Pepsi Man: Though the graphic quality isn’t the best for modern times, I think for the era it did release it was like more popular games. I think the game can be seen as a fun gimmick to get people to not only enjoy a fast-paced game but also an easy way to have advertising flashing in your face constantly. From the quality of other games, we checked out in class, I’d say this is the most planned out and more gameplay-focused advergame.
Sneak King: This game is incredibly silly, almost giving the focus on just the “king’s” actions and mannerisms rather than Burger King as a brand. It obviously wasn’t a focus on good branding, but rather Burger King jumped on a bandwagon of how much the public loved the creepy king.
Chex Quest: The whole factor of a squad fighting “aliens” reminds me too much of suicide squad. The gameplay seemed fine, and the story was quite vague about why cereal was fighting phlem. But I guess that’s beside the point and the developers want you to just have fun?
M&M Kart Racing: This is the type of game you play when you feel like you want to make yourself angry. The controls are bad, the graphics are not the best, and the overall gameplay seems poor and confusing. But at least the candy is good.
America’s Army: This game just feels like a knockoff of COD if you take away all the fun story aspects. Now I get to think about WAR and SADNESS and people dying. I’d rather enjoy a game that has me walking away wanting to play more later, rather than walking away thinking about how real people can die in similar situations.
Monopoly: I am not usually a fan of Monopoly because every time I play, I have this dread that the game will take forever and people will argue (I speak from experience). But I found this version to be super unique not only due to it’s new rules that make you aware of class systems but also because it made players feel bad for having more.
Cool Spot: I have a soft spot for older games, and this one is such a silly, goofy game that I could see myself enjoying as a kid, but as an adult, the music, sounds, and controls get too repetitive and annoying. It’s still a cool game, though!
McDonald’s Game: I love it when people get away with satire, especially against big companies! This game is one I think people should take the time to sit down and look into learning how to play correctly. It seems like it takes a while to play, but like I said, I love satire and making people realize how bad companies really are.
- What advergames have you played? did they influence a purchase?
I have not played any advergames before this class, though I wonder if you would consider games based on toys to be advergames, as they can make children want more toys. If so, I did play a lot of Barbie and Polly Pocket games online, and yes I was 100% influenced to beg my parents for more. Creating a space where children can play with their toys while the toy itself talks and moves is a really good way to influence children.
- Why do the advergames tooth protector and escape work? What makes chase the chuckwagon and shark bait fail?
Tooth protector and Escape worked because they added realism and human nature to the impact of the game. However, chase the chuckwagon and shark bait had less success as chase the chuckwagon was on Atari and had poor graphics and design, similarly, shark bait had poor appeal.
- What does Volvo’s drive for life accomplish?
Volvo’s Drive for life brought awareness to driver safety and mainly aimed at educating drivers about road safety and reducing accidents.
- what company used in-advergame advertising
Pepsi, with the lovely and iconic game, Pepsi Man
- What was one if the first home-console advergames and what beverage was it for?
Kool-Aid man, for Atari VCS
- what makes the toilet training game sophisticated and do you agree?
It is stated that the urination in the toilet game is sophisticated due to a “strange attractor that draws and repels the players curser to mimic a lack of control.” I do agree that this is sophisticated and funny in a way, but it adds realism.
- what do advergames and anti-advergames have in common, and what principles do they share?
Both advergames and anti-advergames leverage interactive engagement, persuasive influence, and gamification to change players’ perceptions and behaviors. They both are based on the factor of persuading people into buying a product or hating a product.
I feel like the Pollypocket and Barbie games are a good example! That, and the Barbie movies. I am pretty sure I really wanted some of the dolls because of the movies.
When I am reading about M&M Kart Racing, it reminds me of Garfield Kart racing. GKR is also pretty frustrating, and it makes me think about what factors can make a good racing game.