GameSlice: Behind the Scenes of the Computer and Video Game Industry

GameSlice Daily Editorial

Week Ending October 25, 1999

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING EDITION

Here's a look at the latest game ads, including a special look at the latest 3D card hardware advertising.
Sim Theme Park

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Page 1
Page 2

Believe it or not, Sim Theme Park is just over a month away from release and we're starting to see the major advertising campaign roll out. Re-named for the North American territories from Theme Park World to capitalize on the "Sim" brand, you have to admit the screenshots look gorgeous. Whereas most PC games are void of any vibrant color, these images catch your eye and are complimented by a yellow background with red text that pops out from the page. The only problem with this ad is the copy, which makes Sim ThemePark sound like it's going to have the same micromanagement issues present in the original. Sure, it's a neat idea to be able to "decide how much ice goes in the drinks," but sometimes too much micromanagement creates a game that is big on details and small on playability. Let's hope the game doesn't mirror what the ad suggests...
Grade: B-
Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine

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Take one look at this ad and you swear you are looking at the poster for the new Indiana Jones movie. But then, as you look past the five-o-clock shadowed Indy you see the hammer & scythe and Sophia, Indy's trusted sidekick from Fate of Atlantis. All of the sudden you realize this is an ad for the forthcoming third-person 3D Indiana Jones game, not the movie! If anything, I've got to hand it to LucasArts for hiring Drew Struzan – famous for his Star Wars and Indiana Jones film posters – to create what seems to be an original piece of artwork for the game. Amid a sea of ads with nothing more than loud text and copious screenshots, this ad breaks through the clutter with class. The only problem? It almost looks too good to be a game advertisement. Without a single screenshot on the page some might be left wondering things like, "Is this the sequel to Indy's Desktop adventures?" (Read: That's not a good thing). Still, if you haven't been living in a dark cave for the past year and have already seen the screenshots, this ad is the Holy Grail -- You just want to hang it on your wall.
Grade: A-
More Ad Reviews: Unreal Tournament and 3D Cards >>>