The article discusses the evolution of video game commercials, from the early days to the present. It highlights the challenges of advertising video games, as they cannot be fully experienced through a commercial, unlike movies. The article categorizes effective video game commercials into three types: humor, music, and emotional nostalgia.
1. Humor: Using humor to create a positive association with a game, such as the Snuggle Bear commercial for Battle Tanks or the Super Smash Brothers commercial.
2. Music: Using music to evoke emotions and create a connection with the game, such as the Assassin's Creed 2 commercial or the Gears of War commercial.
3. Emotional Nostalgia: Tapping into the emotional investment people have in the games they've played, such as the PlayStation 3 commercial featuring iconic Sony mascots or the Halo 3 "Believe" ad campaign.
The article concludes that the best video game commercials are those that create an emotional connection with the viewer, making them more likely to engage with the game.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Video game advertisements are different from other forms of entertainment because they can't simply show a trailer to convey the experience of playing the game.
2. The goal of video game commercials is to convey an experience or emotion that will entice potential consumers.
3. Video games existed before the 1990s, but the 1990s saw a surge in creative and aggressive advertising for games.
4. Sega Genesis ads often focused on calling players "losers" and comparing themselves to Super Nintendo.
5. PlayStation took a similar approach with their Crash Bandicoot ads, targeting Nintendo.
6. Nintendo, known for their family-friendly games, also used aggressive advertising tactics, such as the "Get N or Get Out" slogan for the N64.
7. Humor can be an effective way to win over an audience in video game commercials.
8. The use of music in video game commercials can evoke emotions and create a connection with the audience.
9. Cinematic CGI movies are often used in video game commercials to showcase the game's story and visuals.
10. Bill Withers' music was used in the commercial for Dante's Inferno, which the author remembers fondly.
11. The Grand Theft Auto 4 commercial featured a laid-back, stylish approach, showcasing the game's world and music.
12. The Gears of War commercial featured a haunting cover of "Mad World" by Gary Jules, which had a significant impact on the author.
13. Emotional and nostalgic commercials can tap into people's emotional investment in games they've played and spent time with.
14. The PlayStation 3 ad featuring iconic Sony mascots meeting at a pub celebrated the games people have played and spent time with.
15. The "Believe" ad campaign for Halo 3 featured documentary-style interviews with fictional survivors of the human-covenant war, showcasing the Master Chief.
16. The standout ad in the "Believe" campaign featured a meticulously crafted diorama of an enormous battle in the Halo universe, accompanied by Chopin's Raindrop Prelude.