The unacceptable push for advertising on video game consoles

Video game consoles have long served as a gateway to immersive experiences, offering gamers a straightforward and accessible way to enjoy their favorite titles without having to deal with the complexities of PC gaming. Consoles offer an all-in-one package for the masses, allowing gamers to easily plug in, turn on and start playing. Unlike PC gaming, where the complexity of hardware and software configurations can be daunting for the average consumer, consoles offer simplicity. The device is purchased, the games are loaded and the entertainment takes place without much effort. However, this once clear path is being blocked by a troubling trend: advertising on video game consoles, particularly those that creep onto those devices' dashboards.

Both Microsoft And Sony have shown great interest in integrating advertising into their console ecosystems, particularly on the dashboard and user interface that gamers typically navigate to access their games and services. This begs the question: why should gamers who have already purchased their console see advertisements on their gaming devices? It's particularly annoying when you consider the additional costs that are already associated with console ownership, such as subscriptions for online games. The idea of ​​introducing even more advertising into an environment that players have paid to access is, frankly, outrageous.

A device that has been purchased but not yet owned

Most consoles are not cheap. They may be cheaper than investing in a PC, but the idea that consoles have always been “cheap” is far from the truth. For most people, these video game machines represent a significant investment as there is some premium paid for the hardware. Whether to buy one Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Console, the expectation is simple: buy the console and get access to the gaming ecosystem it offers. The current model of console gaming has always been based on selling software; In recent years, manufacturers have increasingly looked to subscription services and optional in-game purchases as revenue streams. However, the creeping presence of advertising makes it seem like these current models are reaching saturation and new revenue streams are being developed (after all, it's all about the bottom line).

The idea of ​​advertising on a console's dashboard – an interface through which one can access the games a player has already paid for – makes matters worse. It's bad enough that console gamers are often forced to pay subscriptions just to access the online multiplayer that PC gamers typically enjoy for free. Adding unwanted advertising on top of these paid services now further undermines the value proposition of console gaming. Players should not be exposed to an additional source of income in areas intended to provide entertainment and enjoyment, especially if they have already paid for access.

The subscription conundrum

Many gamers pay for online subscriptions, e.g Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plusto access multiplayer features, cloud saves and monthly games. These services already come with a cost, and for many the price is justified by the benefits they offer. However, the introduction of advertising raises an uncomfortable question: Why should gamers who already pay for these services be exposed to advertising in their own “personal gaming space”?

When players pay for a service, it is assumed that they are essentially investing in an ad-free and potentially premium experience. When you think of advertising in the gaming sector, free-to-play games immediately come to mind; where the player does not invest any money directly and therefore ads are used as a means of generating income. However, once a gamer has paid for access – whether by purchasing the console, purchasing games, or subscribing to a service – the presence of advertising becomes an unnecessary and unwanted intrusion.

It's one thing to see ads on free mobile games or even on streaming services where a lower tier subscription includes ads. However, for players who have paid full price for a console and continue to pay for access to online services, advertising represents a violation of the unwritten agreement between consumer and provider. This agreement suggests that once the customer for a If you have paid for a product or service, the experience should be free from external interference – something Microsoft And Sony seem to be slowly eroding.

The player's experience is sacred

When a player boots up their console, they expect to be transported into a world of entertainment where they can immerse themselves in the gameplay, stories and community without the distractions of the outside world. A console's dashboard, where players navigate their games and services, should serve as a gateway to those experiences, not a billboard for corporate advertising.

One could argue that these advertisements are “not intrusive” and are simply sitting on the dashboard waiting to be ignored. However, the mere presence of advertising in a paid ecosystem undermines the purity of the gaming experience. Gamers don't fire up their consoles to sell products or services – they fire them up to play. Whether it's a banner ad, a promotional pop-up, or some other form of corporate intervention, it doesn't belong on the dashboard of a device designed for entertainment and leisure.

Furthermore, this sets a dangerous precedent. If advertisers are given the green light to publish content on consoles, what's stopping them from extending this intrusion further into the gaming ecosystem? The dashboard could soon become a battlefield for companies, vying for gamers' attention and distracting from the core experience. This slippery slope could lead to even in-game menus being littered with advertisements in the future, further detracting from the immersive quality that video games offer.

The future of console gaming without advertising

Players have the right to expect more from the companies and subsequent products they invest in. Consoles aren't just devices for accessing games; They are portals to creativity, community and relaxation. Adding advertising in this area compromises the integrity of these experiences and reduces them to another opportunity for corporate profits.

If Microsoft And Sony To maintain the loyalty of their player base, they need to rethink the impact of running advertising in paid ecosystems. Gamers have already paid for their consoles, their games and their subscriptions. You shouldn't have to pay with their attention too.