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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: The Haunted Apiary (Let Op!) » The Haunted Apiary (Let Op!): Questions/Meta
[OT] The PMs have earned their keep
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Oecumenix
Veteran

Joined: 21 Aug 2004
Posts: 123
Location: Cambridge, UK

 		[OT] The PMs have earned their keep
Just an example of how ILB has helped promote the Haloverse and increase Bungie revenues (as if the love of its participants wasn't enough): as a direct result of this ARG, today I bought an Xbox, Halo, preordered Halo2, and even bought two of the books (which have apparently only just come out over here). Adding in Live! accessories, it totals over £200 (~= $350) - all revenue generated by ILB.

So I suppose what I'm saying is, as a marketing ploy, you got me hook, line and sinker. Good job PMs!
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:49 pm
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Pants
Boot

Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 23
Location: Northern California

 		advertising, marketing, and the audience
You've touched on something that I've pondered a few times over the course of this ARG.

One of the comments that most annoys me if I discuss this ILB with anyone goes something along the lines of "You're such a schmuck. You're just buying into an advertising campaign and helping "The Man" sell a product."

I'm certian several of you have had the same conversation in different words, so I have a thought for you, should it come to discussing whether playing ILB is "selling out" or "being had":

TANSTAAFL. Ain't NOTHING free in this world, folks. Not TV shows, not magazines, not the t-shirts everyone gives away at [corporate event of your choice]. ILB is decidedly advertising, and you won't find any sapient beekeeper here who will argue it's not. Advertising is a fact of life, but much of it is so deeply enmeshed with everyday life that the vast majority of people don't remark on it anymore. A full hour TV show without commercials? Unheard of. A magazine without ads? Never. A newspaper without a myriad of cupons, adverts, and other drek? Preposterous.

Advertising is the balancing element. That's why mass media became available, and it's why the consumer gets the majority of his or her free stuff.

But the old model of advertising is losing its effectiveness. People look through ads, they tune them out, delete them and filter them out. We're now all quite adept at TiVo-ing though them or what have you. In short, older types of advertising are falling flat because people don't care about the vast majority--consumers are quite suddenly demanding more effort for their attention.

It's like a massive collective bargaining operation. We, as consumers, reject the shotgun approach as a waste of our time. Instead, if we're going to pay attention to something, we want it worth our while. Funny, relevant, intriguing...something It's as simple as that.

The basic structure hasn't changed. Nothing is free. But with "advertising" like ILB, we're beginning to see the benefits of a knowledgeable consumer base entering into a voluntary contract with an advertiser. We're affirming, to the a prospective advertiser, that our precious attention isn't free. Make it worth our while.






er...[/treatise]

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 8:18 pm
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Kali
Decorated

Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 162

 		Huzzah!!!

So true.

I especially LOVE it when the same people who watch 5 hours of Friends a night tell me that I waste my time by playing video games (or ILB).

Not that I have anything against watching tv, but I'd rather get my entertainment/advertising by a more interactive, mentally stimulating method.

Think they'll start running these for political campaigns? Wink

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 8:41 pm
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Phaedra
Lurker v2.0


Joined: 21 Sep 2004
Posts: 4033
Location: Here, obviously

 		Political Campaigns
Kali wrote:
Think they'll start running these for political campaigns? Wink


Insha'allah.
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 8:52 pm
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DreamOfTheRood
Unfettered


Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 714
Location: Indiana

 		I concur.

Yes, I can pretty much guarantee where my money is going after this semester is over.
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 9:10 pm
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darkmoonz
Unfettered


Joined: 25 Aug 2004
Posts: 330
Location: Gainesville, FL
Kali wrote:
Think they'll start running these for political campaigns? Wink


they already do... i've been hiding from p. diddy every since this vote or die thing started... i'm going to vote, but i don't want to face p. diddy regardless...

*i think the vote or die thing is stupid*
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 9:31 pm
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Kali
Decorated

Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 162

 		Re: Political Campaigns
Phaedra wrote:
Kali wrote:
Think they'll start running these for political campaigns? Wink


Insha'allah.


uh, very good.

Except that's 3 words, not one.

In (if) sha' (thing) allah(G-d)

= If it is a thing of G-d
= G-d willing

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 9:34 pm
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Phaedra
Lurker v2.0


Joined: 21 Sep 2004
Posts: 4033
Location: Here, obviously

 		Re: Political Campaigns
Kali wrote:
Phaedra wrote:
Kali wrote:
Think they'll start running these for political campaigns? Wink


Insha'allah.


uh, very good.

Except that's 3 words, not one.

In (if) sha' (thing) allah(G-d)

= If it is a thing of G-d
= G-d willing


Hmm. Saw the transliteration as a single word, went with it. But I bow to your superior expertise.
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 10:21 pm
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thebruce
Dances With Wikis


Joined: 16 Aug 2004
Posts: 6899
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Kali wrote:
I especially LOVE it when the same people who watch 5 hours of Friends a night tell me that I waste my time by playing video games (or ILB).


Hey! I watch friends! Well, not every night any more, and I've seen every episode, so I'm collecting the dvd sets now Razz

well at least I haven't accused anyone of wasting time by playing video games Smile I watch Friends (well, Joey now) AND play video games... now there's a waste of time! Wink
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 11:57 pm
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bill
Unfettered


Joined: 25 Sep 2002
Posts: 614
Location: Tampa
Kali wrote:
Think they'll start running these for political campaigns? Wink


You mean like this or this?
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 12:07 am
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Nightmare Tony
Entrenched

Joined: 07 Jun 2004
Posts: 824
Location: Meadowbrook

 		One other benefit of the Bees is a word of mouth bringing attention. For those of us who aren't buying the game, we are excitedly telling our friends and anyone who asks about it, increasing consumer awareness.
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 2:09 pm
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rose
...and then Magic happens


Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 4117

 		1.5 million pre ordered
Yes, I know this was a marketing campaign. But let's face facts, the 1.5 million copies of Halo2 that have been preordered have not been dramatically increased by the numbers of us playing this game. Many of us had ordered it anyway.

What I also see it as:

1. A merger of two gaming communities, that overcame some bumpy spots, resulting in a really great, supportive and successful group. ( I mean we got 1049 axons today? we rock!)

2. A way of enhancing the story. Bungie has commented in articles that storytelling is essential to Halo. They were able to try a new way of enhancing their story and telling it outside of the actual game. And a way of expanding the genre of ARGs at the same time.

3. A way to keep frantic fans engaged before the game was released. We had so many countdowns and references to countdowns in this game. But the game itself is a countdown. Counting down until November 9.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 1:12 am
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