Gamersgate new VOID service: anyone signing up?

Silent Disapproval Robot · May 24, 2012, 02:26:00 PM

Looks like they are going to offer free games with advertising starting in a few days. I've never been a fan of in-game advertising, but I think I'll sign up and use the service as a sort of trial system. I'll be able to try out games I'm on the fence about and, if I like them, I'll buy 'em and avoid the ads.

Gusington · May 24, 2012, 02:30:54 PM

What kind of advertising are we talking about? Pepsi billboards in Warlock? My demon hunter drinking a Gatorade to power up in Diablo? If the ads are not totally jarring then I might consider it.

Silent Disapproval Robot · May 24, 2012, 02:37:42 PM

I'm not really sure.

Here's the blurb:

Quote from: some marketing weaselPRESS RELEASE
New York. 22 May 2012

GAMERSGATE'S AD-SUPPORTED SERVICE, VOID, SET TO LAUNCH ON MAY 28TH

AD INVENTORY IS SOLD OUT BEFORE LAUNCH

STOCKHOLM – May 21, 2012 - GamersGate is set to officially launch its ad-supported service VOID on May 28, 2012. Over the past year, GamersGate has been working on the service, which will run parallel to the digital retailer's usual business. After a long period of testing, VOID – the first advertising service of its kind – will be released in Scandinavia, the United States and Canada followed shortly by a UK launch.

IWAG, the media partner handling ad space sales in Scandinavia, has successfully sold out the entire inventory through July. "The ad inventory has been sold out for a few weeks and naturally we're thrilled. It shows the power and interest in the format. We're constantly looking at ways to further separate GamersGate from the competition and VOID is clearly a massive market differentiator," says Theodore Bergquist, CEO and majority owner of GamersGate.

In the testing period, many brands tested out the service, including several represented by 360 Solutions, a media buying company that represents several large brands. "We've been waiting for a service that brings the successful business concept of Spotify into the gaming industry. The business model is great, the target audience is high in demand and the advertising possibilities are infinite. This (men age 20-45) audience is hard to reach in traditional media and VOID gives us the opportunity to do so," says Andrei Zidaric, CEO at 360 Solutions. "The tests we have run have surpassed all expectations. The results from the beta testing have been astounding."

VOIDs various advertising formats are a mix of modern interactive advertisements and newly developed video formats, fitting advertisers who normally buy TV ad space. For more information, please visit http://www.gamersgate.com/void.

Gusington · May 24, 2012, 02:40:16 PM

I like the idea of 'Spotify for games' but I also like the idea of jumping into a game and escaping advertising altogether.

Anguille · May 25, 2012, 02:25:38 AM

What is Void?

Martok · May 25, 2012, 08:19:43 AM

^ I'm still a little unclear on that myself.

Silent Disapproval Robot · May 25, 2012, 09:47:16 AM

I think it's a service that lets you download and play games for free but in exchange, you've got to put up with ads.

tgb · May 25, 2012, 10:06:42 AM

How current are the games?

Silent Disapproval Robot · May 25, 2012, 10:59:31 AM

Not a clue. You guys know as much as I do about this service.

Nefaro · May 25, 2012, 11:48:34 AM

Quote from: tgb on May 25, 2012, 10:06:42 AM
How current are the games?

I'm guessing they'll all be old stuff, low-price stuff. Even if GG uses some of that advertising money to make deals with some game publishers for this service, I doubt they'll be able to afford asking prices on some of the newer fancier ones.

It's a good idea for advertising, and actually gives the guinea pigs something in exchange. I've been saying that advertising inside games, with pop-up ads right in the middle of gameplay coming in the future. I just expected it to be forced on people (with always online DRM to stream it) because there's been no big legal decisions regarding the recent spat of ownership issues. This one actually has a carrot instead of shoving it down your throat without a reach-around.

steve58 · May 25, 2012, 01:01:45 PM

Maybe in game ads are closer than we thought. Just saw this:

http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/sony-patent-details-tech-that-stops-your-game-to-display-an-ad/.

They'd better keep this kind of cr*p to the free games.

Electric_Strawberry · May 25, 2012, 01:52:02 PM

Until GG actually describes what VOID will encompass, I think I'll pass. As is, it's very vague.

Nefaro · May 25, 2012, 02:23:51 PM

Quote from: steve58 on May 25, 2012, 01:01:45 PM
Maybe in game ads are closer than we thought. Just saw this:

http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/sony-patent-details-tech-that-stops-your-game-to-display-an-ad/.

They'd better keep this kind of cr*p to the free games.

That's exactly the kinda stuff I've been predicting. Although I've expected Steam to be the first with in-game advertising pop-ups for games you've purchased.

I'd at least expect the free GG stuff to have pop-up ads in the corner, and/or at certain menus.

Silent Disapproval Robot · May 25, 2012, 02:49:02 PM

They tried that in-game stuff before and it tanked. I remember seeing ads in SWAT 4 and I refused to buy Battlefield 2142 because of in-game ads.

steve58 · June 08, 2012, 03:01:54 PM

So I'm a bit bored this afternoon at my desk and didn't feel like working, so I decided to try out Void. I signed up/activated; pretty easy since I already had a GG acct. Looks like you get 1 slot to start. I felt like blowing up stuff, so I selected AC-130 as my free game. The slot shows it will unlock in 2 weeks...means I can't swap out AC-130 out until the slot unlocks. Downloaded and fired it up and watched a World of Warcraft: Cataclysm ad (from Dec 2010!). Not too bad or long; game started up right after....glad it's free. [Note: they do have "Newbie Protection" on the 1st game you download in each slot. It lets you change it before cooldown. Might have to use it to swap out Ac-130!]

You can "unlock" a 2nd slot for 10,000 blue coins. ($10) There is a 3rd slot showing, but its labeled "Invite a Friend" (for every new member you recrute you will be rewarded with one day shorter cooldown time on your first VOID slot when they sign up).

You can also upgrade your slot(s)

Empowered slot: Gives you an extra slot to use for other game from the same publisher. Price: 5,000 Blue Coins

Quickened slot: Reduces the cooldown time by 1 day for every 1 000 Blue Coins spent. Price: 1,000 – 13,000 Blue Coins

Buddy slot: This upgrade allows you to share the slot with a friend. Price: 5,000 Blue Coins

Maximized slot: This is a combination the empowered and the quickened slot. Price: 6,000 – 18,000 Blue Coins

Two other upgrades are listed as "To be announced"

I'm kinda "meh" about the whole thing. Its nice to be able to try out some free full versions, but, at least right now, theres not much in the Void catalog that appeals to me....