No, I wouldn't play games for free with ads.
No, I wouldn't play games for free with ads.
Would you? This idea is quite intriguing. It seems to hinge on the specific game or the way ads are shown. We already see them in some mobile titles as interruptions, but they tend to be bothersome. I think these ads shouldn’t feel that way—just occasional pauses. The ads themselves might actually promote other games from the same studio, or they could be part of a storyline around the commercial. It would apply across all platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and more.
Only when mod support was available through the Steam Workshop and a developer had created an adblock plugin. This situation has occurred before—remember Wildtangent. Let's avoid taking that path again.
It varies by advertisement. In the past, many games included commercials. Titles like Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Need for Speed: Underground, and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory show just a few examples.
It varies by game—sometimes a single play is enough, but generally avoiding ads is better. The way they're presented matters too; in-game items or props are nice, but banners and fullscreen ads aren't. Also, video ads between levels would really bother me.
These subtle ads enhance the game's authenticity. Burnout Paradise promoting X58 Evga boards is a good case in point. It's irritating when an ad appears everywhere on the screen, and I prefer to stop paying for it once it becomes bothersome.
Ubisoft used a similar setup in the past, but it's no longer available;C
WildTangent faced financial difficulties and was acquired by a private equity firm. The company later filed for bankruptcy in 2023.