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[cgcg]

I...don't see the connection.

Well the original comparison was pretty stupid to begin with but here it goes.

You're paying for the channels then you can watch whatever shows on those channels at no extra charge. That's why you have ads.

You're paying for Live then $60 every time you want to play a game you haven't played before and they shove ads down your throat.

 

[pharmboy044]

You Guys do know that they have already admitted to using Kinect in a way were it actually "looks" and finds markers that it can use to throw ads at you? This is their way of personalizing ads. By eavesdropping into your home and surveying what you eat, drink, wear and advertise something similar to you.

Welcome to 21st century marketing.

 

[Seagoon]

What's relevant to me MS is no ads. UGH

It would be nice if users could simply opt out. The last time I signed up for a Hotmail account I was given the option, so why not here. (admittedly the site itself still has ads, just no marketing spam)

Microsoft seem to have the approach that as a gamer I must be interested in Mountain Dew, Cheetos, bed sore cream and deodorant.

I shudder to think how this service will evolve and what we'll be forced to pay for.

Gold Core = no voice chat, upgrade to Gold Pro to enable this feature!

 

[Aquavelvaman]

I think Microsoft wants to reposition Kinect away from the gaming space and into more of a general media interface device, and that this type of thing is in preparation for that. I remember one of the Microsoft dudes on the first Giantbomb E3 night stream saying something to the effect of "In two years when people turn on their tv and watch a movie without ever touching anything they'll realize how important all of this was". It makes a lot more sense as a universal interface for your tv, pc, xbox, etc than it does as a video game controller (although nearly all of the Kinect interfaces we've seen so far have been pretty terrible).

In the context of it being sort of a general media controller/hub it makes more sense for them to develop a new ad system for that interface than it does for them to just be layering more ads onto the already ad-heavy xbox live (although I expect them to do that anyway).

 

[Tron 2.0]

Well the original comparison was pretty stupid to begin with but here it goes.

You're paying for the channels then you can watch whatever shows on those channels at no extra charge. That's why you have ads.

You're paying for Live then $60 every time you want to play a game you haven't played before and they shove ads down your throat.

I understand. Thanks.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Well.... it's Microsoft :-/

 

[Alx]

It appears to me that Microsoft is spending more time trying to innovate in advertising with Kinect than they are trying to innovate in gaming.

The potential of kinect is so large that it would be stupid to limit it to gaming... but you can't really accuse Microsoft of neglecting gaming development around kinect. Actually the usual complaints are that Microsoft invests too much into gaming with kinect.

Anyway, it's already too late to discuss this... like the previous topics, we will be stuck in a discussion on "should there be ads on 360" and ignore the "how could kinect be useful for ads".

 

[IoCaster]

Your ISP has no control over websites displaying ads to you. Microsoft have full control of their walled garden XBL subscribers pay to access.

True enough, but they haven't offered a paid tier of service that eliminates all advertising. Your course of action is quite clear at this point. Don't use XBL or pay for the service if it causes you any measure of distress.

 

[Owzers]

I pay for Xbox Live.

Why the fuck am I getting advertisements in the first place?

That's why

 

[M3d10n]

I gave them the benefit of the doubt too, until I watched this video:

Interactive TV Ads - Cannes Lions - Microsoft Advertising

So they're just videos with voice-command-activated URLs to either spam your friends, see more ads or schedule the viewing of another ad? How boring.

 

[The Technomancer]

NUads? Really? Really?

Also yeah, cable TV started out in the US as ad-free, that was the whole point of paying for television. Somewhere along the line that got kicked in the head.

 

[soldat7]

NUads? Really? Really?

Should be NOads.

 

[Deadstar]

This is one reason why I don't boot up the xbox much anymore. I pay $50 for xbox live why am I seeing ads?

 

[Void Insanity]

Do you get cable TV?

Yes, I have Silver Membership.

 

[Gravijah]

Another interesting thing re: cable TV debate, is that the Comcast guide channel has ads.

 

[hoos30]

This week there was this neat ad on the dash that talked to your avatar. The avatar jumps into the ad and at the end you get a Windows Phone prop.

Its hard for me to be mad if the ads are going to like that.

 

[water_wendi]

Another interesting thing re: cable TV debate, is that the Comcast guide channel has ads.

You are under the assumption that the people complaining about the Nuads are just fine with DVR commercials. i have neither and protest both.

 

[Maleficence]

I actually find it pretty appalling that MS think it's OK to advertise like this to people who are already overpaying for a service.

Unfortunately MS have pulled people in too far for people to quit XBL now so they're never gonna learn the lesson they need to.

 

[fernoca]

I don't mind, it's just ... ads. I ignore most of them and research about the ones that caught my attention. Neither I get hyped and have to own/get something because they shoehorn ads for it.

 

[Gravijah]

You are under the assumption that the people complaining about the Nuads are just fine with DVR commercials. i have neither and protest both.

I was just pointing it out because I found it interesting within the current discussion.

 

[Neuromancer]

Have they shown any shots of how it will work in the Dashboard yet? I am guessing this is all planned for the new Dash this Autumn right?

No idea

 

[ultim8p00]

more like NUance

 

[IoCaster]

I actually find it pretty appalling that MS think it's OK to advertise like this to people who are already overpaying for a service.

Unfortunately MS have pulled people in too far for people to quit XBL now so they're never gonna learn the lesson they need to.

What a load of condescending crap. All of those stupids don't have a clue? Seriously, get off that high horse there, honcho.

 

[Foxix Von]

more like NUisance

Fixed that for you.

 

[Maleficence]

What a load of condescending crap. All of those stupids don't have a clue? Seriously, get off that high horse there, honcho.

That's not what I said at all, honcho.

I mean people are now too involved with the service to just stop even if they wanted to, they have people paying money for a service which should be free, and are abusing the fact that people are so invested in the service.

It's like watching a bad series only because you've become invested in the story and need to see what happens even when you don't enjoy it any more.

Though I am saddened that anyone would pay for XBL when equivalent or even better services are completely free, even if they are on PC it should show people that MS are ripping you off loyally.

 

[Cipherr]

I...don't see the connection.

Well to be fair, the initial connection of cable tv, to XBL ads wasnt all that tight to begin with.

 

[mentalfloss]

We should be able to choose whether or not ads are enabled.

Period.

 

[Equus Bellator Apex]

If you pay for live you waive your right to complain about this.

 

[Snipes424]

I hate to be captain obvious here, but I think some people need to see the obvious.

If you don't like their ad policy, then cancel your XBL Gold subscription. The only way these companies react is to money.

Vote with your wallet people, it can't be stressed enough.

 

[Pimpbaa]

I hate to be captain obvious here, but I think some people need to see the obvious.

If you don't like their ad policy, then cancel your XBL Gold subscription. The only way these companies react is to money.

Vote with your wallet people, it can't be stressed enough.

I am voting with my wallet. The problem is all the other idiots who are not and allowing this shit to ruin it for the rest of us.

 

[Coolwhip]

It's great isn't it. Before you had to type out when you twittered ads to your friends. Now you can just talk to your tv, sorted!

 

[radioheadrule83]

Games are ridiculously expensive, if the ad-money can be funnelled back into games, and help monetize the good ones further, then I have no opposition. I figure thats what a lot of interactive ads and product placement in games is all about doing...

If it just turns into another channel for ad companies to bombard me with shit I don't care about, then I do have an opposition.

TV ads are the most nauseating and annoying crap in the universe. The bad adverts (and that's 90% of them) actively make me want the related products less. I feel blessed that I was born in the UK where we don't have anywhere near as many advert breaks as they do in the US.

 

[TheOddOne]

From the video they released, it basically how the ads are now but with Kinect functionality. Note that its not more ads. Its still crap that a payed service has to have ads.

I find it highly offensive that people are pulling out the "I'm better then you" bullshit card again. People have their own benifits in the service, no reason to demean them.

 

[CountAntonius]

That's not what I said at all, honcho.

I mean people are now too involved with the service to just stop even if they wanted to, they have people paying money for a service which should be free, and are abusing the fact that people are so invested in the service.

It's like watching a bad series only because you've become invested in the story and need to see what happens even when you don't enjoy it any more.

Though I am saddened that anyone would pay for XBL when equivalent or even better services are completely free, even if they are on PC it should show people that MS are ripping you off loyally.

No that's not how it is at all. I pay for xbl cause I enjoy the service. It's where all my friends and family play. I never pay full price for live typically 30 a year which is nothing compared to what I pay for other things. All this PC talk gets tiresome. Valve put adds in Counter Strike years ago. They are going towards item shops now. The games I enjoy playing and the people I enjoy playing them with are on live. a few dollars a month is worth it and these ads have never been intrusive just as game ads aren't on steam. Yes you could make the argument that steam shows games but ads are ads.

I am voting with my wallet. The problem is all the other idiots who are not and allowing this shit to ruin it for the rest of us.

Calling people idiots because they aren't overly dramatic about something they have been able to easily ignore for years now is a bit much don't you think?

 

[mentalfloss]

If you pay for live you strengthen your right to complain about this.

Fixed.

People here like to commit the fallacy of precedent, which is the stupidest argument to put forth regarding consumer rights.

 

[IoCaster]

That's not what I said at all, honcho.

I mean people are now too involved with the service to just stop even if they wanted to, they have people paying money for a service which should be free, and are abusing the fact that people are so invested in the service.

It's like watching a bad series only because you've become invested in the story and need to see what happens even when you don't enjoy it any more.

Though I am saddened that anyone would pay for XBL when equivalent or even better services are completely free, even if they are on PC it should show people that MS are ripping you off loyally.

Oh, I disagree, that's exactly what you said and continue to claim. This is nothing but a consumer service that has little if any relative value. This particular conceit that people (mature adults) are so heavily invested in this service that they would allow themselves to be 'ripped off' is extraordinarily condescending. If people conclude that there's no value in the product that they're purchasing they'll stop buying it. WTF?

 

[Vilix]

Why are there ads on the only gaming "service" that you have to pay for? Microsoft must be creaming it.

Just like having ads on cable.

 

[semiconscious]

I gave them the benefit of the doubt too, until I watched this video:

Interactive TV Ads - Cannes Lions - Microsoft Advertising

it's... it's... high-tech bullshit! - thanks, microsoft!...

smh...

 

[Snipes424]

Fixed.

wrong, complaining does nothing. When MS earnings come in and they see either an uptick in XBL Gold subscriptions or steady with no decline, what motive do they have to change their ad policy?

Absolutely none

 

[Lagaff]

At least they should give us a way to desactivate ADS

 

[mentalfloss]

wrong, complaining does nothing. When MS earnings come in and they see either an uptick in XBL Gold subscriptions or steady with no decline, what motive do they have to change their ad policy?

Absolutely none

None of that takes away the right to complain.

Checkmate.

 

[Castle Doctrine]

I am voting with my wallet. The problem is all the other idiots who are not and allowing this shit to ruin it for the rest of us.

I'm having the same problem. I've been voting with my wallet for a long time and right now I'm living in a box on a street corner. It's not working.

 

[TheOddOne]

Oh, I disagree, that's exactly what you said and continue to claim. This is nothing but a consumer service that has little if any relative value. This particular conceit that people (mature adults) are so heavily invested in this service that they would allow themselves to be 'ripped off' is extraordinarily condescending. If people conclude that there's no value in the product that they're purchasing they'll stop buying it. WTF?

Co-sign this post.

 

[GTP_Daverytimes]

Can you watch Comedy Central without cable/satellite?

You make this sound as if it's common sense that we should be playing online with Gold membership. Yes you cant watch Comedy central without cable t.v, but the wording you use make it seem like we should accept getting shafted by these big corporations.

 

[KaYotiX]

Ads don't bother me at all. Just look around nowdays, ads are freaking EVERYWHERE. I've come kinda immune to them

 

[Augemitbutter]

you get what you pay for.

 

[D4Danger]

We should be able to choose whether or not ads are enabled.

Period.

if adverts were opt-in the market would collapse overnight

 

[Audioboxer]

I gave them the benefit of the doubt too, until I watched this video:

Interactive TV Ads - Cannes Lions - Microsoft Advertising

What the actual fuck?

"Xbox Tweet" a coca cola ad?

Yeah so if someone at E3 2005 said they'd be doing that on the 360, I'll fly to your fucking house and cook you a full english fry up followed by a foot rub.

 

[MGrant]

Cable TV is a utility that sometimes carries ads. An HBO package is a premium service that doesn't, and shouldn't, carry ads.

The internet is a utility that sometimes carries ads. Xbox Live is a premium service that shouldn't, but unfortunately does, carry ads.

The whole cable analogy doesn't hold up.

 

[Snipes424]

None of that takes away the right to complain.

Checkmate.

I never said your right to complain was taken away. I just wanted you to know that it does absolutely nothing.