#MakeSandcastlesNotWarMeme313

EA’s Controversial In-Game Ad Idea

Advertisements are seen in many forms of media – In between TV shows, before the movie, on billboards, and even in social media.  Companies create ads for their products that launch during certain times.  Sometimes businesses even put out an ad about their own product or service (like YouTube advertising YouTube music).  Whatever the case may be, advertising is being displayed wherever you go.

And one company is toying with an idea to put advertising in their video games.

Electronic Arts (EA) is looking to put in-game ads in their AAA games.  EA CEO Andrew Wilson mentions it is an idea they are looking into and will be careful about how to potentially introduce ads in their games.  Even still, it’s already becoming an unpopular business plan.

Now interestingly enough, advertisements have been featured in video games for decades.  EA’s Need for Speed: Underground 2 had in-game ads on billboards all over the open worlds.  Since then, EA placed in-game ads in games like Burnout Paradise and Battlefield 2142.  

Even still, a growing number of audiences are getting tired of how many advertisements they see.  Seeing ads in their newest games could only add fuel to the fire.  This could be an idea that could crash and burn quickly if it interrupts the gameplay.  Games are already expensive to buy (some over $70!) and having in-game ads would only make them worse. 

So EA is looking into in-game advertisements.  It is an idea that should be worked at carefully as it could potentially ruin the overall gameplay.  People are growing frustrated over the bombardments of ads everywhere, so maybe it isn’t the best time to roll this idea out.  

The idea to have in-game advertisements could work, if it doesn’t prevent gamers from enjoying the overall gaming experience. 

McDonald’s in a WcDonald’s World

When it comes to fast food chains, McDonald’s has always drawn up some bold and wacky ways to promote their products.  They have teamed up with companies like Nintendo to provide Nintendo-inspired designs on their bags and drink cups.  Sometimes they release a line of Happy Meal toys promoting a particular event (like Disney’s 100th anniversary).  And of course they always go big when they announce the McRib is available.

And this recent promotion is no different from the rest.  McDonald’s decided to get rather ANIMATED for its release of a new sauce called the WcDonald’s Sauce.

The WcDonald’s Sauce is a savory chili that can be added to your burger, chicken nuggets, and even french fries.  To spread awareness of the new sauce, McDonald’s created the WcDonald’s Isekai anime and manga series.  McDonald’s will feature anime episodes for TV commercials and provide manga on the food bags.  Each part of the anime and manga series will run until March 24th.

For the record, Isekai is a popular anime genre where the main character suddenly finds themselves transported in a parallel ‘otherworld’.  It has been a well-known genre in anime and manga series for years.  Now McDonald’s has its own version of an Isekai series with the WcDonald’s universe.

This is a really neat way for McDonald’s to promote the new WcDonald’s Sauce.  It’s a kind of interactive promotion where audiences can watch the anime series and even read the manga chapters on the bag.  That is the kind of advertisement that does more than drum up hype over a new product from McDonald’s.  The WcDonald’s universe is a whole franchise of its own that audiences can really get into.

WcDonald’s Sauce is more than just some new chili sauce by McDonald’s.  It is also a fun Isekai anime and manga series that customers can get into during the month of March.  Brands like McDonald’s will utilize elements like anime because that is a very popular genre of entertainment. 

Shooter McGavin Plays PGA Tour 2K21

PGA Tour 2K21 is the latest golf game that released last week.  It’s the newest game from the PGA Tour franchise that features twelve of the latest Pro Golfers in the nation.  These include Ian Poulter, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau, Matt Kuchar, Sergio Garcia, any various other players.

But the real celebrity that really put this game on the map was none other than Shooter McGavin.

Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) was featured in an ad playing PGA Tour 2K21 with The Miz, Justin Thomas, and Schoolboy Q.  He grows frustrated as he gets bad putts and lands his ball in the sand, yelling ‘This isn’t real golf!’.  The Miz celebrates by stealing Shooter McGavin’s signature celebration.

All 90s fans remember Shooter McGavin as the famous golf villain in Happy Gilmore.  He squares off with Happy (Adam Sandler), earning a notorious reputation for his freak outs when he loses to him.  His tantrums and signature golf moves made him the popular character that he is today.

This was certainly a genius marketing idea.  Mixing a famous evil golfer from Happy Gilmore with trending celebrities really helped get the message out about PGA Tour 2K21.  Featuring Christopher McDonald acting in character as Shooter McGavin alone was a great stunt itself.  Watching Shooter freak out over his bad hits only made the advertisement even better.

With that, Shooter McGavin playing PGA Tour 2K21 was well worth watching.  PGA Tour 2K21 is really going to sell well in the video game industry with this humorous TV ad.

Who knows, we may even see more references of Shooter McGavin in PGA Tour 2K21.

Spenser Confidential Sightings in Boston

While passing through the areas of Boston, I notice many signs around the city.  Some advertised educational opportunities while others showcased some delicious food to try.  Its these nifty signs that always seem to grab my attention.

But one advertisement has been popping up all over Boston.  This one is for a Netflix film coming out this week known as Spenser Confidential.

Spenser Confidential is an upcoming mystery comedy-thriller film that is loosely based on the novel Wonderland.  It stars Mark Wahlberg, Alan Arkin, Winston Duke, Cassie Ventura, Illiza Shlesinger, Bokeem Woodbrine, Donald Cerrone, and Austin Post.  The film is set to release on Netflix March 6^th.

I first caught sight of the Spenser Confidential signs in Wonderland station on my way to work.  Two signs bolted inches away from each other between the two trains.

That wasn’t the only place I spotted the Spenser Confidential sign.  While waiting for the orange line in State Street station, I caught sight of it yet again.  Another set of signs plastered on the wall.

Just when I thought I’ve seen all the posters for the film.  Days later and ANOTHER sign for Spenser Confidential was found.  This time it was a digital poster popping up on a small billboard on Washington Street.

It’s no coincidence that these posters are popping up around the area.  Spenser Confidential takes place in Boston (even filmed there as well).  It makes for an obvious yet perfect to market both the place of Boston and the product of Spenser Confidential.

With that, Spenser Confidential comes out March 6^th.  Just find one of the various posters in Boston for more details.