Microsoft planning Kinect dashboard ads?

NUAds trademark hints at motion-controlled advertising for Xbox 360

Microsoft may be planning a new system of Kinect-enabled advertising for the Xbox 360, following the discovery of a new trademark for "NUAds".

A trademark application discovered by website Techie Buzz refers to a new service called NUAds and although Kinect is not mentioned by name it appears to be instrumental to the new concept.

"Advertising services, namely, promoting and marketing the goods and services of others through online interactive video games by enabling consumers to interact with third-party advertising content through voice or body gestures via computer game console and sensor devices", reads the description.

The description appears to imply advertising via the Xbox 360 dashboard, rather than in-game. Static and video advertising is already streamed via the current dashboard and a new fully Kinect-controlled version of the interface was unveiled at the recently concluded E3 expo.

The website Techie Buzz speculates that the new service may be an attempt by Microsoft to introduce an equivalent to Apple's iAds - a touch-controlled advertising platform for iOS developers.

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Latest comments (10)

Kevin Clark-Patterson Lecturer in Games Development, Lancaster and Morecambe College10 years ago

Makes sense I guess but so long as they are unobtrusive, would help offset costs but I would like to see a reduction/concession service charge of Live as a result

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Aleksi Ranta Category Management Project Manager 10 years ago

Im guessing this would be implemented only for Live-silver accounts and have Gold subscribers enjoy an ad-free environment.

Edited 1 times. Last edit by Aleksi Ranta on 14th June 2011 11:26am

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Dr. Chee Ming Wong , Opus Artz Ltd10 years ago

I dont know if we can escape these in game type ads, no matter what kind of subscription service.

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Joe Winkler trained retail salesman, Expert10 years ago

As long as it is based on similar interests I have nothing against it. Seeing the latest movie trailers doesn't bother much one or two mobile phone (windows live) isn't bad aswell.
The only problem would be adverstising for subjects like washing machines and other "non conected" items (wich wouldn't work well anyway).

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Andrew Goodchild Studying development, Train2Game10 years ago

I actually have no problem with in game ads if they don't mess up the game. If an interesting concept can become profitable at a lower sales figure due to advertising revenue, I see that as a good thing, but the cavaet is that it must not be obtrusive. Much rather that than overpriced DLC.

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Terence Gage Freelance writer 10 years ago

"Much rather that than overpriced DLC."

How about both!!

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Dr. Chee Ming Wong , Opus Artz Ltd10 years ago

Doesnt microsoft want your your kinect machien to connect to your washing machine, recycle bin, musical jukebox and credit card all in one move or finger gesture?

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Andrew Goodchild Studying development, Train2Game10 years ago

@Terence. Yep, that will most certainly be the case, but it will be the overpriced dlc I will be balking at, not the ads. However, I would like to see a situation where intead of charging 800p for 3 maps for "Popular shooter A", the publisher teamed up with "Softdrink manufacturer 1" to offer it free, with "SM1"'s logo displayed when one of those maps were loaded. Then "Hot New Shooter B" signs with "Rivel Softdrink company 2" to offer 4 maps, and you get all the new content for nothing more than seeing a logo. However, you'd no doubt get plenty of moaning, "It's not free, we pay for it with our eyes" type crap, but hey.

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Kenneth Mcmorran 3D/Environment Artist 10 years ago

I dont mind if there are ads so long as i can use kinect to pick them up off the dashboard, wipe my arse, scrumple them up and flush them down the virtual toilet that is xbox 360 dashboard.

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Curt Sampson Sofware Developer 10 years ago

I already find the advertising focus of the Live dashboard quite annoying. It's one of the things that keeps me wedded to my PS3 except for certain exclusive games.

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