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Video games are an extremely popular hobby and companies are looking for every possible way to monetize it. Apparently, Microsoft has already found a good way to generate additional bills in this space and it is with a system that will advertise free-toplay games available on Xbox.
According to a report from Business Insider, Microsoft wants different brands to be able to put ads on the free-to-play games available in the Xbox ecosystem. In fact, it’s already working with ad tech companies so they can work with ad agencies to put the ads in different games.
At the moment it is not exactly clear how these ads will work. That said, sources note that some of the commercials will appear as billboards in racing games. That said, it is unknown if there will be other types of such as videos or banners on waiting screens. It is also not known if Microsoft is already offering these spaces to different brands.
The Xbox Ad Network is expected to be available sometime in Q3 2022.
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Microsoft takes the initiative carefully
It is worth mentioning that this project is very important for Microsoft, according to sources familiar with the plans. It is said that they began building the Xbox ad network between 2018 and 2019, but that their plans were accelerated thanks to the boom in free-to-play games during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In fact, there are sources that Microsoft doesn’t seem to be taking a percentage of ad revenue and is more interested in making the Xbox commercial network work. Thus, the income generated would be shared between the developers and the company in charge of getting the .
But then, what would Microsoft gain from all this? To begin with, it would have a technology that can be a key part of the future of gaming, whether we like it or not. In addition, this might lead some developers to prioritize Xbox over other platforms, since they have the possibility to monetize in another way here.
Of course, although Microsoft is excited regarding the project, it is also taking it with a grain of salt, the sources say. This is because the tech giant is concerned that its system will irritate people who don’t expect to see ads while playing. This is why only select companies will be able to advertise and they will have to do it in a natural way that does not break the gaming experience.
Finally, keep in mind that this information has not been confirmed by Microsoft. In fact, the only thing the company had to comment on the report of Business Insider was the following: “we are always trying ways to improve the experience for players and developers, but we have nothing more to announce.”
And you, what do you think regarding this system? Do you think such a system can work or that ads have no place in console games? Tell us in the comments.
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