewing galleries, sports stadium-style.

And if Squad wanted to offer a few real world companies the chance to be included in such a game mechanic for the right price, then I say why the hell not?

[BostLabs]

You know what, i would happily place a SpaceX logo on my rockets, even without (ingame) payment, especially if there ever will be some kind of MP mod. Though squad receiving money for it would make it feel kinda odd.

On the other hand, advertisement about in-game-compainies with no real-life relation could be nice. Can't complain about that, as long as it isn't to pushy.

Btw, what happens when a sponsored rocket ker-polodes? That usually doesn't reflect good on the sponsors, no matter if RL or in-game.

You may be missing on how this type of advertisement works. They are trying to sell you something. So they are going to want to know information on you so they can target the advertisement to you. Sponsors aren't selling their wares to the drivers of the Nascar, they are selling to the people that watch the race. Who is watching you play the game? In most cases, no one. This leaves only the player to target. It doesn't make any sense to throw up random ads as they won't be as effective as ads sent to you that fit what they know about your shopping habits.

[shand]

You may be missing on how this type of advertisement works. They are trying to sell you something. So they are going to want to know information on you so they can target the advertisement to you. Sponsors aren't selling their wares to the drivers of the Nascar, they are selling to the people that watch the race. Who is watching you play the game? In most cases, no one. This leaves only the player to target. It doesn't make any sense to throw up random ads as they won't be as effective as ads sent to you that fit what they know about your shopping habits.

and you are missing the point of the suggestion. the suggestion wasn't pop-ups, pop-overs or the like, it was a small decal on the side of ya rocket. you choose it. Also if you'd read the rest of the thread you'd notice that there are two layers to the suggestion. having decals you get ingame cash for (gameplay), and having those decals actually sponsored (this bit you vaguely address)

Bostlabs: what do you feel about the gameplay element?

[BubbaWilkins]

and you are missing the point of the suggestion. the suggestion wasn't pop-ups, pop-overs or the like, it was a small decal on the side of ya rocket. you choose it. Also if you'd read the rest of the thread you'd notice that there are two layers to the suggestion. having decals you get ingame cash for (gameplay), and having those decals actually sponsored (this bit you vaguely address)

Bostlabs: what do you feel about the gameplay element?

Space Programs ran by governments do not sell advertising space. Company ran space programs do not sell advertising space either at this point. There is no basis in reality for requesting something of this nature and it is a fundamentally bad idea to implement it in game. Every game that has done so has suffered for it.

Bottom line for KSP is it breaks immersion and is just a horrible idea.

[SpaceHole]

and you are missing the point of the suggestion. the suggestion wasn't pop-ups, pop-overs or the like, it was a small decal on the side of ya rocket. you choose it. Also if you'd read the rest of the thread you'd notice that there are two layers to the suggestion. having decals you get ingame cash for (gameplay), and having those decals actually sponsored (this bit you vaguely address)

Bostlabs: what do you feel about the gameplay element?

sorry but you are missing the point of what you are proposing and what the interrests of marketing-companies are.

I would recommend you to especially read the part about "Dynamic in-game advertising"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-game_advertising

And as others pointed out i doubt that any company would pay anyone money for putting a random fixed bitmap on a random part in the game of a random person.

Also if KSP would do this i would be very dissapointed and probably think twice about every future investment in things from this developer not to mention that i would block KSPs internet and remove ads ingame with modifications.

Edited August 28, 2013 by SpaceHole

[shand]

you guys still too closed minded to discuss the gameplay elements?

i think (cba to check) i said a few posts back that the real life companies aspect was probably a no starter - too many privacy issues would come up, then financal ones and finally immersion issues.

So stop quoting me and saying i've missed the point and then saying points i've made/agreed with in the not too distant past!

(yes, i have changed my mind over the course of this discussion - that happens in discussions if someone makes a good point that you hadn't thought of before)

[BostLabs]

and you are missing the point of the suggestion. the suggestion wasn't pop-ups, pop-overs or the like, it was a small decal on the side of ya rocket. you choose it. Also if you'd read the rest of the thread you'd notice that there are two layers to the suggestion. having decals you get ingame cash for (gameplay), and having those decals actually sponsored (this bit you vaguely address)

Bostlabs: what do you feel about the gameplay element?

Nope! I'm not missing the point of the real world in game advertising. I'm specifically addressing real world 'sponsors' that would get Squad money. No marketing company would do this if they can see no benefit of doing so.

Even if there was a marketing company that would consider doing this, they would want much more than a bit map part on a spacecraft/station. They would want to get it in your face and know what to target you for.

not in favor of that. Now Kerbal sponsors that want to sponsor your space program with ads, bill boards, decals, etc... I could see that because the target audience are Kerbals instead of the player. I would be ok with that.

on a side note, I'm going to see if I can work that up into one of my saves for the next Beagle Flight story. It should be humorous.

Edited August 28, 2013 by BostLabs

[Specialist290]

Understood perfectly. But are you saying you wouldn't accept 5 Mun launches, paid for with a big VIAGRA logo on the side of the main tank?

I don't need Viagra to get my rocket powered up and ready to launch, thank you very much.

...Sorry. Couldn't resist.

But seriously, I don't really see much call for in-game advertising of real-world products. A few pastiches here and there for the sake of flavor I could accept, but I'm not a huge fan of seeing product placement in video games.

[Captain Sierra]

The idea of ingame kerbal korporations I thought was cute. Real world adverstisers, F*CK NO!!!! Not even F2P games drop to that business model. I second the notion of learning C# just to disable that. It would become the most popular mod on spaceport.

KSP is too awesome for it to get dropped to that level. It would instantly repel all future players by the thought of needing a mod just to play without ad bombardment.

[Outlander4]

Some optional advertisement for in-game companies would be acceptable. We totally have to put something on the shrouds/fairings - real-life space programs have flags and logos, but since kerbals are kind of united it would make sense to put some manufacturers' or sponsors' logos along with stuff like 'Kerbal Astronomical Society' or something like it; it won't ruin the game at all, it would even give more immersion if done nicely.

Regarding the real-world in-game ads - it's evil. It's unacceptable. It ruins everything, especially when dealing with a fictional universe. It's like buying a house only to discover that manufacturer engraved a Coca-Cola logo on the roof so it would be seen in Google Earth. It's just low and unfair; and self-respecting and respectable developers like Squad won't do this.

Edited August 28, 2013 by Outlander4

[Naten]

We don't need SQUAD to turn into those companies who do that... [cough]Zynga, Valve, and many others[/cough]