AfterDawn: News

Vote for Obama ads sighted in 'Burnout Paradise'

Gamers may be surprised to find that while driving through their favorite parts of town in the Xbox 360 version of the hit game Burnout Paradise, Presidential hopeful Barack Obama will be looking down at them from a few of the game's virtual billboards.

The billboard ads, which feature Obama's face and the tagline "Early Voting Has Begun. VoteForChange.com", have been sighted by gamers and the publisher Electronic Arts has confirmed that the campaign paid to have the ads placed there.

"Like most television, radio and print outlets, we accept advertising from credible political candidates," EA spokeswoman Holly Rockwood added. "Like political spots on the television networks, these ads do not reflect the political policies of EA or the opinions of its development teams."

The image is linked below:
Obama ad in Xbox version of Burnout Paradise



Will we see John McCain in GTA IV next?

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 14 Oct 2008 14:23

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• 31 comments

• DVDBack23

  I understand that this article is political in nature, but please keep all political preferences to yourself or I can assure you a mod will close this very fast, thank you :)

  14.10.2008 14:28 #1

• Notcow

  Is EA being scolded because of this?
  I see nothing wrong Obama ads in Burnout.Is EA supposed to be totally limited in what they can advertise?
  It would leave more of a dent if the fact was that they turned down a political candidate the right to advertise in one of their games because of EA's political stance...but that's not the case.
  
  Personally,it's just another big waste of money by Obama...but I guess he thinks this'll get him votes.
  

  Lust,Gluttony,Greed,Sloth,Envy,and Pride...
  Both the 7 Deadly Sins,and most anti-piracy groups.

  14.10.2008 14:35 #2

• windsong

  Oh goodie, another locked thread.
  
  So exciting..

  14.10.2008 14:38 #3

• Pop_Smith

  Are the ads in the game dynamic?
  
  If not, it will be funny to see that ad if you are playing the game in a year or two.
  
  Personally I think it was a smart move by Obama, as it sounds like his primary "voters" are young ones and having some ads in a video game they play is a decent way to reach them in my opinion.
  
  Normally I wouldn't pay attention to virtual billboards but if I saw someone's face from the news or other media on one I would probably have a double take to see if that really was an ad for them or not.
  
  Peace

  14.10.2008 14:52 #4

• Sazy

  I think if publishers are going to allow for content advertising it should subsidize the cost of the game and the subscription service to the consumer.
  
  Honestly, I am voting Obama, but the LAST think I want when I sit down to relax and play Live is for all of my worries of our countries future to intrude on my joy.

  14.10.2008 15:38 #5

• Paladore

  thats pretty cool. I like this ingame advertising. Just wish it reduces the cost of the games or forget that.....make xbox live free instead of subscription to everyone. taht would be pretty cool playing halo 3 and seeing cocacola signs on wall instead of having to pay to play online.

  14.10.2008 16:08 #6

• miltex

  Politics have sunk to a new low in the US, ads for candidates in the game ? What's next, ads on toilet paper (where they really belong) ?
  

  When the chips are down, you can count on miltex !
  
  
  

  14.10.2008 16:12 #7

• slickwill

  So basically if you own the 360 version of Burnout Paradise, but have never played that game on Xbox Live, then that ad won't been seen?

  14.10.2008 17:12 #8

• PantherM

  Interesting ideal....but I'm not a fan of political ads (from any party) in my video games....

  14.10.2008 19:43 #9

• joonbugg

  I think you are right slickwill. I have played countless hours of Burnout Paradise on the 360, but I dont play on live, and I have never seen those ads. I think you have to play on live to see them.

  14.10.2008 19:52 #10

• Mik3h

  EA has sunken to a new low. Not something I thought was possible.

  14.10.2008 20:57 #11

• Buik

  Ah yes, let the indoctrination of our youth begin in earnest.
  
  If you have Dish TV, check out channel 73. The 24/7 Obama channel.
  
  Throw in the ACORN scandals and we might be witnessing a blast from the past, and not long ago.

  14.10.2008 21:04 #12

• 13thHouR

  Dynamic Adds suck and should not be tolerated.
  
  Boycott Burnout Paradise and every other title that includes this brain washing aimed at our kids.
  

  The RIAA - BPI - IFPI - CRIA - Ect - Ect Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.
  
  Dont allow them to hide behind the trade body names, name and shame em.

  15.10.2008 04:32 #13

• lynchGOP

  Alright!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  I'm all about discussing politics. Level headed and controlled political discussions is a serious sign of intelligence. Those that FREAK out and take it 10 steps out of line and those that hide and shy away and ignore conversations such as these are usually weak minded and irrational.
  
  That being said..........I think it is OK for game developers to pass their views on their own creations. IT'S HOW PEOPLE LEARN AND BECOME INFORMED. I believe CHURCHES should stay out of this and stop passing onto their followers. Church and state don't and shouldn't mix. PERIOD.
  
  I'm sure a great many stupid, uninformed and clueless, mindless video gamers out there would see that and say "Hey, I've heard of that name before; I'm gonna look into that". And hopefully at that point they would educate themselves about the issues at hand and make an intelligent decision about whom to vote for.
  
  Sure beats those lazy morons out there who proactively DON'T VOTE for lame reasons like "I don't like either one of them".................That's just great.........let's not cast an opinion at all and default the the worst case scenario.
  
  Electoral college (terrible idea in my opinion) or not people, YOUR VOTE GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN. NO VOTE NEGATES THAT RIGHT.

  15.10.2008 09:56 #14

• Clownzill

  A political organization buying in-game advertising is no different than a business buying in-game advertising. It's advertising a product either way. Have it be a car, sandwich, or political candidate it's ALL serving the same purpose. If you were angry about in-game advertising before this you should be just as angry now and the same goes for the other direction. This has NOTHING to do with politics and everything to do with in-game advertising........love it or hate it.

  15.10.2008 12:44 #15

• quagmire0

  This is worse than the time Adolph Hitler bought airtime on Howdy Doody.

  15.10.2008 15:47 #16

• quagmire0

  Originally posted by lynchGOP: Alright!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  I'm all about discussing politics. Level headed and controlled political discussions is a serious sign of intelligence. Those that FREAK out and take it 10 steps out of line and those that hide and shy away and ignore conversations such as these are usually weak minded and irrational.
  
  That being said..........I think it is OK for game developers to pass their views on their own creations. IT'S HOW PEOPLE LEARN AND BECOME INFORMED. I believe CHURCHES should stay out of this and stop passing onto their followers. Church and state don't and shouldn't mix. PERIOD.Obama has started a very, very bad trend. Just wait until those SUPERCHURCHES start advertising! Imagine wiping the floor with someone in Halo 4 and then seeing an AD on the wall berating you for being so violent. :D

  15.10.2008 15:56 #17

• pntbgwa

  Considering the fact that Obama has made negative comments about video games and the gamers, I think that EA might be hurting the industry.

  18.10.2008 18:11 #18

• Mr-Movies

  I certainly don’t want to pay for someone to advertise to me especially when I’m trying to relax playing a game. EA has been getting bad for some time now so nothing new.
  
  Also it wouldn’t be smart to put an advertisement in you product that is going to turn off half of your market share limiting your sales. Not a bright move for someone who claims to be intelligent. This is why you will not see political advertising promoted by resellers and manufactures typically. Even when companies give monies to political candidates it is normally to both sides covering all bases in the company’s best interests.
  
  Obama talks out of both sides of his mouth so he may have indorsed video games at some point if you take the time to look back through his public records.
  
  You can’t blame Obama though for doing this from his angle it was a very smart move as more young people are going to be open to him for obvious reasons.

  27.10.2008 16:02 #19

• varnull

  If you live in the south you should carve yourself an "Obama Pumpkin Lantern" http://www.spookmaster.com/pumpkin-carvi...arack-obama.htm ...
  After scaring the living bejeesus out of everybody on halloween.. you can use it for target practice on Saturday XD
  
  BTW.. EA are doing a great job of destroying the PC gaming business all on their own.. They don't need any help from Barack on that one.. trust me.
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work. The flower of carnage-shura no hana..

  27.10.2008 16:10 #20

• Mr-Movies

  Originally posted by varnull: If you live in the south you should carve yourself an "Obama Pumpkin Lantern" http://www.spookmaster.com/pumpkin-carvi...arack-obama.htm ...
  After scaring the living bejeesus out of everybody on halloween.. you can use it for target practice on Saturday XD
  Now that is the best idea sofar... LOL way to go Varnull

  27.10.2008 16:14 #21

• varnull

  Originally posted by miltex: Politics have sunk to a new low in the US, ads for candidates in the game ? What's next, ads on toilet paper (where they really belong) ?McCain in your growler... great cure for constipation methinks ;)
  
  ..ooOO.. "Remember Luke.. Use the farce"
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work. The flower of carnage-shura no hana..

  27.10.2008 16:19 #22