Blizzard Incorporating In-Game Ads Scheme for "Titan"

News
By Kevin Parrish
published

Blizzard's next-gen MMOG codenamed "Titan" will feature in-game ads to enhance the gameplay experience.

Keen eyes have spotted a job listing on Blizzard's website that is looking for a franchise development producer. The individual selected for this job will be responsible for working with major consumer brands to facilitate product placement and licensing within the world of Blizzard Entertainment's next-gen MMO. In other words, Blizzard's "Titan" (codename) will sport in-game advertisements, whether it's a billboard or a bottle of Coke.

There's speculation that this little nugget of information points to a current or somewhat futuristic setting. It could also mean that due to its "casual" nature, Activision Blizzard is looking for a little financial help as id Software did for Quake Live. Does that mean Titan could be a free-to-play MMOG that relies on microtransactions for revenue? It's possible, but very little is known about the game at this point.

In addition to bringing advertisements to the game itself, the Blizzard job sees the candidate push the game's brand outside the gaming industry while also working with the development team to help get merchandise on store shelves including books/novels, action figures, comics, short movies ad apparel. Based on that tidbit of information alone, this won't be Blizzard's version of FamVille.

Here's what we know about Titan thus far: it will be "casual," and probably a lot more social than anything Blizzard has offered thus far (maybe incorporating Facebook friends like Words With Friends?). It's the "most ambitious" project Blizzard has ever attempted, and even has the potential to eclipse World of Warcraft but will definitely coexist with Blizzard's flagship MMOG. Chief Operating Officer Paul Sams called the game "something that's cool, and new, and different." 90 developers are already assigned to the project.

Titan is expected to launch in 4Q13 alongside the fifth expansion to World of Warcraft. A BlizzCon 2012 reveal is possible, but highly unlikely.

Kevin Parrish
53 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Goldengoose
    As much as i hate ads, they do pay for half the free games i download. There's always going to be a way of getting rid of them too.
    Reply
  • monktongaz
    I know it is inevitable that this will happen, but I would still rather just pay a monthly fee and not have to deal with bottles of bloody coke in a game (for example). Of course, I would appear to be increasingly in the minority these days!
    Reply
  • ben850
    BLIZZ, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU MAKING BEHIND YOUR CLOSED DOORS???
    Reply
  • onehitxzibit
    How will adding ads to your game "enhance the gameplay experience"?
    Reply
  • ajay_vishvanathan
    lets hope blizzard are making "TITAN" compete Frostbite2 and other engines that are graphically awesome..
    Reply
  • gmcizzle
    onehitxzibitHow will adding ads to your game "enhance the gameplay experience"?Exactly what I was going to say lol.
    Reply
  • alidan
    gmcizzleExactly what I was going to say lol.onehitxzibitHow will adding ads to your game "enhance the gameplay experience"?
    imagine a large present day city landscape... tell me what would make that more realistic...
    advertisements... not big eff you advertisements that are in some raceing games where its obvious... but you see real stores with real products, you see a dodge bmw and a ford on the street, and hanging from some of the buildigs are large advertisements.

    you come under fire, and you duck behind a coke machine.

    possibly even go out and seek a coke machine because you are thursty and want to drink some...

    i could see in game advertiseing working that way... it would at least keep me in the game better than fake brands everywhere.
    Reply
  • alidan
    monktongazI know it is inevitable that this will happen, but I would still rather just pay a monthly fee and not have to deal with bottles of bloody coke in a game (for example). Of course, I would appear to be increasingly in the minority these days!
    so long as the game is cheaper i dont care about in game ads, if the game costs retail, i wont buy out of spite.

    and if its an mmo, if the adds make all the content unlock from the beginning with non of this teired crap that is in all games currently. i would be happy.
    Reply
  • xerroz
    Well clearly it's no longer about the consumer. Blizzard has gone down the drain ever since they merged with Activision. Not playing Titan if any ad whatsoever is in the game regardless of how in my face it is
    Reply
  • NuclearShadow
    If Titan turns out not to be free to play than I simply cannot support a game that you pay for and has real world advertisements. If a consumer already pays for the product they shouldn't have advertisements shoved down their throat as well.
    Reply