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We have become accustomed to seeing turkey drummers dancing around our screen and gorgeous women trying to sell nail varnish for years now. The reason we continue to be bombarded by these revised and revisited advertisements is due to the success that they can bestow upon a products sales figure.
When it came down to advertising in the games industry when I first dipped my toe into its hypnotic waters, there was very little coverage on TV. I was more familiar with the advertisement of my favourite bath time “Matey” now with octopus design, than with the appearance of the now infamous Atari logo.
It seems only right that in the days of the so-called “Bedroom programmer” that we saw very little of gaming on any media other than in dedicated magazines. The clandestine activities of a budding software genius were perhaps not the pinnacle of selling points during the golden era of gaming.
During this time gaming was considered to be somewhat sad and anti-social in its nature.
However after the launch of the 16-bit era it was not uncommon to see Mario or Sonic buzzing on our screens, and the advertising campaign by SEGA with the talking skull and crossbones, which led onto a new batch of fast moving in game footage. “To be this good takes ages” was the advertising pitch. It obviously had some merit as I can still remember it yet. During this time the game industry “evolved” no longer was gaming a loner hobby. Multi-tap Bomberman was all the rage, and it was great fun!
This had a notable affect on the industry, the darkened bedroom antics of a spotty teenager were shed, and a lighter, more socially acceptable coat was donned. Interest in gaming was much more widespread; this was encompassed by the popping up of TV shows such as Bad Influence and the now historic Gamesmaster, which apart from the Dexter Fletcher series was good viewing.
The incredible fan-fare created by the Playstation further pushed gaming into the mainstream, the “4 symbols” campaign was lodged and we seen the circle, square, cross and triangle on football boots and billboards. The napalm of advertising for Sony’s machine is undoubtedly a sole factor in the machine’s success.
When the advertising campaigns for the Playstation and N64 are compared the evidence is insurmountable. Whilst we were bombarded with Playstation hype the Nintendo 64 arrived in response with what can only be described as a tea party. Indeed when the console was released the only thing I knew was that it was a 64-bit console. Throughout the consoles life it was dogged with an underlying lack of publicity. Mario 64, Mario Kart 64 and perfect dark were the best games in their field, but they were only well known by people who read gaming press. And as such didn’t draw anybody new to gaming. As a result the Playstation which still covers well over 2 toe to head shelves in gaming stores enjoyed a massive fanbase, which paved the way for PS2.
The next generations of consoles have proved to be a media harlot. Initially started by the SEGA Dreamcast, the advertising frenzy has made this generation of consoles the most well known household name consoles. The PS2 reached out to its audience with its quirky “Third Place” adverts; the highlights included a man with a duck for a head. Whilst the adverts were lame, it was irrelevant, the massive PSX fanbase jumped onboard the newborn and made it a run away success.
After a storm of criticism for the poor support for the Nintendo 64 in Europe, Nintendo came through. Mixing in game footage with people being sucked into large glass cubes, a balance was struck and the latest releases have enjoyed primetime success on our TV screens. The adverts have delivered the console to a mass appeal ranging from the minors to cash filled adults.
The advertising machine behind the Xbox was inspired. The first advert I seen was mosquitoes humming a tune. After introducing a catchy upbeat rhythm the advert then went on to emphasise that we have a natural ability when it comes to playing games, and that we would be neglecting, or starving it if we were to ignore the Xbox. The second and best in my opinion, was one where a newborn child is propelled from the mother. Whilst flying through the air the child undergoes the changes from child to manhood before crashing into a coffin, emphasising that life is too short, so should be enjoyed.
This increase in advertising in the games industry has ignited a storm of new interest; it seems that these days everybody owns at least one games console. With the struggle to become the console which stands out from the crowd heightens it would be crazy not to assume that investment in advertising to the mass media will not be exploited more and more, and "As seen on TV" tags will be all the rage.
Thanks for reading.
When it came down to advertising in the games industry when I first dipped my toe into its hypnotic waters, there was very little coverage on TV. I was more familiar with the advertisement of my favourite bath time “Matey” now with octopus design, than with the appearance of the now infamous Atari logo.
It seems only right that in the days of the so-called “Bedroom programmer” that we saw very little of gaming on any media other than in dedicated magazines. The clandestine activities of a budding software genius were perhaps not the pinnacle of selling points during the golden era of gaming.
During this time gaming was considered to be somewhat sad and anti-social in its nature.
However after the launch of the 16-bit era it was not uncommon to see Mario or Sonic buzzing on our screens, and the advertising campaign by SEGA with the talking skull and crossbones, which led onto a new batch of fast moving in game footage. “To be this good takes ages” was the advertising pitch. It obviously had some merit as I can still remember it yet. During this time the game industry “evolved” no longer was gaming a loner hobby. Multi-tap Bomberman was all the rage, and it was great fun!
This had a notable affect on the industry, the darkened bedroom antics of a spotty teenager were shed, and a lighter, more socially acceptable coat was donned. Interest in gaming was much more widespread; this was encompassed by the popping up of TV shows such as Bad Influence and the now historic Gamesmaster, which apart from the Dexter Fletcher series was good viewing.
The incredible fan-fare created by the Playstation further pushed gaming into the mainstream, the “4 symbols” campaign was lodged and we seen the circle, square, cross and triangle on football boots and billboards. The napalm of advertising for Sony’s machine is undoubtedly a sole factor in the machine’s success.
When the advertising campaigns for the Playstation and N64 are compared the evidence is insurmountable. Whilst we were bombarded with Playstation hype the Nintendo 64 arrived in response with what can only be described as a tea party. Indeed when the console was released the only thing I knew was that it was a 64-bit console. Throughout the consoles life it was dogged with an underlying lack of publicity. Mario 64, Mario Kart 64 and perfect dark were the best games in their field, but they were only well known by people who read gaming press. And as such didn’t draw anybody new to gaming. As a result the Playstation which still covers well over 2 toe to head shelves in gaming stores enjoyed a massive fanbase, which paved the way for PS2.
The next generations of consoles have proved to be a media harlot. Initially started by the SEGA Dreamcast, the advertising frenzy has made this generation of consoles the most well known household name consoles. The PS2 reached out to its audience with its quirky “Third Place” adverts; the highlights included a man with a duck for a head. Whilst the adverts were lame, it was irrelevant, the massive PSX fanbase jumped onboard the newborn and made it a run away success.
After a storm of criticism for the poor support for the Nintendo 64 in Europe, Nintendo came through. Mixing in game footage with people being sucked into large glass cubes, a balance was struck and the latest releases have enjoyed primetime success on our TV screens. The adverts have delivered the console to a mass appeal ranging from the minors to cash filled adults.
The advertising machine behind the Xbox was inspired. The first advert I seen was mosquitoes humming a tune. After introducing a catchy upbeat rhythm the advert then went on to emphasise that we have a natural ability when it comes to playing games, and that we would be neglecting, or starving it if we were to ignore the Xbox. The second and best in my opinion, was one where a newborn child is propelled from the mother. Whilst flying through the air the child undergoes the changes from child to manhood before crashing into a coffin, emphasising that life is too short, so should be enjoyed.
This increase in advertising in the games industry has ignited a storm of new interest; it seems that these days everybody owns at least one games console. With the struggle to become the console which stands out from the crowd heightens it would be crazy not to assume that investment in advertising to the mass media will not be exploited more and more, and "As seen on TV" tags will be all the rage.
Thanks for reading.
OMFG!!!! I wrote that topic on whim. Thanks Sr much appreciated!!!!!
I think TV was oft ignored by companies like Nintendo because it was believed to be just as effective to advertise direct to the people who find the information most relevant, ie through dedicated magazines, and even small posters given away with purchased games detailing up and coming titles.
Even when the TV thing kicked off, it was all too well recognised that gamers rarely had the time to bother watching the TV shows that sprung up, hence Bad Influence's genius stroke "info blast" at the end which basically implied that gamers were in their bedrooms playing their games while the show was being recorded elsewhere.
However, the gamers of the 80s and early 90s aren't schoolkids anymore, and hence they will take time to watch TV, etc. Now is certainly the time for increased use of the TV medium, since a higher proportion of gamers have time to watch it. Any visual medium is acceptable now. Even an ad in the financial times would help shift a few units.
Gaming is such an addiction that it is not the market that is maturing, but the customer base. While obviously new customers come into the fray all the time of all ages, previously, not all ages were quite as dedicated to gaming.
If you know what I mean...
Even when the TV thing kicked off, it was all too well recognised that gamers rarely had the time to bother watching the TV shows that sprung up, hence Bad Influence's genius stroke "info blast" at the end which basically implied that gamers were in their bedrooms playing their games while the show was being recorded elsewhere.
However, the gamers of the 80s and early 90s aren't schoolkids anymore, and hence they will take time to watch TV, etc. Now is certainly the time for increased use of the TV medium, since a higher proportion of gamers have time to watch it. Any visual medium is acceptable now. Even an ad in the financial times would help shift a few units.
Gaming is such an addiction that it is not the market that is maturing, but the customer base. While obviously new customers come into the fray all the time of all ages, previously, not all ages were quite as dedicated to gaming.
If you know what I mean...
Hey, good post, cookie monster - a very interesting read!
Congratulations, that post definately deserved it
:-)
Congratulations, that post definately deserved it
:-)
We have become accustomed to seeing turkey drummers dancing around our screen and gorgeous women trying to sell nail varnish for years now. The reason we continue to be bombarded by these revised and revisited advertisements is due to the success that they can bestow upon a products sales figure.
When it came down to advertising in the games industry when I first dipped my toe into its hypnotic waters, there was very little coverage on TV. I was more familiar with the advertisement of my favourite bath time “Matey” now with octopus design, than with the appearance of the now infamous Atari logo.
It seems only right that in the days of the so-called “Bedroom programmer” that we saw very little of gaming on any media other than in dedicated magazines. The clandestine activities of a budding software genius were perhaps not the pinnacle of selling points during the golden era of gaming.
During this time gaming was considered to be somewhat sad and anti-social in its nature.
However after the launch of the 16-bit era it was not uncommon to see Mario or Sonic buzzing on our screens, and the advertising campaign by SEGA with the talking skull and crossbones, which led onto a new batch of fast moving in game footage. “To be this good takes ages” was the advertising pitch. It obviously had some merit as I can still remember it yet. During this time the game industry “evolved” no longer was gaming a loner hobby. Multi-tap Bomberman was all the rage, and it was great fun!
This had a notable affect on the industry, the darkened bedroom antics of a spotty teenager were shed, and a lighter, more socially acceptable coat was donned. Interest in gaming was much more widespread; this was encompassed by the popping up of TV shows such as Bad Influence and the now historic Gamesmaster, which apart from the Dexter Fletcher series was good viewing.
The incredible fan-fare created by the Playstation further pushed gaming into the mainstream, the “4 symbols” campaign was lodged and we seen the circle, square, cross and triangle on football boots and billboards. The napalm of advertising for Sony’s machine is undoubtedly a sole factor in the machine’s success.
When the advertising campaigns for the Playstation and N64 are compared the evidence is insurmountable. Whilst we were bombarded with Playstation hype the Nintendo 64 arrived in response with what can only be described as a tea party. Indeed when the console was released the only thing I knew was that it was a 64-bit console. Throughout the consoles life it was dogged with an underlying lack of publicity. Mario 64, Mario Kart 64 and perfect dark were the best games in their field, but they were only well known by people who read gaming press. And as such didn’t draw anybody new to gaming. As a result the Playstation which still covers well over 2 toe to head shelves in gaming stores enjoyed a massive fanbase, which paved the way for PS2.
The next generations of consoles have proved to be a media harlot. Initially started by the SEGA Dreamcast, the advertising frenzy has made this generation of consoles the most well known household name consoles. The PS2 reached out to its audience with its quirky “Third Place” adverts; the highlights included a man with a duck for a head. Whilst the adverts were lame, it was irrelevant, the massive PSX fanbase jumped onboard the newborn and made it a run away success.
After a storm of criticism for the poor support for the Nintendo 64 in Europe, Nintendo came through. Mixing in game footage with people being sucked into large glass cubes, a balance was struck and the latest releases have enjoyed primetime success on our TV screens. The adverts have delivered the console to a mass appeal ranging from the minors to cash filled adults.
The advertising machine behind the Xbox was inspired. The first advert I seen was mosquitoes humming a tune. After introducing a catchy upbeat rhythm the advert then went on to emphasise that we have a natural ability when it comes to playing games, and that we would be neglecting, or starving it if we were to ignore the Xbox. The second and best in my opinion, was one where a newborn child is propelled from the mother. Whilst flying through the air the child undergoes the changes from child to manhood before crashing into a coffin, emphasising that life is too short, so should be enjoyed.
This increase in advertising in the games industry has ignited a storm of new interest; it seems that these days everybody owns at least one games console. With the struggle to become the console which stands out from the crowd heightens it would be crazy not to assume that investment in advertising to the mass media will not be exploited more and more, and "As seen on TV" tags will be all the rage.
Thanks for reading.
When it came down to advertising in the games industry when I first dipped my toe into its hypnotic waters, there was very little coverage on TV. I was more familiar with the advertisement of my favourite bath time “Matey” now with octopus design, than with the appearance of the now infamous Atari logo.
It seems only right that in the days of the so-called “Bedroom programmer” that we saw very little of gaming on any media other than in dedicated magazines. The clandestine activities of a budding software genius were perhaps not the pinnacle of selling points during the golden era of gaming.
During this time gaming was considered to be somewhat sad and anti-social in its nature.
However after the launch of the 16-bit era it was not uncommon to see Mario or Sonic buzzing on our screens, and the advertising campaign by SEGA with the talking skull and crossbones, which led onto a new batch of fast moving in game footage. “To be this good takes ages” was the advertising pitch. It obviously had some merit as I can still remember it yet. During this time the game industry “evolved” no longer was gaming a loner hobby. Multi-tap Bomberman was all the rage, and it was great fun!
This had a notable affect on the industry, the darkened bedroom antics of a spotty teenager were shed, and a lighter, more socially acceptable coat was donned. Interest in gaming was much more widespread; this was encompassed by the popping up of TV shows such as Bad Influence and the now historic Gamesmaster, which apart from the Dexter Fletcher series was good viewing.
The incredible fan-fare created by the Playstation further pushed gaming into the mainstream, the “4 symbols” campaign was lodged and we seen the circle, square, cross and triangle on football boots and billboards. The napalm of advertising for Sony’s machine is undoubtedly a sole factor in the machine’s success.
When the advertising campaigns for the Playstation and N64 are compared the evidence is insurmountable. Whilst we were bombarded with Playstation hype the Nintendo 64 arrived in response with what can only be described as a tea party. Indeed when the console was released the only thing I knew was that it was a 64-bit console. Throughout the consoles life it was dogged with an underlying lack of publicity. Mario 64, Mario Kart 64 and perfect dark were the best games in their field, but they were only well known by people who read gaming press. And as such didn’t draw anybody new to gaming. As a result the Playstation which still covers well over 2 toe to head shelves in gaming stores enjoyed a massive fanbase, which paved the way for PS2.
The next generations of consoles have proved to be a media harlot. Initially started by the SEGA Dreamcast, the advertising frenzy has made this generation of consoles the most well known household name consoles. The PS2 reached out to its audience with its quirky “Third Place” adverts; the highlights included a man with a duck for a head. Whilst the adverts were lame, it was irrelevant, the massive PSX fanbase jumped onboard the newborn and made it a run away success.
After a storm of criticism for the poor support for the Nintendo 64 in Europe, Nintendo came through. Mixing in game footage with people being sucked into large glass cubes, a balance was struck and the latest releases have enjoyed primetime success on our TV screens. The adverts have delivered the console to a mass appeal ranging from the minors to cash filled adults.
The advertising machine behind the Xbox was inspired. The first advert I seen was mosquitoes humming a tune. After introducing a catchy upbeat rhythm the advert then went on to emphasise that we have a natural ability when it comes to playing games, and that we would be neglecting, or starving it if we were to ignore the Xbox. The second and best in my opinion, was one where a newborn child is propelled from the mother. Whilst flying through the air the child undergoes the changes from child to manhood before crashing into a coffin, emphasising that life is too short, so should be enjoyed.
This increase in advertising in the games industry has ignited a storm of new interest; it seems that these days everybody owns at least one games console. With the struggle to become the console which stands out from the crowd heightens it would be crazy not to assume that investment in advertising to the mass media will not be exploited more and more, and "As seen on TV" tags will be all the rage.
Thanks for reading.