Week Ending February 1, 2000

SPECIAL ADVERTISING EDITION

Here's a look at the latest game ads, as seen in the February 2000 issue of Computer Gaming World:

Ground Control

View the ad: Page 1 Page 2

Teaser ads are always tough to pull off, and sometimes they just end up being a waste of a two page spread, as is the case with this unfocused ad for Sierra's upcoming "action RTS" game Ground Control.  First of all, does anyone know what an action RTS is?  The ad assumes we know what makes an "action RTS" different than a conventional one, but I'm still puzzled.

What really destroys this ad is the fact Sierra opted to use a huge 3D-rendered image.  (Sorry guys, the whole "Look how nice our 3D Studio work is!" worked five years ago, but it doesn't cut it today.)  Although 3D artwork is a fine way to augment an ad, screenshots would have been a good idea here.  If this game is so "visually stunning" (like the ad claims), where's the proof?
Grade: C-

Deus Ex

View the ad: Page 1 Page 2

When you turn the page to check out this ad, the stark white background makes your eyes immediately focus on the covert Military feel to the layout.   With snappy and salient text in a clear and readable font (take note, Gathering of Developers) the advertising folks even went to the trouble of highlighting key words.  What works in this ad is the cohesive feel.  If you actually read through all the text, you turn the page with a lot of knowledge about the game and its theme.  Although the screenshots should have been much larger, just about everything else, including the cliché "question everything" tagline blend together extremely well and build up a distinct image for the game.
Grade: B+

More Ad Reviews: Soldier of Fortune, a New Star Trek game, and >>>

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