Featured Image Credit: Microsoft
Topics: Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X|S owners are planning to boycott the console over a controversial new feature.
What is this new controversial feature that has angered a portion of the Xbox fanbase? The controversial feature in question is the potential to implement running ads in games, similar to what is seen in the mobile market.
As reported by Comicbook.com, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for game creator experience and ecosystem for the green brand, has “talked” about ads running in-game. It’s not been clarified at this time whether ads running in-game will be related to paid-for or free-to-play titles.
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“We invest a lot of time in how we introduce more business model diversity; how we create more options," Bond told Rolling Stone. “We talk a lot about Game Pass because subscription is the latest option that we scaled: you have pay-to-play, then there was free-to-play, and then we introduced Game Pass.
“We've talked about how we're experimenting with other models, like what does it mean for advertising in games which is more prevalent in mobile – are there models that work well in PC and console? Are there other models where you might have timed slices of games and stuff like that?”
She continued: “Providing creators with options and choice enables them to experiment and do what they like, and actually create more immersive and creative experiences without having to fit into a mould.”
It’s worth keeping in mind that nothing is set in stone, however, the talk of ads being implemented into Xbox games has still angered the masses and fans on Twitter have been expressing their disdain at the prospect.
“I’ll sell my Xbox the moment they start doing games with ads. Imagine being so far behind the competition and your response to that is… more ads to play from your ad-filled dashboard,” responded Twitter user @SiinthAP to a post from Idle Sloth.
“Same! Turn my back on Xbox the moment they will do this,” replied OldPixel1984. “Ads in games. She doesn't have any understanding of what gamers want. She got no taste,” added @Jackgamer74.
Sadly, if Microsoft decides to sneak ads into games, it won’t be the first time a company has done this in the industry. In September 2020, as reported by GameSpot, EA faced a wave of backlash after it put ads into UFC 4, before being swiftly removed.
More recently, fans described Warner Bros. Games as ‘shameful’ when Hogwarts Legacy ads were found in Mortal Kombat 11. What arguably made this sneaky ad campaign worse, is that other than sharing the same publisher, Hogwarts Legacy and MK11 are very different games, to say the least.
It seems that publishers are forever trying to find ways to sneak ads into games, including those that are paid for and the only way it could be stopped is by gamers continuing to let their voices be heard.