Wipeout HD update brings ads, longer load times [Updated]
Sean Ridgeley - Monday, August 3rd, 2009 | 6:40PM (PT)
0LikeFavourites (0)
Gamers feel had
Update: Sony has removed the ad (if only tentatively), stating, "we are investigating the situation to ensure that any in-game advertising does not affect gameplay." An oversight, perhaps? Either way, thanks for listening, Sony.
A fair portion of the gaming community isn't so fonds of ads whether they're in-game, on the Xbox 360 dashboard, or whatever else. So it's understandable when Sony sells an ad-free game like Wipeout HD to customers, then inserts them today via a new patch affecting offline and online gameplay (shortly after putting it on sale), and customers feel had.
More than that though, the ads appear to affect load times for the game by roughly ten seconds, according to gamer and YouTube user Ryaldeco. Well, it's not so much they affect load times as you have to wait for the ad to finish (it's a video ad) before playing your game.
The footage is somewhat suspect by the community, however -- while the user states load times are slowed by about ten seconds, other gamers note they've never experienced such fast load times on the bottom screen as are documented. However, other new footage shows equally short load times and the same behaviour from the progress bar. One gamer tested things a bit and noticed Zone mode (the one shown here) loads faster than others, so we'll chalk it up to that.
Ryaldeco says the ad comes about three times per hour and while ten seconds isn't much in itself, "that adds up if you play a lot." Continuing: "Since they managed to sneak this in, what's to stop them from forcing you to watch a full 30 second ad or longer before you can play?"
Our advice: for anyone that's bought the game, don't download the update. It's terrible, we know, but it's best to minimize this sort of thing before it gets really bad and spreads to more and more games. Don't stop there, though -- tell Sony how you feel. Their response to us went like this:
"We would like to extend our sincere apology that the content of this advertisement has upset you. Please rest assured that we will convey your concerns to SCEA's appropriate management. We value your input and concerns and appreciate you bringing this to our attention."
Why the heck did they add it? It is a game one has to purchase darn it. At least Burnout Paradise makes it unobtrusive, and compensated for the ads by giving users loads of free DLC >_>
Why is there the same music as in Ninendo's F-Zero GX
Wipeout is basically a follower to F-Zero , but not as good. Fact is, even if nintendo wasn't good with GX , it's still better than this game.
So was this music added manually from the guy who made the video:
Anyways First F-Zero came in 1990, wiki: It is regarded as an influential video game franchise for its genre inspiring the creation of games such as Daytona USA and the Wipeout series.
as for the ad's I don't know what possessed them to add them but its really put me off buying the fury expansion, is it for the original wipeout HD aswell?
and I hate games doing this now, is it that hard to get funding that you have to advertise in game, if it is maybe they should improve their games so there worth investing more in rather then buging gamers with product placement...
Ominous, keep in mind Sony developed and published this game. Of course, the PS3 isn't exactly doing well at the moment..but that's no reason to slyly screw your customers over. If it was a non-video/audio ad and didn't force you to wait to play, I wouldn't really say anything (though I don't think ads should be in video games anyway), but this is something else..
true... and if we weren't forced to watch and wait longer while it loads then i don't think anyone would mind as it would just be product placement really
No, that's still advertising. Product placement is inserting real-world items into a medium itself, like Metal Gear 4 characters using Sony Ericsson phones.
No, that's still advertising. Product placement is inserting real-world items into a medium itself, like Metal Gear 4 characters using Sony Ericsson phones.
wich i dont mind hell imagin final fantasy instead of ethers youd drink pepsi instead of having ribbons you get victorias secret ribbon
No, that's still advertising. Product placement is inserting real-world items into a medium itself, like Metal Gear 4 characters using Sony Ericsson phones.
true but this doesn't cause any real hassle to the player, its just placement, there would still need to be a phone in mgs 4 it just wouldn't be sony erricsson... which wouldent effect the game in terms of waiting times etc
forums
I really hope that this doesn't turn into a popular thing.
Wipeout is basically a follower to F-Zero , but not as good. Fact is, even if nintendo wasn't good with GX , it's still better than this game.
So was this music added manually from the guy who made the video:
Anyways First F-Zero came in 1990, wiki: It is regarded as an influential video game franchise for its genre inspiring the creation of games such as Daytona USA and the Wipeout series.
as for the ad's I don't know what possessed them to add them but its really put me off buying the fury expansion, is it for the original wipeout HD aswell?
and I hate games doing this now, is it that hard to get funding that you have to advertise in game, if it is maybe they should improve their games so there worth investing more in rather then buging gamers with product placement...
wich i dont mind hell imagin final fantasy instead of ethers youd drink pepsi instead of having ribbons you get victorias secret ribbon
but comercials that make you wait hell nooooooo