WipEout HD in-game ads return, still affect load times

by Randy Nelson { Nov 19th 2009 at 8:15PM }

Fans of Sony's blistering anti-grav racer WipEout HD will no doubt recall the game's update to version 2.0 back in August. That's because one of the additions came in the form of advertisements that would play during race loading screens. Having to see ads in a game you've paid full price for is one thing, the fact that they nearly doubled load times is another. Thankfully, Sony responded to an outpouring of ire over the ads by yanking them. Well, as we were warned last month, they're back.

The 2.10 update for WipEout HD boldly proclaims that "Changes have been made so that any adverts shown during loading screens will not adversely affect the loading times" upon first launch. OK, ads are back, but at least they don't increase load times -- right? Not so fast. When loading a particular race, we perceived some degree of delay while the ad (in this case for Fat Princess) played. Wanting to make sure it wan't just in our ads-in-our-games-can-leave-now-please heads, we timed it. Lo and behold, the same course loads in 16.9 seconds without the ad and 21.7 with it -- an almost five second difference.

The results were more or less the same for every track we tried, with smaller venues loading faster, naturally. So, despite assurances otherwise, load times are being affected by the re-instated ads. We're working to get in touch with Sony and the game's developer, SCEE Studio Liverpool, to find out exactly what gives.

[Thanks, Ken!]

Tags: in-game-advertising, load-times, psn, scee, scee-studio-liverpool, sony, wipeout, wipeout-hd, wipeout-hd-fury

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

finalstar @ Nov 19th 2009 8:20PM

First?

Darkfocus @ Nov 19th 2009 8:38PM

the random comment battlefield beta code give away isn't even on this article I F***in hate all these people making nonsense comments not related to the article

Terrible Ideal Joystiq >:(

black_ryuk @ Nov 19th 2009 8:23PM

Darn..so close...

Friend @ Nov 19th 2009 8:45PM

That's pretty big considering how fast it would start to add up.

Darkfocus @ Nov 19th 2009 8:59PM

thanks for trying to contact sony Joystiq. If the get enough community pressure hopefully they'll remove them again

SolidSnakeX @ Dec 7th 2009 1:56AM

Sony never refunded me I can't play this game on the American Servers doesn't make any since at all Corrupted data..I can though play this game on my German account1?..Weird Servers.....But rude Sony..

ColorblindMonk @ Nov 19th 2009 9:06PM

Here's an idea. How about we DON'T put ads in games. Ever.

joshua_w @ Nov 19th 2009 9:31PM

Putting advertisements in a free game would be understandable. But inserting advertisements into a game I have PAID for is simply unacceptable. Especially when they affect the experience in a negative way.

Rich @ Nov 20th 2009 7:59AM

Very simple. If the game had ads in from the start then I would never have bought it, and I'm sure there are may here that feel the same. Now I will never play it again and morally I feel I should get my money back.

You can imagine the outcry if Spotify decided to inflict ads onto its premium subscribers. In game advertising is pernicious - we should not tolerate it on the platform.

I suggest that we don't buy games that have it in. And that we don't buy products that are advertised within games. The surest way to lose an advertising medium is to ensure that it is ineffective.

tony c @ Nov 19th 2009 9:34PM

sigh, i was goina buy Wipeout HD but not like this. This is just sad. I mean we pay for a game to pllay. not be bombarded with adverts!

Granger @ Nov 19th 2009 9:57PM

I love watching ads for games I own on games I own. This is annoying as hell. It also makes about as much sense as a 30 second advertisement for 30 Rock during 30 Rock... Are you really paying yourself ad revenue?

kevin @ Nov 19th 2009 10:53PM

Shame on Sony in this move,ill never buy a game with ad in and if this affect the load time even less

OAKside @ Nov 20th 2009 2:21AM

What was the reasoning behind these ads anyway? Blatant advertisements in any game ($10+) is totally unacceptable. I'm okay with *some* realistic in-game product placement, but commercials suck--even while loading. Finish testing this horrible revenue model, gather hate, and good luck on your new studio name SCEE Liverpool!

zelos @ Nov 20th 2009 3:49AM

I deleted Wipeout the first time I saw a video advert, I'm not going to reinstall until Sony remove the adverts. I complained to Sony customer services about it as well - I only got the stock "Thank you for your comments" reply, but if enough people complain it might make a difference.

I paid for the game already, I think it's appalling that Sony would retroactively add adverts to a game like this.

Solace @ Nov 20th 2009 5:26AM

I honestly don't think it's so horrible. WipEout HD is less than $30 with DLC and has as much content as a full release game. I think they did the fans a favor with that low price and maybe they deserve something in return so by us waiting 5 secs more is that so excruciating that we want to go rant on the internet and to sony?

Judgegeo @ Nov 20th 2009 7:22AM

OH NO. 5 seconds extra loading time. It must be the end of the world.

Space @ Nov 20th 2009 8:10AM

This is just the beginning.

look at tv. A 30 minute show used to have 5 minutes of commercials. Now, a lot of shows have 9 minutes of commercials

mercurywa @ Nov 20th 2009 11:44AM

What space says is true.

"Well gee... they don't mind waiting 10 seconds more, so let's try for 20 next time."

Next thing you know, you're sitting through an infomercial between levels.

sithdawg @ Nov 20th 2009 9:54AM

I still don't get what the point of this whole advertising thing was in the first place, it's not as though Wipeout is free, or even cheap compared to most PSN games. Why gouge a game they could actually make some money off of? Why not advertise in the more casual games where people are susceptible to such things?

mercurywa @ Nov 20th 2009 11:42AM

I agree. When I got Rag Doll Kung-Fu for free, I was expecting to be pounded with Sprint Ads and yet... nothing.

Meteor Freak @ Nov 20th 2009 12:05PM

I'm glad I never bought this game... this would piss me off... not only does it take longer, it takes me out of the game I'm playing. This game was not free... if it was then ok... I don't mind billboards and stuff like in Burnout... although the Gillette trucks are a bit over the top...

doji_wayo @ Nov 20th 2009 1:07PM

I have 2.1 and dont see adds.

Koleax @ Nov 29th 2009 11:48AM

* * * How to Remove the Ads * * *

Delete the game and reinstall. Then make sure to NEVER START THE GAME WHILE ONLINE. Go online after the intro sequence has completed.

The ads are apparently downloaded during that window. After doing this I haven't seen one ad.

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