Microsoft Serving Ads in EA Sports Games
From Reuters comes word that Microsoft and EA have signed a deal which will see Microsoft serving ads into a slate of upcoming sports games from the gigantic publisher. The deal covers NASCAR, Tiger Woods, NHL and Skate games, with ads being served dynamically as well as through product placements and other options. This deal only affects the PC and Xbox 360 versions of the game, as the PS3 and Wii versions are in the control of Sony and Nintendo, respectively.
This move comes after Microsoft purchased in-game ad agency Massive last year for $200 million. Other agencies in the field include Google (Adscape) and Double Fusion, both of which have made advances lately through major publisher deals.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed; however, the in-game advertising industry is a major one, worth $50 million in 2005, with analysts expecting it to go up to $1 billion over the next few years.
BDGamers 