Brace yourself gamers, this news might hit you hard. Sony is considering bringing game-freezing adverts to all of its consoles. (See also: How to watch PlayStation 4 launch live and watch the event live here: PS4 launch: live.) UPDATE: see our story - PS4 launching Holidays 2013 full details.
New mid-game advertising could change games forever
See also: PS4 price in UK; how much will the PlayStation 4 cost?
Shocking news isn't it? Picture yourself on the digital beaches of Normandy or in the middle of killings scores of virtual terrorists in Afghanistan and all of a sudden your game freezes and you're shown a trailer of the new Guy Ritchie film. Sounds horrific, doesn't it? See also PS4 release date, specs and rumour round-up.
Well that's exactly what Sony have just submitted an patent application for. 'Advertisement scheme for use with interactive content' is what the patent application is called to be more precise.
We've taken a quick look at how Sony foresees the game-freezing advert working and it's not pretty. Visit GTA 5 release date, features, maps and rumours.
Step one
First of all, the game will flash up a small text warning that "interactive content will be suspended" and the game will slow down.
Step two
"Suspending playing of the interactive content"
Step three
The advertisement will then run for an unconfirmed period of time.
Step four
Your game will then rewind a certain amount and then play will resume where you left off.
There is little information available at present as to whether Sony intends to use this technology in premium paid-for games for the PS3 and the PS4 when it's released. Or instead for the growing number of free app-style/arcade games that are being downloaded on smartphones, tablets and Xbox currently. See the full patent application here.
Comments
Bobbityboop said: Oh sweet victory I would rather pay for Xbox live than have ads randomly interrupting gameplay I think Sony is trying to destroy their gaming division
Arron Morton said: i can not see sony doing this as they know they will lose gamers like us They are not stupid Its just a stupid rumor as usual
Mr Mistoffelees said: If Sony do not rethink then abandon this idea they will find it damned hard to sell PS4s
Roygrant2 said: Stuff that No p24 for me
Ssss said: Sack the marketing teamI cant believe in this day and age this prehistoric pushbrainwash marketing is still in use for example I dont have an itchy scalp so why the heck should I be forced to watch a head and shoulders adSony I mean Kony has a knife in its back its going to be a slow painful death
Marty_Smith said: If youve paid for a game why should you pay for it twice
nosmada54 said: Gamers will leave sony by there hundreds I certainly will not be staying with them getting rid of my ps3 and definitely will not be getting a ps4 Bye bye sony