Guess who patented a new system for in-game ads
The future's so bright you gotta wear shades.
Microsoft recently filed a patent for a system that dynamically pauses video games to display advertisements, according to reports from Tom's Hardware and Respawn First. The patent, titled "Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access," outlines a content management system that can suspend a user's interaction with a game based on a promoted content trigger event, and present audiovisual promoted content to the user.
The patent also proposes a credit system where users can earn tokens to exchange for ad-free game time, similar to ad-supported mobile games. Microsoft explains that traditional commercial breaks do not work well with video games, so a user-controlled, credit-based system is necessary for managing advertisement delivery. The patent also includes a feature to avoid deploying ads during critical moments in the game.
While some find this idea appalling, the silver lining is that patents do not always lead to implementation. Despite the concerns, Microsoft's head of content strategy, Matthew Ball, remains optimistic about the potential of in-game ads.
Written by urgent.news from PC Gamer's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
