A few days ago, rumors started appearing that Microsoft was planning to put adverts in some of their upcoming games. Well, it seems like they’re not the only ones. Reports have now emerged saying Sony plans to put adverts in some of their upcoming PS5 and PS4 free-to-play games.
Will ads appear in premium games like God of War Ragnarok?
The current plans from Sony are to give developers a way to add adverts to free-to-play games created for PS5 and PS4 so they can be monetized. According to Business Insider‘s sources, the reason for this is to encourage developers to create more free-to-play games seeing as their popularity has dramatically increased among gamers over the last couple of years. The plans are unlikely to affect Sony’s upcoming premium titles like God of War Ragnarok.
The ads could take on a variety of different formats. Some might appear as digital billboards in cities or sports stadiums. Players may also be offered rewards like avatar skins or in-game currency for watching adverts, something that will already be familiar to anyone who has ever played a free-to-play mobile game.
A potential ad program was first discussed by Sony shortly after they launched the PS5 console in November 2020. The ads are expected to launch by the end of 2022 and anybody wanting to advertise their product in-game can buy the ad space through a private marketplace. However, ads will likely be restricted and Sony is expected to vet the adtech companies to prevent the collection of personal data like e-mails. Sony is apparently yet to decide whether they will take a cut of the revenue. So far, Sony has refused to comment on the rumors.
In other news, after Amy Hennig left Naughty Dog, Uncharted 4 was rebooted as the entire game was recast and the studio got rid of everything she had created for it. Elsewhere, Jane Foster, otherwise known as The Mighty Thor, is confirmed to be the next character coming to Marvel’s Avengers.
