MLB 2K9 Going Overboard with Stadium Advertising

by pastapadre
Posted February 14th, 2009 at 11:14 am

1234625094-media

I’ve never had any issues with in-game ads being displayed. This is because they have always been a natural fit, actually helping to increase the immersion factor. Seeing advertisements in places you would see them in real life they’ve makes sense. However with MLB 2K9 they may have finally crossed the line with how they are being inserted.

Thanks to Operation Sports who has provided screenshots of every stadium we can now see how certain ads (specifically Pepsi) are dominant. While it’s possible that some of those will be replaced with others dynamically throughout the year, what is of most concern is that 2K has added areas for ads that don’t actually exist in real life.

The most obvious example of this is Wrigley Field. A sign in center field has been inserted in order to get the State Farm advertisement in. Presumably this is because the ivy on the outfield wall prevents them from using that space to display their ads. Below you can see the State Farm sign in the 2K9 screen (top) and the real Wrigley (bottom).

wrigley2k9

There have also been some more subtle adjustments made to stadiums in order to get ads to fit. There are examples of outfield wall heights that have been made taller than they should be, apparently just to be able to insert a particular ad in that area. The left field at Nationals’ Park has been cited as a blatant example of this.

When asked about the State Farm sign in Wrigley one of the 2K9 developers responded by saying “Statefarm is a sponsor of our game and basically just like in actual stadiums where company’s pay money to advertise, statefarm pays us to advertise for them so we put up some signs for them.”

Again, when advertisements are in the appropriate places there is no reason to complain. However when it begins to affect the games with developers making changes to stadium designs in order to get them to fit or to include additional areas to place them it does become a concern.

Tags: latest news

Drew

Look…if 2k put out a quality product every year, then this wouldn't irk me nearly as much. The plain truth is, they put out a terrible product. Now, if all this money they are making of advertisements was some how given back to the consumers (in the form of a lower purchase price, or god forbid, a quality product) then it wouldn't be a big deal. Obviously the game hasn't come out yet, but judging the videos, it isn't going to be stellar. So none of this money was spent to hire a superior development staff or to put out a superior product. And I doubt the game will have a price under $60.

So 2k pockets the additional revenue and will continue to make a poor product since they have a niche market on the XBOX 360 side. No competition. As long as people keep ponying up the cash, nothing much will ever change. And based on the reader comments on here, some people are just convinced that this is actually a good game.

Let me just say this: any game that changes it's stadium designs to place a Pepsi or StateFarm advert is not going to be quality. When you start sacrificing accuracy and authenticity (as in accurate and authentic stadiums with, I don't know, true-to-life wall heights and buildings?) in lieu of product placement, your intentions are certainly clear.

Have fun with this game, guys.

Mike123

I totally agree and I am not a show person. I mean I have played the show but it is like a million times better. These people that only have xbox 360 have to defend 2k baseball becuase they have nothing else (do you blame them!). From the vidz I saw its almost embarrasing. I got banned from operations sports becuase I wasn't allowed to express my opinion on 2k vidz so I told the moderator to take a flying heep. Compare the both game vidz and you will see The Show is so much better. I played The SHow demo and a ball was hit to shortstop Jummy Rollins and the ball hopped hitting him in the should and hopped over him. Absolutly superb. All I saw from 2k vidz were home runs and fly balls..Ugghhhhhh

Mister Woods

"I got banned from operations sports becuase I wasn't allowed to express my opinion on 2k vidz so I told the moderator to take a flying heep."

because you probably did over there, what you are doing over here..imagine somebody standing in the middle of the street yelling at all the cars and people passing by, over high gas prices…why is he angry at something that nobody disagrees with him over? it makes him look crazy, would it not?

that is how you "THE SHOW IS MY LIFE SOURCE" fanatics are coming off all over the internet…you all haven't even slowed up to notice that most XBOX 360 owners agree with just about everything you all have to say about PREVIOUS 2k baseball offerings…

just calm down for a litle while. trust me, everything will be alright. and trust me, you won't be getting banned anymore.

Mike123

Oh shut up its a friggin website for crying out loud…Get a life

Smokez4Dayz

drew, you don't have to buy the game, or be at a website talking about it. whats your purpose? you're bad mouth reviewing LAST YEARs game…New Developers on this game. Its In House. VC, the guys that made NBA2K a better brand than LIVE…Its not a tacked on version of last years game, which when you bums wanna diss a sports title, you all love that lame line, "the same as last year with new rosters" No. You don't have to be here spreading hate. You don't have to buy the game. Nobody is making you give a comment. Please Pasta is an asshole for starting a lame post, that just hates on 2k

Drew

Look…if 2k put out a quality product every year, then this wouldn't irk me nearly as much. The plain truth is, they put out a terrible product. Now, if all this money they are making of advertisements was some how given back to the consumers (in the form of a lower purchase price, or god forbid, a quality product) then it wouldn't be a big deal. Obviously the game hasn't come out yet, but judging the videos, it isn't going to be stellar. So none of this money was spent to hire a superior development staff or to put out a superior product. And I doubt the game will have a price under $60.

So 2k pockets the additional revenue and will continue to make a poor product since they have a niche market on the XBOX 360 side. No competition. As long as people keep ponying up the cash, nothing much will ever change. And based on the reader comments on here, some people are just convinced that this is actually a good game.

Let me just say this: any game that changes it's stadium designs to place a Pepsi or StateFarm advert is not going to be quality. When you start sacrificing accuracy and authenticity (as in accurate and authentic stadiums with, I don't know, true-to-life wall heights and buildings?) in lieu of product placement, your intentions are certainly clear.

Have fun with this game, guys.

Mike123

I totally agree and I am not a show person. I mean I have played the show but it is like a million times better. These people that only have xbox 360 have to defend 2k baseball becuase they have nothing else (do you blame them!). From the vidz I saw its almost embarrasing. I got banned from operations sports becuase I wasn't allowed to express my opinion on 2k vidz so I told the moderator to take a flying heep. Compare the both game vidz and you will see The Show is so much better. I played The SHow demo and a ball was hit to shortstop Jummy Rollins and the ball hopped hitting him in the should and hopped over him. Absolutly superb. All I saw from 2k vidz were home runs and fly balls..Ugghhhhhh

Mister Woods

"I got banned from operations sports becuase I wasn't allowed to express my opinion on 2k vidz so I told the moderator to take a flying heep."

because you probably did over there, what you are doing over here..imagine somebody standing in the middle of the street yelling at all the cars and people passing by, over high gas prices…why is he angry at something that nobody disagrees with him over? it makes him look crazy, would it not?

that is how you "THE SHOW IS MY LIFE SOURCE" fanatics are coming off all over the internet…you all haven't even slowed up to notice that most XBOX 360 owners agree with just about everything you all have to say about PREVIOUS 2k baseball offerings…

just calm down for a litle while. trust me, everything will be alright. and trust me, you won't be getting banned anymore.

Mike123

Oh shut up its a friggin website for crying out loud…Get a life

Smokez4Dayz

drew, you don't have to buy the game, or be at a website talking about it. whats your purpose? you're bad mouth reviewing LAST YEARs game…New Developers on this game. Its In House. VC, the guys that made NBA2K a better brand than LIVE…Its not a tacked on version of last years game, which when you bums wanna diss a sports title, you all love that lame line, "the same as last year with new rosters" No. You don't have to be here spreading hate. You don't have to buy the game. Nobody is making you give a comment. Please Pasta is an asshole for starting a lame post, that just hates on 2k

aaron

great post i totally agree with everything
aaron

great post i totally agree with everything
razyshady

2k sports is a joke.

No one is going to buy this shitty game on the Ps3… all about MLB 09 The Show!
razyshady

2k sports is a joke.

No one is going to buy this shitty game on the Ps3… all about MLB 09 The Show!
Mister Woods

and yes, the ads in this game are excessive and look a little crazy. I just hope the play on the field is a good enough distraction to where It won't be as obvious.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pacmanfan21 pacmanfan21

stop your whining

Mister Woods

and yes, the ads in this game are excessive and look a little crazy. I just hope the play on the field is a good enough distraction to where It won't be as obvious.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pacmanfan21 pacmanfan21

stop your whining

cmc2of3

They have to sell advertising to stay in the black because of the low sales of their product vice the cost of the exclusive MLB 3rd party license. Makes perfect sense to me. It also explains why you won't see a price break. I'm betting they're barely breaking even as is.
cmc2of3

They have to sell advertising to stay in the black because of the low sales of their product vice the cost of the exclusive MLB 3rd party license. Makes perfect sense to me. It also explains why you won't see a price break. I'm betting they're barely breaking even as is.
Mike 123

Plus who is angry, I am saying your not aloud to express an opinion. If I wanna yell I damn well will yell
Mike 123

Plus who is angry, I am saying your not aloud to express an opinion. If I wanna yell I damn well will yell
DLane

I think that maybe 2k and EA should just trade their exclusive licenses with one another lol.

Chris

Unfortunately, that wouldn't help. Both parties have already proven that they can't handle an exclusive license.

DLane

I think that maybe 2k and EA should just trade their exclusive licenses with one another lol.

Chris

Unfortunately, that wouldn't help. Both parties have already proven that they can't handle an exclusive license.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pacmanfan21 pacmanfan21

2k sucks end of story

Pierre

Ya that wrigley field looks like they werent looking and apprechiating the real Wrigley Field.Its a classic, yet 2k has made a circus of our pastime.Those numbskulls dont understand what baseball is.If only Sony could release on 360 so all you unfortunate fools dont and shouldnt be stuck with this crappy2k9.Even if they fixed the gameplay which they probably didnt!Doesnt make it ok to put ads were they feel like!On top of that the game will still be crappy and those who do purchase wiffleballcrap2k9 wont even get a free soda, not one!You consumers should get a free six pack atleast for buyen that crap theyve made over at 2k!Ridiculous and if I was rich id buy them out and Pepsi and tell them to go fuck themselves!Meanwhile I would have decent programmer and developers making a solid baseball next gen title like the amazing Show 09!Peace and go buy PS3 and the Show wven if you have to wait till x-mas!Youll be ashamed realizing the crap 2k been robben you with the last 5 years with baseball.I give them props on NBA2k!

http://intensedebate.com/people/pacmanfan21 pacmanfan21

2k sucks end of story

Pierre

Ya that wrigley field looks like they werent looking and apprechiating the real Wrigley Field.Its a classic, yet 2k has made a circus of our pastime.Those numbskulls dont understand what baseball is.If only Sony could release on 360 so all you unfortunate fools dont and shouldnt be stuck with this crappy2k9.Even if they fixed the gameplay which they probably didnt!Doesnt make it ok to put ads were they feel like!On top of that the game will still be crappy and those who do purchase wiffleballcrap2k9 wont even get a free soda, not one!You consumers should get a free six pack atleast for buyen that crap theyve made over at 2k!Ridiculous and if I was rich id buy them out and Pepsi and tell them to go fuck themselves!Meanwhile I would have decent programmer and developers making a solid baseball next gen title like the amazing Show 09!Peace and go buy PS3 and the Show wven if you have to wait till x-mas!Youll be ashamed realizing the crap 2k been robben you with the last 5 years with baseball.I give them props on NBA2k!

http://intensedebate.com/people/pacmanfan21 pacmanfan21

HOW DO YOU SCREW WRIGLEY FIELD UP WITH THAT GAY STATE FARM SIGN???
http://intensedebate.com/people/pacmanfan21 pacmanfan21

HOW DO YOU SCREW WRIGLEY FIELD UP WITH THAT GAY STATE FARM SIGN???
peter bishop

one of the funnier things about the advertising of pepsi in every park is when you have a park say like minute maid park. minute maid is owned by pepsi's rival coke, so there is no way in hell there would be any traces f pepsi in a park that coke is paying millions of dollars for naming rights!
peter bishop

one of the funnier things about the advertising of pepsi in every park is when you have a park say like minute maid park. minute maid is owned by pepsi's rival coke, so there is no way in hell there would be any traces f pepsi in a park that coke is paying millions of dollars for naming rights!
http://intensedebate.com/people/FreezerBoy FreezerBoy

It's one sign, is it really gonna ruin your experience?

T-Zone

Nope, because we got MLB 09 THE SHOW BABY!

http://intensedebate.com/people/FreezerBoy FreezerBoy

It's one sign, is it really gonna ruin your experience?

T-Zone

Nope, because we got MLB 09 THE SHOW BABY!

http://intensedebate.com/people/pacmanfan21 pacmanfan21

yes it will 2k sucks
http://intensedebate.com/people/pacmanfan21 pacmanfan21

yes it will 2k sucks
Trev

Don't forget Progressive Field having the State Farm ads too lol
Trev

Don't forget Progressive Field having the State Farm ads too lol
Larry Fitzgerald.

yet half of these people that commented will show up opening day and throw down there 60 bucks.

Dagb

Not this year. No one is choosing 2k over The Show this year, unless they dont have the system to play the show.

Larry Fitzgerald.

yet half of these people that commented will show up opening day and throw down there 60 bucks.

Dagb

Not this year. No one is choosing 2k over The Show this year, unless they dont have the system to play the show.

FraN

What a disaster! It looks like "PEPSI PARK"
FraN

What a disaster! It looks like "PEPSI PARK"
Pepsi dude.

Im drinking pepsi right now Cheers!
Pepsi dude.

Im drinking pepsi right now Cheers!
http://intensedebate.com/people/ferris ferris

i just read that 2k9 will have living rosters just like nba 2k9
http://intensedebate.com/people/ferris ferris

i just read that 2k9 will have living rosters just like nba 2k9
Pierre

I didnt realize Tropicana Field could get any uglier and this coming from a Rays fan.2k is retarted and there designers mustve gone to the design school i withdrew from for being crappy school.I mean they put like Pepsi on top of Pepsi and on top of that they put Pepsi.Me seeing all those Pepsi signs just makes me want to have a Coke!Maybe 1 or 2 or even 3 ads of Pepsi, but 7.Seven fucken Pepsi ads people and thats not showing the rest of the stadium!I bet if you asked the artist who worked on Tropicana Field fr 2k whats the name of that stadium you work on?, he wouldnt know and probably couldnt name 3 players on Rays!Cheez I think my 8 year old nephew could draw a more realistic looking Wrigley Field.2k shouldve done deal with CapriSun or Koolaid because the weight of goodness that game will have will only be enjoyable for kids that dont understand the pure beauty that baseball is and what it should be on a 300$ system!
Pierre

I didnt realize Tropicana Field could get any uglier and this coming from a Rays fan.2k is retarted and there designers mustve gone to the design school i withdrew from for being crappy school.I mean they put like Pepsi on top of Pepsi and on top of that they put Pepsi.Me seeing all those Pepsi signs just makes me want to have a Coke!Maybe 1 or 2 or even 3 ads of Pepsi, but 7.Seven fucken Pepsi ads people and thats not showing the rest of the stadium!I bet if you asked the artist who worked on Tropicana Field fr 2k whats the name of that stadium you work on?, he wouldnt know and probably couldnt name 3 players on Rays!Cheez I think my 8 year old nephew could draw a more realistic looking Wrigley Field.2k shouldve done deal with CapriSun or Koolaid because the weight of goodness that game will have will only be enjoyable for kids that dont understand the pure beauty that baseball is and what it should be on a 300$ system!
Pierre

Living Rosters is dumb because a videogame player shouldnt overall have his virtual attributes affected because he had bad game!Then you start a season and you guys are stuck with Manny missing everything because his hair got in his eyes for one game in real life.Its stupid unless you can implement those daily rosters on your franchise, but you cant because your stuck with whatever roster you started with.So 2k figure out your baseball.Maybe watch a game or two.2k theres this old stadium Wrigley Field its been around for like 100 years.It looks almost just like it did in the old days, but yet you guys put State Farm in center.YOU GUYS ARE NUMBSKULLS AND THIEVES!Yet youll make more money then ive made my whole life!If it wasnt for Nba2k and The Show I would really hate 2k!stick to the court and making a sequel for that weird game underwater which wasnt that great!
Pierre

Living Rosters is dumb because a videogame player shouldnt overall have his virtual attributes affected because he had bad game!Then you start a season and you guys are stuck with Manny missing everything because his hair got in his eyes for one game in real life.Its stupid unless you can implement those daily rosters on your franchise, but you cant because your stuck with whatever roster you started with.So 2k figure out your baseball.Maybe watch a game or two.2k theres this old stadium Wrigley Field its been around for like 100 years.It looks almost just like it did in the old days, but yet you guys put State Farm in center.YOU GUYS ARE NUMBSKULLS AND THIEVES!Yet youll make more money then ive made my whole life!If it wasnt for Nba2k and The Show I would really hate 2k!stick to the court and making a sequel for that weird game underwater which wasnt that great!
Pedro45

PIERRE I ENJOY READING YOUR COMMENTS!Comment on man your grrrrreeeeeaaaaatttt!
Pedro45

PIERRE I ENJOY READING YOUR COMMENTS!Comment on man your grrrrreeeeeaaaaatttt!
Qurell

That screenshot looks AWFUL!
Qurell

That screenshot looks AWFUL!
Smokez4dayz

When you say people defend 2k because with an XBOX 360 thats the only game we can get. But OVERALL, A PS3 guy telling A 360 guy about variety in gaming? give me a break. I have PS3 owners asking when can they get the GTA downloaded Content. LMAO! PS3 guys who like XBOX LIVE way more PSTORE.

About the ADs: So freaking what. how come Pasta didnt' attack FRAMERATE and DELAYS? How come the videos have not been dissed? Only blind fans of the show have dissed 2K this year. Op Sports is in love with MLB2k9. Even pasta talking about ADs, means He's got nothing else to complain about. And you blind followers are just reaching. Viva La MLB 2K9! Ads. really. shouldn't you be watching the ball in play, or making your pitch? what the hell do you care about the amount of ADS? give me a break, brothers. please.

hank aaron

smokez4dayz, huh? you must be smoking crack then. the gameplay videos on operationsports.com are horrible. why am i watching xbox/ps2 gen graphics on a 360/ps3 system? and i' m sorry, the stadiums are f*cked up son. the great thing about baseball is that each ball park has its unique features that impacts the actual gameplay, so if your adding imaginary buildings in the wrigley skyline and building a non existing green monster over at nationals park, there's a problem.

its not a xbl vs psn issue, its a get your head out of your ass 2k and build a freakin overall quality product instead of slummin because of your limited competition.

Smokez4dayz

When you say people defend 2k because with an XBOX 360 thats the only game we can get. But OVERALL, A PS3 guy telling A 360 guy about variety in gaming? give me a break. I have PS3 owners asking when can they get the GTA downloaded Content. LMAO! PS3 guys who like XBOX LIVE way more PSTORE.

About the ADs: So freaking what. how come Pasta didnt' attack FRAMERATE and DELAYS? How come the videos have not been dissed? Only blind fans of the show have dissed 2K this year. Op Sports is in love with MLB2k9. Even pasta talking about ADs, means He's got nothing else to complain about. And you blind followers are just reaching. Viva La MLB 2K9! Ads. really. shouldn't you be watching the ball in play, or making your pitch? what the hell do you care about the amount of ADS? give me a break, brothers. please.

hank aaron

smokez4dayz, huh? you must be smoking crack then. the gameplay videos on operationsports.com are horrible. why am i watching xbox/ps2 gen graphics on a 360/ps3 system? and i' m sorry, the stadiums are f*cked up son. the great thing about baseball is that each ball park has its unique features that impacts the actual gameplay, so if your adding imaginary buildings in the wrigley skyline and building a non existing green monster over at nationals park, there's a problem.

its not a xbl vs psn issue, its a get your head out of your ass 2k and build a freakin overall quality product instead of slummin because of your limited competition.

Kenneth Kraly Jr.

I personly don't have a problem with the ads in baseball videogames. Why is everyone so conserd about it. It's just a ad or ads.

Mister Woods

I said this a long time ago: in order to successfully criticize 2k9, you have to nit pick. I'm literally waiting on somebody to shout out "OMG!! THIS LOOKZ LIKE A FRIGGIN VIDEO GAME!!!1 WHY DO I HAVE TO HOLD A CONTROLLER TO HIT THE BALL!!! 2k SUX!!"

but browse around the internet – 2k9's gameplay videos are getting praise everywhere you look. When the game is released, expect it to score higher than THE SHOW. watch and see.

Kenneth Kraly Jr.

I personly don't have a problem with the ads in baseball videogames. Why is everyone so conserd about it. It's just a ad or ads.

Mister Woods

I said this a long time ago: in order to successfully criticize 2k9, you have to nit pick. I'm literally waiting on somebody to shout out "OMG!! THIS LOOKZ LIKE A FRIGGIN VIDEO GAME!!!1 WHY DO I HAVE TO HOLD A CONTROLLER TO HIT THE BALL!!! 2k SUX!!"

but browse around the internet – 2k9's gameplay videos are getting praise everywhere you look. When the game is released, expect it to score higher than THE SHOW. watch and see.

Blackout

Let's take a petition to the Supreme Court. Our gaming experiences have been monopolized and ruined. This is horsecrap. I want MVP Baseball back. Or better yet All-Star baseball. Even thought it had Jeter on the cover it was awesome. 2k is complete disappointment. They're like the Cubs of sports gaming. Every release there is excitement built up but then utter collapse. Its a shame.
Blackout

Let's take a petition to the Supreme Court. Our gaming experiences have been monopolized and ruined. This is horsecrap. I want MVP Baseball back. Or better yet All-Star baseball. Even thought it had Jeter on the cover it was awesome. 2k is complete disappointment. They're like the Cubs of sports gaming. Every release there is excitement built up but then utter collapse. Its a shame.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

It is not the point of the advertising being existent. To me, it's more the fact that some of the stadiums' designs have been altered to fit the ads. Does it impact playing the game? Probably not. I feel that most people want "real". When a team's stadium design is altered to fit ads that aren't actually in the stadium it ruins the immersion.

What if they shrunk the Green Monster to accommodate advertisers, or they removed the hand-operated scoreboard in Wrigley and replaced it with ads? 2K didn't but they did in some parks…In my opinion, that shouldn't happen….Other than that, I have no issues with ad placement…
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

It is not the point of the advertising being existent. To me, it's more the fact that some of the stadiums' designs have been altered to fit the ads. Does it impact playing the game? Probably not. I feel that most people want "real". When a team's stadium design is altered to fit ads that aren't actually in the stadium it ruins the immersion.

What if they shrunk the Green Monster to accommodate advertisers, or they removed the hand-operated scoreboard in Wrigley and replaced it with ads? 2K didn't but they did in some parks…In my opinion, that shouldn't happen….Other than that, I have no issues with ad placement…