IGN Launches In-Game Advertising Technology

By Ian Bell April 12, 2005

IGN’s new software and services will enable developers and publishers to manage their online game content throughout the game lifecycle, as well as execute in-game advertising campaigns. Advertiserswill be able to develop cross media programs that include in-game and online ads and promotions as part of IGN Entertainment’s overall media offering.

“Our In-Game technology is already proven in over 300 games, and includes online matchmaking, chat, CD key verification, unified registration, and statistics and tracking,” said Mark Stieglitz, general manager, publisher services, IGN Entertainment. “We are extending our current platform and solution set to enable game publishers to manage the space within their games dynamically, for In-Game marketing, advertising or for other purposes based on their unique needs.”

The new In-Game Marketing Technology and Service will extend IGN’s media and technology platforms, allowing publishers to enhance the gameplay experience by continually updating their games with new levels, patches, alternative player skins, weapons, buildings, maps, and even soundtracks. These same tools can be used to advertise the next version of a game by dropping in trailers and assets as they become available, as well as offering special in-game promotions.

In addition, IGN’s technology will enable publishers to add incremental revenue to their games by selling in-game advertising themselves, or by having IGN leverage its advertising infrastructure and experience to manage and sell in-game advertising programs on their behalf. The technology also will track impressions, time spent viewing items and type of each interaction, so that advertisers can watch the return on their investment, make smarter buys and design more effective campaigns.

IGN Entertainment’s In-Game tools and services build on its proven GameSpy backend infrastructure, service teams, data centers and core technologies. Rich dynamic marketing technology is currently available for the PC and PS2; versions for next generation platforms will be also developed.

Publisher

I work with the best people in the world and get paid to play with gadgets. What's not to like?

Gaming

Two games will launch as part of PS Plus Game Catalog in August

Zale and Valere from Sea of Stars

Sony highlighted the various games coming and leaving PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra's Game Catalog as part of its August update. While this month's lineup is much more muted than the busy June and July updates, it notably features two games coming to Sony's subscription the day they release.

Historically, Sony has done fewer day-one releases on its subscription services than Microsoft, but that's clearly starting to change with this month's lineup. Moving Out 2, a wacky co-op game about moving furniture, launches as part of the PS Plus Catalog on August 15, the day most of the month's new titles are added. Then, on August 29, Sabotage Studios' highly anticipated indie RPG Sea of Stars will be available with PS Plus Extra and Premium from day one as well.
While they are both indie games, the fact that there is more than one day one launch into the PS Plus Catalog this August suggests that it will become a much more common occurrence. Other than that, August's catalog additions aren't too exciting outside the likes of Destiny 2: The Witch King and Lost Judgment. Unless they are denoted otherwise, the following games will come to the PS Plus Game Catalog on August 15:

Gaming

Avowed finally reappears at Xbox Games Showcase with a 2024 launch window

A spellcaster holds a book in Avowed.

After a long wait, Avowed finally reappeared at today's Xbox Game Showcase. The upcoming action RPG is now scheduled for a 2024 launch.

Avowed - Official Gameplay Trailer

Gaming

Nintendo Switch’s weirdest launch game is getting a surprise sequel

Key art for Everybody 1-2-Switch!

Nintendo has quietly announced Everybody 1-2-Switch!, a sequel to one of the oddest launch titles for Nintendo Switch.
1-2-Switch! was a Nintendo Switch launch title that served as a tech demo of sorts for the Joy-Con controllers, with players completing minigames based on direction from actors in live-action clips. It's a very quirky and critically divisive Nintendo Switch game, so it's a bit surprising to see a follow-up. According to the eShop listing for Everybody 1-2-Switch!, this game lets players use their Joy-Cons or smartphones to complete a variety of team-based minigames. And that's about all we've seen or know about this $30 game ahead of its June 30 launch alongside some new pastel Joy-Cons.

Everybody 1-2-Switch!'s announcement was quite unorthodox for Nintendo. It simply tweeted about the game's existence and opened up preorders on the eShop. This all happened with no reveal trailer less than a month before the game's launch. It's unknown why Nintendo's taking this approach instead of including the game in a Nintendo Direct or other major showcase, but a 2022 report from Fanbyte may reveal the answer. According to that report, Everybody 1-2-Switch! tested horribly, and Nintendo worried that the game could "damage the company’s reputation as a great software developer."
Almost a year after that report, it seems that the game has improved enough to release, or maybe Nintendo is just willing to take the hit after the impressive launch and critical reception of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Either way, this is a weird sequel to a weird Nintendo Switch launch game that's being mutedly marketed so it doesn't elicit much hype. We'll just have to wait and play it for ourselves if we want to know whether Everybody 1-2-Switch! is an enjoyable game or not.
Everybody 1-2-Switch! will be released physically and digitally for Nintendo Switch on June 30.